I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight is as close to a perfect record as I've ever heard. I love that it begins on an up strum and that it ends on a note that doesn't resolve the key that it's in. I love the sparseness of the bass and drums of Calvary Cross, the little woodwind solos on Has He Got A Friend For Me and I don't think there's a better song to get one in the mood for going out than IWTSTBLT does.
But for me, the hero of this record is Linda. It's true, Richard's lyrics on songs like Has He Got A Friend For Me are devastating and stunning but Linda's delivery of this song takes it to another place entirely:
"He's got the haunt of the sea in his eyes
He wouldn't notice me passing by
I could be in the gutter, or dangling down from a tree
If you know someone who is graceful and wise
Doesn't mind girls who are clumsy and shy
I don't mind going with someone that I've never seen..."
She doesn't waste a note. Her singing is pure, clear, heart-wrenching, and beautiful.
Oh man, thank you, Lo, for this particular ear worm today!
Beautifully said Anthony. Yeah its a wildly great album - and I don't even mind that I still have IWTHTBLT on a brain loop.... I need to go listen to Linda's later solo stuff, I never have - her voice really is pure as a bell. So much great music, so little time!
Good to read that my mental wanderings lead to more creativity. Worth all the grief I get from frustrated companions! I get phrases of certain songs stuck in my head, like Dido’s “I’m in love and always will be” except I hear our family version of “I’m in love and always swill beer” 😆
Yes I was glad to read that too and to think that maybe my brain is secretly working on stuff I don't know about... and your family are very inventive lyricists!
I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight is as close to a perfect record as I've ever heard. I love that it begins on an up strum and that it ends on a note that doesn't resolve the key that it's in. I love the sparseness of the bass and drums of Calvary Cross, the little woodwind solos on Has He Got A Friend For Me and I don't think there's a better song to get one in the mood for going out than IWTSTBLT does.
But for me, the hero of this record is Linda. It's true, Richard's lyrics on songs like Has He Got A Friend For Me are devastating and stunning but Linda's delivery of this song takes it to another place entirely:
"He's got the haunt of the sea in his eyes
He wouldn't notice me passing by
I could be in the gutter, or dangling down from a tree
If you know someone who is graceful and wise
Doesn't mind girls who are clumsy and shy
I don't mind going with someone that I've never seen..."
She doesn't waste a note. Her singing is pure, clear, heart-wrenching, and beautiful.
Oh man, thank you, Lo, for this particular ear worm today!
Beautifully said Anthony. Yeah its a wildly great album - and I don't even mind that I still have IWTHTBLT on a brain loop.... I need to go listen to Linda's later solo stuff, I never have - her voice really is pure as a bell. So much great music, so little time!
Good to read that my mental wanderings lead to more creativity. Worth all the grief I get from frustrated companions! I get phrases of certain songs stuck in my head, like Dido’s “I’m in love and always will be” except I hear our family version of “I’m in love and always swill beer” 😆
Yes I was glad to read that too and to think that maybe my brain is secretly working on stuff I don't know about... and your family are very inventive lyricists!
Jonathan Richman!
Earworms! Say less!!!!!
This round hm? Mmmmm
I'm afraid the round was won but the battle is lost, the song is still playing loud and proud in my head
It’s that hour!!! That earworm hour!!