AKA Earworm Central. "Keptin! They put creaturesin our bodies!"--Chekov
If you're gonna have a folder about beer, you gotta have some tunes.
My life flows on in endless song
above earth's lamentation.
I hear the real, through far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the
strife I hear that music ringing.
It sounds an echo in my soul, how
can I keep from singing?
Heh. Nice.
I donno. This type of number has an inglorious history -- I call them the "Ha-Ha, the Ho's a Hag" tunes. The key problem is that the (almost always) male vocalist can't get the mockery/sympathy proportions right. Over-the-hill male rockers are laffed at if they attempt to be generations younger than they are. Ho's-a-Hag are mocked simply for getting older and not being a desirable object to the snots-in-the-band. An increasing problem with the theme is that being in a pop-punk band is, uh, kinda just another accounting job, guys.
Anyway, the one (near) exception to the Ho's-a-Hag syndrome is Marianne Faithfull's rendition of Shel Silverstein's "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan" which counters any smugness of the original with the dry, ravaged cracks in Faithfull's voice. (And as with Brian Wilson's new SMiLE, there's added gloss in that the song is part of an extremely long-shot comeback album.) And, if you allow that "Lucy Jordan" is a solidly pre-feminist song, Lucy isn't just sitting around being an out-of-it sad sack like Debbie -- no, she's found a way out.
THE BALLAD OF LUCY JORDAN
The morning sun touched lightly on
The eyes of Lucy Jordan
In her white suburban bedroom
In a white suburban town,
As she lay there 'neath the covers,
Dreaming of a thousand lovers,
Till the world turned to orange
And the room went spinning 'round.
At the age of 37
She realized she'd never ride
Through Paris in a sports car
With the warm wind in her hair.
So she let the phone keep ringing
As she sat there, softly singing
Little nursery rhymes she'd memorized
In her daddy's easy chair.
Her husband is off to work,
And the kids are off to school,
And there were, oh, so many ways
For her to spend the day:
She could clean the house for hours
Or rearrange the flowers
Or run naked through the shady streets,
Screaming all the way!
At the age of 37
She realized she'd never ride
Through Paris in a sports car
With the warm wind in her hair.
So she let the phone keep ringing
As she sat there, softly singing
Little nursery rhymes she'd memorized
In her daddy's easy chair.
The evening sun touched gently on
The eyes of Lucy Jordan
On the roof top, where she climbed
When all the laughter grew too loud.
And she bowed and curtsied to the man
Who reached and offered her his hand,
And he led her down to the long white car
That waited past the crowd.
At the age of 37
She knew she'd found forever,
As she rolled along through Paris
With the warm wind in her hair.
[Edited by on Oct 11, 2004 at 05:26am.]
Who's Debbie?
D'OH!
You know ... the one who hit the wall ... in the song lyric somebody named Frosti posted ...
Oh yeah, her. Carry on!
Frosti skims even his own posts.
<snicker>
I'll get you, my pretty.
Promises promises.
And your little dog, too.
So that's what the kids are calling it now...
I never knew Shel Silverstein wrote lyrics, other than "A Boy Named
Sue". Though it shouldn't surprise me. That song is quite a
departure from everything I associate with Shel. I might need to google
him a bit. We had a couple of his books as a kid, and I still know lots of
his poems. One of my favorites (which probably isn't a surprise to
those who know me):
My beard grows to my toes
I never wears no clothes;
I wraps my hair around my bare
and down the road I goes.
This is more what I would associate with Shel. From the album "Kickin' Asphalt"
There was pralines and cream droppin' into my lap,
And that's a source of irritation.
And that Chunky-Monkey fillin' up the cab.
That can disturb a fellah's concentration.
That Cherry Jubilee
Right up to my knees
Can make a truckin' man's ruination
With thirteen tons of ice cream bars
And no refrigeration.
When I pull into Tampa you can damn well bet
There'll be a big investigation,
And under cross examination,
I'll deny all of the allegations.
Then me and the boss we're gonna have
One of them real short conversations.
Then he's gonna be advisin' me
To find a brand new occupation.
A ninety-mile run in the Florida sun
Can be a sticky situation
With thirteen tons of ice cream bars
And no refrigeration .
Well, I'm gonna tell him where he can STICK
His whole screwed-up organization
Then I'm gonna head right on down to the Union Hall
And apply for arbitration.
Then get me some fancy legal representation
And sue the whole God damn truckin' corporation
And win a BIG cash compensation
And then take a seven-month vacation
At some tropical location
With some uh... female stimulation
And do a little copulation
Out in the vegetation
And get a little inebriation goin'
Ohhh . . what a sweet sensation!
Lemme see now . . what flavor should I have . . .
Hmm-Hmmm . . . they're all running together
I believe this is a whole new kinda ice cream
Heee-hee-heee.. . . . .
[Edited 3 times. Most recently by on Oct 11, 2004 at 05:04pm.]
More adult Shel here:
Lay down
Let's explore this tenderness between us
There ain't no one around at all to see us
And baby would you mind
If maybe you and I
Took a little time to find each other?
Baby , We got all the time in the world
So why don't we just take it nice and slow?
We got everything we need
To plant a lovin' seed
And all the time we need to watch it grow.
Stay down
Stay at least until the fire stops burnin'
At least until the room has stopped it's turnin'
And when the embers dyin'
We're lyin' in the afterglow
It'll be as sweet as anything we've ever known
Baby , We got all the time in the world
So why don't we just take it nice and slow?
We got everything we need
To plant a lovin' seed
And all the time we need to watch it grow.
The Calculus homework this week is totally kicking my ass, so here's a
bit more Shel. Scanning through the list, I see several songs I recognize
but associate with other artists such as:
The aformentioned Boy Named Sue by Johnny Cash
Cover of the Rolling Stone
Freakin' at the Freaker's Ball
I Got Stoned and I Missed It
All by Dr. Hook
Daddy, What If
Marie Laveaux
Mermaid
Put Another Log On The Fire
Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe
All by Bobby Bare
And The Unicorn, which I always thought was an Irish Rovers song.
All in all, he was much more prolific than I imagined. His subject matter doesn't surprise me. It's a combination of the innocent and whimsical poems I grew up reading in the childrens collections and the not-so-innocent yet still whimsical poems I came across in a few contraband Playboys, with a touch of the somewhat sappy song The Giving Tree in many. The Giving Tree is one of those songs that, even though it's very heavy handed it can still make me a little misty.
A few more from Silverstein as I procrastinate more. Who knew, A Boy Named Sue has a counterpart, Father to a Boy Named Sue:
[Silverstein's speaking voice:] ”Okay... now years ago, I wrote a song named “A Boy Named Sue”, and that was okay and everything, except then I started to think about it, and I thought, “It is unfair. I am looking at the whole thing from the poor kid’s point of view. And as I get more older and more fatherly, I begin to look at things from an old man’s point of view. So... I decided to give the old man equal time. Okay. Here we go.”
Yeah, I lef’ home when the kid was three.
It sure felt good to be fancy free
Tho I knew it wasn’t quite the fatherly thing to do.
But that kid kept screamin’ and throwin’ up
And pissin’ in his pants til I had enough
So just for revenge I went and named him Sue.
It was Gatlinberg in mid July
I was gettin' drunk but gettin' by
Gettin' old and going from bad to worse
When thru the door with an awful scream
Comes the ugliest queen I’ve ever seen
He says my name is Sue. How do you do?
Then he hits me with his purse.
Now this ain’t the way he tells the tale
But he scratched my face with his fingernails
And then he bit my thumb
and kicked me with his high-heeled shoe.
So I hit him in the nose, and he started to cry
And he threw some perfume in my eye
And it sure ain’t easy fightin with a boy named Sue.
So I hit him in the head with a caned-back chair
And he screamed, “Hey Dad, you mussed my hair!”
And he hit me in the navel and knocked out a piece of my lint.
He was spittin' blood. I was spittin teeth.
And we crashed through the wall and out into the street
A-kickin and gougin' in the mud and the blood and the crème de menth.
Then out of his garter he pulls a gun.
I’m about to get shot by my very own son.
He’s screamin' about Sigmond Freud and lookin' grim.
So I thought fast and I told him some stuff
How I named him Sue just to make him tough.
And I guess he bought it, cuz now I’m livin' with him.
Yeah, he cooks and sews and cleans up the place.
He cuts my hair and shaves my face.
And irons my shirts better than a daughter could do.
And on the nights that I can’t score,
Well, I can’t tell you anymore.
Sure is a joy to have a boy named Sue.
Yeah, a son is fun,
But it’s a joy to have a boy named Sue.
It's Begun.
What, your homework?
My homework was begun. Unfortunatly, it's not completed. But that's not what I was referring to.
So mysterious!
Shel, by the way, was notorious as thechampion party hound at the Playboy mansion in the '60s.
And it was a very competitive field.
[Edited by on Oct 12, 2004 at 02:01pm.]
As a kid that news probably would have either surprised or confused me, depending on my age and general state of my wide-eyed innocence. Hearing it today makes sense.Â
I think I have a new hero.Â
Nah, I've always been your hero. Nothing new there.
Heh.
jukebox hero.
ar ar.
There's an earworm I didn't need.
<skips away>
jenb, where you been?
I been around. just not around here!
actually, just busy at work, busy at home.Â
I didn't know you were going to school, Frosti.
Say what you want, this song's still got it.
Yeah, I've been in school for the last couple years. Just plodding along, one class at a time.
cool. I wish I was still in school. but I've got, like, 387 hours, so I guess that's enough.
Never enough school. It keeps me off the streets and away from the hooligans.
dude, you're hangin' around here and we ain't nothin' but a buncha hooligans.
and that Sparky! I mean, c'mon.
[Edited by on Oct 13, 2004 at 10:19am.]
He goes to school hoping to see the top of a thong above the low-rise jeans on the coed in front of him, jenb.
Out of trouble. Uh-huh.
Didn't I tell you, she doesn't sit in front of me any more. She sits right next to me. :-)
Keep *him* away from the hooligans?! Sheesh. Poor hooligans don't stand a chance.
My granny, she said I was a hooligan
Runnin' 'round like a fool again
I went down to the candy store
If I had a nickel I'd buy some more
And I'm oh so sad, yeah, oh so bad
So sad, but it's true
Baby, what can I do
My mama, she said I was a black sheep
My baby. she said I was a creep
And I'm oh so sad, oh so bad
So sad, but it's true
Baby, what can I do
I got a '35 Chevy on a '55 frame
Can't even spell my name
Dropped out of school when I was 22
What can I do to satisfy you
I'm a hooligan
Won't go to school again
I'm a hooligan
Won't go to school again, won't go, no
I got a '35 Chevy on a '55 frame
Can't even spell my name
Dropped out of school when I was 22
What can I do to satisfy you
I'm a hooligan, yeah
Won't go to school again
I mean you know how cool I am
I'm a hooligan, I am a hooligan
Won't go to school again, won't go, no
I'm a hooligan
I mean like I'm so bad
Won't go to school again, yeah, ha, ha
I'm a hooligan
And like every chick in town loves me
Won't go to school again, won't go, no
Nobody's gonna pull me down
Heh.
Last night I had the strangest dream
I sailed away to China in a little rowboat to find ya
And you said you had to get your laundry cleaned
Didn't want no one to hold you, What does that mean?
And you said...
Chorus
Ain't nothin' gonna break my stride
Nobody's gonna slow me down
Oh no, I've got to keep on movin'
Ain't nothin' gonna break my stride
I'm running and I won't touch ground
Oh no, I've got to keep on movin'
You're on the road and now you're plain as gone (you pray you'll last)
The road behind (beyond) was rocky, but now you're feeling cocky
You look at me and you see your past
Is that the reason why you're running so fast?
And you said...
Chorus
Never let another guy like you, work me over
Never let another guy like you, drag me under
If I meet another guy like you, I will tell him
Never want another guy like you, how to say:
Never let another girl like you whip me over
Never let another girl like you drag me under
If I meet another girl like you I will tell her
Never want another girl like you have to say - oh!
This one's been running through my head lately. Growing up we had the album by Bobby Bare of the same name and it was in heavy rotation.
Singin' in the Kitchen
(Shel Silverstein)
Here we go singing in the kitchen
All together singing in the kitchen
Everybody singing in the kitchen
Banging on the pots and pans
Mama and Daddy singing in the kitchen
Baby's laughing singing in the kitchen
All the kids singing in the kitchen
Banging on the pots and pans
Supper's done and the table's clear
Baby wants a bottle and I want a beer
Lord I sure am glad I'm here
Where there's lots of love to share
Now clap hands and everybody sing
Dishes clang and the banjo rings
There's gravy on these guitar strings
But I don't really care
'Cause here we are singing in the kitchen
All together singing in the kitchen
Everybody singing in the kitchen
Banging on the pots and pans
I'll play the comb and you play the spoons
I'll sing the words and you sing the tune
We'll wake up the old man in the moon
'Cause we sing so loud
I'll hug you, you hug your Mother
Snuggle up close to one another
Just like bread on a piece of butter
Lord it makes me feel so proud
'Cause here we are singing in the kitchen
All together singing in the kitchen
Everybody singing in the kitchen
Banging on the pots and pans
Now the fireplace embers glowing red
Everybody's tired and it's time for bed
Baby's nodding his little head
So let's sing quietly now
(whispers)
Who do we love singing in the kitchen
Can't get enough singing in the kitchen
Whole lot of love singing in the kitchen
Banging on the pots and pans
Mama and Daddy singing in the kitchen
Little bitty baby singing in the kitchen
All the kids singing in the kitchen
Banging on the pots and pans
Here we go singing in the kitchen
All together singing in the kitchen
Everybody singing in the kitchen
Banging on the pots and pans
Mama and Daddy singing in the kitchen
Baby laughing singing in the kitchen
All the kids singing in the kitchen
Banging on the pots and pans
I had a much more evil earworm this morning, but I've since forgotten what it was.
Congratulations! Mine's still hanging in there.Â
I'm kind of disappointed, because I wanted to share.
around the world
got a weird thing to show you
so tell all the boys and girls
tell your brother, your sister and your mama too
‘cause they’re ‘bout to go down
and you know just what to do
wave your hands in the air
like you don’t care
glide by the people as they start to look and stare
do your dance
do your dance
do your dance quick
come on baby tell me what’s the word
word up
everybody say
when you hear the call
you got to get it underway
word up
it’s the code word
no matter where you say it
you know that you’ll be heard
now all you sucker DJs
who think you’re fly
there’s got to be a reason and we know the reason why
you can put on those airs
and act real cool
but you got to realize
that you’re acting like a fool
if there’s music we can use it ’cause we need to dance
we don’t have the time for psychological romance
no romance
no romance
no romance for me
come on baby tell me what’s the word
word up
everybody say
when you hear the call you got to get it underway
word up
it’s the code word
no matter where you say it
you know that you’ll be heard
[Edited 3 times. Most recently by on Oct 27, 2004 at 10:47am.]
There only two things in life that make it worth livin'
That's guitars that tune good and firm feelin' women
I don't need my name in the marquis lights
I got my song and I got you with me tonight
Maybe it's time we got back to the basics of love
Chorus:
Let's go to Luckenbach Texas with Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we're livin' got us feuding
like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams pain songs, Newberry's train songs
and blue eyes cryin' in the rain out in Luckenbach Texas
ain't nobody feelin' no pain
So baby let's sell your diamond ring
Buy some boots and faded jeans and go away
This coat and tie is choking me
In your high society you cry all day
We've been so busy keepin' up with the Jones
Four car garage and we're still building on
Maby it's time we got back to the basics of love
Chorus:
Let's go to Luckenbach Texas with Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we're livin' got us feuding
like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams pain songs, Newberry's train songs
and blue eyes cryin' in the rain out in Luckenbach Texas
ain't nobody feelin' no pain
Let's go to Luckenbach Texas with Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we're livin' got us feuding
like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams pain songs, Newberry's train songs
and blue eyes cryin' in the rain out in Luckenbach Texas
ain't nobody feelin' no pain
that brings back some memories. Mom loved Waylon and Willie - along with Dylan, and Segar, and Petty.
Just good ol' boys
Never meaning no harm
Beats all you never saw, been in trouble with the law
Since the day they was born
Straightenin' the curves
Flattenin' the hills
Someday the mountain might get'em
But the law never will
Making their way, the only way they know how
That's just a little bit more than the law will allow
Chorus.
I'm a good ol' boy
You know my mama loved me
But she don't understand they keep a showin my pants
And not my face on TV
:-)
The dollar went down and the President said
'Who's in charge, now?' I don't know, take your pick.
A new disease every day and the old ones are coming back
Things are looking kind of gray, like they're going to black
Don't turn on the TV, don't show me the paper
(I) don't want to know he got kidnapped or why they all raped her
I want to go on vacation 'till the pressure lets up
But they keep hijacking airplanes and blowing them up
(Refrain)
It's been a hard day on the planet
How much is it all worth?
It's getting harder to understand it
Things are tough all over on earth.
It's hot in December and cold in July
When it rains it pours out of a poisonous sky
In California the body counts keep getting higher
It's evil out there, man that state is always on fire.
Everyone has a system, but they can't seem to win
Even Bob Geldorf looks alarmingly thin
I got to get on that shuttle get me out of this place
But there's gonna be warfare up there in outer space
(Refrain)
I've got clothes on my back and shoes on my feet
A roof over my head and something to eat
My kids are all healthy and my folks are alive
You know, it's amazing but sometimes I think I'll survive
I've got all of my fingers and all of my toes
I'm pretty well off I guess, I suppose
So how come I feel bad so much of the time?
A man ain't an island?John Dunn wasn't lying
(Refrain)
It?s business as usual; some things never change
It?s unfair, it's tough, unkind and it's strange
We don't seem to learn; we can't seem to stop
Maybe some explosions would close up the shop
You know, maybe that would be fine: we would be off the hook
We resolved all our problems, never mind what it took
And it all would be over, finito, the end
Until the survivers started up all over again
(Refrain)