The Can-Can's Such a Pretty Show

I wrinkle my brow at those who limit themselves to the music of their youth, but here I am with three acoustic songs written before 1980, one of them when Shakespeare was a toddler.

Poor old Granddad, I laughed at all his words
I thought he was a bitter man when he spoke of women's ways:
"They'll trap you and they'll use you before you even know; but love is blind, and you're far too kind-- don't ever let it show."

I wish that I knew what I know now
when I was younger
I wish that I knew what I know now
when I was stronger


"The can-can's such a pretty show; it'll steal your heart away
But backstage, back on earth again, the dressing rooms are gray.
They come on strong, and it ain't too long 'fore they make you feel a man,
But love is blind, and you soon will find you're just a boy again."

"When you want her lips, you get her cheek; makes you wonder where you are. If you want some more then she's fast asleep, leaves you twinkling with the stars. Poor young Grandson, there's nothing I can say; you'll have to learn, just like me, and that's the hardest way."

Ooh la la
Ooh la la, la la


The morning after seems like a good time to re-appreciate "Ooh La La" by Ronnie Lane.
The earliest surviving version of "John Barleycorn Must Die" dates to 1568, and even Robert Burns had a version; the one I know was recorded by Traffic in 1970.


I've always wanted to ask Bruce Cockburn if this really was based on an archetypal dream, or if he thinking of the lions playing on the beach in the dreams of The Old Man and the Sea.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cool!
Glad your choices are upbeat!
I am now a fan of Concrete Blond.
Love the Cockburn video ---The mountains are where it is at....
and the woods! If you are ever in Arizona---it is not just deserts and cacti.
I live in the mountains --it takes me by surprize driving home each night, the snow on the San Francisco peaks...the wild things
in the woods, something new on each curve.
Sigh, Dee Ann

CSECooney said...

My brother made me three CDs for Christmas, and I just got around to listening to the second one today. He had titled the mix "John Barleycorn Must Die" and I believe that song was second or third on the track. What an itchy haunt of a ballad. Will look at the YouTubes later. Look interesting, but am writing.

Wayne Allen Sallee said...

I suppose I could send you the video of that polka band doing a cover of "Vehicle" by THE IDES OF MARCH for some guy's 70th birthday. This video is wrong on SO many levels.