Paul Song of the Day - Part II

"Teddy Boy" for me today [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Not really a favorite of mine, but this song has been around a while. It first appeared during the Beatles trip to India in 1968. Paul had even recorded a version during the "Get Back" sessions but later decided not to add it to the album.

Teddy Boy

This is a story of a boy named Ted.
If his mother said Ted be good, he would.
She told him Ted about his soldier dad,
Then it made her cry, oh my.
Ted used to tell her
He could be twice as good
And he new he could,
Cause in his head he said,

"Mommy, don’t worry now Teddy boy’s here
Taking good care of you.
Mommy, don’t worry Teddy boy’s here
Teddy’s gonna see you through."

Then came the day she found herself a man,
Teddy turned and ran
Far away.
Ok.

He couldn’t stand to see his mother in love
With another man.
He didn’t know,
Oh no.

He found a place where he could settle down
And from time to time
In his head, he said,

"Mommy, don’t worry now Teddy boy’s here
Taking good care of you.
Mommy, don’t worry now Teddy boy’s here
Teddy’s gonna see you through."

She said "Teddy don’t worry now, mommy is here
Taking good care of you.
Teddy, don’t worry your mummy is here.
Mummy’s gonna see you through."

This is a story of a boy named Ted.
If his mother said Ted be good, he would.

It's ok. Not one of my favorites, but ok. Nice melody in the chorus, but some of the lyrics seem a little forced and clunky, especially "in his head"....well, where ELSE do you think?? [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Originally Posted By bearkat77:
but later decided not to add it to the album.

<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">...which was later considered as the best choice he could have ever made.

Not a big fan of this song, it's extremely dullish, although the arrangement (acoustic guitar, bass, percussion) is kind of pleasant. It's one of the low points on that beautiful thing that the McCartney album is.

The Anthology version is one completely different thing... I enjoy listening to that one because one can appreciate how much John laughed at this song. Part of their charm. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

I think at this point in the McCartney album, it all just starts to sound repetitive and boring.

Love the Anthology version, but only for John's jokes--the song itself isn't great.

Ok, I think we're in desperate need of a new song to discuss! How about "That Day is Done" from "Flowers in the Dirt"?

I'm not sure why I like this song so much. It's kind of slow and dirge-like and ponderous, things I don't normally like, but for some reason I just LOVE this song. I think the lyrics are really good and I like the chord progression and the melody. I'm learning to play this on the bass and that's why I've been thinking about it. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

This is the last great song on FITD. Pretty much every song here has been released on a single, except this one and two or three others.

Ooohh...yea. I don't know why, 'cause it's kind of a weird little song, but I just love that one! There's something about the way Paul sings it, and I dig it's weird timing! Paul and Elvis Costello always do creative things with the time signatures in songs, when they write together, and I love that! It's a good little piece, and one of the ones I play the most on that album. Good pick!

Originally Posted By BeatleChick:
Paul and Elvis Costello always do creative things with the time signatures in songs

<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Good point! That is one of the things that makes this song really interesting! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

I really like this song, it's one of the good ones that Flowers In The Dirt has. Develops a well-told story in its own way. The instrumentation is also quite attractive, with that bass line that Rell mentioned. Agreed also in the collaboration with Elvis Costello (I still like "Back On My Feet" better though), so nothing much to add from here. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Probably the best thing Paul did since Tug Of War. It is sad that Flowers In The Dirt didn't finish with this song. The brass section does give it a "marching band" feel.

That Day Is Done

I feel such sorrow, I feel such shame,
I know I won't arrive on time.
Before whatever out there is gone, what can I do?
That day is done.
It's just a promise that I made,
I said I'd walk in her parade.
Hot scalding tears I thought would flow,
Still, in my heart, they'll never show.

That day is done, that day is done.
You know where I've gone,
I won't be coming back.
That day is done.

Well, I recall the time and place
When they announced her precious face,
I thought at once my heart would burst,
Still, every time is like the first.
There was applause when she stepped up,
I wished that I could interrupt.
I made no sign, I made no sound,
I know I must stay underground.

That day is done, that day is done.
You know where I've gone,
I won't be coming back.
That day is done.

That's why she walks, or so they say,
She always knew just what I needed.
Now if she would just look my way
One time before they proceed.
She sprinkles flowers in the dirt,
That's when a thrill becomes a hurt.
I know I'll never see her face,
She walks away from my resting-place.

That day is done, that day is done.
You know where I've gone,
I won't be coming back.
That day is done.
Well, you know where I've gone.
I won't be coming back,
That day is done.
Ooh.

My turn to pick! Today's song is Picasso's Last Words (Drink to me) from Band on the Run. I think is a kind of fun song. And yes, there is a story behind this. Paul and Linda were hanging out with Dustin Hoffman one day and Dustin wondered if Paul could write a song bsed on someone's suggestion. Paul thought he could, so Dustin said that he had heard the Pablo Picasso's last words were "drink to me". This song is the result of that conversation.

Not one of my favorites, but ok. The spoken word pseudo-French bit is kind of cheesy and all in all it sounds like a 30 second idea stretched out to a 3 minute (or whatever it is - I'm too lazy to go look!) song. But it's one of the first songs I learned to play on the bass, so I have a bit of a sentimental attachment to it! And yeah, the Dustin Hoffman story is pretty cool! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

I prefer the live/acoustic WOA version, too...it really fits in nicely with that set.

Peace and Love
Helene

"Picasso's Last Words (Drink To Me)" was actually written on a "dare", so-to-speak. While Paul was in Jamaica, he meet Dustin Hoffman. Hoffman asked Paul if he could write a song about anything, of course Paul said he could. Paul composed the song right there in front of Dustin.

The "French-speak" was isolated in the right rear channel of the quad mix when it was recorded in Lagos, Nigeria.

Picasso's Last Words (Drink To Me)

The grand old painter died last night,
His paintings on the wall.
Before he went he bade us well
And said goodnight to us all.

Drink to me, drink to my health,
You know I can't drink any more.
Drink to me, drink to my health,
You know I can't drink any more.

3 o'clock in the morning,
I'm getting ready for bed.
It came without a warning,
But I'll be waiting for you, baby,
I'll be waiting for you there.

So drink to me, drink to my health,
You know I can't drink any more.
Drink to me, drink to my health,
You know I can't drink any more.

Jet (ooh), Jet (ooh)

Jet (ooh), Jet (ooh)

Drink to me, drink to my health,
You know I can't drink any more.
Drink to me, drink to my health,
You know I can't drink any more.

I'll be waiting for you, baby, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Drink to me, drink to my health,
You know I can't drink any more.
Drink to me, drink to my health,
You know I can't drink any more.

Drink to me, drink to my health,
You know I, hey ho, ho hey ho.
Ho hey ho, ho hey ho,
Ho hey ho, ho hey ho,
Ho hey ho, ho hey ho.

Eh. It would be better if it didn't have all that French in it. That just totally ruins it for me. I like the WOA version better.

Hi Everyone!-

Hope it's OK if I pick a song of the day for discussion [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

The song I'd like to choose is one of my personal favorites...."Big Barn Bed".

The reason I like it so much is because not only does it have a catchy melody (though, the lyrics aren't that great [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] and terrific harmonies, but I think it's a great opener for what I consider one of Paul's greatest solo albums and leads into "My Love", one of, if not THE most successful single of Paul's solo career, beautifully. Plus, I think this is the album that seemed to really give Paul his groove back after what I think is some less than stellar Solo work, prior. If it wasn't for "RRS", I don't think we would have gotten a "Band on The Run".

What I also like so much about "Big Barn Bed" is the ending. Up to that point, we've had almost a collage of backing vocals, but at the end, on the final repeated chorus, what we've heard bits and pieces of, all come together for a rousing calliope of harmonies. That combined with the pumped up bass line makes for a delicious mix.

And as I've already mentioned, it leads nicely into "My Love". After all of that activity, by the time you hear that single note, your ear is really ready for it.

Peace and Love
Helene

P.S. BTW, didn't meant to jump the gun there if anyone wants to still discuss "Picasso's Last Words".

I forgot to mention in my reply, (seeing the lyrics bearkat posted reminded me of it) was that when "Jet" comes back in, I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. It sort of rubs me the wrong way when I hear it. "Jet" is such a cool song, to hear it semi-reprised at that particular spot makes no sense to me. If Paul wanted to reprise "Jet", why not give it it's own track like "Sgt. Pepper", or stick it in something like "1985" or "Helen Wheels" [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Peace and Love
Helene

I love "Big Barn Bed"! As you said, Helene, the words are kind of silly (let's say "secondary" - that sounds better. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] ), but the music is cool - I love the harmonies (although they're slightly out of tune at the end and I always wonder if that was on purpose or not) and it just chugs along as a nice little rocker. And I like those little "Oo-wee" bits too. Good choice! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Rellevart responded:

"I love the harmonies (although they're slightly out of tune at the end and I always wonder if that was on purpose or not)"

What a great point! And how about Linda holding that last note a fraction of a beat too long!

Paul could easily have corrected that, so yes, those last few, slightly out of tune bars may very well have been deliberate.

Thanks for that, Rellevart! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Peace and Love
Helene

[size="1"][ Jul 28, 2003, 07:23 AM: Message Edited By: LenieBugg ][/size]