Red Staggerwing

The ladies of Take This Tune seem to be in a bit of a mood with Elvis last week and now the very risque lyrics of Red Staggerwing. Spring must be coming in. This video features one of the best guitarists living, Mark Knopfler, in duet with the incomparable Emmylou Harris from their album, Real Live Roadrunning which you really must have.  You can get either the CD or the combination CD and DVD of the tour.  There isn't a loser song in the whole album and the fun of Staggerwing is offset by the sad and poignant Red Dirt Girl.  In the meantime, take this tune tell us a story or just go for a ride.



If i was staggerwing plane
A staggerwingpainted red
I'd fly over to your house, baby
Buzz you in your bed
If i was a taperwing
A taperwing painted blue
I'd be barrell-rolling over you
You're gonna need a rider anyhow
Let me be your rider now

If i was a maserati
A red 300s
I'd ride around to your house, baby
Give you a driving test
If i was a mustang racer
White with a stripe of blue
You could ride me,baby
Whenever you wanted to
You're gonna need a rider anyhow
Let me be your rider now

If i was a fender guitar
A fender painted red
You could play me, darlin'
Until your fingers bled
If i was one of them gibsons
Like a '58 or '9
You could plug me in
And play me anytime
You're gonna need a rider anyhow
Let me be your rider now

If i was a motorcycle
A vincent red rapide
I'd ride around to your house, baby
Get you up to speed
If i was short track racer
I'd be an indian
You could ride me around
And ride me round again
You're gonna need a rider anyhow
Let me be your rider now
You're gonna need a rider anyhow
Let me be your rider now

Black Velvet

This is as we first saw him.  There is a song to go with the legend.



Mississippi in the middle of a dry spell
Jimmy Rogers on the Victrola up high
Mama's dancin' with baby on her shoulder
The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky
The boy could sing, knew how to move, everything
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for

Black velvet and that little boy's smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please

Up in Memphis the music's like a heatwave
White lightening, bound to drive you wild
Mama's baby's in the heart of every school girl
"Love me tender" leaves 'em cryin' in the aisle
The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for

Black velvet and that little boy's smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please
Every word of every song that he sang was for you
In a flash he was gone, it happened so soon, what could you do?

(Guitar Solo)

Black velvet and that little boy's smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please

Black velvet and that little boy's smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please

If you please, if you please, if you please

Take This Tune - Volcano Song

With the current state of politics and predictions of imminent disaster for 2012, it would seems things are gearing up for some cataclysmic event. So where you gonna go when the volcano blows? What is your idea of the ultimate place to spend your final years (or hours)?

Chorus:
Now I don't know
I don't know
I don't know where I'm a gonna go
When the volcano blow

Chorus:
Well let me hear ya now
I don't know
I don't know
I don't know where I'm a gonna go
When the volcano blow

Ground she's movin' under me
Got ya tidal waves out on the sea
Sulphur smoke up in the sky
Pretty soon we learn to fly

Chorus:
Hey I don't know
I don't know
I don't know where I'm a gonna go
When the volcano blow

Now my girl quickly said to me
Man, you'd better watch your feet
That lava comes out soft and hot
You better lova me now or lova me not

Chorus:
See I don't know
I don't know
I don't know where I'm a gonna go
When the volcano blow

"Hey Mr. Utley."

No time to count what I'm worth
Hey I just left the planet earth
But a' where I go I hope there's rum
Not to worry, more soon come

Chorus:
I don't know
I don't know
I don't know where I'm a gonna go
When the volcano blow

But I don't want to land in New York City
Don't want to land in Mexico (no no no)
Don't want to land in the Three Mile Island
Don't want to see my skin aglow (no no no)

Don't want to land in Commanche Sky park
Or in Nashville, Tennessee (no no no)
Don't want to land in no San Juan airport
Or the Yukon Territory (no no no)

Don't want to land in no San Diego
Don't want to land in no Buzzard's Bay(no no no)
Don't want to land on no ayutollah
I got nothin a more to say

Chorus:
I don't know
I don't know
I don't know where I'm a gonna go
When the volcano blow

Take This Tune - Frühlingstraum (Spring Dream)

This week we are taking a different kind of trip - the ones you take at night or in your daydreams. Here's a beautiful German lieder (English translation below) courtesy of Fairweather to remind you that Spring will be coming around again eventually and maybe, just maybe the return or beginning of love.




Such colorful flowers I dreamed of,
All blooming and lovely in May
A fantasy of fresh meadows
And wonderful creatures in song.

But then cried out the rooster
My eyes were opened wide.
The world was cold and shadows
And ravens all cackled aloud.

And on my darkened windows
Who was it who painted such leaves?
Oh, why do you laugh at the dreamer
With visions of winter flowers?
(Who wiles away youthful hours...)

I dreamed of a love untainted
A maiden of beauty, and pure;
Of kisses and sweet caresses
Of happiness whole, and our joy.

But then cried out the rooster
And bid my heart awake
And now alone I languish
Is doubt and confusion my fate?

Once more I close my eyes and
My heart beats fast and strong
When will those leaves grow truly -
My love I will hold in my arms?
(To cherish forevermore.)