Townsman hrrundivbakshi proposed a Last Man Standing thread on songs about what it means to be a Rock Star. I thought we’d already done a meta-rock LMS, which may have had a lot of overlap, but my man HVB was specific:
I want songs that are about becoming a rock star — the follies, the foibles, the Life Lessons learned. Cautionary tales. Aren’t they all cautionary? Can anybody think of an upbeat “Johnny became a rock star” song?
I answer my own question with Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode.”
You are welcome to treat this thread as a standard Last Man Standing, in which—one entry per comment—you aim to be king of the hill, top of the heap among rock nerds exhausting the last answer possible to suit the LMS criteria, but better yet, I ask you to pull on your analytical skills so that we might provide future generations with a summary of the collected Life Lessons of what it means to be a rock star. As you submit your answer, see if you can’t point out a key message or two from the song you have entered. Our work can then be compiled and provided to career counselors.
Thought of another one: the Byrds’ “Rock and Roll Star”:
The price you paid for your riches and fame
Was it all a strange game?
You’re a little insane
The money, the fame, the public acclaim
Don’t forget what you are
You’re a rock ‘n’ roll star!
I appreciate the double-standard in this lyric: yes, it wags a cautionary finger — but also implies it’s a trade-off worth undertaking!
Kinks, Sitting in My Hotel:
If my friends could see me now they would try to understand me,
They would ask me what on earth I’m trying to prove.
All my friends would ask me what it’s all leading to.
Why would anyone endure the hardships of The Road? Jackson Browne does it for The People, man.
“But the band’s on the bus
And they’re waiting to go
We’ve got to drive all night and do a show in Chicago
Or Detroit, I don’t know
We do so many shows in a row
And these towns all look the same
We just pass the time in our hotel rooms
And wander ’round backstage
Till those lights come up and we hear that crowd
And we remember why we came”
I love how, in true narcissistic lead singer fashion, Jackson Browne starts off singing a tribute to roadies but ends up singing about how tough it is for him to be on The Road.
Geez, the Kinks have a bunch of these, don’t they? “Money-go-round” is certainly one.
Chuck Berry’s sequel to Johnny B. Goode: “Bye Bye Johnny” which proves that success doesn’t have to change you and that you can go home again.
Here’s some highlights from MGMT’s “Time to Pretend” — which I though was pretty funny when it first came out.
I’m in the prime of my life.
Let’s make some music, make some money, find some models for wives.
This is our decision, to live fast and die young.
We’ve got the vision, now let’s have some fun.
Love must be forgotten, life can always start up anew.
The models will have children, we’ll get a divorce
We’ll find some more models, everyting must run it’s course.
We’ll choke on our vomit and that will be the end
Joe Walsh – “Life’s Been Good”.
The Frampton Brothers “The Beginning of the End of the Fun Years,”
Also “Top of the Pops”.
There’s also “The Road”, as well as the whole “Soap Opera” album.
From Seger’s “Turn the Page” I learned that life on the road is really, really hard, but that you just have to keep on going.
Read your post, got in the car, turned on the classic rock station, and what should I hear but … “Turn the Page”! I know what I’ll be buying in my next round of psychic rock selections!
“Long Live Rock” by The ‘Oo.
TB
Not sure that counts. “Long Live Rock” is more about the moment of performance, and less about teaching the rock stars of tomorrow what to expect from their inevitable mega-succeses.
Then, of course, there Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive,” from which I learned that life on the road is really, really hard, but that you just have to keep on going.
“Travelin’ Band” argues that a successful rocker needs to be able to adapt and take things in stride.
Imagine, if you will, being the person at the airline who had to tell John Fogerty that his bags were lost during a leg of the latest CCR tour. You’d probably expect that Fogerty would absolutely lose his shit on you, maybe yank you across the customer service counter and have Doug Clifford chase you around the airport terminal on the Cosmo’s Factory bicycle.
But no, Fogerty takes it in stride. Luggage gone? Oh well! Guy just wants to go take a nap in his room. Makes you want to rethink the whole Fogerty Syndrome theory.
Another unexpected bit of advice gleaned from Travelin’ Band is the need to stay engaged with fan opinion, the need to listen to the radio talkin’ bout the last show. You have to keep your finger on the pulse to make sure you’re giving the people what they want, what they need. Also, to find out how many were killed by the state militia.
I think the most important tidbit in Wanted Dead or Alive is that, regardless of how many faces you’ve seen – even when you reach the millions – it is vitally important to have rocked them all.
“…and have Doug Clifford chase you around the airport terminal on the Cosmo’s Factory bicycle.”
That shit is FUNNY!
That line is one of my faves. One of those “fist-pump required” moments for sure — especially when you’re stuck in traffic, so people can see you.
It’s also the reason I say, after seeing a great show: “man, did that band rock my face or what?”
And obviously the lesson one takes away from Lynyrd Skynryd’s “What’s Your Name” is that rock stars–even very unattractive ones, it seems–have a lot of sex with young girls.
That may be exclusive to American bands, per Grand Funk Railroad.
Oasis leads off their debut album with “Rock n’ Roll Star”.
“In my mind my dreams are real / [blah blah blah] about the way I feel / Tonight . . . I’m a Rock n’ Roll Star”
Positive visualization works. See it. Be it.
CCR – Lodi
“Somewhere I lost connections, ran out of songs to play.
I came into town, a one night stand, looks like my plans fell through
Oh ! Lord, stuck in Lodi again.
Mmmm…
If I only had a dollar, for ev’ry song I’ve sung.
And ev’ry time I’ve had to play while people sat there drunk.
You know, I’d catch the next train back to where I live.”
Last night we watched the latest Sophia Coppola movie, “Somewhere.” The Tinderstick’s “Ballad of the Tindersticks” reflects the same cynical and isolating view of fame.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GVNrn6JPTQ
And if you can’t say something nice, mumble it.
However Much I Booze by The ‘Oo
I see myself on T.V., I’m a faker, a paper clown
It’s clear to all my friends that I habitually lie; I just bring them down
I claim proneness to exaggeration
But the truth lies in my frustration
The children of the night, they all pass me by
Have to drench myself in brandy
In sleep I’ll hide
But however much I booze
There ain’t no way out
There ain’t no way out
I don’t care what you say, boy
There ain’t no way out
I lose so many nights of sleep worrying about my responsibilities
Are the problems that screw me up really down to him or me
My ego will just confuse me
Some day it’s going to up and use me
Dish me out another tailor-made compliment
Tell me about some destiny I can’t prevent
But however much I squirm
There ain’t no way out
There ain’t no way out
I don’t care what you say, boy
There ain’t no way out
Won’t somebody tell me how to get out of this place?!
Then the night comes down like a cell door closing
Suddenly I realize that I’m right now, I’m on the scene
While sitting here all alone with a bottle and my head a-floating
Far away from the form and the conscience going on with me
And on with me, and I don’t care what you say
There ain’t no way out
There ain’t no way out
Now the walls are all clawed and scratched
Like by some soul insane
In the morning I hungoverly detach myself
I take no blame
I just can’t face my failure
I’m nothing but a well fucked sailor
You at home can easily decide what’s right
By glancing very briefly at the songs I write
But it don’t help me that you know
There still ain’t no way out
Won’t somebody help me?
I don’t care what you say, boy
There ain’t no way out
The Frogs – I Only Play For Money
http://youtu.be/d5GGNdc_xSo
“i don’t do interviews
i won’t sign autographs
don’t you love the star
when he’s a prick
i only play for money
i don’t give a fuck about the fans
i only play for money
i don’t give a shit if you dance
‘cause you’re diggin’ on the star
‘cause you’re diggin’ on the one who’s gone so far
if you take my picture your camera’s smashed
if you send me fan mail i won’t write back
don’t you love the star
when he’s a prick
i only play for money
i don’t give a fuck about the fans
i only play for money
so keep your autograph books at home
i don’t give a damn
cause you’re diggin’ on the star
cause you’re diggin’ on the one who’s gone so far”
How Many Friends by The ‘Oo, again (This one is really cringe-inducing)
I’m feelin’ so good right now
There’s a handsome boy tells me how I changed his past
He buys me a brandy
Or could it be he’s really just after my ass?
He likes the clothes I wear
He says he likes a man who’s dressed in season
But no one else ever stared, he’s being so kind
What’s the reason?
How many friends have I really got?
You can count them on one hand.
How many friends have I really got? X 2
That love me, that want me, that’ll take me as I am?
Suddenly it’s a silver screen
And a face so beautiful
that I have to cry out
Everybody hears me
But I look like a fool now
With a cry and I shy out
She knows all my friends
But it’s nice to find a woman who can stay home late
Now I think I’ve reached the end
I wonder in the dead of night
how do I rate?
How many friends have I really got? X 3
That love me, that want me, that’ll take me as I am?
BRIDGE
It’s all like a dream you know
When you’re still up early in the morning
And you all sit together to watch the sun come through
But things don’t look so good
When you could use a bit of warning
Then you know that no one will ever speak the truth about you
How many friends have I really got? X 3
That love me, that want me, that’ll take me as I am?
When I first signed a contract
It was more than a handshake then
I know it still is
But there’s a plain fact
We talk so much shit behind each other’s backs
I get the willies
People know nothing
’bout their soft own rubber soul
how come they can sum us up
Without suffering
all the hurt we’ve known
How come they bum us up
How many friends have I really got?
Well, you can count ’em on the one hand
How many friends have I really got? X 2
That love me, that want me, that’ll take me as I am?
Pavement’s “Range Life” : touring seems to be a never ending, sisyphian task, but hey “you gotta pay your dues before you pay the rent.”
Success Story by The Oo (One mo’ time – this one from the more palatable Entwistle perspective)
Friday night, I’m on my way home
They oughta make work a crime
I’m home for the weekend
I’m gonna make the most of my time
There’s a rock and roll singer on the television
Giving up his music, gonna take up religion
Deserted rock and roll
To try to save his soul
Saturday night, gotta gig with the band
Playing the electric guitar
Someday I’m gonna make it
Gonna be a super-duper-star
Get a flashy car
And a house for my Ma
The big break better happen soon
‘Cause I’m pushing twenty-one
Just like Cinderella
When she couldn’t go to the ball
A voice said, “I’m your fairy manager
You shall play the Carnegie Hall”
I gotta give up my day job
To become a heartthrob
I may go far if I smash my guitar
Away for the weekend
I’ve gotta play some one-night stands
Six for the tax man, and one for the band
Back in the studio to make our latest number one
Take two-hundred-and-seventy-six
You know, this used to be fun
Monday morning, I just got home
Six and the birds are singing
I need a drink and my clothes are wet
Ooh, and my ears are still ringing
There’s a rock and roll singer boppin’ on the TV
He used to be a preacher, but now he sings in a major key
Amended his decision to the new religion
I’d say every one of Kristin Hersh’s songs bring up the difficulty of balancing the drive to make music with living a fulfilled life. She writes/sings all the time about the constant travel, the being away from loved ones, the toll on others, the high of performing and the later self-loathing. “Listerine” from “Sunny Border Blue” always wrenches my heart:
How’d I trust a band who’d leave me one by one?
I only wanted the spark
I only wanted your hearts
It’s hard
It’s hard and stupid
I’m the one who let you do it
I only wanted the high
Wasn’t much more to my life
I couldn’t wait to come down
There’s nothing here but the ground
King Crimson – “Lament” (from Starless and Bible Black):
I guess I tried to show you how
I’d take the crowd with my guitar
And business men would clap their hands
And clip another fat cigar
And publishers would spread the news
And print my music far and wide
And all the kids who played the blues
Would learn my licks with a bottle neck slide
But now it seems the bubble’s burst
Although you know there was a time
When love songs gathered in my head
With poetry in every line
And strong men strove to hold the doors
While with my friends I passed the age
When people stomped on dirty floors
Before I trod the rock’n’roll stage
I’ll thank the man who’s on the ‘phone
And if he has the time to spend
The problem I’ll explain once more
And indicate a sum to lend
That ten percent is now a joke
Maybe thirty, even thirty-five
I’ll say my daddy’s had a stroke
He’d have one now, if he only was alive
I like the way you look at me
You’re laughing too down there inside
I took my chance and you took yours
You crewed my ship, we missed the tide
I like the way the music goes
There’s a few good guys who can play it right
I like the way it moves my toes
Just say when you want to go and dance all night…
Aimee Mann points out that for most people, fame and fortune are out of reach so look for the small moments of grace. That’s what’s important:
“…So we all just started playing
and then something strange occurred
not a person stirred
oh, it started out one way
but it turned out to be okay
and I felt that someone should say –
Like most amazing things
It’s easy to miss and easy to mistake
For when things are really great
It just means everything’s in its place
When everything was over
and we loaded up the van
I turned and said to Dan,
Dan, I guess this is our prime
like they tell us all the time
weren’t you expecting some other kind?”
Klark Kent (aka Stewart Copeland) would warn us that “Strange Things Happen” …
Strange things happen to a man on the road
Strange things happen to a man who’s alone
Back home you’ve got a solid life
That life don’t mean a thing out here
Back home you’ve got a loving wife
She can’t hear you calling out here
Strange things happen
Strange things happen that you never heard about at home
God, I love this track. Everything about it, but especially Moon’s drumming.
I am glad to see that you don’t know any more of the words than I do!
I think what he’s saying is that life on the road is really, really hard, but that you just have to keep on going.
It IS cringe inducing in its painful self-flagellation. But great in its own way for the same reason. It would be the centerpiece of the Who By Numbers musical.
AC/DC’s It’s a Long Way to the Top tells us that it is, in fact, a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll; whereas Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution states a strong case for rock and roll’s not being noise pollution. Straightforward, those lads are. We salute you.
Count me as a fan, too.
TB
How many of these dod Townshend write?
“Sheraton Gibson”
TB
Boston (yuck!) – “Rock and Roll Band”.
Should it really be any more complicated than Rick Nielsen’s simple philosophy explored in the lyrics for “Hello There”?
Hello there ladies and gentlemen
Are you ready to rock?
I submit The Jam’s “To Be Someone”
To be someone must be a wonderful thing
A famous footballer a rock singer
or a big film star, yes I think I would like that
To be rich and have lots of fans
have lots of girls to prove that I’m a man
And be No. 1 – and liked by everyone
Getting drugged up with my trendy friends
They really dig me, man, and I dig them
And the bread I spend – is like my fame – it’s quickly diminished
And there’s no more swimming in a guitar shaped pool
no more reporters at my beck and call
no more cocaine it’s only ground chalk
no more taxis now we’ll have to walk
But didn’t we have a nice time –
didn’t we have a nice time
Oh wasn’t it such a fine time
I realize I should have stuck to my guns
instead shit out to be one of the bastard sons
and lose myself – I know it was wrong – but it’s cost me a lot
And there’s no more drinking when the club shuts down,
I’m out on my arse with the rest of the clowns
It’s really frightening without a bodyguard
so I stay confined to my lonely room
Good one, mockcarr!
d. boon sez: change your life w/ punk rock, namecheck the other guys in your scene plus Bob Dylan, limit your overhead expenditures.
Yeah, out of all of Pete’s Pity Party songs, this is probably my fave. That catchy riff is what seals the deal for me.
Yeah, that album is only a few thematically related tunes shy of being their “rockstar mid-life crisis” rock opera.
MANY! And the two by him that I used were both on the same album. His solo albums are *teeming* with this stuff.
One song that has always rang true about being a “rock star” if a song by Felt “Ballad of the Band”. It shows the other side of things – dealing with unreliable band mates, failed expectations and musical differences. here is an excerpt:
Where you been?
Ain’t seen you for weeks
You’ve been hanging out with
All those Jesus freaks
Oh yeah, & I feel like giving in
I said, yes, I feel like giving in
And where were you
When I wanted to work?
You were still in bed
You’re a total jerk
Oh yeah, & I feel like giving in
I said, yes, I feel like giving in
and there’s a place for abstract
and there’s a place for noise
and there’s a place for every kind of sound
So come on now & tell me why there’s a void
It’s all my fault
Yes, I’m to blame
Ain’t got no money
Ain’t got no fame
Oh yeah, & I feel like giving in
I said, yes, I feel like giving in