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 Post subject: Ferry's Finest Lyric
PostPosted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 7:51 am 
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Joined: Sun May 29, 2011 7:23 pm
Posts: 1568
Elegantly Ageing Hipsters,

As lifelong fans who are familiar with his work it is easy to take for granted the quality of our hero's writing.

Cohen and Dylan are constantly acknowledged as important lyricists and rightly so but frankly BF is every bit their equal and up there alongside Ray Davies as the most important English songsmith of W2's generation.

As part of his lifelong phd studies in Roxology, W2 is constantly amazed hero's at the quality of his work.

Here are just three peerless examples:

A SONG FOR EUROPE
"Here as I sit at this empty cafe
Thinking of you
I remember all those moments
Lost in wonder that we'll never
Find again"
Has any verse ever evoked the feeling of loss in a more poignant fashion?

CASANOVA
"You, the hero
So many times you've loved, and didn't linger
Now my finger points at you. another loser
You, an island on your own
Complete in every detail
Monumental a precious jewel
Or Just a fool?"
A great insight into the vanity and futility of the playboy.

2HB
" Here's looking at you kid celebrate years
Here's looking at you kid wipe away tears
Long time since we're together
Now I hope it's forever"
The un-relinquished hope to be reunited with your lifelong love. If this doesn't shiver your timbers you haven't got a pulse!

It would be great to hear the favourites of the ghosts haunting this hallowed cyber hall.

Salutations W2


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 Post subject: Re: Ferry's Finest Lyric
PostPosted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 8:54 am 
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Joined: Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:18 am
Posts: 679
Mother of pearl
Dream home
If there is something (fully appreciated this after flashbacks of a fool)
Manifesto
Casanova
San simeon
More than this (only appreciated this properly after Lost in Translation)
slave to Love (only appreciated this after Willy de Ville's version)
The only face

I also think there's a lot of stuff, albeit different style, in the more recent work. I just need a few more decades for it to percolate in my brain before I rush to a conclusion on them. :lol:


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 Post subject: Re: Ferry's Finest Lyric
PostPosted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 10:22 am 
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Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2012 9:10 am
Posts: 32
You need to know a bit of Italian to appreciate it but my favourite for sheer wit is:

"Casanova, is that your name or do you live there?"


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 Post subject: Re: Ferry's Finest Lyric
PostPosted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 8:04 pm 
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Joined: Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:13 pm
Posts: 553
Excellent topic, Windswept.

So much choice , and much to chose from in those early Roxy Music days.
You wouldn't have to choose tracks, but whole albums.
All of "For Your Pleasure", for example , all of "Stranded" etc..

prime marks to "Beauty Queen" ,
....deep in the night
plying very strange cargo
our soul ships pass by
solo trips to the stars - in the sky ....

"Just Like You",

....buttercups, daisies and most anything
they whither and fade
after blossom in spring
Time conquers innocence
pride takes a fall
In knowledge lies wisdom
That's all ..

"A Really Good Time".

'... She's got what it takes
You'll appreciate that
She's probably late
But I know
and you know
We all know.
She'll have a really good time... '


and then there's the solo stuff ..
"Another Time, Another Place"

all of " in Your Mind" ..

Are the words strong enough, cher Windswept?


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 Post subject: Re: Ferry's Finest Lyric
PostPosted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 9:34 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:18 am
Posts: 679
Excellent thread.


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 Post subject: Re: Ferry's Finest Lyric
PostPosted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 9:35 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:18 am
Posts: 679
Part false, part true
Like anything
We present ourselves


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 Post subject: Re: Ferry's Finest Lyric
PostPosted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 11:27 am 
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Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2011 4:32 pm
Posts: 305
Merci. W2, pour un autre sujet interessant.
A song for Europe is like an anthem for nostalgic people. Very suitable as well for the country I live in these days, Greece.
I am also fond of BF;s haiku like lyrics. For exemple : There is a river flowing/By that willow tree. Personally, I prefer the poetic side to the ironic.


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 Post subject: Re: Ferry's Finest Lyric
PostPosted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 6:46 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:29 pm
Posts: 147
Location: Masschusetts
From Rock of Ages:
"Once again, you're the song
I'm the one who turns the pages"

The line from Grey Lagoons, "Morning sickness on Friday nights" always makes me chuckle

All of Mother Of Pearl, one witticism after another.

_________________
I've Been Looking For Something That I've Always Wanted But Was Never Mine


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 Post subject: Re: Ferry's Finest Lyric
PostPosted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 7:35 am 
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Joined: Sun May 29, 2011 7:23 pm
Posts: 1568
EERO wrote:

All of Mother Of Pearl, one witticism after another.


Mes Amis,
EERO a raison!

"If you're looking for love in a looking glass world
it's pretty hard to find"

Absolutely peerless n'est-ce-pas?

W2 sometimes thinks that the reason our hero's lyrics were so good from the get go was obviously extreme talent but talent that was informed by education, social mobility and a level of maturity. He was 26 when he formed 'Roxy' and it shows. They didn't go through a "Yeah Yeah Yeah" phase.

One of the main reasons Windswept loves it when we have new arrangements is because of the strength of the lyrics.

Take 'The Name Of The Game' :

"Out of control
And as fare as I can see
No religion can save me now
Though I'm trying to believe
How could I know her madness'd cling
From the time of her first caress
To the final fling"

This song is just so strong it deserves another life with a better, deeper arrangement and with way less focus on the chorus.

Come on bonny lad. You must have recovered by now — your country needs you!

Meanwhile, Windswept continues with his Brighton wardrobe preparations. He is trying to look on the bright side. The change in season will necessitate another visit to his tailor and possibly the purchase of a new scarf.

Salutations,

W2


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 Post subject: Re: Ferry's Finest Lyric
PostPosted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 2:51 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:29 pm
Posts: 147
Location: Masschusetts
Windswept2 wrote:
EERO wrote:

All of Mother Of Pearl, one witticism after another.


Mes Amis,
EERO a raison!

"If you're looking for love in a looking glass world
it's pretty hard to find"

Absolutely peerless n'est-ce-pas?

W2


Oui, vraiment!

Thanks, Windswept,

Some "gems" :mrgreen: from Mother of Pearl:

The opening lines:

"Turn the lights down
Way down low
Turn up the music
Hi as fi can go

(Clever play on words there)

All the gang's here
Everyone you know
It's a crazy scene
Hey there just look over your shoulder
Get the picture'
No no no no .......(Yes)
Walk a tightrope
Your life-sign-line
Such a bright hope
Right place, right time
What's your number'
Never you mind
Take a powder
But hang on a minute what's coming round the corner'
Have you a future'
No no no no .......(Yes)"

...describe a wild party and half hearted attempts at connection, until the next one, the "semi-precious" one, comes around the corner.

"Then I step back thinking
Of life's inner meaning
And my latest fling"

comparing the profound and inane in one line.

"I've been looking for something
I've always wanted
But was never mine
But now I've seen that something
Just out of reach - glowing -
Very Holy Grail
Oh mother of pearl
Lustrous lady
Of a sacred world"


"Oh mother of pearl
So so semi-precious
In your detached world"


To call a woman "Semi-precious" is that even a compliment? Yet so wonderfully clever. He sings to this seemingly unobtainable woman and undercuts the compliment by comparing her to a semi-precious stone. Is it projection, who in the one who is really detached?

_________________
I've Been Looking For Something That I've Always Wanted But Was Never Mine


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