Lazy Sunday Afternoon – I confess!


Some confessional songs this week. You could say that the “I’m great!” song and the “I’m rubbish!” song are merely two sides of the same self-indulgent coin. Certainly there are those who take it too far – Robbie Williams’ endless self-analysis/laceration is as tiresome as any rapper’s bragging about his bling and bitches. But done occasionally and well, a good wallow in one’s worthlessness can cheer one up no end.

Beatles for Sale is perhaps the most unloved of all the Fab Four’s albums, but it has benefited from last year’s CD remastering project. I’m a Loser is a standout – an early Lennon admission of his paranoid and really rather disturbing approach to women (see also You Can’t Do That, Run For Your Life, Jealous Guy etc).

Bob Dylan’s 1969 record Nashville Skyline contains surprisingly straightforward songs for a man who had recently been banging on about pawns holding grudges in the ceremonies of horsemen, and jewels and binoculars hanging from the heads of mules. I Threw It All Away is as plain as it gets.

It Just Came To Pieces In My Hands – a denunciation of the rock star’s ego – is one of the strongest efforts of Paul Weller’s Style Council period, and indeed of his long career…

Talking of rock star egos, Elton John’s poor old battered muse staggers on, through candles in the wind and cartoon lions. Personally I’ve never understood how Bernie Taupin made a career as a lyricist – his rhymes are awkward and his sentiments sledge-hammered. But in 2001, Bernie, Elton and his battered muse pulled This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore out of some memory of inspiration. A confession of senescence and decline – by any standards, it’s a big song.

Share This Post

About Author Profile: Brit

6 thoughts on “Lazy Sunday Afternoon – I confess!

  1. johngjobling@googlemail.com'
    malty
    October 3, 2010 at 10:33

    All good soul searching stuff with money earning potential, ‘ole Norm knew a thing or three about self insertion into the public ducking stool.

    One of our dogs has the hots for Eltie and that Beatles album cover, why does it remind me of Jedward.

  2. fchantree@yahoo.co.uk'
    Gadjo Dilo
    October 3, 2010 at 18:03

    Loved the Dylan. I started by being fan but then have increasing regarded him as a charlatan / lyric poet (depending on how generous I’m feeling), but this is great song.

  3. finalcurtain@gmail.com'
    mahlerman
    October 3, 2010 at 18:23

    Loved his Bobness too Brit – but unreservedly GD. Became a fan in Brum almost 50 years ago when he plugged-in and the folkies choked on their lentils, and I’ve stayed true through the good and bad – and there’s been plenty of both.
    Thanks Malty for the Stormin’ Norman clip – not for the soppy song, but for the laugh-out-loud that arrived – out of the blue – when the old dear kept dropping the sugar cubes into her tea. For a wonderful few minutes, I was helpless with mirth, shirt-front wet, ‘er indoors shouting from the front room….oh, I’ll go to the foot of our stairs.

  4. info@shopcurious.com'
    October 3, 2010 at 19:26

    Curiously cool retro styling on the last clip.. In case you fancy emulating this look Brit, we’ve a few pairs of ‘superstar’ sunglasses at ShopCurious.

  5. andrewnixon@blueyonder.co.uk'
    October 3, 2010 at 20:53

    My dad used to sing that song, Malty, I never knew it was Norman “Big in Albania” Wisdom.

    Susan – that’s Justin Timberlake playing Elton. Not sure I’d suit those glasses but I’ve got my eyes on your nautical paperweights…

  6. wormstir@gmail.com'
    October 4, 2010 at 21:21

    elton john is AWFUL. But I like his glasses.

Comments are closed.