The Story Behind The Song

devindissell · 07-25-2008, 06:02 PM

"This House Is Not For Sale" - Ryan Adams

Great song about Beetlejuice.

Tell 'em that the house is not for sale
We're still livin' here, how come nobody can tell
They're takin' all the furniture, movin' our things
Come on little honey, put your head on my knee
Tell 'em that the house is not for sale
And calm down, calm down, calm down
Calm down, calm down, calm down

Do you remember when we even bought this thing?
I danced you across the wooden floor and you signed the lease
What happened in the car that night?
What happened in the car that night?
Tell 'em that the house is not for sale
And calm down, calm down, calm down
Calm down, calm down, calm down
Calm down

Tell 'em that the house is not for sale
We could grab a couple sheets, yeah, give 'em quite a scare
I remember lyin' on the bedroom floor
You were holding me, little honey, kissin' my soul
Tell 'em that the house is not for sale
And calm down, calm down, calm down
Calm down, calm down, calm down
Calm down
Calm down

Lisnaholic · 01-04-2016, 09:38 AM

I don't feel I have to apologise for bumping a thread that discusses Waterloo Sunset, Solid Air and The Ballad of Curtis Lowe, and so far this thread has only scratched the surface of a great topic. So I'd like to honour Right-Track's original intention by talking about one specific story song.

A pretty obvious choice is The Ballad of John and Yoko. In many ways, this must surely have the best pedigree of any story song, because the singer is the protagonist of the song, and in fact wrote the song while he was living the events, which were front-page news at the time:-

Spoiler for lyrics:

Here are some bits of info from Wikipedia:-

Spoiler for background info:

Like most celebrities, Lennon had an uneasy relationship with the press, especially after the scandal of his "more popular than Jesus" comment. Given that the press and public were losing patience with his waywardness, it was quite brave of him to release this taunting song with its provocative chorus. Also contentious in a milder way was the US picture sleeve. Who, after all, is that fifth Beatle?

......

Black Francis · 01-04-2016, 02:27 PM

For the longest time i thought this song was about a guy who missed his chance to see the love of his life one last time because he was drafted by the army and i thought the lyrics were about him reminiscing on their relationship but the lyrics are actually about the fictional story of an alien who crash landed on earth. you would think the fact the song has 'Roswell' in its title would've tipped me off.

Motorway to roswell

"Last night he could not make it
He tried hard but could not make it
Last night he could not make it

On a holiday, for many miles
Looking for a place to stay
Near some friendly star, he found this mote
And now we wonder where we are

How could this so great turn so ****ty
He ended up in army crates
And photographs in files, his tiny boat
Sparked as he turned to grazed our city

I started driving on the motorway
I was feeling down."

Lisnaholic · 01-04-2016, 07:15 PM

^ That's a really nice song, and a neat little off-beat story, Francis. Easy to miss that "he" is an alien, because we don't usually imagine them as being "on a holiday."

John Arbuthnot Fisher is a truly unlikely candidate for a song. Working his way up through the naval ranks, he was an astute and famous Lord Admiral at the turn of the century and it was thanks to him that Britain's navy was adequate when the First World War started. After rightly criticising Winston Churchill's mismanaged Dardenelles campaign, he resigned from office on a matter of principle, which is why there is a poignant note to the song that follows; perhaps he expected to be called back and forgiven. If you want to know more about him, take a look here:- First World War.com - Who's Who - John Fisher

I suspect that today, Admiral Lord Fisher is only remembered by English schoolboys revising for their history exams. Why on earth should we care about this unglamourous old guy from the past? Al Stewart supplies his answer in the last verse of this beautifully crafted song:-

.......................

I can well recall the first time I ever put to sea
It was on the old 'Calcutta' in 1853
I was just a lad of fourteen years, a midshipman to be
To make my way in sailing ships of the Royal Navy

By the time that I was twenty-one I'd sailed the world around
Weathered storms in the China seas with the hatches battened down
And made my way by starlight off the coast of Newfoundland
And dined on beer and herrings while the waves blew all around

I live in retirement now
And through my window comes the sound of seagulls
And sets my mind remembering
The evening stars like memories sail far beyond the distant trees
Way out across the open seas
I hear them sing

Oh the wooden ships they turned to iron and the iron ships to steel
And shed their sails like autumn leaves with the turning of the wheel
And I was given captain's rank and soon took under me
The proudest ship that ever sailed for queen and country

Ah, the old queen she passed away with the new born century
And I received my calling up to the admiralty
The sands ran through the hourglass each day more rapidly
As we watched the growing of the fleets of High Germany

So at last the Great War blazed
I waited with the passing days
The call to arms that never came
Writing letters

I may be old now in your eyes
But all my years have made me wise
You don't see where the danger lies
Oh call me back, call me back...

But the war it ran its course, they could find no use for me
And I live in the country now, grandchildren on my knee
And sometimes think in all this world the saddest thing to be
Old admirals who feel the wind, and never put to sea

Now just like you I've sailed my dreams like ships across the sea
And some of them they've come on rocks, and some faced mutiny
And when they're sunken one by one I'll join that company
Old admirals who feel the wind, and never put to sea

Pet_Sounds · 01-04-2016, 08:17 PM

^ I absolutely adore Al Stewart's historical lyrics. I should really revisit some of his music. Thanks for the reminder.

Lisnaholic · 01-05-2016, 07:05 AM

^ You're welcome, Pet_Sounds! I only really know his Past, Pres, Future album, so any other specific recommendations would be appreciated.

Pet_Sounds · 01-05-2016, 09:24 PM

Love Chronicles is a great album if you're looking for the more folky sound of Stewart's early days, and it might be my personal favourite. Later, he hooked up with Alan Parsons, who produced two must-hear albums in Year of the Cat and Time Passages.

Lisnaholic · 01-05-2016, 09:53 PM

OK, I'll look at Love Chronicles first, I think. I like the sound of something folky more than something that's been all polished up by Alan Parsons. Thanks.

Black Francis · 01-06-2016, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

^ That's a really nice song, and a neat little off-beat story, Francis. Easy to miss that "he" is an alien, because we don't usually imagine them as being "on a holiday."

Glad you liked it. i liked your post about the ballad of john & yoko, during that whole "Give peace a chance" campaign he went on he chewed down alot of reporters that criticised him.

I love when the reporter says: "Well, im your guest."

Lisnaholic · 01-06-2016, 07:02 AM

^ HaHa! Thanks Black Francis. I' ve never heard of the Pixies, but really like the repetitive build up of that song, with extra vocals coming in. I'll have to see what else they've done...

That interview is so good; I'd forgotten just how perplexed, outraged, people were by Lennon's bed-ins. The bit I liked best was the slanging match:-
Lennon: I´m speaking for you
News guy: No you're not, etc, etc.

Also, the way the song itself is part of the news story that the song is about because it was released simultaneously with the bed-ins.

07-25-2008, 06:02 PM	#31 (permalink)
devindissell Groupie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 5	This House Is Not For Sale "This House Is Not For Sale" - Ryan Adams Great song about Beetlejuice. Tell 'em that the house is not for sale We're still livin' here, how come nobody can tell They're takin' all the furniture, movin' our things Come on little honey, put your head on my knee Tell 'em that the house is not for sale And calm down, calm down, calm down Calm down, calm down, calm down Do you remember when we even bought this thing? I danced you across the wooden floor and you signed the lease What happened in the car that night? What happened in the car that night? Tell 'em that the house is not for sale And calm down, calm down, calm down Calm down, calm down, calm down Calm down Tell 'em that the house is not for sale We could grab a couple sheets, yeah, give 'em quite a scare I remember lyin' on the bedroom floor You were holding me, little honey, kissin' my soul Tell 'em that the house is not for sale And calm down, calm down, calm down Calm down, calm down, calm down Calm down Calm down __________________ Shut up and play some music. www.grooveshark.com/blog

01-04-2016, 02:27 PM	#33 (permalink)
Black Francis Out of Place Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: in an abstract house Posts: 4,111	For the longest time i thought this song was about a guy who missed his chance to see the love of his life one last time because he was drafted by the army and i thought the lyrics were about him reminiscing on their relationship but the lyrics are actually about the fictional story of an alien who crash landed on earth. you would think the fact the song has 'Roswell' in its title would've tipped me off. Motorway to roswell "Last night he could not make it He tried hard but could not make it Last night he could not make it On a holiday, for many miles Looking for a place to stay Near some friendly star, he found this mote And now we wonder where we are How could this so great turn so **ty He ended up in army crates And photographs in files, his tiny boat Sparked as he turned to grazed our city I started driving on the motorway I was feeling down." __________________ "Hey Kids you got to meet the MIGHTY PIXIES!"** http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbRbCtIgW3A

01-04-2016, 07:15 PM	#34 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	^ That's a really nice song, and a neat little off-beat story, Francis. Easy to miss that "he" is an alien, because we don't usually imagine them as being "on a holiday." John Arbuthnot Fisher is a truly unlikely candidate for a song. Working his way up through the naval ranks, he was an astute and famous Lord Admiral at the turn of the century and it was thanks to him that Britain's navy was adequate when the First World War started. After rightly criticising Winston Churchill's mismanaged Dardenelles campaign, he resigned from office on a matter of principle, which is why there is a poignant note to the song that follows; perhaps he expected to be called back and forgiven. If you want to know more about him, take a look here:- First World War.com - Who's Who - John Fisher I suspect that today, Admiral Lord Fisher is only remembered by English schoolboys revising for their history exams. Why on earth should we care about this unglamourous old guy from the past? Al Stewart supplies his answer in the last verse of this beautifully crafted song:- ....................... I can well recall the first time I ever put to sea It was on the old 'Calcutta' in 1853 I was just a lad of fourteen years, a midshipman to be To make my way in sailing ships of the Royal Navy By the time that I was twenty-one I'd sailed the world around Weathered storms in the China seas with the hatches battened down And made my way by starlight off the coast of Newfoundland And dined on beer and herrings while the waves blew all around I live in retirement now And through my window comes the sound of seagulls And sets my mind remembering The evening stars like memories sail far beyond the distant trees Way out across the open seas I hear them sing Oh the wooden ships they turned to iron and the iron ships to steel And shed their sails like autumn leaves with the turning of the wheel And I was given captain's rank and soon took under me The proudest ship that ever sailed for queen and country Ah, the old queen she passed away with the new born century And I received my calling up to the admiralty The sands ran through the hourglass each day more rapidly As we watched the growing of the fleets of High Germany So at last the Great War blazed I waited with the passing days The call to arms that never came Writing letters I may be old now in your eyes But all my years have made me wise You don't see where the danger lies Oh call me back, call me back... But the war it ran its course, they could find no use for me And I live in the country now, grandchildren on my knee And sometimes think in all this world the saddest thing to be Old admirals who feel the wind, and never put to sea Now just like you I've sailed my dreams like ships across the sea And some of them they've come on rocks, and some faced mutiny And when they're sunken one by one I'll join that company Old admirals who feel the wind, and never put to sea __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953 Last edited by Lisnaholic; 01-04-2016 at 07:20 PM.

01-04-2016, 08:17 PM	#35 (permalink)
Pet_Sounds Remember the underscore Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The other side Posts: 2,488	^ I absolutely adore Al Stewart's historical lyrics. I should really revisit some of his music. Thanks for the reminder. __________________ Everybody's dying just to get the disease

01-05-2016, 07:05 AM	#36 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	^ You're welcome, Pet_Sounds! I only really know his Past, Pres, Future album, so any other specific recommendations would be appreciated. __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

01-05-2016, 09:24 PM	#37 (permalink)
Pet_Sounds Remember the underscore Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The other side Posts: 2,488	Love Chronicles is a great album if you're looking for the more folky sound of Stewart's early days, and it might be my personal favourite. Later, he hooked up with Alan Parsons, who produced two must-hear albums in Year of the Cat and Time Passages. __________________ Everybody's dying just to get the disease

01-05-2016, 09:53 PM	#38 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	OK, I'll look at Love Chronicles first, I think. I like the sound of something folky more than something that's been all polished up by Alan Parsons. Thanks. __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

01-06-2016, 07:02 AM	#40 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	^ HaHa! Thanks Black Francis. I' ve never heard of the Pixies, but really like the repetitive build up of that song, with extra vocals coming in. I'll have to see what else they've done... That interview is so good; I'd forgotten just how perplexed, outraged, people were by Lennon's bed-ins. The bit I liked best was the slanging match:- Lennon: I´m speaking for you News guy: No you're not, etc, etc. Also, the way the song itself is part of the news story that the song is about because it was released simultaneously with the bed-ins. __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953