Chalkhills Digest Volume 1, Issue 417
Date: Monday, 13 March 1995
Chalkhills Digest, Number 417
Monday, 13 March 1995
Today's Topics:
Re: Mr P & The Baron Knights
Re:"All You Pretty Girls"
Peter Pumpkinhead by Crash Test Dummies
Hidden meanings of songs...
I am an idiot.
The Barron Knights!
Andys Penis?
Re: Anglo-only lyrics
Andy's at it again
British slang
English Settlement
"All You Pretty Girls"
Barron Knights and Snoopy
new stuff
English References in XTC songs
The Royal Guardsmen
O&L on vinyl for sale
Pretty
Helium Kids cd
Re: Chalkhills Digest #415
nutrition
Buckets of Love
Administrivia:
* Try to always keep the length of the lines in your message to 75
characters or less. The standard width of a terminal screen is
80 characters, but when a reply includes your message, the length
of lines can grow, so leave a little room for further discussion.
To UNSUBSCRIBE from Chalkhills, send a message to:
<chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org>
For all other administrative issues, send a message to:
<chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org>
Chalkhills Archives not available using FTP.
World Wide Web: "http://chalkhills.org/"
The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors.
Think about you every night when I'm fathoms asleep.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: mcb@postmodern.com (Michael C. Berch) Date: Thu, 9 Mar 1995 15:31:57 -0800 Subject: Re: Mr P & The Baron Knights > The Baron Knights mentioned by Andy at the start of "Drums and wireless" > were the one hit wonders behind the 1960's smash hit (in the UK), "Snoopy > Vs. the Red Baron" a song that told the tale of how Germanys premiere > fighter ace of WW1 was blown out of the sky by "A dog with a big black > nose", or somthing to that effect. Actually, I believe that was "The Royal Guardsmen." (Sigh; I am actually old enough to have an original 45 of this, which I think my parents got me, since I was a big Peanuts fan.) They did a couple of sequels on the theme, but of course it was really a one-joke concept. I probably have the whole set, and as I remember they have pretty horrendous B-sides. -- Michael C. Berch mcb@postmodern.com
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Mar 1995 13:22:20 +1200 From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) Subject: Re:"All You Pretty Girls" >Try as i might, i am unable to really figure out "All You Pretty >Girls" from _The Big Express_. >I don't get it. I think it's exactly what it says it is. The video makes it clearer though, with its images of the pressgangs. It's Andy as a sailor, realising that he may die at sea, asking that if he does, those left alive will say thank you/I love you/goodbye to all those he never got a chance to say it to. It's a real "carpe diem" song - tell them how you feel, for tomorrow may be too late... oh, and to whoever it was saying "how many British references..." tons! I've explained the never-never navvies in recent times. I hadn't twigged to Morning's Glory, but the move to "Englishness" started with the first track of Black Sea (Respectable Street), and ever since the songs have been peppered with references. Hell, from "Working for the Unicorn and Lion" through to "Fox Talbot's gel" and "all Edward Leared" there are a profusion of them. And the cover art. US readers may not realise, for instance, that Swindon was THE main junction of the Great Western Railway, bence the cover art of the Big Express (with the insert of the lads in their GWR uniforms), or that the Uffington white horse (shown on English Settlement and carved into the chalkhills, is not that far north of there in the Vale of Evesham. One lyric does constantly puzzle me though - what does "Steer me, Anna" mean? James James Dignan, Department of Psychology, University of Otago. Ya zhivu v' 50 Norfolk St., St. Clair, Dunedin, New Zealand pixelphone james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz / steam megaphone NZ 03-455-7807 * You talk to me as if from a distance * and I reply with impressions chosen from another time, time, time, * from another time (Brian Eno)
------------------------------ From: KenVT@aol.com Date: Fri, 10 Mar 1995 00:31:48 -0500 Subject: Peter Pumpkinhead by Crash Test Dummies I was looking through a used CD bin of the local record shop (can I still call it a record shop?), and I found a promo cd-single of the Crash Test Dummies Peter Pumpkinhead for $2.99 US. Such a bargain as it is obviously a homage to our heroes XTC.
------------------------------
From: adkoning@hvsag01.att.com (Andre de Koning)
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 95 09:08:13 +0100
Subject: Hidden meanings of songs...
Dave (dss@minster.york.ac.uk) wrote:
>This and the reference to England's Glory (matches) in this list some
>time ago made me wonder how many other references there are in XTC's
>lyrics which have our American cousins mystified. One that comes to
>mind is from "Red Brick Dream" where "Castles and Kings" were classes
>of steam locomotive (but you had probably worked that out already).
>
>Can anyone think of any others?
How about the mystified other 2/3 of the world population or so, that
only have learned english at school! What are we all missing?
I'm from the Netherlands (I was the dutchie who enquired about the
Swindon B&B's) and (think I) speak and understand reasonably good
english. But I'm sure I miss a lot of the wordplay!!
For instance just last week it struck me that the 'Seasons Cycle' was
not only about Summer/Authumn/Winter/Spring but also refers to the
seasons as a bicycle: 'pushing the pedals/on the seasons [bi]cycle'. I
thought that was very funny. It also makes me humble in that I probably
miss a lot of the fun!
Now, can somebody please explain all of the slang in 'Cherry in your
tree'? It's probably stuffed with it. So far, I have already learned
that 'cherry' has to do something with virginity. Now, 'make a pie with
me' does that have something to do with Andy's penis again?? ;-)
,
Andre
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 1995 09:47:01 +0000 (GMT)
From: David William Lawson <dwl1@st-andrews.ac.uk>
Subject: I am an idiot.
In the last digest I stated that "The Baron Knights" mentioned in "Drums
and wireless" were responsible for the song "Snoopy Vs. the Red
Baron". I now accept this is incorrect (it was the Royal Guardsmen) I can
only beg forgivness and perhaps be held up as an example to anyone
thinking of trying to write to Chalkhills whilst not having two brain
cells to rub together.
Sorry,
Dave
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 1995 10:18:04 +0000
From: bt18@cityscape.co.uk (Allan Toombs)
Subject: The Barron Knights!
Everyone over this side of the pond over a certain age is probably smiling
at the suggestion that the Barron Knights were punk/new wave group or a
clever reference on Andy's part. The truth is one of those British cultural
oddities that like some wines 'doesn't travel well'.
The Barron Knights are a British cabaret parody group who over the
sixties and the seventies notched up a remarkable number of hit records in
the UK. Their first hit 'Call Up The Groups' released in July 1964 was in
the charts for 13 weeks peaking at number 3. It segued various merseybeat
hits with lyrics that suggesting how the bands might suffer National
Service. This set their basic formula of combining hit tunes of the day with
political cheekiness. I won't say satire as they always played straight down
the middle, appealing to popular cartoon images of Wilson, Heath et.al. And
there in lay their golden appeal, in pre-Thatcher Britain they presented a
gentle mockery that even granny would smirk at. Notably their career on
vinyl begins just after the demise of the genuinely political 'That Was The
Week That Was' and concluded around the time Spitting Image began. Listening
again to their discs brings a burst of nostalgia but many of the jokes have
faded into history and I imagine stateside they would be inexplicable except
for the fragments of well-known pop.
Nowadays they play the clubs circuit with a rather ruder act but
their hey days of No.5 with 'Pop Go The Workers'in 1965, No.9 with 'Merry
Gentle Pops' Christmas 1965, No.7 with 'Live In Trouble' Christmas 1977, and
No.3 with 'A Taste Of Aggro' Christmas 1978 stand out as excellent examples
of the Great British novelty record.
So Andy was self-depreciatingly taking the piss!
/--------------------------------------------------------------\
/"I keep looking for a place to fit in where I can speak my mind"\
/ news:alt.future.history mailto:toombs@cityscape.co.uk \
/ |--------------------------Allan Toombs--------------------------| \
| Coming soon Splink! |
----------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ From: "J.A.Harkness" <J.A.Harkness@sheffield.ac.uk> Date: Fri, 10 Mar 1995 10:41:41 +0000 Subject: Andys Penis? Wha'! 'Grass' is about Andys penis and a new born baby? I thought that was 'PinkThing' Have I been missing something for that last decade(ish)? And am I the only person alive that think that 'Travels In Nihilon' is the best song ever written ? Shoot! It's a complex affair being a Chalkhillian. So much to learn, sigh! Will Yum!
------------------------------ From: JMons@aol.com Date: Fri, 10 Mar 1995 07:35:40 -0500 Subject: Re: Anglo-only lyrics In Digest #416 Dave (dss@minster.york.ac.uk) asked if there were any XTC lyrical references that we American listeners found confusing, and I can think of one right off the bat: From "The Everyday Story of Smalltown, " the line "think I'll drink my oxo up, and get away..." What in the WORLD (as the Dukes might say) is "oxo?" Just wondering... Jon
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Mar 95 08:56:08 EST From: patty@gdb.org (Patty Haley) Subject: Andy's at it again Hi everyone: Well, I don't recall reading about this Andy radio appearance, so if it's old news, please flame me privately. :-) A friend of mine who is also into Catherine Wheel mentioned he got a radio show because CW were listed as doing one of the songs listed. "Cool," says me. "The show was co-hosted by Andy Partridge," he said. "Coolest," says me. "Gimme some scoop." Apparently Andy was as ascerbic as ever, ripping mightily on several of the bands played on the show. One song was played by the Charlatans U.K., and afterwards Andy mentions something about inviting them 'round to teach them a thing or two about writing a catchy tune. He's full of love when it comes to several other bands, too, missing no opportunity to slag off quite a few bands as he feels are so deserving. For the Catherine Wheel tune, he mentions their record and says something like, "I wish them the very best," after talking about some tech-type stuff, so I take those words as a blessing! Boy, I'm glad he liked them, 'cause I would hate to have to hunt down Andy, turn him over my knee and spank the lad! I'm attempting to get a hold of a copy of this for meself--if I do I'll faithfully post any of the good bits, which, knowing Andy, will be most of his comments. I'm *still* laughing at his imitation of Robert Smith on 120 Minutes. To be continued, I hope... -Patty "Friday is heaven, Friday is heaven" - Colin Moulding Catherine Wheel World Wide Web Home Page: http://gdbdoc.gdb.org/~patty/CW/CW_home_page.html
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 1995 09:45:07 -0500 (EST)
From: CANEVIT@UTKVX.UTCC.UTK.EDU
Subject: British slang
Hey, Gang!
Last time, Dave (dss@minster.york.ac.uk) said
>This and the reference to England's Glory (matches) in this list some
>time ago made me wonder how many other references there are in XTC's
>lyrics which have our American cousins mystified. One that comes to
>mind is from "Red Brick Dream" where "Castles and Kings" were classes
>of steam locomotive (but you had probably worked that out already).
>Can anyone think of any others?
Well, I just wanted to say thanks for pointing this out. I was
one of the few? many? who *didn't* know this, and once again, I am left
agog and mouth agape at the genius of our Mr. Partridge! I love this band!
I also wanted to add that I do have one 'other'--in an introduction to
literary research class, my professor pulled out a book on British slang
and randomly opened up to--get this-- the entry for "Happy Families,"
which is an actual British card game! I had had no idea, and merely thought
that Andy was being metaphoric-*only* in saying that "happy families is a
kid's game"; now I realize he was being metaphoric *and* literal. What
a wonderful, polysemous man!
Also, in regards to "Red Brick Dream," I am left wondering
whether the phrase "red brick" has a specific connotation for the British.
I was told that in the 50s and 60s, England developed a number of "red-
brick universities" in an attempt to unfortress the ivory tower and let
more middle class-types in. Evidently, the term was often used
contemptuously, and I have to wonder whether "red brick" tends to connote
some sort of middle class mediocrity/cookie cutter mentality. That's how
I've always read the song--like "Desert Island," it's a critique of how,
well, England's glory has sadly faded after the decline of the industrial
revolution and that people have been lulled into a soporific consumerism.
Well, those are the main points I wanted to make. I was also
considering trying to start a thread I haven't seen discussed here. We
occasionally mention who our other favorite bands are (and I am left
wondering whether it's safe to assume that all XTC fans are Beatles fans
and that most are Jellyfish fans--or would be, if they checked the band
out. Are these safe assumptions, or not? (Are any?)), but we rarely discuss
who we *don't* like. I suspect that this is because, as part of being XTC
fans, we tend to be more positive than negative. Well, while I *don't* want
to start a flame war, I am really curious if most of us tend to have very
similar musical dislikes. I don't want to appear some egomanical geek
trying to impose my views on everybody else (a la some music-related Usenet
newsgroups), so I won't be the first to list the bands I dislike (although
I can categorize the types of music I dislike pretty easily: angry grunge/
punk/industrial types on the one side, and top 40/adult contemporary-type
of mediocrity on the other). So, anybody interested in discussing this?
Far from alone here,
Craig E. Canevit
------------------------------ From: DAMIAN The Wonder Dog FOULGER <SPXDLF@CARDIFF.AC.UK> Date: Fri, 10 Mar 1995 15:46:07 GMT Subject: English Settlement Dear Everyone, All this talk about ES reminded me of when I was in a second hand record shop and saw three copies of ES UK vinyl version for sale! I'm not sure if they are still there but if anyone wants a copy I am very happy to go check and try and work something out. E-post me personally if you are interested. Dames TWD Ps. What is this that loads of people have as their signature?: > * You talk to me as if from a distance > * and I reply with impressions chosen from another time, time, time, > * from another time (Brian Eno) (Life is good in the greenhouse:XTC)
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Mar 95 11:01:56 EST From: patty@gdb.org (Patty Haley) Subject: "All You Pretty Girls" Mark Allender says: Try as i might, i am unable to really figure out "All You Pretty Girls" from _The Big Express_. I don't get it. Call me stupid or whatever. A friend even thinks it's sexist. (i think she's full of shit) *---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I've been listening to _The Big Express_ almost non-stop of late, but hey, I got the meaning of this one the day I bought it (the very day it was released) back in 1984! Think sailors. Think manly sailors. Think manly horny sailors. Now think wimmin. Think lots of wimmin. Wimmin in every port. Think of those Old Spice commercials. Handsome manly men and the wimmin that love 'em. Handsome manly men and the wimmin that bed 'em. Think manly horny sailors, like I said. Remember, there's a topless female (mermaid) on the mast of every ship, but she's the only female on board. A manly man gets lonely at sea for a womanly woman. Erm, do I need to spell out the bit about the "rocking in a similar motion," or has the above spew given you enough of a clue? :-) As far as the sexist bit goes, I don't think it's sexist at all, and I'm the kind o' female that growls when a man refers to a woman as a "girl." This song takes me back in my imagination a couple of centuries when that kind of terminology was PC. And hey, does "Red Brick Dream" have an hallucinogenic effect or what? Everytime I listen to it, it's like being mesmerized. I have to listen to it several times in a row before I can move on. Last but not least department: Summer's Cauldron lyric: "Please don't heed my shout I'm relax in the undertow." Shouldn't that be: "...RELAXED in the undertow"? I've always taken this to be a booboo in the lyric sheet. I can't really hear Andy say the "ed" part, but I can't make any sense out of that sentence otherwise. Dunno, maybe it's the editor/proofreader in me. -Patty "Castles and kings all starved to death."
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Mar 1995 11:24:34 -0600 (CST) From: James Kosmicki <kosgcom@cccadm.gi.cccneb.edu> Subject: Barron Knights and Snoopy In the latest Chalkhills, David William Lawson states that The Barron[sic] Knights were responsible for "Snoopy Versus the Red Baron." This may be true in the UK, but not here in the US. Here in the US, this song and its sequels were done by the Royal Guardsmen, a jangle-pop group on Laurie Records. Unfortunately, the success of the record ruined their further career. Other notable songs from them include "The Airplane Song" and a wonderful slow song that I can't remember the title of but which is very hard to find and i happen to have it on some crappy oldies CD. As for XTC content, I'm still not sure about the ES disk and how it was treated here in the US. Go 2 had Go+ included in early copies. Black Sea had very interesting packaging, at first. So it wasn't that XTC didn't count, it was that somehow this particular album didn't count. I think the double album aspect scared them off.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 1995 14:47:17 +0000
From: gimarc@bilbo.pic.net (George Gimarc)
Subject: new stuff
Hey everyone- here's something for you to chew on. I just got off
the phone with Andy and he gave me some titles of the demos that have been
recorded for the next XTC Lp. You're the first to see these.
New songs from the shed by Andy include
You're A Dictonary
Bumper Cars
The Green man
River Of Orchids
You And The Clouds
I'd Like That
Knights In Shining Karma
Easter Theater
Prince Of Orange
My Brown Guitar
The last Balloon
Dame Fortune
Our New Dark Ages
Wounded Horse
The Wheel & The Maypole
new Colin demos are cut for
The New Country Squires
Fruit Nut
Boarded Up
We're workign real hard for a legitimate release of a Helium Kidz demo
later this year. Hope it works out. It all depends if there is a clean
cassette somewhere in AP's shed. I sent him a few issues of Chalkhills and
he thinks a lot of you ponder his songs too deeply. He was very amused by
it all.
Best Fishes!
George Gimarc
Punk Diary 1970-79
------------------------------ From: AMANION@rex.mnsmc.edu Date: Fri, 10 Mar 1995 15:35:22 GMT-6 Subject: English References in XTC songs Hi folks, Last time Dave queried if there were Americans confused by or unfamiliar with English references in XTC songs. Before reading his comments, I didn't realize that England's Glory was! That connects well with "Striking Beauty" (again, Andy's double-meanings). Any way, I'm sure that there are others of which I'm unaware. Related to this, I bought the single of "This World Over" when it was released in the States. It was a nice little package and included on the back a picture of a red button with the words "Press Once." I thought this meaning was obvious given the topic of the song. It was not until a few years later when I was in London riding a bus that I realized these little buttons were commonplace in England. I actually took a picture of one to show my friends and fellow XTC fans back home. Imagine the looks I got from the locals...These Americans find fascination in the strangest things. It was on this trip that I also found out what "Pull the other one" means. I am a big Python fan and never quite understood that line in The Holy Grail until I was enlightened by a patient English student. Speaking of Monty Python, I have noticed that fans of XTC tend also to be fans of Python. Anyone else notice this connection? Andy "I'd Like to poisen your mind with wrong ideas that appeal to you, though I am not unkind." - They Might be Giants
------------------------------ From: CVreeken@aol.com Date: Fri, 10 Mar 1995 16:55:24 -0500 Subject: The Royal Guardsmen In Chalkills #416, David William Lawson said: >The Baron Knights mentioned by Andy at the start of "Drums >and wireless" >were the one hit wonders behind the 1960's smash hit (in the >UK), "Snoopy >Vs. the Red Baron" Not to pick too small a nit, but the musical geniuses behind "Snoopy vs. The Red Baron" were Ocala, Florida's The Royal Guardsmen, not the Barron (or Baron) Knights. The confusion is understandable given the "royalty" theme of the two bands' names and the eras to which they both reside, as well as the word "Baron" in the title of the former and in the name of the latter. I believe the Duke's "You're A Good Man Albert Brown" is an homage to The Royal Guardsmen's "Snoopy vs. The Red Baron." The Royal Guardsmen's brilliant 1966 album also contains the definitive version of "The Battle Of New Orleans." They seemed to be fond of military themes and counting numbers (hup two three four . . . 10, 20, 30, 40) Look for the UltraDisc gold CD pressing of this classic in a record store near you, scheduled to coincide with their reunion tour in stadiums accross America this summer. Maybe the Barron (or Baron) Knights could open a few shows. Craig Vreeken -- Sacramento, CA
------------------------------ From: SURFSONGS@aol.com Date: Sat, 11 Mar 1995 18:21:04 -0500 Subject: O&L on vinyl for sale I recently found 10 copies of Oranges and Lemons in a used record store. The covers look cool enlarged!! I'm willing to sell a few of them for $10 per. Email me for more info or send $10 (a few more bucks for postage to Europe and far away places) to: SURFSONGS 7166 Edinger ave. #131 Huntington Beach Ca. 92647 I'm not a dealer just a fan and not making money selling records. WAS SKYLARKING EVER ON VINYL?
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 11 Mar 95 19:36 EST From: Jeffrey Langr <0005392548@mcimail.com> Subject: Pretty From: mallende@Phoenix.kent.edu (Allender Mark) AM> Try as i might, i am unable to really figure out "All You Pretty AM> Girls" from _The Big Express_. AM> AM> I don't get it. AM> AM> A friend even thinks it's sexist. AM> (i think she's full of shit) AM> AM> Any clues? It's a slice of life bit, as far as I'm concerned, of merry old England steeped in tradition, such as waiting for your man to come home from sea and a woman in every port and such. At least that's how I'd like to see it; I love the Big Express since it reminds me so much of Village Green Preservation Society. It is sexist but not in a bad sense; I think the word sexism unnecessarily carries some negative connotations. My dictionary defines sexist as "discrimination based on gender, esp. discrimination against women." Depends on what discrimination is; "to discriminate" means to make a clear distinction based on preference. And not necessarily at the expense of those being discriminated against. I think most of us do that anyway as a biological part of life... P.S. - I'm trying to unload a good amount of XTC vinyl and paraphernalia; anyone with interest drop me a line...
------------------------------ From: Meadam@aol.com Date: Sun, 12 Mar 1995 00:48:16 -0500 Subject: Helium Kids cd I just recieved XTC Demos 4 with Helium Kids tracks and covers, and the sound quality is surprisingly good. Can someone tell me exactly who the members of the Helium Kids are and who is singing on most of the tracks. Also, thanks to the people who recommended the Eno/Cale cd. I like it a lot even though I generally don't listen to that type of music. --Ben
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 11 Mar 1995 20:46:34 GMT From: luana <luana@casey.demon.co.uk> Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #415 This "Hello" recording everyone seems to be talking about. Anybody got any thoughts on its availability in the UK? *--------------------------------------------- Mick Casey mick@casey.demon.co.uk *---------------------------------------------
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 13 Mar 1995 15:09:44 -0500 (CDT) From: "my world is spinning..." <LEACH@AC.GRIN.EDU> (Arlo B Leach) Subject: nutrition hi there- a random question for anyone who may know: among andy's many social/political concerns, consider food quality/nutrition: "hope you enjoyed your meal, it's only gas and chemicals" (scarecrow people) "swallowing is easy when it has no taste" (funk pop a roll) so i'm wondering, do we know anything about andy's personal eating habits or beliefs on the subject, for example, is he a vegetarian or anything like that? just wondering, -arlo
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 95 14:48:39 PST
From: John Relph <relph@presto.ig.com>
Subject: Buckets of Love
Micah Heibel (mheibel@lps.esu18.k12.ne.us) writes:
>Subject: Punk Bands and XTC
>
>I don't find it odd that many people listed punk bands as their favorites
>as well as XTC. If you were a youth in the late 70's XTC were liked by a
>lot of the same people who were into the Buzzcocks, the Clash, the Jam,
Well, I have to admit I didn't care for the Clash all that much, but I
liked The Jam, The Minutemen, (some) Black Flag, the harsher early stuff
from Hunters and Collectors, and a few other bands at the time. I later
started listening to The Buzzcocks, Gang of Four, The Descendents, ALL, Big
Black, Poisongirls, The Dickies, nasty things like Cindytalk and Foetus.
Mike Wheeler <Mikewheel@aol.com> pulses:
>Subject: "No Language In Our Lungs"
>
>I've always liked the line "I would have made this instrumental but the words
>got in the way" from "No Language In Our Lungs" but I never fully understood
>it until just now.
>
>Is Andy saying he would have made it instrumental as in music without words?
>Or does it mean he would have made it instrumental as in something that has
>an affect over others?
In my humble opinion, the first meaning was the intended. It's more
of a self-contradiction. "The words got in the way", they prevented
him from making the song an instrumental. As if that's a bad thing.
Yes, those darn words, you try soaking them out, you try scrubbing
them out, but in the end he had to write a song with words. I hate
that. XTC's music would be so much better if they just did
instrumental tunes.
What I think I like most about that line is that if the song WERE an
instrumental, then we would never get the joke.
Writes Allender Mark <mallende@Phoenix.kent.edu>:
>Subject: "All You Pretty Girls"
>
>Try as i might, i am unable to really figure out "All You Pretty
>Girls" from _The Big Express_.
>
>I don't get it.
>
>A friend even thinks it's sexist.
>(i think she's full of shit)
This is just another of Andy's prayers in the Temple of Woman. The
protagonist is a sailor at sea, and like most healthy hetero men, he likes
women. (I know I do.) He has fantasies. He sees women's arms in the
surf. When the ocean rocks him to sleep at night he imagines rockin' with
a woman. And I particularly like the line "I think about your warm white
sheets unfolding". It's a double entendre on "sheets". In the first
sense, he is talking about the white canvas sails of his ship as they are
unfurled in the sun, but he also imagines the sheets of her bed as she
welcomes him into it. And, since the hard-earned reward at the end of a
sailor's day is his ration of grog or rum, "The more I have to drink / The
more that I can think to say". Yes, alcohol loosens the tongue.
But it's all the fantasy of the horny young sailor far from port. If
fantasies are sexist, then so be it.
"Jay E. Scott" <jescott@ucs.indiana.edu> writes:
>Subject: Settlment..settle it
>
>Can someone in the know please clear up the English Settlement mystery.
Well, if you insist on maddening detail, you got it.
>Referring to U.S. only:
>English Settlement was released as a single album with only 10 tracks.
>Someone posted in the last digest that it did not contain both Senses and
>Ball, but it did.
Yes, it did. (Alex Stein, you were confused when you said _ES_ did not
contain both "Senses" and "Ball".) The track listing of the ORIGINAL US LP
was as follows:
Runaways; Ball and Chain; Senses Working Overtime; Jason and the
Argonauts; Snowman; Melt the Guns; No Thugs in Our House; It's
Nearly Africa; English Roundabout; All of a Sudden (It's Too Late).
> (I didn't know about the accompanying EP.)
Alex <Alex.Stein@turner.com> wrote:
>greedy US record company was nice (?) enough to simultaneously release an
>EP containing the missing 5 or 6 tracks.
As far as I am aware, there was no such EP released by the US record
company. The only time any US record company has released "Yacht Dance",
"Leisure", "Knuckle Down", "Fly On The Wall", and "Down in the Cockpit" was
when Geffen re-released the double LP and cassette in 1984 after they
purchased the XTC back catalog, and when they re-issued the full CD in
1988. Otherwise those tracks were ONLY available on the original UK
pressings of the double LP and cassette.
> The U.S.
>version was released on Virgin/Epic before Virgin America either went
>under or changed distibutors yet again.
True.
> Someone else posted that Don't
>Lose Your Temper was included on some pressings.
False.
>DLYT was originally
>released as the b-side of Generals & Majors
True.
And this weekend I finally broke down and bought the seven-inch single of
_Great Fire_, the one with the wild printed plastic sleeve (ya gotta love
those Moire patterns).
-- John
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #417 *****************************
Go back to Volume 1.
13 March 1995 / Feedback