Yes, there you are indeed
(For info on that, clickety-click-click)
In which I exhibit intense professionalism as I deconstruct the roots of modern rock.
Ah, who am I kidding? I'M GONNA TALK ABOUT LITTLE RICHARD, YOU GUYS!
TL;DR
More after The Cut >>>
This is where it all began. That famous ode to young love and anal sex, this is such a classic that took the expectations of music (and musicians) at the time and turned it on its head to better expose its rear.
I wrote previously about a cover of this song that Elvis recorded for his self-titled album, and how it lacked the magic that Little Richard captures here. From the crazy tempo, to Richard's manic shrieks, to his characteristic piano-playing, it's a true classic.
Just gonna casually drop this here
2.) True Fine Mama
You tickle them ivories, honey. Or, as he says literally almost 30 times in the song (but who's counting?), "Honey honey honey."
To me, this sounds like the equivalent of a sleazy guy who thinks he's the shit trying to hit on a girl who keeps just walking past, and the guy is all like, "Ah baby, don't be like that," while making the eyes at her. Yeah, he's not the most convincing at 'pleading' for someone to stay – this still oooooozes charisma and confidence.
It's less "stay because I need you," and more "bitch, I'm fabulous, so if you know what's good for you, you'll stay."
Truer words were never spoken
So after all that "honey" talk, would ya believe that she up and tells him she's leaving? Well he certainly can't. I mean, think of all the FUN they had? BITCH, HE'S FABULOUS!
This is pleading and raw. Of course, Little Richard can never not have swagger to his voice, but here he channels that into BEGGING this "girl" (ahem) not to go.
Oh, by the way – SEXY SAX.
4.) Ready Teddy
I will happily seize any opportunity to use this GIF
Another iconic Little Richard song. "GO MAN GO!"
From the saxophones(!!!) to the talk of the flat-top cats going to the sock-hop, this is such a great tune. Granted, it does sound fairly similar to "Tutti Frutti," but whereas Tutti Frutti was more piano-driven and had more of a light-hearted feel, this one is more dirty sax driven (of course if it's Little Richard anything it's going to be dirty)
Teddy is always ready to rock'n'roll
5.) Baby
"Baby, don't you need a man like me?" We are not worthy, Richard. We are simply not worthy.
"Baby, sorry I gotta go" – WAIT, WHERE ARE YOU GOING? You tease.
Hi again, sax. I feel like ours is a tumultuous one, but it means a lot to me all the same. I hope you feel the same way.
"I'm the sweetest man in town," he croons. With all the tutti-frutti-ing going down, I wouldn't be surprised.
Whoooooo!
I...literally have no idea what he's saying here. Something about not being my fool no more? I'm sorry you feel that way, Richard, but I'm sure Mr. Sax and I will be very happy together.
Just looked up the lyrics. "Peepin' and a-hidin'." This does not sound like the basis for a healthy relationship.
You tell him!
Also, I have no idea what "Oh Big conniver/Nothin' but a jiver/Done got hip to your jive" means, but damn it all if it isn't the coolest line ever.
And so ends Side One.
7.) Long Tall Sally
First of all, lest we forget this pivotal moment in cinematic history:
That has to be the most gratuitous(ly epic) high-five ever recorded. Ever.
"Baby, havin' me some fun tonight...Have everything that Uncle John need." A, um, playful song of adultery and dark alley dalliances, it is another essential Little Richard classic. It is astonishing the kind of stuff that he got past the 1950s censors.
Seriously, he's talking about how Long Tall Sally is "built for speed" I feel like we're not discussing greyhounds here.
That would certainly give the song a whole other layer of meaning
8.) Miss Ann
Another more down-tempo track. Oh, Little Richard. How you can take the most (seemingly) mundane topic and make it sound delightfully filthy.
"If she thinks I'm gonna let her be free, how wrong can Miss Ann be." That's some Fifty Shades shit right there.
Not sure that's exactly something to brag about, but to each his own
9.) Oh Why?
"Dreamed I was arrested." What an...arresting first line of a song.
Sorry, I had kept that joke locked up for quite some time
This is the most tame Little Richard has sounded yet. No yelling or shrieking, just smooth vocal delivery, singing of the pains of "you" not being his. End his suffering now so he can go ahead and drop this extended metaphor. It's a pretty song, one that sounds more in keeping with the rest of his contemporaries. I like it, but I feel like it could have just as easily been sung by Elvis or even Buddy Holly to a similar effect.
10.) Rip It Up
Or better yet...
Yeeeaaaaaahbooooiiiiiii
It doesn't matter what happens tomorrow or the day after, 'cause tonight's Saturday, you got your girl by your side, and you're gonna spend that money, honey.
Not this most memorable song on the album, but the themes are certainly relevant today.
It was J.R.R. Tolkien who first coined the phrase, say many reputable etymologists.
11.) Jenny Jenny
Man, that Jenny is a popular girl.
This song is delivered in much more of the typical 'Little Richard' style, though with its simple melody and repetitive lyrics (without much of a strong sexual overtone), it almost felt like a Buddy Holly song. Maybe I'm just getting burned out? I can only imagine what Jenny feels like, after "spinning like a spinning top" AND getting called on his number by all manner of 1980s kids. Poor girl just can't catch a break.
12.) She's Got It
Now THIS is more of what I want from Little Richard – sexually suggestive/mildly questionable lyrics set to a breakneck tempo with blaring saxophones and crazy pianos.
Long story short, guy likes girl, girl seems 'square' but is really a certified Hottie (c), and he want some of that loving.
Soooo basically it's the movie "She's All That"
FINAL THOUGHTS:
I never want to be anything but completely honest here – I was mildly disappointed by this album.
DO NOT MISTAKE MY MEANING: Little Richard is still completely amazing, and is still SUCH a revolutionary in the pop culture world. He paved the way for more sexualized, androgynous figures in the rock'n'roll world, not to mention for performers of color. Still, for me listening with my uncultured 21st century ears, the songs started to become a bit repetitive after a while.
You CANNOT, however, deny his overflowing energy, charisma, and love for what he's doing. His energy is infectious, and while I might not sit and listen to this album from start to finish again in a sitting like this, I will most certainly smile and sing along whenever I do happen across one of his songs. Not least of all if the Governator is involved.
Personal standout tracks:
"Tutti Frutti" (as if there was ever any doubt on that front), "Can't Believe You Wanna Leave", "Ready Teddy", "Long Tall Sally", "She's Got It"
No comments:
Post a Comment