Lyr Req: A Horse with No Name (from America)

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 09:40 AM

Ah, but there is a difference between sharing views on the music and telling a person to their face that they are WRONG or suggesting they have a mental disability for enjoying the sort of music that they do.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 09:43 AM

Indigestion is not a mental disablility unless someone has their head way far up their ass!!!

*smile*grin*chuckle*(:<))

Spaw

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 09:44 AM

Further, as the song says:

You may not see things my way Like my methods or my reasons I don't car, because I'm not asking But you can't tell me that I'm wrong

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 10:42 AM

Well.. I guess we know what happed to Mbo/MattR, eh...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 10:55 AM

Mbo seems to have gotten a life that suits him..I wondered why he tortured himself by wearing his heart on his sleeve, then wondering why it got bruised when he flailed his arms about.

"suggesting they have a mental disability for enjoying the sort of music that they do. "...pooh! No one said anything like that...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: SharonA
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 11:21 AM

As long as this thread contains a discussion of America's lyrics, I thought I'd ask about some that have had me scratching my head ever since one particular song of theirs was released:

In the song "Tin Man", what do they mean by
"Cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad"?

Also, I've always assumed that the following lines were just nonsensical babble, but do they mean something?
"When I say I'm spinning round, round, round, round
Smoke glass stained bright colors
Image going down, down, down, down
Soapsud green like bubbles"


To BigDaddy: Oh! The quip that had me chuckling was LR Mole's reference to " the line 'Alligator lizards in the air', which was so fascinating it needed repeating"!! *G*

Then there's BillD's depiction of other people's reaction to...
art: "you eat WHAT?"
cooking: "you painted your bathroom WHAT color?"
choice of automobiles: "you really LIKE that abstract non-sense?" and
décor: "a BUICK?" *BG* !

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 11:55 AM

Funny how GUEST sings the same song in the same phrasing, in this thread, as Mbo used to...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 12:01 PM

America's tunes were brilliantly crafted mainstream-radio fare...which is almost the same as to say that they were examples of utter banality, although pleasant enough in a musical sense. They sure got a lot of airplay, and must have made a fortune for those lads.

But I always liked the alligator lizards line...and I liked Muskrat Love too, strangely enough.

Spaw - Insult MacArthur Park one more time and you will NEVER get that free membership in the WSSBA. You have been warned for the last time.

Alex - You dare to suggest that 99% of Dylan is "nonsense"??? 99 %!??? You poor lad! You misguided, intellectually challenged soul! You are playing without a full deck, adrift without a paddle. Your instrument is missing a couple of strings and needs a fret job. Your lance is impaled in a windmill. You are preparing to launch lifeboats from a ship that has already sunk. Your brain has gone into stasis. Your license to think has been revoked. :-)

On the other hand, you said "what the hell is wrong with nonsense?"...so, reading between the lines I deduce that you actually LOVE Dylan, but are afraid to admit it!

Alex, you don't have to be afraid. It's time to "come out" and admit that you secretly adore Dylan. We will not think the less of you for it. As a kindred spirit and a Mudcat brother, I encourage you to screw up your courage and come clean with the truth. We are a compassionate lot here and you will find support and understanding on all sides.

- LH

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 12:10 PM

MacArthur Park?

Well Hawk, as the song says, "it took so long to bake it" and perhaps that is where the problem lies because the whole thing is half-baked. Fortunately Webb says he "can't take it" so maybe there won't be another turkey like this one. Plus the recipe seems to have gone missing which we can all be thankful for too.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,Leftykin
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 12:16 PM

"McArther Park" is the gratest song ever wrote accept for "The Nite Chicago Dyed". I wish I had the recippe for that one is awl I can say. - Leftykin

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 12:19 PM

LOLOL....my sentiments exactly, leftykin

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 12:43 PM

SharonA

I think America just liked to paint surreal little pictures which, with the proper chemical enhancements, much of their audience could see.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,Guest intheholler
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 02:04 PM

y'all mean you've never seen them alligator lizards in the air? must be 2 busy lookin' down yer noses...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: SharonA
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 02:07 PM

Nope, only ON the air, on that "Crocodile Hunter" show!

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 02:47 PM

Last time I looked down my nose I didn't see you anywhere, intheholler...

What I did see was this neat little lizard, right there suspended in midair at upper nose level. Must have been an alligator lizard...

- LH

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,intheholler
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 08:51 PM

on my back porch, I can remember my name 'cause this mason jar has got me feelin' no pain...la la la la la la la la la la la la...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,inthe holler
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 11:17 AM

after nine days I let my hound run free 'cause his coat was full of fleas...there was ants and ticks and burrs and things that I didn't want on me...la la la la la la la la la la la la...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Gypsy
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 11:25 AM

Ah, c'mon, it was pretty stuff, and no shame in likin' it.....

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,intheholler
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 11:49 AM

the graveyard is real quiet 'cause they're all underground and I'm glad that this guy's above/your grave's just a house that's made of ground but it fits just like a glove...la la la la la la la la la la la la...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Little Hawk
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 02:11 PM

On the ninth day I was diggin' a hole with a pocket full of beans/there were ants and rats and little black moles on the back of a monkey's spleen...la la la la la la la la la la la la la...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Jack The Lad
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 04:50 PM

After ten days I had to drink my pee, 'cos the cola was hot and the cookies were free, In the desert you don't feel no shame , if the words make no sense and the rhyming is lame la la la la la la la la la la la la la...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 05:13 PM

Well I tried to make it Monday
But I got so goddam drunk
That I lost my keys on Sunday
When I locked them in my trunk, blah, blah, etc

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,intheholler
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 05:50 PM

have a sip, fellas, you're soundin' kinda dry...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Gypsy
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 11:17 PM

Turkey Lips! You're all Turkey Lips!

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Mooh
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 06:46 AM

Does everybody here drop acid?

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,intheholler
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 01:00 PM

I got some on my bib overalls once and got undressed faster than when Becky ----- said she would. Anyway, they was just about eat up with holes and I couldn't use them for nothin but a wash rag...la la la la la la la la la la la la...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Gypsy
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 08:35 PM

The colours, the colours......

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,intheholler
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 09:41 PM

Gypsy, you must be one of them John Bulls...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: rangeroger
Date: 11 Nov 01 - 12:51 AM

It's about time to return to a serious discussion of drivel.

rr

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Maxine
Date: 11 Nov 01 - 07:06 AM

Hi. Go to www.guitartabs.cc/home All sorts of guitar chords there.....happy hunting!

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Little Hawk
Date: 11 Nov 01 - 02:10 PM

ARTIST: America TITLE: Muskrat Love

Muskrat, muskrat candlelight Doin' the town and doin' it right In the evenin', it's pretty pleasin'

Muskrat Susie, Muskrat Sam Do the jitterbug out in the muskrat land And they shimmy and Sammy's so skinny

{Refrain} And they whirled and they twirled and they tangoed Singin' and jinglin' the jango Floatin' like the heavens above It looks like muskrat love

Nibblin' on bacon, chewin' on cheese Sammy says to Susie, "honey, would you please Be my missus," and she says yes with her kisses

And now he's ticklin' her fancy, rubbin' her toes Muzzle to muzzle now, anything goes As they wiggle and Sue starts to giggle

{Refrain}

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Mr Red
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 07:49 AM

pass the tissues someone, there's a lot of drivelling in here.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Clifton53
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 11:37 AM

Cripes! This thread's been here longer than I have! Back in the 70's, we would pluck those lizards gamely from mid-air and when dried were quite an addition to the smudge pot! As my good pal and now trusted lawyer Bleary O' Leary used to say; " You can't fly on one wing".

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Little Hawk
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 02:24 PM

Barry Goldwater did.

- LH

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Gypsy
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 10:36 PM

'ats me, ITH

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Clifton53
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 12:40 AM

LH, Goldwater? I don't get the reference

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: LR Mole
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 01:45 PM

I was openin' my presents
And thinkin''bout my past
Woulda played more than one slidy chord
But my hand was in a cast
La la, la......
...ahrr, the lizards, the lizards...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 03:06 PM

This thread has become a bit dull.......a whiter shade of pale so to speak.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 01:15 PM

Clifton - Well, there was this satirical comic in the late 60's that had all the well-known American politicians of the time in it, dressed up as various superheroes in tights...Marvel Comics style. Goldwater was one of them. He flew a plane rather like the Batplane, only it was more colorful...and it had only a RIGHT wing! No left wing whatsoever. Flying that sucker must have been quite a challenge!

BTW, the friggin song that started off this thread kept me awake half of last night, torturing me for hours by going round and round in my head. AAAAARGHHHH!!!

- LH

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: mousethief
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 01:50 PM

Hawk, thanks for the belly-laugh.

You guys are all just jealous because America have retired and are living like kings on the ASCAP cheques.

SharonA, "Cause" (i.e. "because") was never the reason for anything, what your momma told you notwithstanding. Including, I suppose, the evening and the Tropic of Sir Galahad (an unpublished work by Henry Miller, if I'm not mistaken).

Don't dig too deeply in the mine of nonsense. There's a mother lode just waiting to come down on your head.

A mine is like a bank with the gold underground and tons of dirt above, la la la la la la la la la la la la....

Alex

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 03:58 PM

Just when I thought it was safe to come back to this thread, Little Hawk and mousethief have me LOL again. Thanks, I needed that. Coming soon to a discussion forum near you: "The Thread That Would Not Die."

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 06:42 PM

Got that right, Mousethief...we're jealous! Here I've slaved away for decades writing lyrics that actually mean something, and what has it got me? The respect of a small circle of fellow songwriters and musicians in my area. Meanwhile, the guys in the band America are no doubt filthy rich as a result of lyrics that mean practically nothing (I'm being charitable).

It's just not fair!

But maybe it's not too late...

"Well I've been to the ocean on a Newt with no name
It felt good to be out of my brain
On the ocean, you can't remember no blame
Cos there ain't no bum for to give you no shame
La la la la la la la la la la la la la..."

Awright!!! Royalty checks, I'm a-waitin'! I feel more inspiration a-comin' on...

"Baby, I'm a-want you, baby I'm a-need you, baby I'm a-nidiot, BABY!!! Don't LEAVE ME!!!"

Gosh, this stuff is easy...

All those years wasted on folk music. I could cry.

- LH

Subject: Lyr Add: BONNETS OF BLUE
From: Snuffy
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 07:52 PM

When I wrote this I thought I was just trying to find as many rhymes for "blue" as would fit into a performance of the Upton-on-Severn Handkerchief Dance, but perhaps there was an unknown significance in it all along, and I was just an unwitting vessel for the outpourings of a greater cosmic intelligence:

I took the kids to the zoo.
I fed them cabbage and stew.
There's not a lot you can do,
When wearing a bonnet of blue.

Well, I know a pink kangaroo,
Who's got an auntie in Crewe,
But Haydn wrote three symphonies
While wearing a bonnet of blue.

Now when you read a review
To laugh out loud is taboo:
So bring out the Branston
Wearing a bonnet of blue.

A lovely lady called Lou,
She likes an old cockatoo,
So now they're forming a queue
All wearing a bonnet of blue.

Now when you've had quite a few
And you think you're going to spew,
Well, don't expect much sympathy
While wearing a bonnet of blue

The Daleks shot Doctor Who,
'Cos he drank his mum's Iron Bru,
So beam me up, Scotty,
Wearing a bonnet of blue.

The poor old man from the Pru
Has got a dose of the flu
And he's not going to pull through
While wearing a bonnet of blue.

Well although I'm not from Peru
I drink the old Mountain Dew
But there's no cure for baldness
When you're wearing a bonnet of blue.

I know a fellow or two
Can play the didgeridoo,
So tie my kangaroo down, sport
Wearing a bonnet of blue.

I had a watch that was new
A present from Danny La Rue
But now I haven't a clue
While wearing a bonnet of blue.

Well if you're good at Kung Fu,
Ignore the hullabaloo
But you could get your Hampton Court
While wearing a bonnet of blue.

So if your puppy won't chew,
Just find a goose and say boo.
'Cos I can't believe it's not butter
Wearing a bonnet of blue.

I found a wasp in my shoe.
I turned my back and it grew,
And now it's bigger than you
Through wearing a bonnet of blue.

The daughter of Brian Boru
Was always sniffing at glue,
But you won't catch an overdraft
By wearing a bonnet of blue.

Now what I tell you is true.
If you say it isn't I'll sue.
So now you'd better believe us
Wearing a bonnet of blue.

WassaiL! V

(Or perhaps it's just crap, anyway)

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Clifton53
Date: 15 Nov 01 - 02:23 AM

Thanks Hawk for the reply, perhaps he should have had a better campaign slogan, " Goldwater and America, perfect together". Would have made 'Ol Hound Dog' Lyndon run for cover.

Clifton

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Gypsy
Date: 15 Nov 01 - 06:34 PM

Look out Wallace Stevens...your Blue Guitar has competition!

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 16 Nov 01 - 07:02 AM

whew! Brilliant! I had forgotten how much fun shite songs could be. After reading this I had to go and listen to the Weird Al Yankovic parody of MacArthurs Park - Jurassic Park:

I recall the time they found those fossilized mosquitos
And before long they were cloning DNA
Now I'm being chased by some irate velociraptors
Well believe me...this has been one lousy day
...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,sazzle*
Date: 09 Dec 01 - 08:16 AM

Howdy. I love this song, (Desert-Horse-Name), and REALLY wanna know how to play it! Would the guy who gave the chords way back,(TonyK,?) or anyone who can actually play the guitar tell me what the numbers after the letters of the chords mean? Like E-7?! Ta! x

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,frankie
Date: 09 Dec 01 - 09:48 AM

I don't know if it was a typo but LR Mole refered to the group in question as Amurca. Brilliant, but Amurka might be better still.
I don't really understand all this animosity toward Amurka considering all the other FM pop that's been inflicted on us that is far more offensive (did someone mention Neil Diamond). When Amurka first struck I found them derivative of CSNY but not too unpleasant to listen to. When I began my backward journey through "roots music" I dismissed them with almost all other practitioners of contemporary popular music.
Nowadays, when I hear some of their music, usually while strolling through Walmart, it sounds alright. Of course, I've developed the trick of letting my ear hair grow just long enough so it obscures the lyrics but doesn't filter out that snappy guitar lick from "Ventura Highway".
And DWditty, I too thought Red Rubber Ball was a pretty sappy song for a long time until I went through a particularly nasty breakup about 7 years ago. In a depressed and grieving state I heard it on an oldies station and felt like it had been written just to help me get thtough that troubled time and adopted it as a theme song (in spite of Cyrcle's[sp?] saccharine, adenoidal rendition of it). In fact, a lot of corny pop lyrics started to make sense to me at that time.

f

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 02:21 AM

Apparently Michael Jackson was going to revive this song and "make it his own." The following is a posting on Yahoo about the new version...

Elena W - Thu Jul 16, 2009 4:32pm PDT
Wow i absolutely love the song horse with no name. so soothing, such a great message, and i love the la la la lala la part and i like micheal's to but not as much as america's version.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 02:24 AM

100.

The devil made me do it.

But Michael Jackson doing "Horse With No Name"? I think Michael could have experimented much more than he did. He certainly seemed to have talent.

Now, did America have talent? I dunno. I saw them performing what I thought was a live performance, and then their tape broke and they couldn't sing. It would have been a wonderful chance for them to do something straight acoustic, but they couldn't. I wanted my money back.

Now, I think Michael Jackson could have done well acoustic, or even a cappella.


-Joe-