PEOPLE FUNNY BOY

Why, Why, People funny boy?

Why, Why, People funny boy?
Now that you reach the top
And you turn big shot
All I have done for you
You not remember that
When you were down and out
I used to help you out
But now that you win jackpot
You don't remember that
Now that you turn big shot
Boy you  have big chat
You're lucky, You're lucky, You're lucky,

To have rice and peas a' yard

But me, Poor me, Don't have none at all

I want-a, I want-a, I want-a

NOTE:  So many thoughts concerning this big subject song, which I love. Looping a bawling baby’s cries and using them as percussion is genius, but enduringly popular as Scratch’s anthem has been, it is often described as near-doggerel -- simply bitter commentary by a mistreated, cheated Studio One employee – rather than the rallying cry it is opposing & chanting down the human condition.  Graham Greene would understand. Morrissey also. (Think about England Made Me and You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby).  A record producer I know says “anyone can sing” and today with vocal tuning I suppose that’s true.  But non-singing vocalist Perry seizes the day by not nibbling around the edges of notes, but devouring the musical scenery instead.  Perry is on the side of the angels. The Devil Came From Kansas.

Lee “Scratch” Perry: People Funny Boy (Link)

To Know Him Is To Love Him

To know, know, know him

Is to love, love, love him
Just to see him smile 

Makes my life worthwhile
To know, know, know him 

Is to love, love, love him
And I do

Audio Link: Mick Farren:  To Know Him Is To Love Him (wr. Phil Spector), From Bionic Gold (Big Sound Records, 1978)

NOTE:

I was so pleased finally to locate a copy of Mick Farren's punk version of Phil Spector's/The Teddy Bears' tune To Know Him Is To Love Him the other day on Youtube.  I hadn't heard it since I misplaced my copy of Bionic Gold years ago and I'm very grateful to the person who posted it because it suits my ragged, up all night, trying desperately to keep a sense of humor mood.  

For those who don't remember the Bionic Gold lp, it was a collection of highly original takes on Phil Spector material recorded by the various artists and bands on Jon Tiven and Peter Lubin's short-lived Big Sound record label.  I liked the album a lot, especially this song (the noise and chaos of which apparently followed Mick Farren around like night follows day at the time of its recording) and ex-Winkie Philip Rambow's utterly charming version of All Grown Up. I have yet to locate that track, but have carried Rambow's vocal performance around in my head since 1978.   

I hope you enjoy this.  Waking up today (to the extent I slept at all last night) following the extra-terrestrial (in the worst, scariest possible way) sights and sounds of the South Carolina and Texas Tea Party congressmen first adjourning for prayer and then deserting their party leadership and scuttling the debt ceiling vote last night, it's difficult for me to like very much at all.