We first heard this Irish folksong on Steeleye Span's Ashley Hutchings drenched "Ten Man Mop" album in the 70s and this is the version we follow here. For me its brooding atmospheric electric droning fiddle and thunder bass was like a folk track had strayed onto the first Velvet Underground album and I could never get enough of their version (Still can't.) Being a folk ballad, it speaks volumes by leaving a lot of the narrative unsaid and the suggestions of doom and betrayal amid the hybris of youth can be applied to many situations about the potential shortness of life and love. In our arrangement, we've veered toward the military suggestion rather than disease. (The obscure Steeleye cover notes about 'Another young man cut down in his prime... tasted and wasted.. sickness and disease pull you down" always baffled me but now I know what they might mean I wish I didn't.)
Showing posts with label Velvet Underground. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Velvet Underground. Show all posts
March 31, 2025
September 20, 2024
Walk on the Wild Side
Holly came from Miami, FLAHitch-hiked her way across the USAPlucked her eyebrows along the wayShaved her legs and then he was a she
They said, "Hey, babeTake a walk on the wild side"I said, "Hey, babeTake a walk on the wild side"Alright
Candy came from out on the IslandIn the back room she was everybody's darlingBut she never once lost her headEven when she was giving head
She said, "Hey, babeTake a walk on the wild side"I said, "Hey, CandyTake a walk on the wild side"And the colored girls go
"Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-dooDoo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-dooDoo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-dooDoo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-dooDoo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-dooDoo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-dooDoo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo"
Little Joe never once gave it awayEverybody had to pay and payA hustle here and a hustle thereNew York City's the place
Where you said, "Hey, JoeTake a walk on the wild side"I said, "Hey, babyTake a walk on the wild side"
Sugar Plum Fairy came down and hit the streetsLooking for soul food and for a place to eatWent to the ApolloYou should've seen them go, go, go
They said, "Hey, sugarTake a walk on the wild side"I said, "Hey, babeTake a walk on the wild side"AlrightHuh
Jackie, she is just speeding awayShe thought she was James Dean for a dayBut then you know that she had to crashValium would have helped that bash
She said, "Hey, JackieTake a walk on the wild side"I said, "Hey, babeTake a walk on the wild side"And the colored girls go
"Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-dooDoo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-dooDoo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-dooDoo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-dooDoo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-dooDoo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-dooDoo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-dooDoo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-dooDoo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-dooDoo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo"
March 28, 2022
Waiting for the Man by Peacock's Tale
On the day I start getting my old age pension, a homage to a track I've loved for 50 years.
Premieres 9 am March 29 2022.
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