Everybody has favorites. One of mine is Steely Dan. Been a fan since 'Can't Buy a Thrill.'
Beyond their catchy tunes, sophisticated charts and top-shelf players, they also specialize in sardonic, world-weary lyrics that artfully paint gritty real-life vignettes.
Haitian Divorce Don't Take Me Alive Glamour Profession
...and then, some are just fun, clever, cynical romps through relationship hell. Bonus: this one bumps an infectious groove that has your head bobbing from start to finish.
Lunch With Gina
That must be her again She's leaning on my bell That cold psychotic brain The one I know so well So I'm nailed to the floor in the no-option zone There's about zero chance she'll give up and go home
This endless afternoon It started on the day I met her Lunch with Gina is forever
She's coming round the corner Her body's just a blur I peel out like The Flash It don't mean boo to her So I duck into Nino's—she's barred from the place The minute I walk out she's right in my face
She's got nothing but time No use in trying to be clever Lunch with Gina is forever
Now I'm in my apartment The blinds down the lights out The phone rings God help me There's nobody home
I crouch on the carpet Not breathing just being Like meat on the bone
(...adn don't this synth solo sound just like your crazy ex-girlfriend? )
I'm in a cozy booth Maybe my watch is fast Another Tanqueray I'll wait till twenty past I'm about to go postal when she waltzes in I guess she's a knockout—hey where have I been?
The waiter never comes God knows the service could be better Lunch with Gina is forever
Coffee and a kiss Maybe later maybe never Lunch with Gina…
"Everything Must Go" is an album I still put on from time to time (but not as much as "2 Against Nature").
Walter Becker's passing was a big loss when you think of the body of their lyrics over the years.
I guess Donald Fagen is trying to make an attempt (through litigation) to continue the music through something called, "Donald Fagen and the Steely Dan Band." I hope he is able to do so, as long as it holds that moniker.
"Haitian Divorce", "Babylon Sisters" and so many others: masterful lyrics and songs with reggae, jazz and funk.
Another that comes to mind: "Third World Man." Really beautiful song with brief, profound lyrics. I'm too lazy to post them, but Steely Dan fans will know what I'm talking about.
Another that comes to mind: "Third World Man." Really beautiful song with brief, profound lyrics. I'm too lazy to post them, but Steely Dan fans will know what I'm talking about.
I'll do it for you. Folks need to know this stuff. I got you, Dawg.
Third World Man
Johnny's playroom Is a bunker filled with sand He's become a third world man
Smoky Sunday He's been mobilized since dawn Now he's crouching on the lawn He's a third world man
Soon you'll throw down your disguise We'll see behind those bright eyes By and by When the sidewalks are safe For the little guy
I saw the fireworks I believed that I was dreaming Till the neighbors came out screaming He's a third world man
Soon you'll throw down your disguise We'll see behind those bright eyes By and by When the sidewalks are safe For the little guy
When he's crying out I just sing that Ghana rondo E l'era del terzo mondo He's a third world man He's a third world man He's a third world man
Oh, dude. Choking up a little bit tonight because Walt is gone. Brothers always brought it Real. So glad I saw them a few years years back.
I saw them in '94 at the Hollywood Bowl for their "Alive in America" reunion tour.
"Third World Man" was played right before the encore break.
re: Becker - looking strictly at their solo works (Fagen's 4 and Becker's 2), Fagen's are richer musically (IMO), but Becker's are more "Steely Dan-ish" and poignant lyrically. "Circus Money" is a great record.
Keeping on topic with lyrics - Can't go too far wrong with "Any Major Dude......" or "Pearl of the Quarter".
[Verse 1] Through the fish-eyed lens of tear stained eyes I can barely define the shape of this moment in time And far from flying high in clear blue skies I'm spiraling down to the hole in the ground where I hide If you negotiate the minefield in the drive And beat the dogs and cheat the cold electronic eyes And if you make it past the shotguns in the hall Dial the combination, open the priesthole And if I'm in I'll tell you (What's behind the wall)
(Yahoo!)
[Verse 2] There's a kid who had a big hallucination Making love to girls in magazines He wonders if you're sleeping with your new found faith Could anybody love him Or is it just a crazy dream?
[Verse 3] And if I show you my dark side Will you still hold me tonight? And if I open my heart to you And show you my weak side What would you do? Would you sell your story to Rolling Stone? Would you take the children away And leave me alone? And smile in reassurance As you whisper down the phone? Would you send me packing? Or would you take me home?
[Verse 4] Thought I oughta bare my naked feelings Thought I oughta tear the curtain down I held the blade in trembling hands Prepared to make it but just then the phone rang I never had the nerve to make the final cut
There's some stuff I like to listen to on Final Cut. Good lyrics (as always ), a few great guitar solos and the theme.
In my mind , I sort of considered it Waters' first solo album. Not really Pink Floyd. At least "Animals", by most accounts , was a bit more collaborative.
Claire de lune(English translation from French): Moonlight:
Your soul is a select landscape Where charming masqueraders and bergamaskers go Playing the lute and dancing and almost Sad beneath their fantastic disguises
All sing in a minor key Of victorious love and the opportune life They do not seem to believe in their happiness And their song mingles with the moonlight
With the still moonlight sad and beautiful That sets the birds dreaming in the trees and the fountains among marble statues
What forms our lasting memories of the people we love?
I remember Grandma Joan's horrified expression as I licked the bottom of a bowl of mint-chocolate chip ice cream; such manners. I remember her giving me my first hard bound book; Swiss Family Robinson. We'd walk around the block to go "puddle jumping" when a rainbow appeared after a hard rain, wade the creek to cool off on a hot summer day. You could tell how bad her heartburn was by how much baking soda she put in her soda bread; sometimes it was inedible. She used to tape quotes on her bedroom mirror. My signature came from there, "We are not called on to be successful, we are called on to be faithful."
At their 65th anniversary party, she didn't know who any of us were. She just smiled. There was a big picture of the best man and maid of honor holding umbrellas for them as they walked out into the rain on their wedding day, so many years ago. Grandpa gave a speech and started to sing:
Moon River wider than a mile I'm crossing you in style Someday
Oh dream maker You heart breaker Wherever you're going I'm going your way
Two Drifters off to see the world There's such a lot of world to see We're after the same rainbows end Waitin round the bend My huckleberry friend Moon River and me
I see those two drifters setting out on their wedding day and look at the legacy they left behind. It seems cruel that at the rainbows end the most fantastic parts of the journey were forgotten. It makes me think about the parts of my life that I never want to let go, and realize, there is no guarantee; no matter how fulfilling. Guess I'll just try to love harder and hold on tighter.
I don't hate country music. I like Johnny Cash kind of country music. What I do hate is country music that is nothing more than background noise. It seems that every rocker I know that turned 30 decided to play country in the background of their backyard bar-b-Q because, I don't know, it's the most unobtrusive forgettable thing that they could play. So vanilla, so lame, so disappointing.
Straight out of Nashville, here's your next big star He don't write the songs he sings, but he knows the words by heart. Wears a cowboy hat, and some tight blue jeans, And he struts around the stage like he's the coolest thing you've ever seen.
Oh you gotta love him!
He looks like a super model, knows how to strike a pose And he don't mind the makeup, as long as no one knows. And he's got that crooked grin, and talks with a southern drawl, Acts like Toby Keith, but sounds a lot like Tim McGraw
But if he's country I'll kiss your ass, And throw all my Willie Nelson records in the trash. He's the same old junk in a slightly different bag, But if he's country, well then country's pretty bad.
I don't watch CMT Naw that junk makes me sick. And that ole Kenny Chesney, What a hypocrite.
He'll swear he's country, But he lives in the Caribbean. Sings all about the islands now, What happened to the Tennessean
Aw if he's country ill kiss your ass Throw all my Johnny Cash records in the trash He's all about image cuz image pays the bucks, Aw but if he's country, well then country really sucks.
What happened to the outlaws, Who weren't afraid to cross the line. What happened to the workin' man, Who sang the truth about their troubled lives.
I was raised in Georgia, in a one red light town. And my daddy picked guitar in every honky tonk around. And he taught me all the good stuff, That solid country gold, but now I love it all from hip-hop to rock and roll
And if I ain't country, well I don't give a damn My daddy taught me to be own kinda man He said "Son you don't have to go along with the crowd" So if I ain't country then I'm pretty frickin proud Oh Well I don't need their labels anyhow
Not a really well known song of Dylan's but a song I have always loved. ==========================================================
I hate myself for lovin' you and the weakness that it showed. You were just a painted face on a trip down Suicide Road. The stage was set, the lights went out all around the old hotel. I hate myself for lovin' you and I'm glad the curtain fell.
I hate that foolish game we played and the need that was expressed. And the mercy that you showed to me, who ever would have guessed? I went out on Lower Broadway and I felt that place within, That hollow place where martyrs weep and angels play with sin.
Heard your songs of freedom and man forever stripped, Acting out his folly while his back is being whipped. Like a slave in orbit, he's beaten 'til he's tame, All for a moment's glory and it's a dirty, rotten shame.
There are those who worship loneliness, I'm not one of them. In this age of fiberglass I'm searching for a gem. The crystal ball up on the wall hasn't shown me nothing yet, I've paid the price of solitude, but at last I'm out of debt.
Can't recall a useful thing you ever did for me 'Cept pat me on the back one time when I was on my knees. We stared into each other's eyes 'til one of us would break, No use to apologize, what diff'rence would it make?
So sing your praise of progress and of the Doom Machine, The naked truth is still taboo whenever it can be seen. Lady Luck, who shines on me, will tell you where I'm at, I hate myself for lovin' you, but I should get over that.
Joni Mitchell knows how to tell a story. This one is an up-tempo 12-bar blues. The band cooks this jam like it's a guest on Food Network.
The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines
I'm down to a roll of dimes I'm stalking the slot that's hot I keep hearing bells all around me Jingling in the lucky jackpots They keep you tantalized They keep you reaching for your wallet Here in fools' paradise!
I talked to a cat from Des Moines He said he ran a cleaning plant That cat was clanking with coin Well, he must have had a genie in a lamp 'Cause every time, I dropped a dime, I blew it He kept ringing bells Nothing to it!
Well, he got three oranges Three lemons Three cherries Three plums I'm losing my taste for fruit Watching the dry cleaner do it Like Midas in a polyester suit It's all luck! It's just luck! You get a little lucky and you make a little money!
[instrumental solos happen here]
I followed him down the strip He picked out a booth at Circus Circus Where the cowgirls fill the room With their big balloons The Cleaner was pitching with purpose! He had Dinos and Pooh Bears And lions, pink and blue there He couldn't lose there!
[more solos happen here]
Des Moines was stacking the chips Raking off the tables Ringing the bandit's bells This is a story that's a drag to tell (In some ways) Since I lost every dime I laid on the line But the cleaner from Des Moines Could put a coin In the door of a John And get twenty for one It's just luck!
Mother please forgive them For they know not what they do Looking back in history's books It seems it's nothing new Oh, let my mother live
Heaven is for heroes And hell is full of fools Stupidity, no will to live They're breaking God's own rules Please let my mother live
Father of all creation I think we're all going wrong The path they're taking Seems to be breaking And it won't take too long Children of the future Watching empires fall Madness, the cup they drink from Self destruction, the toll
I had a vision, l saw the world burn And the seas had turned red The sun had fallen, the final curtain In the land of the dead Mother, please show the children Before it's too late To fight each other, there's no one winning We must fight all the hate
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
My friend assures me, "It's all or nothing." I am not worried I am not overly concerned My friend implores me, "For one time only, Make an exception." I am not worried Wrap her up in a package of lies Send her off to a coconut island I am not worried I am not overly concerned with the status of my emotions "Oh, " she says, "you're changing." But we're always changing It does not bother me to say this isn't love Because if you don't want to talk about it then it isn't love And I guess I'm going to have to live with that But I'm sure there's something in a shade of gray Or something in between And I can always change my name If that's what you mean My friend assures me, "It's all or nothing." But I am not really worried I am not overly concerned You try to tell yourself the things you try to tell yourself To make yourself forget I am not worried "If it's love, " she said, "then we're going to have to think about the consequences." She can't stop shaking I can't stop touching her and This time when kindness falls like rain It washes her away and Anna begins to change her mind "These seconds when I'm shaking leave me shuddering for days, " she says And I'm not ready for this sort of thing But I'm not going to break And I'm not going to worry about it anymore I'm not going to bend and I'm not going to break And I'm not going to worry about it anymore No no no no no, It seems like I should say, "As long as this is love" But it's not all that easy so maybe I should Snap her up in a butterfly net Pin her down on a photograph album I am not worried I've done this sort of thing before But then I start to think about the consequences Because I don't get no sleep in a quiet room and The time when kindness falls like rain It washes me away and Anna begins to change my mind And every time she sneezes I believe it's love and Oh Lord, I'm not ready for this sort of thing She's talking in her sleep It's keeping me awake and Anna begins to toss and turn And every word is nonsense but I understand and Oh Lord, I'm not ready for this sort of thing Her kindness bangs a gong It's moving me along and Anna begins to fade away It's chasing me away She disappears and Oh Lord, I'm not ready for this sort of thing
Clem, in different threads you've introduced me to Shadows and Light, highlighted the Mingus album, and now you've focused in even further. Thankyou. I have a soft spot for Joni Mitchell, but grew up with her more strummy stuff. I've been listening. I guess sometimes it goes over my head, but that Mingus album is pretty darn good. I really like Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. I like the line, "Love is never easy, it's short of the hope we have for happiness."
One thing I'm confused on. Mingus was a bass player right? Did he play on the album and Pastorius played the tour, or did Pastorius also appear on the album?
Finding old articles. You might have read it back in the day, but thought you might enjoy it. Here's the intro; the body is linked.
The career of vocalist and songwriter Joni Mitchell has, within the last year, developed to emphasize her associations with jazz music which have been evident at least since Tom Scott's L.A.Express joined her on on Court and Spark. Mingus, her acclaimed collaboration with the late bassist/composer, and her Playboy Jazz Festival performance with Herbie Hancock, Don Alias, Gene Perla, and Randy Brecker are indicative of her latest direction.
In conversation, Joni states her longtime involvement with jazz - the sound of Annie Ross is clearly discernible in some of Joni's phrasing, and sure enough—Lambert, Hendricks & Ross was an early favorite.
Born in McLeod, Alberta, Canada, Joni Mitchell enrolled at an art school in Alberta but soon drifted into folk singing. She took an increasing interest in songwriting, graduated from ukelele to acoustic guitar, and after working at coffee houses in Toronto, moved to Detroit in 1966.
Her career moved into top gear after she signed with Reprise Records in 1967. During the years that followed, her own personal success as a singer was at times partially subjugated to the impact of others' versions of her songs (Both Sides Now provided a hit for Joni and a gold record for Judy Collins). Since 1972 Mitchell has been with Asylum Records.
A natural musician rather than a schooled one, over the years her close association with sophisticated musicians has led to an ever more sensitive awareness of the fundamentals of jazz.
Last year, it became known that she was embarking on an album in collaboration with the ailing Mingus, the sidemen including Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, Peter Erskine and Herbie Hancock.
By late April, the project had been finally mixed and the album was previewed at a private party. The interview below took place a few days later, when Mitchell still had not decided on a final title, which she discusses here. https://jonimitchell.com/library/view.cfm?id=95
Dang Bone, Dirge was a hard song to find. I tried on youtube, but only found covers and a robot voice that recited the lyrics. Finally found it on something called Vimeo. I like it, thanks for sharing.
As far as lyrics go, I've always loved Last Thoughts on Woodie Guthrie. I won't post all the lyrics 'cuz they'd take a while. At the beginning of the song Dylan says he was asked to summarize his thoughts in 25 words or less. He said he couldn't do it, so "I wrote 5 pages." There are so many lines that cut to the bone, but what always stands out to me are the lines, and I'm remembering the best I can, "Look at my skin glow, look at my skin shine. When you can't even sense that they got any insides. These people all pretty with there ribbons and bows."
Well, there's certainly some straight up no nonsense lyrics in this Bob Seger classic.
"Sunspot Baby"
She packed up her bags and she took off down the road Left me here stranded with the bills she owed She gave me a false address Took off with my American Express Sunspot Baby She sure had me way outguessed
She left me here stranded like a dog out in the yard Charged up a fortune on my credit card She used my address and my name Man that was sure unkind Sunspot Baby She sure has a real good time
I looked in Miami I looked in Negril The closest I came was a month old bill I checked the Bahamas and they said she was gone I can't understand why she did me so wrong
But she packed up her bags And she took off down the road Said she was going to visit sister Flo She used my address and my name And man that was sure unkind Sunspot Baby I'm gonna catch up sometime Sure had a real good time
Let this sink in..... On 12-31-23 it be will 123123. On the flip side, you can tune a piano but you can't tune-a-fish.
Right from the start when he first came out you could tell this guy was different.
Woody was a major influence on Bob. But he took things to another gear.
I remember walking around Kent and hearing Dylan coming from rooms out to the street. At a time when you are young and awaking to the world. Dylan was like a light bulb.
Now all these years later he is a beacon to all in music.
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