The Byrds: So You Want to be a Rock 'n' Roll Star
[purchase]
So, you want to be a rock and roll star? Then listen now to what I say: Just get an electric guitar, then take some time and learn how to play. And, with your hair combed right and your pants fit tight, it's gonna be all right.
Then it's time to go downtown where the agent man won't let you down. Sell your soul to the company who are waiting there to sell plastic ware. And in a week or two, if you make the charts, the girls'll tear you apart.
The price you paid for your riches and fame—was it all a strange game? You're a little insane. The money that came and the public acclaim—don't forget what you are. You're a rock and roll star.
Wow. Great song and superb presentation! (A few of the links snuck away, but still very impressive.)
ReplyDeletecant beat that
ReplyDeleteFixed the broken links.
ReplyDeleteSweeet! Nice linkage; great song.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I suspect my pants fit tight for all the wrong reasons, these days.
Coolness.
ReplyDeleteboyhowdy - hopefully you still have hair to comb right, at the very least. If you're 0 for 2 then you'll never be a rock star.
ReplyDeleteHappily, my thick hair compensates for my waistline. Though I cut off the down-to-the-waist length three years ago, in order to be more employable. (yeah, that's right -- I had hippie hair for most of my adult life. Wanna make somethin' of it, tough guy?)
ReplyDeleteAlso, instead of an electric guitar, I play the appalachian dulcimer. I fear I may be a bit too dorky to make it as a rock and roll star. But there's always folk music, right?
True, too, that the model the Byrds use here is a bit outdated. Labels hardly sell music anymore. And those that do may wish they could still sell plastic ware, but even the most obvious candidates are going digital something fierce. Sadness.
On the bright side, I seem to be a little insane.
The first verse is still pretty sharp. But the second verse does need to be updated for the new century...
ReplyDeleteThen it's time to go online
Where the bloggers hail and overhype
Sell your song to the companies who are lurking too, looking for ad revenue
And in a day or two if your album leaks backlash will hit in a week
That'll do nicely, Scott.
ReplyDeleteMaybe "songs about outdated technology" is another theme to keep on tap for the future?
Great song, great linkage, great re-written second verse!
ReplyDelete