Cheech & Chong - Basketball Jones (1973)

Composed of Richard “Cheech” Marin and Tommy Chong, this duo is one of the earliest comedy acts to be classified under “stoner” comedy. Throughout their numerous albums and films, they targeted the hippie population with their marijuana-centered comedy. Their routines eventually earned them a Grammy Award. Currently reuniting, the duo has a feature film scheduled for release later this year.

This comedy song comes from the duo’s third album, Los Cochinos (translated “The Pigs”). The song features the following musicians: George Harrison on guitar; Klaus Voormann on bass; Nicky Hopkins on piano; Carole King on electric piano; Billy Preston on organ; Michelle Phillips (of The Mamas and The Papas) as a backup singing "cheerleader"; and many other notable musicians/acts of the era. The track reached number thirty-six in Canada, and would later be covered by Barry White and Chris Rock for the 1996 film Space Jam.



Cheech & Chong - Basketball Jones (1973)

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Lyrics:

Basketball jones, I got a basketball jones
Got a basketball jones, oh baby, ooh

Yes, I am the victim of a basketball jones. Ever since I was a little baby, I always be dribblin'. In fact, I was the baddest dribbler in the whole neighborhood. Then, one day, my mama bought me a basketball. And I loved that basketball. I took that basketball with me everywhere I went. That basketball was like a basketball to me.

I even put that basketball underneath my pillow. Maybe that's why I can't sleep at night. I need help, ladies and gentlemens. I need someone to stand beside me. I need- I need someone to set a pick for me at the free-throw line of life. Someone I can pass to; someone to hit the open man on the give-and-go and not end up in the popcorn machine. So cheerleaders, help me out!

(Basketball jones, I got a basketball jones)
(I got a basketball jones, oh baby, ooh)

Oh, that sounds so sweet. Sing it out. C'mon Coach Booty, Red Blazer, sing along with me. That be bad, honky, yeah. I want everybody in the whole stadium to stand up and sing with us. Oh yeah, sing it out like you're proud. All right, everybody watchin' coast-to-coast, sing along with us. Bill Russell, sing along with us. Chick Hearn, sing along with us. Chris Schenkel, don't sing nothin'.

(Basketball jones, I got a basketball jones)
(I got a basketball jones, oh baby, ooh)

Oh, it feels so good. Gimme the ball. I'll go one-on-one against the world, left-handed. I could stuff it from center court with my toes. I could jump on top of the backboard, take off a quarter, leave fifteen cents change. I could- I could dribble behind my back. I got more moves than ex-lax. I'm bad. I could dribble with my tongue. Here I go down court, try to stop me. You can't stop me 'cause I got a basketball jones. Here I come. That's my hook shot with my eyebrow. Yeah, I could dunk it with my nose. I'm- I'm bad as King Kong- gimme the ball. I'm hot- I'm hot as- I'm hot as- I'm hot as- uh, uh, uh, uh, uh…

(Basketball jones, I got a basketball jones)
(I got a basketball jones, oh baby, ooh)
(Basketball jones, I got a basketball jones)
(I got a basketball jones, oh baby, ooh)…

The Magic Lanterns - You Must Believe Me (1968)

Formed in Warrington, Lancashire in 1962, this group originally went by the name The Sabres. Notable members included the not-yet-famous duo Godley & Creme as well as Mike “Oz” Osbourne who spent several decades making sure that other Ozzy Osbourne didn’t mistakenly receive credit for his work. Despite their psychedelic sounding name, the group was not at all psychedelic sounding. They featured more of a pop rock sound.

This song was written by Curtis Mayfield and first performed by Mayfield’s group The Impressions. The version heard below appeared as the first track from the group’s first album Lit Up. It has been covered by numerous artists, with some of the more notable being Eric Clapton, The Hollies, and The Zombies.



The Magic Lanterns - You Must Believe Me (1968)

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Lyrics:

You must believe me
No matter what the people might say
You must believe me
Oh Lord, it just didn’t happen that way (oh, no)
Oh no, it just didn’t happen that way

You come ‘round with somethin’ on your mind
Darlin’ tell me, why are you cryin’?
You say, "Be serious, no time for fun”
While tryin’ to tell me somethin’ that I've done
The things I’d said couldn't be denied
But before your opinion, listen to my side

And you must believe me
No matter what the people might say
You must believe me
Oh Lord, it just didn’t happen that way (oh, no)
Oh no, it just didn’t happen that way

It's alright
It's alright

Girl you're wrong to believe what was said
For you know nothin’ could ever be that bad
The talk is out all over town
But darlin’ you know I'd never put you down
To you and me, we’re at the party again
There's nothing else to say about my love bad

And you must believe me
No matter what the people might say
You must believe me
Oh Lord, it just didn’t happen that way (oh, no)
Oh no, it just didn’t happen that way

It's alright
It's alright

Girl you're wrong to believe what was said
For you know nothin’ could ever be that bad
The talk is out all over town
But darlin’ you know I'd never put you down
To you and me, we’re at the party again
And there's nothing else to say about my love bad

And you must believe me
No matter what the people might say
You must believe me
Oh Lord, it just didn’t happen that way (oh, no)
Oh no, it just didn’t happen that way

Oh, you gotta tell ‘em now, now, now, now!
(Oh, it's alright)
Let me tell ya one more time
Oh, it's alright
Yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah!
(Oh, it's alright)...

The Beatles - Brian Epstein Blues [Demo] (1968)

The Let It Be release was going to be much different than what actually came to be. Rather than a film accompanying the album’s release, it was initially planned that a live televised concert would precede the album’s release so that everyone at the show and tuning in would hear the songs for the first time, live, via the concert.
Places considered for the concert included a lunatic asylum and the Roman Colosseum. Another idea being thrown around was getting all of the attendees who had tickets, putting them on cruise ships, sailing them through the Mediterranean Sea, and having the concert in the middle of the Tunisian desert.
Needless to say, those ideas never came to fruition. Aggravation within the band led the members to being more concerned with actually finishing the album rather than the location of the concert. As we now know, the concert took place on Apple Corps’ rooftop, which is now famously known as “the rooftop concert”.

Quite separately, today’s song comes from an earlier time, in 1968, when The Beatles were recording “Sexy Sadie” for The Beatles (The White Album). John Lennon improvised this song about The Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein, while the other members of the group loosely jammed along in the background. Although it cannot be found on any of The Beatles’ official releases, you can locate it if you go sifting around in the bootlegs. Enjoy!



The Beatles - Brian Epstein Blues [Demo] (1968)

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Lyrics:

What about Brian Epstein?
And his brother Sam?
They was workin' in a coal mine
Doing what I am
And what about brother Ernie?
He's shuttin' down the fire
But if you tell the time
About his brother Sam

…
…about his brother Clive
He's a dirty old man

Well what about Brian Epstein?
He's God damned in jail
He's workin’ in the coal mine
Sittin' there in his cell
His mother got a queenie
Well, she's the queen of them all

Raspberries - Go All the Way (1972)

Do you remember our post about a group called The Choir? If not, you can see it here. When The Choir broke up around 1970, three out of four of the members went on to form this group, a popular “power pop” group in the early ‘70s. They were labeled a teenybopper group for their clean-cut image and British Invasion influences (at that point, a thing of the past). Notable fans of the group include Jack Bruce (of Cream) and Ringo Starr.

This song was written by the group’s frontman and lead singer, Eric Carmen, who was the only member of the group not to formerly be in The Choir. The song reached the top five of numerous charts and sold over one million copies. The repeat of the phrase “come on” during the middle of the song is based on The Beatles’ use of the same phrase in their song “Please Please Me”. Taken as being sexually suggestive, it was banned on the BBC.



Raspberries - Go All the Way (1972)

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Lyrics:

Alright!

I never knew how complete love could be
'til she kissed me and said, “Baby…

Please, go all the way
It feels so right (feels so right)
Being with you here tonight
Please, go all the way
Just hold me close (hold me close)
Don't ever let me go”

I couldn't say what I wanted to say
'til she whispered, “I love you, so…

Please, go all the way
It feels so right (feels so right)
Being with you here tonight
Please, go all the way
Just hold me close (hold me close)
Don't ever let me go”

Before her, alone, I was cruel and mean
There ‘a hole in the place where my heart should have been
But now I'm changed and feel so strange
I come alive when she does those things to me

And she says, (“Come on)
Come on (come on)
(Come on)
Come on (come on)
I need you (come on)
I love you (come on)
I need you (come on)
(Come on)”

Please, go all the way
It feels so right (feels so right)
Being with you here tonight
Please, go all the way
Just hold me close (hold me close)
Don't ever let me go
Oh no!

Go all the way, yeah!

Zerfas - I Need It Higher (1973)

Coming out of Indianapolis, Indiana, this psychedelic group was composed of late-teenage brothers David Zerfas and Brian “Herman” Zerfas. Sometimes known as the Jubal Band, their only album, Zerfas, was released in 1973 to very limited success (much in the southeastern US) on the 700 West record label. Only five hundred copies were made, making it now sought after by collectors at a great price.

According to Herman, this song was written and originally performed at a much faster pace by the brothers in 1969 when they were still going by the Jubal Band name. After winning some local contests, they agreed to record it in 1973. David and Herman were the only members of the group at that time.



Zerfas - I Need It Higher (1973)

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Lyrics:

I need it higher; want it so bad
I need it higher; forget I’m sad
Up in the morning; stains on my brain
Help stop my crying; forget the pain

Sweeter than honey, your love’s that fine
Seems like I miss you; I need to climb

I need it higher; I want you back
Outside is inside; look, I’m so sad

Morning and evening, yeah, I should have known
They’re both so black now, I want you home

I need it higher; everything’s cold
Feels like I’m dying- losing my hold
I need it higher; I wish I was dead!
I need it higher; want it so bad!

Timothy Leary - Epilogue (Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out) (1967)

Born in 1920, Timothy Leary was not an artist or a musician. He was a student of the mind, earning himself a PhD in psychology. He was also a writer, coining the counterculture phrase “turn on, tune in, drop out,” and an advocate of LSD (both before and after its criminalization). His life has numerous tales involving drugs, running for governor of California, indirectly inspiring John Lennon to write “Tomorrow Never Knows” and “Come Together”, and being thrown in prison in twenty-nine different countries around the world. He led a very interesting life and I would encourage you to read more about him, as it cannot be summed up here.

This song appears as the last track on Leary’s album Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out, which served as the soundtrack to a documentary of the same name. The album was subtitled Timothy Leary, PhD. Speaks on LSD. The majority of the album contains spoken-word, narrated by Leary, and is laid over psychedelic music. This track is completely instrumental.



Timothy Leary - Epilogue (Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out) (1967)

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Lyrics:

(instrumental)

Dion & The Del-Satins - Runaround Sue (1961)

Born in 1939, Dion DiMucci was a huge star before the British Invasion. His popular hits came in the forms of doo-wop, rock and roll, and pop. After being dismissed as a teen idol, he began to write more poignant and reflective material such as his hit “Abraham, Martin & John,” which you can hear here.

The Del-Satins were a harmony group widely known for replacing Dion’s original backing group, The Belmonts. Their name was an amalgam borrowed from The Dells and The Five Satins, popular doo wop groups of the time.

This song was co-written by Dion DiMucci and his friend, Ernie Maresca, from the group The Regents (“Barbara Ann”). Both men agreed that the song came about after a forty-five minute jam session in a neighborhood schoolyard where boxes were being used as drums. It reached number one for a single week in October and was listed in Rolling Stone’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”



Dion & The Del-Satins - Runaround Sue (1961)

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Lyrics:

Here's my story; it's sad, but true
It's about a girl that I once knew
She took my love then ran around
With every single guy in town

Yeah, I should have known it from the very start
“This girl will leave me with a broken heart”
Now listen people what I'm tellin’ you
a’Keep away from a‘Runaround Sue, yeah

I might miss her lips and the smile on her face
The touch of her hand and this girl's warm embrace
So if you don't want to cry like I do
a’Keep away from a‘Runaround Sue

She likes to travel around, yeah
She'll love you and she'll put you down
Now people let me put you wise
a’Sue goes out with other guys

Here's the moral and the story from the guy who knows
I fell in love and my love still grows
Ask any fool that she ever knew, they'll say
“a’Keep away from a‘Runaround Sue”

Yeah, keep away from this girl
I know- know what she'll do
Keep away from Sue

a’She likes to travel around, yeah
She'll love you and she'll put you down
Now people let me put you wise
a-‘She goes out with other guys

Here's the moral and the story from that guy who knows
I fell in love and my love still grows
Ask any fool that she ever knew, they'll say’a
a’Keep away from a‘Runaround Sue, yeah

Stay away from that girl
Don't you know what she’ll do, now
Keep away from that girl
Don't you know what she’ll do…

The Nite Riders - Tornado (1967)

Composed entirely of kids aged thirteen to fifteen, this group released a highly-requested song, “She’s Mine,” in the Worcester, Massachusetts area in the 1960s. Playing bars and clubs despite their young age, their lead singer, Dave Daniels, came from a family associated with famous musicians such as Bobby Darin. The group’s drummer, Chucky, who was only thirteen, had his mother dress up as a chauffeur and bring the group to their gigs in a black limo. Sadly, Chucky passed away at the age of eighteen due to a drug overdose.

This song was the B-side to their aforementioned hit above. It was entirely instrumental and displays the young members’ advanced playing ability. They were able to record the single after winning a battle of the bands contest sponsored by the WORC radio station. Written by Daniels, the song was inspired by The Ventures, Buck Owens, and Chuck Berry.



The Nite Riders - Tornado (1967)

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Lyrics:

(instrumental)

Timon - The Bitter Thoughts of Little Jane (1968)

Born in 1950, Timon was born under the name Stephen John Murray, would go by the name Timon until his early twenties, and eventually permanently changed his name to Tymon Dogg. He was a big influence on the left-handed John Graham Mellor, teaching him to play guitar right-handed. Mellor, who took the stage name Joe Strummer, was the frontman of the popular punk band The Clash. You can hear Timon singing and playing violin on The Clash song “Lose This Skin,” which he also wrote.

Timon received a year’s salary in advance from Pye Records prior to recording this song. Future members of Led Zeppelin played lead on this track, John Paul Jones on bass and Jimmy Page on guitar. Ex-Peter and Gordon musician, Peter Asher, who was working as a talent scout for Apple Records, played this song for Paul McCartney. McCartney offered to produce a new version of the song for Timon, but Timon declined.



Timon - The Bitter Thoughts of Little Jane (1968)

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Lyrics:

The bitter thoughts of little Jane
Are locked away
And will remain unspoken

Been let down
And kicked around
Been sent away
Without her token, but

She’ll find her place
She’ll find a head to pound on

Never cries
Or even tries
So no one really knows
She wants to die

Been too long
On her own
She’s growing old
She’s growing cold, but

She’ll find her place
She’ll find a head to pound on

Peter’s playing with his trains
And Sally kissed her doll again
Andrew plays at wild cowboys
But little Jane- she’s got no toys, but

She’ll find her place
She’ll find a head to pound on

Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida [Single Version] (1968)

Formed in 1966, this group found huge success with their most well-known song, heard below. The lineup of the band was constantly changing and hasn’t contained any constant members throughout their existence. Scheduled to play at Woodstock, the group got hung up at the airport before departing and, due to unreasonable demands made by their manager, never got picked up by a requested helicopter to make it to the event.

Cited as an important forerunner to heavy metal music, and coming in at just over seventeen minutes, the original version of this song features a huge instrumental break in the middle. The title of the track came when a drunken Doug Ingle (the group’s singer, primary songwriter, and organist) slurred its original title, “In the Garden of Eden,” though this explanation has been mildly disputed.

Unfortunately, due to filesize limitations, only the single version can be heard here.



Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida [Single Version] (1968)

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Lyrics:

In-a-gadda-da-vida, honey
Don't you know that I'm lovin' you?
In-a-gadda-da-vida, baby
Don’t you know that I’ll always be true?

Oh, won't you come with me
And take my hand?
Oh, won't you come with me
And walk this land?
Please take my hand

Let me tell ya

In-a-gadda-da-vida, honey
Don't you know that I'm lovin' you?
In-a-gadda-da-vida, baby
Don’t you know that I’ll always be true?

Oh, won't you come with me
And take my hand?
Oh, won't you come with me
And walk this land?
Please take my hand

Alright

The Smoke - Fogbound (1968)

This California group is another example of a great band that only released one album. Their album, The Smoke, was heavily influenced by The Beatles and The Beach Boys, but to me, is most comparable to The Left Banke. The album art was drawn in a similar style to The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine and the album itself was dedicated to Stu Sutcliffe, the original bassist of The Beatles.

This song, featuring horns and floating lyrics, is my favorite song by the group. The album it comes from, The Smoke, has numerous great songs (listen to "October Country," "Odyssey," etc.) and comes with a very high recommendation for those that enjoy baroque pop. You'll notice at the end of the song, the group borrows the melody and words from The Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".



The Smoke - Fogbound (1968)

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Lyrics:

Fogbound, I am, I am
Fogbound, I am, I am

Once upon a time
I thought that I would be
No one, no one

Once upon a time
You wouldn’t look at me
At me, at me

And now you’ve changed your view
And now you want me, too
But I don’t have the time to take you now

Fogbound, I am, I am
Yeah, fogbound, I am, I am

I can laugh, but it’s so much easier to cry, yeah
Don’t ask me why
There were times when you used to mean a lot to me
Aw, can’t you see?

Just because you’ve changed your ways
It’s not like yesterday
And I don’t have the time for you right now

Fogbound, I am, I am
Yeah, fogbound, I am, I am

Time passes by and you know that time can mean a lot
It’s not that I don’t want you

Yeah, fogbound, I am, I am
Baby, fogbound, I am, I am
Yeah, fogbound, I am, I am
Yeah, fogbound, I am, I am
(Lucy in the sky with diamonds)
Yeah, fogbound, I am, I am
(Lucy in the sky with diamonds)
Baby…

The Buckinghams - Hey Baby (They're Playing Our Song) (1967)

Originally known as The Pulsations, this group won a battle of the bands competition and was awarded with an appearance on the television show All-Time Hits. The show’s producers recommended that they change their name to something that sounded more in-line with the British invasion occurring at the time and a security guard gave them the idea to be called The Buckinghams. Although they were only together from 1966 until 1970, they managed to be one of the best selling acts in 1967.

Written by a friend of the group, Jim Holvey, who was from their hometown of Chicago, this song was one of the group’s most popular hits. It reached number twelve on the charts and was the fourth hit (of five) for the group to reach the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. Not as high as “Kind of a Drag,” which reached number one and was also written by Holvey, but it helped keep the group in the spotlight for the entire year.



The Buckinghams - Hey Baby (They're Playing Our Song) (1967)

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Lyrics:

…the one with the lovely melody.
She’ll have you. She’ll have you.

Hey, baby, they're playin' our song
The one we used to hear when we used to get along
Hey, baby, they're playin' our song
Let's get back together; that's where we belong

It's the one with the pretty melody
It's the one that made you fall in love with me
It made us feel so groovy
We fell in love, just like in the movies

Hey, baby, they're playin' our song
The one they used to play when we used to get along
Hey, baby, they're playin' our song
Let's get back together, that's where we belong

Pleasant memories are comin' back to me
Can't you remember the way it used to be?
It made us feel like dancin'
It gave us time to think about romancin'

(Hey, baby, hey, baby)
(Hey, baby, hey, baby)

It's the one with the pretty melody
It's the one that made you fall in love with me
It made us feel so groovy
We fell in love, just like in the movies

The Avengers - It's Hard to Hide (1966)

From 1965 to 1967, this group from Bakersfield, California released five rocking singles. Inspired by the popular surf rock of the time, and also The Beatles, they began by playing gigs at schools and dances as they were too young to play at local clubs. Although their records received a lot of airplay, the group never really took off nor profited from their music. By 1967 the group disbanded due to internal conflicts.

This pop-sounding song was written by the group’s lead guitarist, Greg Likins (misspelled on the record as Likens). It contained the song “Open Your Eyes” on the flip side.



The Avengers - It's Hard to Hide (1966)

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Lyrics:

It’s hard to hide
A love that’s true
When one boy feels
The way I do

If I’m mistaken
Please let me know
If you don’t love me
Then I will go

I told you I loved you
I tried to make you believe
But if you won’t even listen
Then I will leave

‘cause it’s hard to hide
A broken heart
But one boyveals his girl
And you will have to part

If I’m mistaken
Please let me know
If you don’t love me
Then I will go

Even though I might walk away
I’ll think of you every day
Hey, hey

It’s hard to hide
It’s hard to hide
It’s hard to hide

Mott the Hoople - Laugh At Me (1969)

This group was on the verge of breaking up when a big fan of theirs, David Bowie, attempted to write a song for them to record and stay together. Turning down “Suffragette City,” they eventually took “All the Young Dudes,” a song that would go on to become the anthem of the glam rock era. The group also became good friends with a not-yet-famous Queen after Queen was set to open for them during their 1974 tour. The group’s guitarist, Mick Ralphs, would later go on to help create the supergroup Bad Company.

This song was originally written and performed by Sonny Bono in 1965. It was Sonny’s only true success as a solo artist and its lyrics dealt with the older generation of the time having a problem with the counter-culture of the mid-‘60s. This cover version appeared as the third track on this group’s debut self-titled album.



Mott the Hoople - Laugh At Me (1969)

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Lyrics:

Well, how can I be like any guy?
Why do they have to make me run?
What do they care about the clothes that I wear?
What do they get from making fun?

Well, we got a lot of space
Honey, if you don't like my face
It ain't me who's goin’ anywhere
‘cause I don't care
Let them laugh at me
If that's so fair

Well then I don't have to care
To be free until they laugh at me
And I'll cry for you
And I'll pray for you
And I'll do everything that the man upstairs said to do
I'll do it all for you, babe
Yeah
Well, I'll do it all for you

It's got to be sometime
It's got to be somewhere
I'm goin’ to make that achievement
Then maybe the next time
That you don't wear a silk tie
And I can walk by and say ‘hi’
Say ‘hi’ instead of ‘why’

Instead of ‘why’, babe
Instead of ‘why’
Instead of ‘why’, babe
Yeah, instead of ‘why’, babe
Instead of ‘why’, babe
Instead of ‘why’, babe
Instead of ‘why’, babe

Why do you laugh at me?
Why do you laugh at me?
Why do you laugh at me?
Why do you laugh at me?
Yeah

(Mott the Hoople)
(Mott the Hoople)
(Mott the Hoople)
(Mott the Hoople)
(Mott the Hoople)
(Mott the Hoople)
(Mott the Hoople)
(Mott the Hoople)
(Mott the Hoople)
(Mott the Hoople)
(Mott the Hoople)...

Andwella's Dream - Man Without a Name (1969)

Coming out of Nothern Ireland, this band was originally known as The Method. The core of the band was Dave Lewis, who provided lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, and close to all of the songwriting. When they moved to London in 1968, they changed their name to the one you see above. After the release of their first album, Love and Poetry, they changed their name to Andwella and went on to release two more albums before disbanding in 1972.

Coming off of the album Love and Poetry, this song is one of my favorite from a truly stellar album. If given the opportunity, be sure to listen to the whole album in its entirety. There are numerous wonderful tracks that capture the transition of psychedelic rock into the progressive rock of the seventies. If there was ever an album that should have garnered more attention upon its release, this is it. I give it a very high recommendation.



Andwella's Dream - Man Without a Name (1969)

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Lyrics:

Yesterday I was a young man
With a future hemmed with gold
And today I’m just a soldier
With no home to call my own

Sittin’ by myself
Playin’ my guitar
Tryin’ to pass the time away
If tomorrow’s goin’ to be like this
I might as well die today

I’m just a person
Who has never had a home
Had to fight all my life
Just to keep the things I own

And some people- they look down at me
As a man without a name
And tend to forget
That they came from the same place that I came

All my friends- they have forsaken me
I guess that’s how life goes
When you’re not an empty man
And you can’t buy fancy clothes

And last black man
One more town
That’s closed the gates for me
And destroyed two years of hard work
Set my breast ease free

I’m just a person
Who has never had a home
Had to fight all my life
Just to keep the things I own

And some people- they look down at me
As a man without a name
And tend to forget
That they came from the same place that I came
Woo!

I’m just a person
Who has never had a home
Had to fight all my life
Just to keep the things I own

And some people- they look down at me
As a man without a name
And tend to forget
That they came from the same place that I came
Yeah!

I’m just a person
Who has never had a home
I’ve had to fight all my life
Just to keep the things I own

Sittin’ by myself
Playin’ my guitar
Tryin’ to pass the time away
If tomorrow’s goin’ to be like this
I might as well die today

Jim Morrison - Woman in the Window [Demo] (1969)

Poet, lyricist, and lead singer of The Doors, this legend had one of the best voices in rock music history. Due to his uninhibited nature and wild persona, he is often cited as one of rock’s greatest frontmen of all time. Leather pants are associated with rock stars because of his choice to frequently wear them. His vocals were inspired by Elvis and Frank Sinatra and, in turn, he would strongly influence The Stooges, Pearl Jam, and countless others. His death came too soon, at the age of twenty-seven, and his life was far too grand to accurately surmise here.

This song comes from a collection of material that Jim Morrison recorded, known as The Lost Paris Tapes. It can be inferred from the spoken musical cues throughout the recordings that all of the tracks were meant to evolve into songs for a future Doors’ album. Unfortunately, Morrison passed away before their use. The surviving members of The Doors recorded music over some of the vocals found on the recordings and released them on various posthumous albums and box sets.



Jim Morrison - Woman in the Window [Demo] (1969)

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Lyrics:

Then we hear all these horns honking in the rhythm. Da da da-da-da. Da da da-da-da. And sirens, distant, approaching.

I am the woman in the window
See the children playing
Soldier, sailor, young man on your way
To the summer swimming pool

Can you see me standing?
In my window, can you hear me laughing?

Come upstairs, sir, to your room
And I will play for you

Oh, dreamland, golden scene land
Try to sleep, lamb; take us to dreamland
I am unhappy- far from my woman
Take me to dreamland, land of the banyan
Land of plentiful pleasures of pines
Potatoes on tables, laden with good things

“Eat at my table,” she cried to the vineyards
Calling the workers home from the meadows
“Man, you are evil; get out of my garden”
Ours is a good place- home of the reindeer

Sell me your pony- your fast golden pony
I need his strength and his terrible footsteps
Riding the prairie, just me and my angel
Just try and stop us- we’re going to love

Open your window, woman of Palestine
Throw down your raiment and cover us over

13th Floor Elevators - I Had To Tell You (1967)

Tommy Hall, one of the two founders of this group, got the idea to play an electric jug after years of living in an area in Texas that thrived on jug-bands. Roky Erickson, the other group’s co-founder, had already written the group’s biggest hit, “You’re Gonna Miss Me,” before the two came together to form the group. They met at a show where Erickson had been performing with a band called The Spades. Hall managed to steal Erickson and took him under his wing, having their first jam session in November 1965.

This song was written by Hall and fellow bandmate Stacy Sutherland, who had been plucked from his previous group, The Lingsmen, by Hall in a similar manner to the way he stole Erickson. Released on their now critically acclaimed album, Easter Everywhere, the album had been considered a moderate failure when upon its initial release it only sold ten thousand copies.



13^th Floor Elevators - I Had To Tell You (1967)

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Lyrics:

Chaos all around me
With its fever clinging
But I can hear you singing
In the corners of my brain

Every doubt around me
Every sound of riot
Everything is quiet
But the song that keeps me sane

I can hear your voice
Echoing my voice softly
I can feel your strength
Reinforcing mine

If you fear I'll lose my spirit
Like a drunkard's wasted wine
Don't you even think about it
I'm feelin' fine

I can hear your voice
Echoing my voice softly
I can feel your strength
Reinforcing mine

If you fear I'll lose my spirits
Like a drunkard's wasted wine
Don't you even think about it
I'm feelin' fine

Painted Faces - Anxious Color (1967)

Coming out of South Florida, this group was a very short lived band that found success with multiple singles. Although not much information is available on the group, it is clear that they had a lot of local success with their singles and that one of them, heard below, went as far as reaching number one in southwest Florida.

After reaching number one in southwest Florida, this song was released in Los Angeles, California and it reached the Top 10.



Painted Faces - Anxious Color (1967)

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Lyrics:

There's anxious color waiting patiently
To be released unsuspectingly
Ending dreams that have haunted me
I'll make the world like it's supposed to be

Color
Streaming from my mind
Color
No ordinary kind

The green’s all running to my pocket
The blue returning to the sky
Now what is this that has come over me?
Creating color for my eye

Anxious color, please be good to me
Don’t make me live my life fearfully
Come strong and color my frustration
I need to rise a new elation

Color
Brightly blinding eyes
Color
Erasing all my pride

Blackened portraits of my foes
Red, yellow, white are how it goes
Now what is this that has come over me?
Creating color for my eyes
Creating color for my eyes

Anxious color (No, no)
Anxious color (No, no)
Anxious color (No, no, no, no)
Anxious color

Pussy - Come Back June (1968)

Originally known as Fortes Mentum, this group released only one album in 1969 titled Pussy Plays. Ranging from cat meows and space sounds to heavy keyboard solos and guitar instrumentals, this group was surprisingly able to put out a good album. In 1968, before the album’s release, the group released a single with the A-Side “All of My Life” and the B-Side heard below.

As just mentioned, this song was the B-Side to their 1968 single release. Both songs were later included on their album for its 1969 release and this song was its opening track. Once you get past the cat’s meow, I’m hoping you’ll be as pleasantly surprised, as I was, with this unknown group’s great work.



Pussy - Come Back June (1968)

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Lyrics:

My world’s breakin’ in pieces
My world’s breakin’ in two
My heart’s breakin’ in pieces
My heart’s breakin’ in two

Come back, June
Come back, June

My world’s breakin’ in pieces
My world’s breakin’ in two
My heart’s breakin’ in pieces
My heart’s breakin’ in two

Come back, June
Come back, June
Come back, June

Come back, June
Come back, June
Come back, June

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown - Fire (1968)

Before the flamboyant and theatrical styles of Marilyn Manson, George Clinton, KISS, and Alice Cooper, there was Arthur Brown. Primarily remembered for his hit heard below, this artist got his start with The Ramong Sound, which eventually went on to become the soul group The Foundations. His most notable stunt while performing was wearing a metal helmet on stage, while singing, and setting it on fire. He was also known to wear makeup all over his face, have himself lowered to the stage on cables, and on occasion strip naked while performing. The latter stunt quickly had him arrested and thrown out of Italy. He and his group disbanded on a US tour in 1969.

This song, his most popular, was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond. It was produced by Kit Lambert and Pete Townshend, of The Who, and sold over a million copies. It features an electronic organ and many brass instruments, but no guitar or bass guitar. The mono version of the song (not heard here) featured no brass instruments at all. It has been covered by Pete Townshend, supergroup ELP, Ozzy Osbourne, and many others.



The Crazy World of Arthur Brown - Fire (1968)

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Lyrics:

I am the god of hell fire
And I bring you

Fire
I'll take you to burn
Fire
I'll take you to learn
I'll see you burn

You fought hard and you saved and earned
But all of it's goin’ to burn
And your mind- your tiny mind
You know you've really been so blind
Now's your time to burn your mind
You're falling far too far behind

Oh no, oh no, oh no
You’re gonna burn

Fire
To destroy all you've done
Fire
To end all you've become
I'll feel you burn

You've been living like a little girl
In the middle of your little world
And your mind- your tiny mind
You know you've really been so blind
Now's your time to burn your mind
You're falling far too far behind
Ooh

Fire
I'll take you to burn
Fire
I'll take you to learn

You’re gonna burn
You’re gonna burn
You’re gonna burn (burn)
Burn (burn)
Burn (burn)
Burn (burn)
Burn (burn)
Burn!

Fire
I'll take you to burn
Fire
I'll take you to learn

Fire
I'll take you to burn
Fire
Fire

The Cadillacs - Speedoo (1955)

Known as The Carnations at their start in 1953, this group released their first single, the widely covered “Gloria,” in 1954. A small hit for the group, it can be heard being sung by Billy Joel in “The River of Dreams,” near the end as the song fades out. The group has featured numerous members, numerous break-ups, and just as many reunions.

Released in 1955, this particular song was a narrative about, and sang by, their lead vocalist Earl “Speedoo” Carroll. It was a major progressive step forward in music as it played a large role in attracting white audiences to black rock and roll music. Important in the emergence of “mainstream” rock and roll, it was this group’s largest hit and has sadly become little more than a footnote to the history of music.



The Cadillacs - Speedoo (1955)

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Lyrics:

Well now, they often call me ‘Speedoo’
But my real name is ‘Mr. Earl’
Well now, they often call me ‘Speedoo’
But my real name is ‘Mr. Earl’
I’m known for meetin' brand new fellas
And takin' other folkses’ girl

Well now, they often call me ‘Speedoo’
'Cause I don't believe in wastin' time
Well, they often call me ‘Speedoo’
'Cause I don't believe in wastin' time
Well, I've known some pretty women
And I taught them to change their mind

Well now, some may call me ‘Joe’
Some may call me ‘Moe’
Just remember ‘Speedoo’
He don't never take it slow

Well now, they often call me ‘Speedoo’
But my real name is ‘Mr. Earl’
Well now, they often call me ‘Speedoo’
But my real name is ‘Mr. Earl’

Well now, some may call me ‘Moe’
Some may call me ‘Joe’
Just remember ‘Speedoo’
He don't ever take it slow

Well now, they often call me ‘Speedoo’
But my real name is ‘Mr. Earl’
Well now, they often call me ‘Speedoo’
But my real name is ‘Mr. Earl’
And now they got to call me ‘Speedoo’
'til they call off makin' pretty girls