In Reply to: Re: Didn't include Steve McQueen, its bogus. nt posted by Squonk on December 3, 2006 at 18:59:00:
but gloomy....Horsing Around with its intial cheeriness
turns out to be about his infidelity. So does Bluberry Pies, pretty much.
Horsing Around:
It's me again your worthless friend or foe
I somehow let that lovely creature down
Horsin' around, horsin' around
Some things we check and double check and lose
I guess i let that little vow get lost
Forgettin' the cost, forgettin' the costQuick to forgive and so slow to blame, the very thought fills me with shame
Wendy chimes in: (But that didn't stop it happening!)
The thrill of it - can i call it that ? - was cheap
And feeling cheap's the only thing you keep
It's so unsightly to walk from her arms so lightly
Selling it all up the SwaneeHorsin' around's a serious business, last thing you'd want somebody to witness, I was the fool who always presumed that i'd wear the shoes and you'd be the doormat
You wonder why my hands are still shaking : in need of a cry the shoulders are taken...I deserve to be kicked so badly
You deserve more than I sold you for
Horsin' around, horsin' aroundThe moral is whatever else you learn
You shouldn't let that lovely creature down
Lord just blind me, don't let her innocent eyes remind me
Selling it all up the Swanee
Horsin' around, horsin' around.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BTW, as stated below, "The Venus .." will give you goosebumps it is so haunting, and scary. The fear of growing old impoverished:
Summary: A wonderful, if difficult work by a then-emerging genius
Comment: This paves the way for the absolute masterpiece of "From Langley Park To Memphis" with a most impressive set of songs. From the rocking opener "Faron Young" onwards, there are very few flaws in the songwriting and producing. Whilst McAloon does not develop the mysterious sense of knowledge of American culture he shows on "From Langley Park to Memphis", he still writes wonderful songs with a loose and delicate nature compred to "From Langley Park to Memphis".
One theme that the album is notable for (and which no doubt puts many off) is the study of sexual lust and infidelity on the catchy "Appetite", "When Love Breaks Down" and "Horsing Around". However, McAloon DOES write with considerable understanding of the pain lust and infedelity can give ("When love breaks down you join the wrecks/Who leave their hearts for easy sex") {This does foresee "The Venus of The Soup Kitchen" and its tale of a witches' spell}.
Apart from the songs mentioned above, McAloon focuses his lyrics on failed romances, as on "Bonny" and "Goodbye Lucille #1 (Johnny Johnny)". His effort to rage (which he simply does not know how to do) on that last song is in fact the only discernable flaw on a brilliant record. However, on "Desire As" McAloon puts in his best-ever vocal performace which suits the leisurely tone perfectly. "Faron Young" and "When The Angels" prefigure the geius he displayed on "From Langley Park to Memphis."
The major difference between this album and "From Langley Park to Memphis" is that "Steve McQueen" is much looser and more relaxed, concentrating mostly on fairly sparse ballads like "Desire As". Even the less slow tunes are very delicate and much more difficult to appreciate than "From Langley Park to Memphis", as with "Bonny", "Hallelujah" and "Appetite."
On the whole, a masterpiece from a man who has proved himself the most brilliant songwriter of the modern era.
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Follow Ups
- Astounding. Nothing less. - Duilawyer 17:33:15 12/04/06 (0)