most terrible!

I went to India (which for me is the Mother Land) I found myself in the strange position of being a person of Indian descent hanging with all the Europeans trying to "find themselves" at various backpacker hostels. It was interesting how many genuinely believed that India had something to teach us. One guy was actually trying to get away from drugs! and he went to India to do this!?. I mean I was Indian so I had an excuse right? what are these guys expecting to find?

It was easily the best holiday I had had up to that point.

I learned that India was not my Motherland at all, I find poverty and visible human degradation unbearable. People seem to be able to choose what they see (few Europeans seem to notice the horrors).
I also learned that getting stoned with a bunch of like minded people on a very foreign beach is a sublime experience that all angry young men should have at least once.
Most importantly; I'm not Indian at all, I'm an immigrants son.

I went back with my wife several years later, and was horrified that my favorite beach bum bar was now a sports bar full of 'large' old people. No hippies with homemade cigars were in sight. It had wide screen TVs! Sacrilege!

From that trip I learned;
Never go back,
Native Indian men (including my uncles and cousins) are incredibly sexist
Never eat anything cold (like biscuits and cakes) from a cafe.

Proud to be an immigrants son.

 ick wrote:  Self reflection is often a comical exercise, best enjoyed from a distance. The CD paints interesting insights.

Wasn't he in Lock Out? 

Clever song that asks some honest questions.  Asking oneself what the deep motivations or lack thereof is the beginning of a spiritual exercise.

 Byronape wrote: 
I know what you mean. There have been times that I've engaged in activities without a clear notion why—then it would come to me, "I fancied the instructor." Well, we all have our own definitions of depth, eh?

Does William Shatner do a cover of this?

 Byronape wrote: 
I wonder how many of us really have done the same... What am I here for? What's my purpose? Do I even HAVE one?  I can't even remember a time when I didn't know about this song and love it. I honestly do recommend the CD, "Tall Blonde Helicopter." I think it'll delight and horrify you.

Covering some classic Genesis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRu-YnpCYGM

First listen for me.  This is some seriously deep stuff here.  I've woken up a few mornings (afternoons if I'm going to be honest) and asked myself a few of these questions...

my favorite song from this album... still fun after all these years.

Bought this album 15 years ago after seeing him in one of the iterations of Robert Plant's band.

Good decision... music seems to be sort of a side project for Francis, but this rare record from him is a good one. 

First listen. Not so bad.

 Bazooka wrote: 
Now those are some seriously cute crow's feet!

 peter_james_bond wrote: 
Thanks, peter_james_bond (can I just call you "Bond - James Bond"?)  Okay, never mind... And I stand by my 10. Francis Dunnery is just amazing.

Lyrics - as always, I won't vouch for them because I grab from the first link on the chain...

I always believed that if I ran off to India
Wore sandals and shaved my head
And used Body shop conditioner, and incense like crazy
I could call myself a spirit head
But I only went to India to look on top
I wore sandals cause I'd smoked all my money
And I shaved off all my hair cause I had the fleas
I'd been sleeping all over
And the Body shop conditioner was a present from a friend
And the incense used to hide the smell
Of the drug den that I lay in

And so I ask myself what my motives are
For this lying need to look so free
And if I tell myself real honestly
What more can I admit to, open up a door
He said I'm gonna find out what I'm here for
He said I'd find out soon
I got too much Saturn and not enough Moon

I always believed that if I never missed a Yoga class
Read my horoscope in the dailies
And recycle bottles, and know a Red Indian
I could call myself a spirit man
But I was only doing Yoga cause I fancied the teacher
And stars cause it looked good on paper
And I only went to church cause my granny gave me money
When confession was over
And I only knew the Indian cause his brother's a dealer
And bottles had a price on their return
So I could go and play, Oh my my

And so I ask myself what my motives are
For this lying need to look so free
And if I tell myself real honestly
What more can I admit to, open up a door
He said I'm gonna find out what I'm here for
He said I'd find out soon
I got too much Saturn and not enough Moon

So now that you know why I don't love you
And now that you see that I'm so scared
Am I a good man ?
Am I a deep deep man ?

What more can I admit to, open up a door
He said I'm gonna find out what I'm here for
He said I'd find out soon
I got too much Saturn
How can I admit it, open up a door
He said I'm gonna find out what I'm here for
He said I'd find out soon
I got too much Saturn and not enough Moon

I have to comment here:  Anyone who says Dunnery's lyrics are "boring" or "banal" or "clichéd" has apparently had an out-of-body experience that placed them far above all us dorks down here. I sincerely hope they'll share their lyrics with us, because I'd love to know what transcends this batch of words.

Saw Mr. Dunnery  in a livingroom concert. Not his best lyrics, but his other stuff is great. He is a great songwriter. And am amazing person

 MrDill wrote: 

Really.  What about he, himself?  Does he also live near you?

 fredriley wrote: 

That's a Cumbrian  accent. he's from Whitehaven.

Seen Francis play many times with and without It Bites. Awesome guitar player and a great songwriter
 

 Dave_Mack wrote: 
He was member (or boss) of a band named "It bites!"

What's with the Scouse accent at the start, or do I need to wash my ears out again?

reminds me of the sort of things i sing about in the shower... so i give it an 8

Having never heard this before, I rather like it. Thanks for another previously unknown song.

 Shaker wrote: 
I really like this one — anybody know if he's got anything else going?

I have never heard of FD before. Funny, silly and lots of . Thanks Bill.

yeah

 Cynaera wrote: 
Great comment! Thanks.

enough  -  and now that terrible guitar 2 ->1, off off off!!!

The more I hear this song, the more I like it.  Very amusing lyrics.

 MojoJojo wrote: 
Too much!

cafortier wrote: It's atrocious.

I'm laughing out loud as I read the comments that go back to 2002. Mixed reactions to the song, but mostly favorable. I've had this CD since it first came out, and I just love Dunnery's wry, cynical take on life and humanity. Astrology doesn't really factor in to this song at all, apart from his rather bemused, open-faced explanation of life and what he may have been told by "wise" people. I recommend the CD whole-heartedly, because there are so many thought-provoking, witty, sorrowful songs on it. The music will take you on a journey and show you things you might not want to see, but when you emerge at the end, you might be a better person. Uh, or you might be a corkscrew with legs.

I'm sorry... too much Saturn and not enough Moon? You can never have too much Saturn!! (ghod, what a stupid song!)

Posted 15 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]

A song about "severe emotional problems" right after Lucinda Williams' "I Lost It".

I think this is hilarious. But then, I've got Venus square Uranus, and a T-Square in fixed signs between, Sun, Moon, and Pluto in the 12th house on the ascendant

Tailypoe wrote: what's atrology? I only know astrology.

yuck. atrology. No,

I really like this tune. How is the rest of the cd?

I was only doing Yoga 'cause I fancied the teacher. I know that one

Thanks for the smile. :-) I've always loved this song. lost of fun memories of playing it years ago.

Very nice comical song.

*un interesting fact* his guy lives close to me

...quite likeable!..

Wonder how come Bill couldn't find the cover art for this? I think I purchased this CD from CDBABY... EDIT: Hey, wait a minnit! The cover pic wasn't there before I posted!!!

Posted 16 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]

This is hilarious and spot on all at once. First I've heard this guy, and I love it.

300BaudAcoustic wrote: Get a grip.

Too much country, not enough rock'n'roll.

"But I was only doing Yoga cause I fancied the teacher" Ha! Much more common than people would like to admit. I'd wager. Fun song!

pannaramma wrote:Yeah, exactly!

coloradojohn wrote: Death droves a Yugo, man, cause nobody else would be caught dead in one!

"Too much Saturn, not enough Moon" ..made this astrologer's ears perk up!! Translates to too much discipline, workaholic tendencies, not enough sensitivity and nurturing. Gorgeous. But the Vedic take that he describes would be a bit different, Saturn means trouble and misfortune.

Long live hippie trippy drug songs! and may it all slide shimmering in a fervent groove right up into The Great Gig In The Sky... Hell yeah party on party on dude, till the Grim Reaper pulls his Chevrolet right up into the goddamm drive...

Never heard of him before. I had to stop and listen to every word. More!

Ace13211 wrote: You me and like 3 other people have heard of It Bites, I love it.....

Is this kind of Nick Lowe-ish? I give it a 7 just cuz it made me laugh!

I cannot believe that I'm hearing Francis Dunnery! This gets a 10! I LOVE his work with the band, "It Bites." You can't really tell by his playing on this album, but he is an AMAZING guitarist! (He sounds like a cross between Allan Holdsworth and Steve Lukather.)

Brilliant song by a brilliant artist!

Johnny_Wave wrote: Agreed!

Yes, still a crack-up after all these months.

RP is hitting all the right points tonight, Rock On. Yet another great song!

gntlemanartist wrote: Now that you mention it ...

This is great! Anybody else hear a little Phil Collins in here?

Kismet wrote: Yep. Raised my 7 to an 8.

I keep hearing all this great stuff that I've never heard before. I really, really need to get a job soon so I can start buying music! Thanks RP!

Actually, this is a brilliant song.

FREAKING BRILLIANT!!!!....S~

I always believed that if I ran off to India Wore sandals and shaved my head And used Body shop conditioner, and incense like crazy I could call myself a spirit head But I only went to India to look on top I wore sandals cause I'd smoked all my money And I shaved off all my hair cause I had the fleas I'd been sleeping all over And the Body shop conditioner was a present from a friend And the incense used to hide the smell Of the drug den that I lay in And so I ask myself what my motives are For this lying need to look so free And if I tell myself real honestly What more can I admit to, open up a door He said I'm gonna find out what I'm here for He said I'd find out soon I got too much Saturn and not enough Moon I always believed that if I never missed a Yoga class Read my horoscope in the dailies And recycle bottles, and know a Red Indian I could call myself a spirit man But I was only doing Yoga cause I fancied the teacher And stars cause it looked good on paper And I only went to church cause my granny gave me money When confession was over And I only knew the Indian cause his brother's a dealer And bottles had a price on their return So I could go and play, Oh my my And so I ask myself what my motives are For this lying need to look so free And if I tell myself real honestly What more can I admit to, open up a door He said I'm gonna find out what I'm here for He said I'd find out soon I got too much Saturn and not enough Moon So now that you know why I don't love you And now that you see that I'm so scared Am I a good man ? Am I a deep deep man ? What more can I admit to, open up a door He said I'm gonna find out what I'm here for He said I'd find out soon I got too much Saturn How can I admit it, open up a door He said I'm gonna find out what I'm here for He said I'd find out soon I got too much Saturn and not enough Moon

Too much pretention. Not enough talent.

philarktos wrote: That sounds fascinating. Thanks, I'd like to check it out.

... Brilliant lyrics! ... ...

weird to hear the studio version after having a cd of this song with him singing with his acoustic as part of a compilation for a colorado radio station years ago. and unlike most songs, the live version is better.

A priceless moment of introspection.

RParadise wrote: Hey, now my comment is the top link!

Brilliant song. I'm glad to see this has been put back into rotation.

Also known for "American Life in the summertime"..

Whatta crack-up. Just what I needed this morning. Who the hell is that guy?

jim0266 wrote:Me too!

Terrible.

ce wrote: And there goes my 15 minutes of fame! Couldn't have used it for a better cause. Well, maybe world peace, but since that ain't coming around any time soon RadioParadise would be my second choice.

RParadise wrote: I clicked the "song lyrics" link to read them (background noice right now). Your comment is the first match in the Google Search. Weirdness... Perhaps you inspired many people to click that link on RP, and perhaps Google's PageRank (tm) takes this into account.

jrp wrote: oddly enough the ex lyrycist from Squeeze Chris Difford now records under francis's record label Aquarioan nation and regulary tours with him https://www.aquariannation.com/artists/chrisdifford.html (i have uploaded to some francis dunnery to RP and it is curently circulatiing around the listener review channel)

Any song that makes you stick around to listen to all of the lyrics just so that you can smile for a while is worth at least a 7 in this world.

neuraljazz wrote: You guys couldn't be more wrong..... have this album and his previous..... not sure what you are hearing, but he is nothing like Hootie....... thank God. One Hootie is too many....

Too young to get the joke I guess.. What's your sign baby?

I agree with the guy below. Wannabe Hootie Blowfish.

Feels like this could be the theme song selected for the next "30-something, single" sitcom on primetime. gagg....

"this is a song about severe emotional problems" : too funny

I liked this enough to click on through and buy the CD! This is a good example of what I listen to RP for (It's NOT just to hang out on a chat board, although it seems like it sometimes! ;))

God, such great lyrics :) --d

Yes, more Francis, he's so unique! I'm surprised songs have been rejected by him, and from some of his best solo works.

The late Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche wrote an essential book for boomer fadists entitled "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism" which clearly distinguished between true spiritual practice and it's distorted reflection in consumerism. Illuminating, and providing an alternative to mere cynicism about the counter culture, but not as funny as this.

great description!

I uploaded two songs from another album of his, "Let's Go Do What Happens" and they were rejected.

"Too much Saturn, not enough Moon" is a reference to the influence different stars have on our personality. Hindu culture has a heavy astrological influence, though it's not like the western "What sign are you" idea of astrology. Francis Dunnery likes to flirt with eastern philosophy in his songs.

More Francis Dunnery Please! Anyone know if there\'s another album in the works? I know he\'s producing now...

Its "too much Saturn and not enough Moon". Its a fun, catchy song. There's a place for that isn't there?

"I've got too much Saturn & not enough you"... c'mon - thats not clever, its just downright cheesy. sounds like a bad pickup line. (or is that the idea?)

this is great. I love it.

great song and equally great album!

I have always liked this tune.....

Remember Two Wheels Good? Same clever stylish lyrics. Dot

Some good guitar licks in here...

...mix Dire Straits, Pink Floyd and Van Morrison. This is what you get. I like it.

I hear you! I feel that I have uploaded some pretty dag on good songs and ALL of them have been rejected.

Odd... I uploaded a better Francis Dunnery song, and it got rejected.

Oddly satisfying, droll lyrics!

very funny and I recognize Myself from my time in India and other simular places and situations/Harryon

I love this song

Another boring song. Bill, what\'s up? Are you tired? I\'d rather you went to sleep than send me asleep with pensioners\' music like the last few songs :( What a downfall from V.U.\'s \"Venus in Furs\"! Another song like this and I\'m off listening somewhere else.

I enjoy singing along in harmony to this tune...