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ladyislingering · 05-14-2015, 07:42 PM

"Amateur Hour" is, naturally, an ode to the young and (sexually) inexperienced, cleverly described by the masterful lyrical genius of Ron Mael.

You'll notice that the vibrant energy you heard in "This Town" carries through to the next track (and throughout the entire album, really).

Spoiler for LYRICS BELOW:

"Amateur Hour" shot all the way up to #7 on the UK singles chart for the year of 1974.

While we're at it, the B-side of "Amateur Hour" ...

"Lost and Found", a song about a man who's just found a wallet belonging to Mr. Jones, who could be anybody!

Too bad, too bad, too bad!

Spoiler for LYRICS BELOW:

Speaking of B-sides, I just realized that I'd forgotten to mention the B-side of "This Town" - a fabulously bizarre track called "Barbecutie". I haven't yet figured out what I think the lyrics might mean, but it's either a song about cannibalism or a man who's very skilled with a grill and it turns all the neighborhood ladies into mush.

You can decide for yourself. Also, check Martin Gordon's heavy bass in the intro.

Spoiler for LYRICS BELOW:

And here's an adorable bonus. Russell asks for "a little restraint in the hall, ok?" as the girls were absolutely insane during the Fairfield Hall performance in 1975 (with the "new band").

Poor Russell, how miserable it must have been to be attacked by hordes of rabid fangirls.

05-14-2015, 07:42 PM	#37 (permalink)
ladyislingering Maelian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seattle Posts: 695	"Amateur Hour" is, naturally, an ode to the young and (sexually) inexperienced, cleverly described by the masterful lyrical genius of Ron Mael. You'll notice that the vibrant energy you heard in "This Town" carries through to the next track (and throughout the entire album, really). Spoiler for LYRICS BELOW: Lawns grow plush in the hinterlands It's the perfect little setting for the one night stands Now the drapes are drawn and the lights are out It's the time to put in practice what you've dreamed about She can show you what you must do To be more like people better than you Amateur Hour goes on and on When you turn pro you know she'll lets you know Amateur Hour goes on and on When you turn pro you know She tells you so Girls grow tops to go topless in While we sit and count the hairs that blossom from our chins Our voices change at a rapid pace I could start a song a tenor and then end as bass Choose your partners everyone If you hesitate, the good ones are gone Amateur Hour goes on and on When you turn pro you know she'll lets you know Amateur Hour goes on and on When you turn pro you know She tells you so Dance, laugh, wine, dine, talk and sing But those cannot replace what is the real thing It's a lot like playing the violin You cannot start off to be Yehudi Menuhin Amateur Hour goes on and on When you turn pro you know she'll lets you know Amateur Hour goes on and on When you turn pro you know She tells you so "Amateur Hour" shot all the way up to #7 on the UK singles chart for the year of 1974. While we're at it, the B-side of "Amateur Hour" ... "Lost and Found", a song about a man who's just found a wallet belonging to Mr. Jones, who could be anybody! Too bad, too bad, too bad! Spoiler for LYRICS BELOW: Lost and found, a wallet from a man, careless man, careless man Too bad, too bad, too bad, too bad Lost and found, a wallet from a man, careless man, careless man And all the streets are paved tonight, and we won't be their slaves tonight And I ain't gonna feel bad at all, feel bad at all Lost and found, a wallet from a man, careless man, careless man Too bad, too bad, too bad, too bad Lost and found, a wallet from a man, careless man, careless man He's Robin Hood by accident I need it more than he does and I surely will not feel bad at all, feel bad at all, feel bad at all, feel bad at all, feel bad at all, feel bad at all Lost and found, a wallet from a man, careless man, careless man Oh is there anybody out there by the name of Mister Jones? No? No? Well, I tried Lost and found, lost and found, lost and found, lost and found Lost and found, a wallet from a man, careless man, careless man Too bad, too bad, too bad, too bad Lost and found, a wallet from a man, careless man, careless man We sailed across the Barbary Sea, with Nina, Pinto, and Marie And none of us will feel bad at all, feel bad at all, feel bad at all, feel bad at all, feel bad at all, feel bad at all, feel bad at all Yes, all the streets are paved tonight, and we won't be their slaves tonight And I ain't gonna feel bad at all, feel bad at all Lost and found, lost and found, lost and found, lost and found Speaking of B-sides, I just realized that I'd forgotten to mention the B-side of "This Town" - a fabulously bizarre track called "Barbecutie". I haven't yet figured out what I think the lyrics might mean, but it's either a song about cannibalism or a man who's very skilled with a grill and it turns all the neighborhood ladies into mush. You can decide for yourself. Also, check Martin Gordon's heavy bass in the intro. Spoiler for LYRICS BELOW: For the sake of man he has forsaken his whole tan Living in the snow advancing how much we will know But his heart cries out Barbecutie, Barbecutie, Barbecutie, you Barbecutie, when you're with him he is warm Let's pursue this more why should he leave so much that's warm To his detriment maybe he's oh so slightly bent Ask her, she would know Barbecutie... The friends are getting friendly on the lawn the flies are making enemies of all Aroma rising from the ancient coals has turned you into someone very bold and killed whatever hesitance she showed Barbecutie... Look he's back unharmed he must defrost his frozen charm "How are you today" that's very good, he's on his way To the Barbecue Barbecutie... And here's an adorable bonus. Russell asks for "a little restraint in the hall, ok?" as the girls were absolutely insane during the Fairfield Hall performance in 1975 (with the "new band"). Poor Russell, how miserable it must have been to be attacked by hordes of rabid fangirls. __________________ You and I, We were born to die.