Limón y Sal (2006) – Julieta Venegas

Posted on July 18, 2024 by observationblogger — 2 Comments

I love you with lemon and salt
I love you just the way you are
There’s no need to change anything about you
I love you whether you are coming or going
If you’re up and down, and you’re not
Sure how you feel

The Limón y Sal (Lemon and Salt) is the refreshing but bitter twist used for a classic margarita. It is the metaphor for today’s featured track about the acceptance of a loved one; their strengths and weaknesses – “The sweet is never as sweet without the sour.“
I first heard it yesterday morning when I was browsing a local variety store (stationery, second hand CD, DVDs, books, games etc) called ‘La Gran Manzana‘ (The Big Apple). I was captivated from first-listen and I noticed the store clerks singing in unison. Naturally I asked what it was called. Limón y Sal is a marvellously whimsical and upbeat song despite the depth and sincerity of its subject matter. More over it capped off a lovely morning really, just gallivanting around without a care in the world.

Limón y sal is Julieta Venegas’ second single release from her fourth studio album with the same name. Released in Mexico and USA on August 30, 2006, it did not chart on the billboard hot Latin songs chart. Julieta Venegas is an American-born Mexican singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer who specializes in pop-rock-indie music in Spanish. She took about a year to develop her album, Limón y Sal. When the first single “Me Voy,” (I’m going) a Ranchera/Pop song, was released in March 2006, it quickly rose in popularity, transcending distance and language barriers as it was performed in English, Italian and Spanish.

After a single week, Limón y Sal received a platinum for 100 thousand records in Mexico and more golds for selling 50 thousand copies in both Spain and the United States. A few days later, the album received another gold record for more than 50 thousand copies in Italy.
A total of 4 singles were released. At the same time, she paid tribute to Andrés Calamaro, one of my favourite Latin American music artists, with “Sin Documentos.”

More music will feature here from Julieta Venegas including the aforementioned song Me Voy. Below you can find the official music video of Limón y Sal where Julieta meets a werewolf, and both fall for each other. The video below that is the version translated into English.

An English translation follows:

[Verse 1]
I have to confess that sometimes
I don’t like your way of being
Then you disappear from me
And I don’t really understand why

[Verse 2]
You don’t say anything romantic
When the sunset arrives
You act strangely
With each full moon every month

[Pre-Chorus]
But apart from that
The good that you give me wins me over
Just to have you close
I feel like I’m starting over

[Chorus]
I love you with lemon and salt
I love you just the way you are
There’s no need to change anything about you
I love you whether you are coming or going
If you’re up and down, and you’re not
Sure how you feel

[Verse 3]
I have to confess to you now
I never believed in happiness
Sometimes it looks a bit like it
But it’s pure coincidence

[Pre-Chorus]
Then I come to find myself
With your eyes they give me something else
Just having you close
I feel like I’m starting over

[Chorus] x 2

[Outro]
Just having you close
I feel like I’m starting over

References:
1. Limón y Sal – Wikipedia
2. Limón y sal (song) – Wikipedia

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Safety Haven (2003) – David Bridie

Posted on July 16, 2024 by observationblogger — 5 Comments

The shock of the new seeking asylum
Safety haven some place with you

Safety Haven appears a ‘mellower’ and more reflective sister-song to David Bridie’s audacious protest song Nation (Of the Heartless Kind). They refer to the plights of undocumented refugees seeking asylum in Australia which culminated in the Tampa Affair 20 years ago. This is the sixth song to appear from Bridie’s obscenely underrated Hotel Radio record. It’s almost certain you haven’t heard of this 2003 record unless you had read my previous song articles. There isn’t even a wiki page about Hotel Radio, but it remains one of my most cherished Australian records by my favourite Australian singer – songwriter.
David Bridie as both a solo act; and founder, composer and front man of the group My Friend the Chocolate Cake is one of the prevalent artists to appear in my blog. I saw him Live on numerous occasions and spoke to him in person in between sets.

According to Bridie’s own web site – the album (Hotel Radio) radiates a sensual summer’s warmth with an expansive sense of mystery that delved even further into the art form of sonic texture.
Safety Haven also emits this breezy atmospheric sound which pervades most of the record. Bridie is a distiller of profound mood and ambience having worked on soundtracks for Australian films and television. According to his wiki-page: Bridie lived in the inner North suburbs of Melbourne including Northcote where I also lived from 2005 – 2009. In 2021 he moved to an off-grid property close to the Otway National Park on Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast.

While my ‘politics’ now may not be so compatible with Bridie’s here or in other messages he has asserted, I sure as heck can’t help but feel swayed and moved by his music and the contextual moods and images which penetrate my senses. I do not consider today’s featured track Safety Haven one of the hallmarks from his record such as the title track, On a Day Like This or Tender Trap but I still find it very pleasing on the ear and how it feels around me. I hope you like it.

Lose the comfort, falling backwards
That’s so easy, it just leads me to the place I know
My asylum, safety haven, it’s a cushion
It cushions me from feeling this way
Let’s go travelling, every nation
Fill our heads up… with all these hits and memories
I’ve been looking only for the good in people
Every reason, for every reason for the things they do

(Chorus)
The shock of the new seeking asylum
Safety haven some place with you

I’ve been searching
Some place dripping with great beauty
You can find it with me that’s all I ask

(Chorus)

Reference:
1. David Bridie – Wikipedia

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Saddened Sick (2023) – Chief Springs

Posted on July 15, 2024 by observationblogger — 4 Comments

Almost a year ago I presented a sublime song from UK group Chief Springs called Elastic which remains one of my favourite tracks released last year. I was turned onto this group from my blogger friend Jeff at Eclectic Music Lover. I am drawn to Josh Coyne’s deeply rich and alluring vocals in these EP released tracks. Another song from their 2023 EP I like is today’s featured track Saddened Sick.

Below are some extracts from Jeff’s article: CHIEF SPRINGS – EP Review: “Time to Take Time”:

Today I bring you a fourth – Chief Springs, a fine indie rock band based in Leicester and London. Originally formed in 2018 as a two-piece by Josh Coyne and Scott Dillon, they eventually grew to become a five-piece with the addition of Sam Crosby-Browne, Dale Bradfield and Tommy Jordan. Together, they make a pleasing style of melodic rock fashioned with elements of alternative, post-rock, and dream pop, and featuring lush guitars, beautiful arrangements, intelligent lyrics and Josh’s vibrant baritone vocals….

The topically relevant “Saddened Sick” calls out those who aim to control or interfere with our bodily autonomy, telling us what we can or cannot do with our lives: “Who makes the call for someone else? Now how am I supposed to believe that these are your decisions to make? And where do we begin, the hope is where it lives. Original sin, but you couldn’t write it if you tried.” The crisp percussion and jangly guitars are simply wonderful, and Josh and Courtney’s harmonies sublime.

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Sad Song (2011) – Christina Perri

Posted on July 14, 2024 by observationblogger — 4 Comments

My 14 year-old eldest Jesus Mateo had his first night out alone last week celebrating the 15 year old birthday of a female colleague of his class. This ‘fiesta de quince años‘ has Catholic religious orientation in countries such as Mexico and Colombia. It is a custom where a teenager is introduced to society in Latin American countries and originates from the great pre-Columbian cultures of Mexico (Aztecs and Mayans) who performed puberty rites to indicate the entrance to adult life.
My son had a stupendous time dancing to Salsa, Bachata, & Merengue music, eating ice cream and drinking ritzy cocktails (kid friendly). Jesus said he had thought of me (knowing what a huge fan I am of her music) when they played Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years during the father’s birthday speech to his daughter.

To me Christina Perri is the gift that keeps on giving. Her music seems to pop up everywhere and in the most unlikely of places. Only a few days ago I uncovered a Perri trilogy singing A Thousand Years, Jar of Hearts and Human in front of the PS22 school choir. That gave me chills all over my body.

Christina Perri needs no introduction here since she is my favourite contemporary female singer-songwriter and has featured here more times than I have had hot dinners. So she is back yet again with today’s featured track – a lovely little ballad from her 2011 debut album Lovestrong called Sad Song. While Sad Song may not reach the lyrical preeminence and melodic heights of Jar of Hearts or Evergone, it is still Perri – the queen of emotional ballads creating a symphony of sorrow and turning me into a blubbering mess.

Today I’m gonna write a sad song
Gonna make it really long
So that everyone can see, that I’m very unhappy

I wish I wasn’t always wrong
I wish it wasn’t always my fault
The finger that you’re pointing has knocked me on my knees
And all you need to know is…

“I’m so sorry”
It’s not like me
It’s maturity that I’m lacking
So don’t, don’t let me go
Just let me know
That growing up goes slow

I wonder what my mom and dad would say
If I told them that I cry each day
And it’s hard enough to live so far away

I wish I wasn’t always cold
I wish I wasn’t always alone
When the party is over, how will I get home?
And all you need to know is…

Chorus

If all the rules were meant to bend
And you swore you were my friend
Now I have to start all over again
Cause no one’s going to take your place
And I’m scared I’ll never save all the pieces of love we made

Chorus

Sad Song delves into the raw, unfiltered emotions that accompany the end of a significant relationship. It’s a lament, a tribute to love lost, and a cathartic release for anyone who has had to say goodbye to someone they once held dear.

References:
1. Lovestrong – Wikipedia

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Sad Songs (Say So Much) 1984 – Elton John

Posted on July 12, 2024 by observationblogger — 8 Comments

I mentioned in the article of Elton John’s song Sacrifice a few days ago another one of his would be forthcoming and here it is. I am not so enamoured with Sad Songs now as I was back then, but it brings back some good memories. When I was in the boy scouts in Western Sydney they had a badge for ‘entertainment’ and I sang today’s featured track to earn that recognition. Sad Songs (Say So Much) is the closing track on his 18th studio album Breaking Hearts, written by John and Bernie Taupin, released in 1984 as the lead single of the album. I liked another song from this record called Passengers.

[Verse 1]
Guess there are times when we all need to share a little pain
And ironin’ out the rough spots
Is the hardest part when memories remain
And it’s times like these when we all need to hear the radio
‘Cause from the lips of some old singer
We can share the troubles we already know

[Chorus]
Turn ’em on, turn ’em on
Turn on those sad songs
When all hope is gone (Ah)
Why don’t you tune in and turn them on?
They reach into your room, oh-oh-oh, oh
Just feel their gentle touch (Gentle touch)
When all hope is gone (Ooh)
Sad songs say so much

[Verse 2]
If someone else is sufferin’ enough, oh, to write it down
When every single word makes sense
Then it’s easier to have those songs around
The kick inside is in the line that finally gets to you
And it feels so good to hurt so bad
And suffer just enough to sing the blues

Sad Songs reached No. 7 on the UK chart and No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The lyrics describe how it sometimes helps for someone who is feeling sad, or who has lost a partner, to listen to old radio blues classics. The music video below was shot on a street in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney.

References:
1. Sad Songs (Say So Much) – Wikipedia

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Late for the Sky (1974) – Jackson Browne

Posted on July 11, 2024 by observationblogger — 8 Comments

“…The Pretender, These Days, For Every Man, I’m Alive, Fountain of Sorrow, Running On Empty, For a Dancer, Before the Deluge. Now, I know the Eagles got in first; but let’s face it it – and I think Don Henley would agree with me – these are the songs they wish they had written. I wish I had written them myself, along with Like a Rolling Stone and Satisfaction…”
– Bruce Springsteen in 2004 as part of his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction speech for Jackson Browne.

Late for the Sky by Jackson Browne was recommended to me by blogger friend Christian at Christian’s Music Musings. If you would like to learn more about Jackson Browne and Christian’s personal connection with his music, then I highly recommend his article My Playlist: Jackson Browne. The above quote by Springsteen I lifted from that very article. In fact there is a plethora of Jackson Browne music and discussion in his blog, so do yourself a favour and pop on by.
I, on the other hand am largely unfamiliar with his music although I liked listening to Running on Empty growing up. I love the movie by the same name that I reviewed back in 2019 which was a starring vehicle for the infinitely talented late- great River Phoenix, but has no connection with the Browne song.

What always appealed to me listening to Jackson Browne’s music was his soothing voice which has a blend of warmth, intimacy, and emotional depth. That is why I am so fond today’s featured track Late for the Sky because it showcases what I find so alluring about his voice. The song is slow-burning and ebbs and flows like a meandering river or the inward and outward movement of ocean tides. AllMusic critic William Ruhlmann described the song as a “slow, piano-based ballad in [Browne’s] familiar style” that is “a typically eloquent description of romantic discord.” The lyrics tell of a relationship that is doomed to fail because the singer’s lover’s expectations of him are too great.

Late for the Sky is the title track from his third studio album which peaked at number 14 on Billboard‘s Pop Albums chart. In 2020, the album was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry. The song was used in Martin Scorsese’s 1976 film, Taxi Driver, in a scene where Robert De Niro’s character “loses what’s left of his loose grip on reality.“

[Verse 1]
Now the words had all been spoken
And somehow the feeling still wasn’t right
And still we continued on through the night
Tracing our steps from the beginning
Until they vanished into the air
Trying to understand how our lives had led us there
Looking hard into your eyes
There was nobody I’d ever known
Such an empty surprise
To feel so alone

[Verse 2]
Now for me some words come easy
But I know that they don’t mean that much
Compared with the things that are said when lovers touch
You never knew what I loved in you
I don’t know what you loved in me
Maybe the picture of somebody you were hoping I might be?

[Bridge]
Awake again, I can’t pretend
And I know I’m alone
And close to the end
Of the feeling we’ve known

[Chorus]
How long have I been sleeping?
How long have I been drifting alone through the night?
How long have I been dreaming I could make it right
If I closed my eyes and tried with all my might
To be the one you need?

[Bridge]

[Outro]

Reference:
1. Late for the Sky – Jackson Browne – Wikipedia
2. Late for the Sky (song) – Wikipedia

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Martha (1973) – Tom Waits

Posted on July 10, 2024 by observationblogger — 7 Comments

My wife, Martha, introduced me to this song, when all we had was each other.  We were married 23 years and she has now been gone for 11.  It’s not our story exactly, but this song still makes me cry.
-@vgalea (see YT comments in the audio link below)

Martha is the second song to feature here from Tom Waits’ debut album Closing Time after his first entry I Hope I Don’t Fall in Love With You. That song and today’s featured track are from Tom’s pre-minstrel days and are about as mellow as he gets. They are both hopelessly romantic and these lines from Martha in particular: There was no tomorrows, we packed away our sorrows / And we saved them for a rainy day remind me of what I tried to invoke in my reflective prose called Mornington. But there is a reason why Tom is a world renowned lyricist / writer of his epoch (not to mention musician, composer, singer, and actor) and I’m not.

Tom has a penchant for crafting songs that feel like short films or poignant novels. Martha is no exception. This ballad tells the tender, nostalgic story of an old man reaching out to a long-lost love, evoking powerful emotions through its simple yet profound narrative. Tom’s contemplative lyrics draw my mind to other sentimental nostalgic ballads like Bruce Springsteen’s The River, Leonard Cohen’s Chelsea Hotel, Joan Baez’s Diamonds and Rust and Christina Perri’s Back in Time.

[Verse 1]
Operator, number please, it’s been so many years
Will she remember my old voice while I fight the tears?
Hello, hello there, is this Martha? This is old Tom Frost
And I am calling long distance, don’t worry about the cost
‘Cause it’s been forty years or more, now Martha please recall
Meet me out for coffee where we’ll talk about it all

[Chorus]
And those were the days of roses, of poetry and prose
And Martha all I had was you and all you had was me
There was no tomorrows, we packed away our sorrows
And we saved them for a rainy day

[Verse 2]
And I feel so much older now, you’re much older, too
How’s your husband? And how’s your kids? You know that I got married too
Lucky that you found someone to make you feel secure
‘Cause we were all so young and foolish, now we are mature

[Chorus]
And those were the days of roses, of poetry and prose
And Martha, all I had was you and all you had was me
There was no tomorrow, we packed away our sorrows
And we saved ’em for a rainy day

[Verse 3]
And I was always so impulsive, I guess that I still am
And all that really mattered then was that I was a man
I guess that our being together was never meant to be
But Martha, Martha, I love you, can’t you see?

[Chorus]
And those were the days of roses, of poetry and prose
And Martha all I had was you and all you had was me
There was no tomorrows, we packed away our sorrows
And we saved ’em for a rainy day

[Outro]
And I remember quiet evenings trembling close to you

Closing Time was the debut record from Tom Waits and is noted as being predominantly folk influenced. It did not chart and received little attention from music press. Some songs from the album were covered by Tim Buckley and Bette Midler. The album has since gained a contemporary cult following among rock fans. Tom Waits began his musical career in 1970, performing every Monday night at The Troubadour (featured in Elton John’s recent biopic – Rocketman), a venue in West Hollywood. In Rolling Stone, critic Stephen Holden praised Closing Time as “a remarkable debut album“.  William Ruhlmann, in a retrospective AllMusic review, holds the album in high regard, describing Waits’ “lovelorn lyrics” as being “sentimental without being penetrating“, while also noting Waits’ gift for ‘self-conscious melancholy“.

References:
1. Closing Time (album) – Wikipedia

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Sacrifice (1989) – Elton John

Posted on July 9, 2024 by observationblogger — 2 Comments

Sacrifice inaugurates all ‘current’ (yet subject to change) 161 songs starting with ‘S’ in the music library project. That’s a lot of music, which will take at least the rest of the year to unpack. You thought that was a lot? Can you imagine songs starting with ‘T’ total – 183! That gives you a glimpse of what I will be doing (and hopefully you will be listening to) in 2025. Oh and a ‘heads-up’….another Elton song is due for release here in the upcoming days. If you can guess which one that will be, you will receive an Observation Blogger virtual ‘high five and on the flip-side‘. (Hint: the song naturally starts with ‘Sa……’ and it’s not Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)‘). Good luck folks.

Elton had a resurgence in the early 90’s with hits like Sacrifice, Healing Hands both from his 1989 record Sleeping in the Past (it wasn’t until ’90 that Sacrifice got its just-deserts), The One record in 1992 and of course Can You Feel the Love Tonight and Circle of Life from the iconic 1994 movie – The Lion King.

Allow me to digress..what amazed me on the musical front when I came to Colombia in 2009 was how scantily known Elton John was, not least of all his music; while other western (English sung) music from the likes of Guns N Roses, Air Supply, Queen, Michael Jackson, and Metallica were and remain household names. This was mainly due to which ‘pirated music’ was disseminated on the streets and developed traction. But that ‘history’ would require at least another article to explore thoroughly.

There was just one song by Elton which appeared frequently on Colombian music playlists and that is today’s featured track – Sacrifice. Few could tell you who sang it and almost no one was familiar with Elton’s 70’s classic output. I believe that is starting to change since music has become more accessible due to digital music applications like Spotify etc. Also a shout – out to Elton’s biopic Rocketman that has become a regular feature on Cable TV here and no doubt drawing a deluge of new fans to his music.

Sacrifice was written by Elton John and his long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin. Elton John himself has described Sacrifice in Rolling Stone as one of the best songs he and Taupin have ever written, which is a high compliment considering their extensive catalogue of hits. The lyrics of Sacrifice tell a story of a relationship strained by infidelity and emotional distance. Unlike many of John’s more upbeat tunes, this song delves into the complexities of love and the pain of realizing that sometimes, love alone isn’t enough to keep a relationship intact.

Despite its initial release as a single in 1989, Sacrifice didn’t achieve immediate success. It wasn’t until 1990, when it was re-released in the UK, that the song truly took off. It became Elton John’s first solo number-one hit in the UK. The song also performed well internationally, reaching the top 10 in several countries including Ireland, France, and Australia.

[Verse 1]
It’s a human sign
When things go wrong
When the scent of her lingers
And temptation’s strong
Into the boundary
Of each married man
Sweet deceit comes callin’
And negativity lands

[Pre-Chorus]
Cold, cold heart
Hardened by you
Some things lookin’ better, baby
Just passin’ through

[Chorus]
And it’s no sacrifice
Just a simple word
It’s two hearts livin’
In two separate worlds
But it’s no sacrifice
No sacrifice
It’s no sacrifice at all

[Verse 2]
Mutual misunderstandin’
After the fact
Sensitivity builds a prison
In the final act
We lose direction
No stone unturned
No tears to damn you
When jealousy burns

[Pre-Chorus]
[Chorus]

References:
1. Sacrifice (Elton John song) – Wikipedia

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I Shall Be Free No. 10 (1964) – Bob Dylan

Posted on July 8, 2024 by observationblogger — 4 Comments

[Verse 9]
Now they asked me to read a poem
At the sorority sisters home
Ah got knocked down and my head was swimmin’
I wound up with the Dean of Women
Yippee! I’m a poet, and I know it
Hope I don’t blow it

On June 14th this year, I wrote an article on Dylan’s Ring Them Bells and fellow blogger aficionado Nancy at The Sicilian Storyteller responded, ‘I have great memories of teaching a modified version of this song to our church’s Children’s Choir. Luckily for me the pastor at the time was a Dylan fan!‘ Her comment rejigged my memory of when I as Division leader led my team to sing for Music Night today’s featured track – ‘I Shall Be Free No 10’. I always considered it Dylan’s funniest lyricism and wordplay in a song. What flabbergasted me was when I searched No. 10 in my music library project I couldn’t find it. Like yesterday’s Tom Petty’s track – I Won’t Back Down I had (nearly unforgivably so) let it slip beneath the cracks.

A lot of people think that Bob Dylan’s 1965 masterpiece Subterranean Homesick Blues may well have been the first ever ‘Rap‘ song, but one could argue that I Shall Be Free No. 10 which precedes it, exhibits predominant features of the rap genre including the following:
– Dylan’s rhythmic spoken delivery set to a consistent beat or rhythm,
– How it features an ‘improvisational feel’, clever wordplay, cultural references, and a stream-of-consciousness style, elements that are central to many rap lyrics, and
– social and political commentary, and Dylan’s song, though humorous and absurdist, touches on contemporary issues and critiques, similar to how many rap songs address societal themes.

Nestled in the middle of his album Another Side of Bob Dylan (which was one of the first I procured in my Dylan journey) I Shall Be Free No. 10 as alluded to above is a delightful blend of humor, social commentary, and what can only be described as proto-rap. It is the whimsical sequel to Dylan’s earlier song I Shall Be Free from his 1963 album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. While its predecessor was a more straightforward folk tune, “No. 10” dives headfirst into a rambling, free-associative monologue that showcases Dylan’s knack for improvisation.
Recorded in just one session on June 9, 1964, this track captures the spontaneity and wit that characterized much of Dylan’s early work. It has garnered a cult following among Dylan aficionados such as yours truly who appreciate its offbeat charm and sharp humor.

[Verse 1]
I’m just average, common too
I’m just like him, and the same as you
I’m everybody’s brother and son
I ain’t different than anyone
Ain’t no use a-talk to me
It’s just the same as talkin’ to you

[Verse 2]
I was shadow boxing early in the day
I figured I was ready for Cassius Clay
I said “Fee, fie, fo, fum, Cassius Clay, here I come
26, 27, 28, 29, I’m gonna’ make your face look just like mine
Five, four, three, two, one, Cassius Clay you’d better run
99, 100, 101, 102, your ma won’t even recognize you
14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, gonna knock him clean right out of his spleen”

[Verse 3]
Well, I don’t know, but I’ve been told
The streets of heaven are lined with gold
I ask ya’ how things could get much worse
If the Russians happen to get up there first
Wowee! Pretty scary!

[Verse 4]
Now, I’m liberal, but to a degree
I want everybody to be free
But if you think I’ll let Barry Goldwater
Move in next door and marry my daughter
You must think I’m crazy!
I wouldn’t let him do it for all the farms in Cuba

[Verse 5]
Well, I set my monkey on the log
And ordered him to do the Dog
He wagged his tail and shook his head
And he went and did the Cat instead
He’s a weird monkey, very funky

[Verse 6]
I sat with my high-heeled sneakers on
Waitin’ to play tennis in the noonday sun
I had my white shorts rolled up past my waist
And my wig-hat was fallin’ in my face
But they wouldn’t let me on the tennis court

[Verse 7]
I got a woman, she’s so mean
She sticks my boots in the washing machine
Sticks me with buckshot when I’m nude
Puts bubblegum in my food
She’s funny, wants my money, calls me “honey”

[Verse 8]
Now I got a friend who spends his life
Stabbin’ my picture with a Bowie knife
Dreams of stranglin’ me with a scarf
When my name comes up he pretends to barf
I got a million friends!

[Verse 9]
Now they asked me to read a poem
At the sorority sisters home
Ah got knocked down and my head was swimmin’
I wound up with the Dean of Women
Yippee! I’m a poet, and I know it
Hope I don’t blow it

[Verse 10]
I’m gonna grow my hair down to my feet so strange
So I look like a walking mountain range
And I’m gonna’ ride into Omaha on a horse
Out to the country club and the golf course
Carryin’ The New York Times, shoot a few holes, blow their minds

[Verse 11]
Now you’re probably wonderin’ by now
Just what this song is all about
What’s probably got you baffled more
Is what this thing here is for:

(plays song’s riff)

It’s nothin’
It’s sumpin’ I learned over in England!

References:
1. I Shall Be Free No. 10 – Wikipedia

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I Won’t Back Down (1989) – Tom Petty

Posted on July 7, 2024 by observationblogger — 8 Comments

“At the session George Harrison sang and played the guitar. I had a terrible cold that day, and George went to the store and bought a ginger root, boiled it and had me stick my head in the pot to get the ginger steam to open up my sinuses, and then I ran in and did the take.”
– Tom Petty

I was surprised to learn when I heard this song recently that I hadn’t already added it to my music library. Hence I am backtracking in the alphabetical listing to make amends since I always liked it ever since I first heard it as a 15 year-old. Outside of his input in the super group The Traveling Wilburys, I Won’t Back Down is the third song from Petty to feature here after his previous entries Learning to Fly and Free Fallin’. I have always considered Petty one of the great bastions of Musica Americana in the midst of the synthesiser and digital music revolution of the 80’s.

What I admired most about I Won’t Back Down is what it represented; an anthem of resilience, a rallying cry for those standing firm in the face of adversity. Due to its themes, the song was played often on American radio following the September 11 attacks. Released in 1989 as the lead single from his first solo album, Full Moon Fever, this track has cemented its place in rock history. It was co-written by Tom Petty and his longtime collaborator Jeff Lynne who has featured here with ELO and The Traveling Wilburys.

Upon its release, I Won’t Back Down achieved considerable success reaching number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. It has been covered by numerous artists across different genres, including Johnny Cash and Pearl Jam. Petty once said, “That song frightened me when I wrote it. I didn’t understand it. But when I finished it, I understood it was about standing up for yourself” (Rolling Stone). Jeff Lynne, in an interview, mentioned, “It was a song that just came together so naturally. The message is simple but powerful” (Classic Rock).

[Verse 1]
Well, I won’t back down
No, I won’t back down
You can stand me up at the gates of Hell
But I won’t back down
No, I’ll stand my ground
Won’t be turned around
And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down
Gonna stand my ground
And I won’t back down

[Chorus]
(I won’t back down)
Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out
(I won’t back down)
Hey, I will stand my ground (Ooh)
And I won’t back down

[Verse 2]
Well, I know what’s right
I got just one life
In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around
But I’ll stand my ground
And I won’t back down

[Chorus]

[Instrumental Break]

[Chorus]

References:
1. I Won’t Back Down – Wikipedia

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