Prince – 1999 – 1982

Party Like It's 2010

I promised to rescue more old vinyl records from my basement this year than the measly three critiques from 2009. To kick off 2010, we’ll start with an album titled 1999, written and produced by Prince, who would be later known as some unpronounceable symbols and then known as the artist formerly known as Prince, and then back to Prince.

Hidden on the front cover is the introduction of his band, The Revolution. Inside each letter and number, is a small cartoon of a city scape, a pair of eyes, a cemetery, a guitar, pants, a church, and a person running.

This album brought two huge hits for Prince, 1999, the album title, and Little Red Corvette. Prince liked to use the slang words, U for you, 2 for to, and Cuz for cause. As in the lyrics of Little Red Corvette.

I guess I should have known by the way U parked your car sideways
That it wouldn’t last
You’re the kinda person that believes in makin’ out once
Love ‘em and leave ‘em fast
I guess I must be dumb cuz U had a pocket full of horses
Trojan and some of them used
But it was Saturday night, I guess that makes it all right
And U say – “What have I got to lose?”

I say Little Red Corvette
Baby, you’re much too fast
Little Red Corvette
U need a love that’s gonna last

Guess I should have closed my eyes when U drove me to the place
Where your horses run free
Cuz I felt a little ill when I saw all the pictures
Of the jockeys that were there before me
Believe it or not, I started to worry
I wondered if I had enough class
But it was Saturday night, I guess that makes it all right
And U say – “Baby, have U got enough gas?”
Oh yeah!

Little Red Corvette
Baby, you’re much too fast
Little Red Corvette
U need to find a love that’s gonna last

A body like yours ought to be in jail
Cuz it’s on the verge of being obscene
Move over, baby, gimme the keys
I’m gonna try to tame your little red love machine

Little Red Corvette
Baby, you’re much to fast
Little Red Corvette
Need to find a love that’s gonna last

Little Red Corvette
Honey, U got to slow down
Little Red Corvette
Cuz if U don’t, you’re gonna run your little red corvette right in the ground
Right down to the ground
U, U, U got to slow down
Little Red Corvette
You’re moving much too fast, to fast
Need to find a love that’s gonna last!

Girl, U got an ass like I never seen, Owww!
And the ride…
I say the ride is so smooth, U must be a limousine

Owww!
Baby, You’re much to fast
Little Red Corvette
U need a love, U need a love that’s, ahh, that’s gonna last
Little Red Corvette
Babe, U got 2 slow down
Little Red Corvette
Cuz if U don’t, cuz if U don’t
You’re gonna run your body right into the ground
Right into the ground
Right into the ground

Little red corvette

Prince 1999 Back Cover

The back cover of 1999 is prince purple with red lettering and the song titles in white. The lyrics to 1999 is in the bold red letters.
I was dreaming when I wrote this, So forgive me if it goes astray.
But I woke up this morning and I could have sworn it was judgement day.
The sky was all purple there was people running everywhere.
Trying to run from the destruction but you know I didn’t even care.
Because they say 2000 zero zero party over oops out of time.
So tonight I’m gonna party like it’s 1999.
___________________________________________________________

Prince Left Jacket

There is no inside jacket, but the the album sleeves have artwork and important information. The photo on the front has Prince sprawled out on a bed with neon lights and a smoke emanating from a window.
___________________________________________________________

Prince 1999 Jacket

This is the back side of record two sleeve cover. It shows the lyrics to the songs.
___________________________________________________________

Prince 1999

The sleeve cover for album one has a photo of Prince and his band, the Revolution. Of course the background is purple.
___________________________________________________________

Prince - 1999

The back like the other jacket has the lyrics to the album.
___________________________________________________________

Prince Vinyl

The album itself is somewhat unique. The center has a close up of prince’s eye with the record hole as his pupil. The song titles are in white.
Side One Songs: 1999, Little Red Corvette, Delirious
Side Two Songs: Let’s Pretend We’re Married, D.M.S.R.
Side Three Songs: Automatic, Something In the Water, Free
Side Four Songs: Lady Cab Driver, All The Critics Love U In new York, International Lover

Mommy, why does everybody have a bomb….

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Peter Frampton – Frampton Comes Alive 1976

Frampton Comes Alive 1976

This album had it all. A live performance, a wild crowd, superb guitar play, and 90 minutes of music that could be played at ear bleeding volumes. Frampton Comes Alive debuted at the heart of the so called Disco Era but quickly found a strong following of fans screaming for more.

Frampton Comes Alive was released in 1976 and his signature song from the album, Do You Feel Like We Do is the song most identified with Frampton. It was the song that during his guitar riffs, he would make his guitar talk by using a device known as a talkbox. When the guitar started talking, the crowd was whipped into a frenzy cheering and screaming wildly. If you only listen to one Peter Frampton song, it is highly recommended that it be Do You Feel Like We Do as that one. You will come back for more.

Sidenote: The talkbox was a hidden device consisting of a clear tube that Frampton spoke into. The tube was connected to the guitar and in turn the guitar was connected to the talkbox on the stage. Whatever Frampton spoke into the tube, it would reverberate through the amplifier and sounded just like the guitar was talking. The rock band Aerosmith used this technique the previous year on it’s hit single, Sweet Emotion but Frampton is most known for the wide use of the talkbox.

Second Sidenote: Frampton Comes Alive was recorded at Winterland, San Francisco and has sold over 16 million copies making it the best selling “Live” album to date. Show Me The way and Baby I Love Your Way were the album’s hit singles that made it to the top 6 along with the 14 minute plus version of Do You Feel Like We Do earning Frampton more than 70 million dollars in 1976.

Peter Frampton honed his guitar skills playing lead in the band Humble Pie and The Herd. After several years, he recorded his own album, and two more before Comes Alive hit the mainstream of rock and roll. A rock and roll legend was born in San Francisco the night the album was recorded live on stage and 31 years later, only the lines on Frampton’s face has changed. The music remains as strong and powerful as ever.

The back cover has Frampton with his signature guitar rocking on stage. The album didn’t open as usual album jackets. This one opened from the top and when folded out completely, showed a full picture of Frampton jamming on stage with his guitar.
The album title tracks are printed on the right side.Side One:
Introduction
Something’s Happening
Doobie Wah
Show Me The Way
It’s A Plain Shame

Side Two:
All I Want To Be (Is By Your Side)
Wind Of change
Baby I Love Your Way
I Wanna Go To The Sun

Side Three:
Penny For Your Thoughts
(I’ll Give You) Money
Shine On
Jumping Jack Flash

Side Four:
Lines On My Face
Do You Feel Like We Do

The left inside jacket pictured Stanley Sheldon, back up guitar, and Bob Mayo, guitar and keyboards. Framptons previous albums were listed on the bottom right side.

The right inside jacket pictured drummer John Siomos and a larger picture of Frampton on stage. Bob Mayo played keyboards and is the only band member mentioned in the performance other than Frampton.

Both album inner jackets picture 25 popular albums which included The Captain And Tennille, The Carpenters, Joe Cocker, Styx, The Tubes, Pablo Cruise, Supertramp, Cat Stevens, Herb Albert, Head East, Joan Baez, and Spooky Tooth.

The album itself with the hit song from the album, Do You Feel Like We Do showing.

Here are the lyrics to Do You Feel Like We Do

Well, Woke up this morning with a wine glass in my hand
Whose wine, what wine, where the hell did I dine
Must have been a dream, I don’t believe where I’ve been
Come on… lets do it again

Do you, you, feel like I do
How’s it feel
Do you, you, feel like I do

My friend got busted just the other day
They said don’t walk, don’t walk, don’t walk away
Drove him to a taxi bent the boot hit the back
Had to play some music otherwise he’d crack

Do you, you, feel like I do
How’s it feel
Do you, you, feel like I

Do you, you, feel like I do
Yes I do
Do you, you, feel like I do

Champagne for breakfast and a sherman in my hand
Peached up, peach ale, never fails
Must have been a dream, I don’t believe where I’ve been
Come on… lets do it again

Do you, you, feel like I do
How you’d feel
Do you, you, feel like I

Bob Mayo on the keyboards, Bob Mayo

Do you feel like we do
Do you feel like we do
Ohhh that’s true
Do you feel like we do, get back
Do you feel, do you feel like we do

Talkbox Lyrics
Do you feel
Do you feel
Like I feel
I want to thank you

Do you feel like we do
That’s alright, that’s alright to feel you’d like
Feel you’d like, a good time
We’ll goto bed and good night
Good time, good time, good time, good time, tonight
Well………..

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Beach Boys – Endless Summer 1974

The 1960′s music world was dominated by the British invasion of The Beatles and the Rolling Stones as they churned out number one hit after number one hit. But the tide slowly turned starting on the West coast and steadily spreading throughout the nation. The Beach Boys and their “Surfer Sound” gathered a following of teeny boppers not just from California, but the entire nation. In 1974, Endless Summer, a double album greatest hits on Capital records was released. It was a must have rock and roll album with almost all the best Beach Boys tunes.

The left inside jacket is a cartoonish depiction of the California beach with a row boat, life preserver, a cartoon picture of one of the band members, and the listing of the album track titles.Side One:
Surfin Safari
Surfer Girl
Catch A Wave
The Warmth Of The Sun
Surfin U.S.A.

Side Two:
Be true To Your School
Little Deuce Coupe
In My Room
Shut Down
Fun, Fun, Fun

Side Three:
I Get Around
The Girls On The Beach
Wendy
Let Him Run Wild
Don’t Worry Baby

Side Four:
California Girls
Girl Don’t Tell Me
Help Me Rhonda
You’re So Good To Me
All Summer Long

The right side of the inside cover is a continuation of the cartoonish California beach scene with a tanned muscle bound weightlifter and a hot dog stand.

The back cover has two more cartoon pictures of the band members, a bi-plane, penguin, and a Sgt. Rock comic book plus another listing of the album tracks.

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The Buoys – Timothy 1971

God Why Don’t I know

I played this song for about 50 people the past several days. I asked this simple question. What is this song about? Without the use of the Internet not one person knew. So, I pose the same challenge to you. Without the aid of Google to search the meaning, read the lyrics below and tell the Grassy Knoll Institute what the song is about. Sidenote: The following lyrics are the exact lyrics from the original single release. They have been altered and misunderstood many times over. Even the original recording was altered to change the meaning of the song along with the lyrics but the Institute has the original so there is no conspiracy going on here.

Timothy – Buoys – 1971

Trapped in a mine that had caved in
And everyone knows the only ones left
Was Joe and me and Tim
When they broke through to pull us free
The only ones left to tell the tale
Was Joe and me

Timothy, Timothy, where on earth did you go
Timothy, Timothy, God why don’t I know

Hungry as hell no food to eat
And Joe said that he would sell his soul
For just…a piece…of meat
Water enough to drink for two
And Joe said to me, I’ll take a swig
And then…there’s some…for you

Timothy, Timothy, Joe was looking at you
Timothy, Timothy, God what did we do

I must have blacked out just about then
Cause the very next thing that I could see
Was the light of the day again
My stomach was full as it could be
And nobody ever got around
To finding…Timothy

Timothy, Timothy, where on earth did you go
Timothy, Timothy, God why don’t I know

Timothy………yea….

OK, before you read any further, add your answer in the comments section at the bottom of this page. OK, you can read on to find the meaning.

That’s right kids! This song is about cannibalism. Trapped in a mine that caved in, three men survived. Two of the men apparently struck a deal to kill Timothy and eat him to survive. The Grassy Knoll Institute is not kidding. The song really is about cannibalism.

In 1971, Rupert Holmes, (Famous for his Pina Calada Song, Escape) formed a band in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. After a lengthy negotiation, Scepter Records caved in and allowed the band to record a single song. They were informed that the song would not be promoted and they were on their own with it.

Rupert and the band got together and decided to cut a record that would be so controversial that it would get banned. After all, if the record wasn’t going to get promoted, they thought that perhaps if their song was banned, another record label would take notice and sign them to a real deal. And so Timothy was conceived and written.

The song got limited play time but soon the kids would call the radio stations and request the song to be played again and again. The station DJ finally listened to the record and realized the meaning of the lyrics and pulled the record from it’s slotted airtime. But it was to late.

Timothy had become a hit and after several major radio stations began playing it, it quickly rose to a top 20 hit. The listeners were eating it up. (Pun intended) Unbelievable that a song about cannibalism had become so popular.

Today, parents are up in arms about suggestive lyrics in Britney Spears, Pink, and Beyonce songs plus the sometimes violent storytelling of some rap artists. To put this in perspective, not one of these artists songs tells the tale of three men trapped in a mine where two of them plot against the weaker, kill him, and eat him to survive celebrating cannibalism.

I’m hungry, who wants pizza?!

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