XTC : Scarecrow People

Again, it is tremendously hard to pick just one XTC song to put up here. However this one is truly a favorite of mine. I wish I could write lyrics like Andy Partridge. I believe you either love or hate XTC, there is no middle ground. And I feel Andy Partridge can really do no wrong, whatever he writes is always a true heart felt gem.

Scarecrow People

Hope you enjoyed your flight in one of our new straw aeroplanes,
You'll find things here are just like what you're used to. There's
Lots of waste and razor wire and no one gives a damn about the land,
We just stand around and stare like you folks do.

For we ain't got no brains and we ain't got no hearts, it's just
That wild old wind that tears us all apart. We're the scarecrow
People, have we got lots in common with you. And if you don't start
Living well, you're all gonna wind up scarecrow people too.

Hope you enjoyed your meal it's only gas and chemicals, we thought
That you'd prefer something not nature made. Now while you're here,
Can you advise us on a war we'd like to start, against some scarecrows
Over there, a different shade?

For we ain't got no brains and we ain't got no hearts, it's just
That wild old wind that tears us all apart. We're the scarecrow
People, have we got lots in common with you. And if you don't start
Living well, you're all gonna wind up scarecrow people too.
We don't have no tears here, no one hopes or cares or fears here,
For the old, the sick, the poor and them what taint you. We thought
We'd base our civilization upon yours, 'cause you're the smartest
Animals on earth, now ain't you?

We don't have no love here, there's no need to rise above here, no
One wants to write a book or try to paint thee. We thought we'd base
Our civilization upon yours, 'cause we're all dead from our necks up,
Now ain't we?

And we ain't got no brains and we ain't got no hearts, it's just
That wild old wind that tears us all apart. We're the scarecrow
People, have we got lots in common with you. And if you don't start
Living well, you're all gonna wind up scarecrow people too.
And I ain't got no brains and I ain't got no heart, it's just them
Other humans tear my soul apart. I'm a scarecrow person, have I got
Quite some message for you. For if we don't start learning well,
We're all gonna wind up scarecrow people too!

Marvin Gaye : I Met A Little Girl

There are one too many Marvin Gaye songs to pick just one, so I will start with just one from one of my all time favorite records of his, Here My Dear. This record hits home with me like none other. It's a deeply personal record dealing with the end of his marriage to Anna Gordy, Barry Gordy's daughter (the founder of Motown, Marvin's label at the time) this would be his last record on Motown. If you'd like to read a bit about this record go here, he was being sued by Anna and the court settlement was that Marvin would give all the proceeds made off this record to her. At the time, I think it was 3 Million dollars.


I Met A Little Girl

I met a little girl, ahh sure was fine
Pretty little thing just about blew my mind
She took me home ahh and made love to me
I knew right then and there this is where I wanted to be
Most of my life I had been all, all alone
And you're so sweet to me, don't think i'll ever roam
And then one day as time will pass
I had this feeling that our love would last
Nothing could go wrong and it seemed everything I did
Seemed to please you, of the heartaches you hid

Then one night after we made it, and we were through
That's when I decided I wanted to marry you

Do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife
To have, hold and cherish for the rest of your life?
I do, yes I do, indeed I do darlin'
'Cause I love you

1964
Once you really loved me
Once I really loved you

1976
Then time would change you
As time would really change me
We thought our love would stand the test of time
And as I sing this song right now I wonder today
If you're a friend of mine

Cry cry cry I have done some crying
Woman, you have caused my tears to flow
Cry cry cry-d you cry about me?
Do you ever think about the kind of love we had?

Ha le hallelejah
Ha le lu i'm free
Ha le hallelejah
Ha le lu i'm free

Charles Mingus : Goodbye Pork Pie Hat

This really is the most beautiful song in the world to me. It sings to my heart and soul like none other. If only I could write a piece as beautiful as this..Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. I was a late bloomer to Charles Mingus, I finally discovered him in my thirties and what an absolute treasure he is. So without further delay, Happy New Year big ol' Earth of ours and Goodbye Pork Pie Hat.