Marvin Gaye: You Have Issues Compose The Blues

If you love mellow funk this is it. Marvin Gaye's Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler), a 1971 composition, pulls the heartstrings because this song is a poignant plea for attention to the problems faced by America's urban areas, as well as a call for help.

The lyrics vividly depict life in the bleak ghettos of inner-city America and how such an existence makes them question the people who are in charge. Their predicament was real.

I wonder if the complainin' and grievances of Singaporeans can be effectively transcribed into a song. Maybe a local composer from our sunny island can compose a song too, entitled: Many Doin' Nothin' But Just Complainin'.

Meantime an edited version of the Marvin Gaye and James Nyx hit, Inner City Blues:
Rockets, moon shots
Spend it on the have nots
Money, we make it
Fore we see it you take it
Oh, make you wanna holler
The way they do my life
This ain't livin', This ain't livin'
Inflation no chance
To increase finance
Bills pile up sky high
Send that boy off to die
Hang ups, let downs
Bad breaks, set backs
Natural fact is
I can't pay my tax
Mother, mother
Everybody thinks we're wrong
Who are they to judge us
Simply cause we wear our hair long
(This song is the 3rd and final single from Gaye's album, What's Goin On)

Don't Criticise What You Can't Understand: Dylan

Bob Dylan was in Singapore recently. A truly great 60s artiste with an independent mind, some of his songs are interesting reads. So looking from a different perspective and unless you are familiar with this particular song, please READ the extract of, The Times They Are A Changin' (January, 1964, Columbia Records) below. Apologies to Bob Dylan. Bracketed remarks are mine:

Bob Dylan:
"Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'
(Orchard Road floods?)

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'
(New roulette wheel at Casino?)

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
There's a (contest) outside ragin'
It'll soon (clear) your windows
And (strengthen) your walls
For the times they are a-changin'
(Perhaps a tsunami?)

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agein'
For the times they are a-changin'
(Seniors Realisation Week?)

The line it is drawn
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
For the times they are a-changin'..."
(Formula One Night Race?)
Just wondering. If there's a need for change, is it for the better? That's important.
Image: From 'Google Images'

SINGAPORE GENERAL ELECTIONS 2011

Lyrics For Thought Before Singapore Polling Day

ANY POLITICAL MEANING TO PAUL SIMON'S SONG?

An extract and interpretation:

Paul Simon seeks to convey a message of how ignorance taints the minds of so many people. "Silence" refers to submission. He reveals how people so foolishly follow rulers without actually knowing a ruler's true intentions and background. "People hearing without listening" reveals a people's willingness to take heed to the commands spoken by a leader without fully realizing the consequences of this obedience.

Simon, or whomever is having this dream, tries to warn these conformists in the lines that read "'Fools' said I, "You do not know/ Silence like a cancer grows/ Hear my words that I might teach you,/ Take my arms that I might reach you."" But his warning is swallowed in the abyss of submission: "But my words like silent raindrops fell,/And echoed/In the wells of silence."

This song may refer to a particular nation or people, but most likely it refers to people in general who submit themselves too freely. The song continues to describe the people's capitulation in several lines, most notably in the words, "And the people bowed and prayed/To the neon god they made."

The song's meaning is for the listener to decide and there are many different ideas; however, I personally have always believed that it pertains to a people's readiness to support a leader without fully realizing the possible outcomes.

I am aware Paul Simon in an NPR interview, has admitted there was no profoundly deep meaning to the lyrics when he wrote them. He said he was possibly expressing teenage angst and frustration as to how they are largely ignored by society.

Click below to read the whole article:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_meaning_of_the_lyrics_Sound_of_Silence

'Puff, Magic Dragon' - Singapore Version by Peter, Paul, Mary from Top Post Sept 18, 2009

Puff The Magic Dragon Lyrics: A Special Note For Singapore: Peter, Paul, Mary

Image: http://www.qwickstep.com/

Song was banned on this island in the 60s. This is a MADE FOR SINGAPORE version. Lyrics below, so listen to it carefully. Cute:

Play YouTube on the right as you listen to the explanation from the dragon's mouth about the 'drug connotation' >>>>>>>>>

"Yes, you know that little ditty...
Once upon a time a long time ago,
In a far off land by the sea,
There lived a rich Merlion dragon.

Don't you know that it's really a pity because
There never was a different meaning,
Other than the obvious one.
That the magic dragon is only about
The loss of innocence of children.
Now you can tell your friends that the verdict's
From the dragon's father as well..."

Is it about drugs?
(Covered by about 50 artistes.)

Video: Thanks to YouTube slims86, May 2nd, 2007.
(Introductory words: Extracted from video.)

Lyrics: "Puff the Magic Dragon lived by the sea/and frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee... /Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal Puff...

Meaning? If any other:
Puff = marijuana.
Dragon = Draggin' = inhaling
Jackie Paper = personifying a cigarette rolling paper
Mist = exhaled smoke.

Your view, readers?

(A) Yoko: 'Open Your Box' - Why Ban Songs?

Many Singaporeans screamed when the Singapore authorities banned, Puff The Magic Dragon (1963) and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (1967). We think that only this island ban songs over the airwaves. It's a myth because below are the titles of 60s and 70s songs that have been banned even in Western countries because of moral, military, religious and political motivations. Even up till today some of these songs have not been played on certain broadcast stations.

.

Music censorship is the practice of restricting free access to musical pieces and range from the complete prohibition of the piece to the removal of content when it appears in a certain context. There are definitely extremities in lyrics as Yoko Ono's *Open Your Box (1970) proves, but to ban **Tell Laura I Love Her (1960) is questionable.

.

So you be the judge:

*"Open your box,/Open your box,/Open your trousers,/Open your thighs,/Open your legs,/Open, open, open, open, oooh./Open, open, open, open,/Open your legs,Open your flies,/Open your ears,/Open your nose,/Open your mouth,/Open, open, open, open, oooh./Open./Open your cold feet,/Open, open,/Open, open, open, lets open, lets open the cities./Open the cities,/Open, open, open the world,/Open, lets open the world./Open, open, oooh/Open, open, ooh!"

**"No one knows what happened that day/Or how his car overturned in flames/But as they pulled him from the twisted wreck/With his dying breath, they heard him say/Tell Laura I love her/Tell Laura I need her/Tell Laura not to cry/My love for her will never die..."

The Beatles: Come Together (1969) - product advertising
Rolling Stones: Lets Spend The Night Together (1967) - sex?
Cliff Richard: Honky Tonk Angel (1973) - HTAngel = hooker
Adam Faith: Made You (1960) - sex
Paul McCarney & Wings: Hi Hi Hi (1972) - sex
Donna Summer: Love To Love You (1976) - breaths, groans

Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band: Open Your Box (1970) - obvious
Paul McCartney: Give Ireland Back to the Irish (1972) - obvious
Johnny Horton: Battle of New Orleans (1959) - 'bloody British'
Ricky Valance: Tell Laura I Love Her (1960) - death
Mungo Jerry: Have A Whiff On Me (1971) - drugs
Lonnie Donegan: Digging My Potatoes (1971)

The Beatles: A Day In The Life (1967) - drugs
Rolling Stones: Stoned (1964) - drugs
Ten Years After: Good Morning Little Schoolgirl (1969) - sex
The Coasters: Charlie Brown (1959) - ?
The Everly Brothers: Ebony Eyes (1961) ?

The Kinks: Lola (1970) - product advertising
The Beatles: Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (1967) - drugs
The Four Aces: Stranger In Paradise (1953) - ?
Bobby Darin: Mack The Knife (1928) - gang violence

In certain cases censorship is not permanent and banned songs have been known to be given airplay again. Do you know why the songs Charlie Brown, Ebony Eyes and Stranger In Paradise were not played over the airwaves once upon a time? Tell us.

.

Image: google

Information: Wikipedia Songs and various websites.

Original article: Andy Lim

Do Lyrics Matter? - Simon & Garfunkel 1966

**Simon and Garfunkel's: 7'oclock News, Silent Night (1966).

This song is set to various covers of TIME magazine. Thanks to 2005 Dave for pointing out that the announcer in this was Charlie O'Donnell who has done work for Dick Clark, American Bandstand, Monty Hall, Merv Griffin, Wheel of Fortune etc. So listen and follow the words:

"Silent night/Holy night/All is calm/All is bright/Round yon virgin mother and child/Holy infant so tender and mild/Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace...

This is the early evening edition of the news. The recent fight in the House of Representatives was over the open housing section of the Civil Rights Bill. Brought traditional enemies together but it left the defenders of the measure without the votes of their strongest supporters.

President Johnson originally proposed an outright ban covering discrimination by everyone for every type of housing but it had no chance from the start and everyone in Congress knew it. A compromise was painfully worked out in the House Judiciary Committee.

In Los Angeles today comedian Lenny Bruce died of what was believed to be an overdoes of narcotics. Bruce was 42 years old.

Dr. Martin Luther King says he does not intend to cancel plans for an open housing march Sunday into the Chicago suburb of Cicero. Cook County Sheriff Richard Ogleby asked King to call off the march and the police in Cicero said they would ask the National Guard to be called out if it is held. King, now in Atlanta, Georgia, plans to return to Chicago Tuesday.

In Chicago Richard Speck, accused murderer of nine student nurses, was brought before a grand jury today for indictment. The nurses were found stabbed an strangled in their Chicago apartment.

In Washington the atmosphere was tense today as a special sub-committee of the House Committee on Un-American activities continued its probe into anti-Viet nam war protests. Demonstrators were forcibly evicted from the hearings when they began chanting anti-war slogans.

Former Vice-President Richard Nixon says that unless there is a substantial increase in the present war effort in Vietnam, the U.S. should look forward to five more years of war. In a speech before the Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in New York, Nixon also said opposition to the war in this country is the greatest single weapon working against the U.S.

That's the 7 o'clock edition of the news. Goodnight."

INFORMATION:

Images/YouTube: From: rsensorat3, Dec. 07/2007. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel (1966). Lyrics/Music: Josef Mohr, Franz Gruber. (Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme Album)

(1) Singapore Formula 1 Race '09, Michelle, Green Berets, Boots Are Made For Walking '66

The Singapore F1 Formula Race next week on Sunday September, 27th takes us back to the 60s when Singapore had its lst Grand Prix in April, 1966 at Thomson Road.

Previous editions were held before Singapore became independent so there was much excitement that week. Blogger remembers that the buzz phrase was, "Grand Prix" (ie, 'gron pree') but the term was verbally abused by our folks.

While the focus was on the race, the froth was also brewing on the international pop music scene in April 1966. Why? Although the Beatles reached top positions in the world charts, they didn't do too well in their own British homeland.

Another surprise was Sergeant Barry Sadler's Ballads Of The Green Berets (image) which praised Vietnam but came 42nd on the list. This song never became popular in Singapore for obvious reasons but the ballad came up to the top on the US charts in later weeks.

Singapore Top Tunes lists Nancy Sinatra's These Boots Are Made For Walking (covered by Nancy Sit and a few other local artistes) and Sounds Of Silence by Simon And Garfunkel in the top spots. Also Michelle by Billy Vaughn, and not the Beatles, was at number 3. What about our own bands and singers?

Image: Wikipedia.

YouTube Video: Konshito -Nov 2006. All time classic/original version.

Original article: Andy Lim

Puff The Magic Dragon Song Lyrics A Special Note For Singapore: Peter, Paul, Mary

Image: By Shurls/Copyright
PUFF The Magic Dragon. From Peter, Paul & Mary.

Play YouTube on the right as you listen to the explanation from the dragon's mouth about the 'drug connotation':

"Yes, you know that little ditty...

Once upon a time a long time ago,

In a far off land by the sea,

There lived a (unclear/utterance) Merlion (?) dragon.

Don't you know that it's really a pity because

There never was a different meaning,

Other than the obvious one.

That the magic dragon is only about

The loss of innocence of children.

Now you can tell your friends that the verdict's

From the dragon's father as well..."

Is it about drugs?

This song has been covered by about 50 artistes.

Video: Thanks to YouTube slims86, May 2nd, 2007.

(Introductory words: Extracted by Andy Lim from video.)

Lyrics: "Puff the Magic Dragon lived by the sea/and frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee... /Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal Puff...

Meaning:

Puff = marijuana.

Dragon = Draggin' = inhaling

Jackie Paper = personified a cigarette rolling paper

Mists = exhaled smoke.

Your views readers?

Version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OiOlnoyljk

Peter Paul & Mary - "Blowin' In The Wind" - Flower - Mary Travers - Gone At 72

Mary Travers, 72, the female third of the popular 60s folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, died after battling leukemia for several years.

Travers and her music mates, Peter Yarrow and Noel Stookey, best known for their hit, *Puff The Magic Dragon, were in the American folk music scene in the early 60s with their influential style and civil rights cause.

Blowin' In The Wind by Bob Dylan was recorded by hundreds of artistes because it was the anthem of the civil rights movement. But it was Peter, Paul and Mary who made it an international hit.

Led by Mary Travers, they had already put protest songs into the music hit parade with their version of Pete Seeger's If I Had A Hammer, but they were able to balance commercial success with their espousal of worthy causes.

In August 1963, they performed Blowin' In The Wind to a large group of black freedom marchers in Washington who had just heard Martin Luther King's famous 'I have a dream' speech.

After many hits on record that included **Lemon Tree, Where Have All the Flowers Gone, and Leaving On A Jet Plane, the group disbanded in 1970.

*Puff The Magic Dragon was banned in Singapore in 1963 for drug connotation. Was there?

** Lemon Tree was also covered by The Crescendos, a Singapore 60s group, with Susan Lim doing the lead vocals.