I love songs that tell stories; granted they tend to be very linear, but I don't have a problem with that. A story told in three minutes, with a couple of verses and a chorus, is brevity writ large. Ron Sexsmith is a master of the art form. Michael and his Dad from Long Player Late Bloomer is the tale of a father and his son coming to terms with the death of their wife & mother whilst at the same time not having a pot to piss in. I often say this about truly great songwriters (and Sexsmith truly is), but if I could write a song half as good as - fill in the gaps - I would die a happy man.
Ron Sexsmith - Michael and his Dad (2011)
Another beautiful story is recanted here by Neil Sedaka on his early 70s Emergence album. A young boy yearns to fly (don't all young boys yearn to fly?) and then many years later, when tucking in his own kids at bedtime, remembers that feeling. Sedaka released it as a single but, alas, it was a flop. There's probably a metaphor in there somewhere.
Neil Sedaka - Superbird (1971)
I love story songs too so thanks for sharing these.
ReplyDeleteLike Neil's jumper too - very early 70s.
Max had a blue toothbrush and a pink toothbrush but not a yellow toothbrush. What happened to the theme?
ReplyDeleteGood to see Ron and Neil though. I am a fan of both of them.
I do believe that when Max passed to the other side the Bygraves estate was divvied up sans toothbrushes; they went to auction at Christies, by all accounts. However, records only show selling prices, not livery. More's the pity.
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