Guest Howard
GuestForum Replies Created
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I remember first hearing ‘Run For Your Life’ in the sixties through the Beatles cartoon series on TV. It was done in a very comical way and no one, at least no one I knew, took it seriously. It was just a bit of fun. However, over the years, as people have looked more seriously at the lyrics of songs from the sixties, attitudes have changed regarding the lyrics at least.
Some of my favourite Rolling Stones songs from the same period (‘Aftermath’ album), could now be considered to be quite misogynistic too. “Under My Thumb” and “Stupid Girl” for example. It was just the nature of the times and the nature of Rock and Roll music. I wasn’t moralising about any of those songs, or any of the Beatles. As a teenager, I didn’t see anything wrong with them. However, now, just like Lennon did, I can see them in a more enlightened way.
I certainly don’t want to spoil your enjoyment of the song, just the same as I can still enjoy listening to particular Jagger/Richards compositions from the same period even though now they might be considered not PC.
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That’s a nice looking guitar Tomás. Well done waiting for the right time to buy.
Do yourself a favour and go hard on those piano lessons Jung. It will be hard work for a year or so (as I guess you already know), but you won’t regret it in the long run. I had just finished typing my response regarding my piano lesson experience as an infant, then got distracted and lost it all. I’ll make another attempt when I’m in the mood again.
Nice collection Jacki. Have you given that harmonica a mouthful yet?
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I understand what you are saying Jung. However, there’s a huge difference between representing a historical act of violence through art and actually threatening to undertake a violent act in the lyrics of a song. One of the big differences, I feel, between ‘Norwegian Wood’ and ‘Run For Your Life’ is that while there is an element of frustration and anger expressed in both, in ‘Norwegian Wood’ it is merely implied and the implied violence is directed at property, not people.
John Lennon (the writer) was going through a frustrating time. However, he actually acknowledged later that it was the song he most regretted writing. According to him, it was George Harrison’s favourite song at the time.
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I don’t think he was anti Beatles Jacki. It was purely to do with the very predatory aggression of the lyrics of those particular songs.
I can’t imagine Lisa and Mona writing anything this negative and hostile.
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Just to clarify Jacki.
“Run for Your Life” was the first song recorded for Rubber Soul, on 12 October 1965; “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” was also recorded later that day. As with most other songs on Rubber Soul, McCartney sings the higher register of the three-part harmony.
The song was written primarily by John, who appropriated the line “I’d rather see you dead little girl then to be with another man” from “Baby Let’s Play House.” No doubt that John knew the Elvis Presley version of the song, which was written and done originally by Arthur Gunter.
Ian MacDonald criticized the vocal performance and added these comments about the guitar: “The guitar-work, some of which is badly out of tune, is similarly rough, the piercingly simplistic blues solo suggesting that the player was not Harrison but Lennon himself.”
One of the first acts to do the song after the Beatles version was Nancy Sinatra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQHRHIMOeHM
In the early 1990s, the song was banned by Ottawa radio station CFRA for its misogynistic message. When the radio station was asked if it had also banned Presley’s “Baby, Let’s Play House”, the program director confessed to not being familiar with that song. Upon listening to the Presley song, however, the program director banned it as well.
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I must say Jung that “Run for your life” has never been a favourite of mine. Mainly because of the lyrics. I could not imagine them being written by a Beatle today. Maybe a rap singer! They are not only misogynistic but today the ‘girl’ would be advised to take out an AVO against the writer. In my country, an AVO is an Apprehended Violence Order. In fact, In the early 1990s, the song was banned by Ottawa radio station CFRA for its misogynistic message.
Lennon designated it as his “least favourite Beatles song” in a 1973 interview and later said it was the song he most regretted writing. He also stated that it was one of George Harrison’s favourites on Rubber Soul at that time, despite Lennon’s dislike of it.
This is not a song I would be requesting Mona and Lisa record. Read these lyrics and then decide for yourself!
“Well, I’d rather see you dead, little girl
Than to be with another man
You better keep your head, little girl
Or you won’t know where I amYou better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand, little girl
Catch you with another man
That’s the end’a little girlWell, you know that I’m a wicked guy
And I was born with a jealous mind
And I can’t spend my whole life
Trying just to make you toe the lineYou better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand, little girl
Catch you with another man
That’s the end’a little girlLet this be a sermon
I mean everything I’ve said
Baby, I’m determined
And I’d rather see you dead
You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your…”John Lennon attributes his song to one written by Arthur Gunter and recorded by Elvis Presley in 1955 – “Baby, Let’s Play House”
“Now listen to me, baby
Try to understand.
I’d rather see you dead, little girl,
Than to be with another man.
Now baby,
Come back, baby gone.
Come back, baby gone.
Come back, baby, I wanna play house with you.” -
I think you and others will find this video very interesting Jung. Lisa and Mona may find it interesting too. “How The Beatles made “Norwegian Woods”.
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Yes. Lovely work once again Jacki. OUAT is totally inspiring and Mona and Lisa would definitely look the part with flowers in their hair! I am reminded of the video of their Scott McKenzie cover where, as sweet young 14-year-olds, they place flowers in each other’s hair!
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The photo can be seen better when it is enlarged. Just click on or touch it and you can magnify it.
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Well Roger, ‘Wipe Out’ with ‘Surfer Joe’ on the B side was also one of my very early 45’s, purchased second hand from a school mate like all my early records were. Terrible recording really. Way too much treble!
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I’m not sure if you are aware, Michael and John, there is a MonaLisa Twins’ video of a Chad and Jeremy cover “Yesterday’s Gone”, recorded at a Billy Butler show on BBC Merseyside.
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I meant to add. I would love for either Lisa or Mona to take on a sitar guitar for ‘Norwegian Wood’!
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Yes, this is a lovely song that is really pre-psychedelic period.
I think it had more of an influence on Bob Dylan than Brian Wilson though. Dylan responded to this track with ‘Fourth Time Around’, from his ‘Blonde On Blonde’ album, released in 1966.
Norwegian Wood was a landmark recording for The Beatles, being one of the first Western pop songs to feature the sitar, an Indian instrument. Those psychedelic guitar sounds you hear are more sitar than guitar, Jung.
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 12, 21 October 1965
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman SmithJohn Lennon: vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: harmony vocals, bass
George Harrison: sitar, 12-string acoustic guitar
Ringo Starr: bass drum, tambourineLennon was asked about ‘Fourth Time Around’ in a 1968 Rolling Stone interview, and said this:
“I was very paranoid about that. I remember he played it to me when he was in London. He said, ‘What do you think?’ I said, ‘I don’t like it.’ I didn’t like it. I was very paranoid. I just didn’t like what I felt I was feeling – I thought it was an out-and-out skit, you know, but it wasn’t. It was great. I mean, he wasn’t playing any tricks on me. I was just going through the bit.”This is from Wikipedia:
“Fourth Time Around” was commonly speculated to be a response to The Beatles’ song “Norwegian Wood” – written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney for the 1965 album Rubber Soul – as the two tracks share a reasonably similar melody, lyrical premise, and 3/4 time signature. “4th Time Around” has been seen as either a playful homage, or a satirical warning to Lennon about co-opting Dylan’s well-known songwriting devices. Lennon expressed a range of opinions on this topic in interviews between 1970 and 1980. He initially felt it to be a somewhat pointed parody of “Norwegian Wood”, but later he considered Dylan’s effort to be more a playful homage. Still, the last line of “4th Time Around” (“I never asked for your crutch / Now don’t ask for mine.”) played into Lennon’s apparent paranoia about Dylan in 1966–67, when he interpreted this line as a warning not to use Dylan’s songs as a “crutch” for Lennon’s songwriting.”
“And when I was through
I filled up my shoe
And brought it to you
And you, you took me in
You loved me then
You didn’t waste time
And I, I never took much
I never asked for your crutch
Now don’t ask for mine.”“Both songs hold too many similarities to be seen just a coincidence. Dylan’s piece is a clear reference to Lennon’s intentions. We can see this exchange in a negative or positive light, perhaps Dylan wrote the song as a thank you to The Beatles for being inspired by his work. In all of this, the fans are the true winners, they can enjoy these two creations, which marked a key moment in the music industry.”
I would truly love to see the MonaLisa Twins attempt a cover of Dylan’s ‘Fourth Time Around’, featuring Lisa on acoustic guitar and Mona on harmonica.
“I once wrote a song or should I say the song found me. I rewrote a tune. It still sounds good, Norwegian Wood.”
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Well said Roger, and the ‘Introduce Yourself‘ section of the Forum is the most appropriate place for these types of posts (“Why not even share some pictures with us all?”). We can get an idea of what Mona and Lisa intended for the Club from the ‘INFO’ section. I have copied what I believe relevant below. However, it is my understanding that Mona and Lisa wanted their fans to share their common interest in the MLT music and philosophy (the positive influence music can be), including all things Beatles and sixties music in general. This I understand would include our cherished musical instruments!
“We have always somewhat prided ourselves on the fact that we take a little time nearly every day to sit down and reply to some of the many emails, messages, tweets, etc. we get. We LOVE it that people take time out of their day to let us know how much they enjoy what we do, to share their ideas, happy moments or sorrows or to give us tips and recommendations.
We definitely won’t stop doing that, as we treasure this connection to our audience immensely. Sadly, we find ourselves struggling more and more to keep on top of our overflowing inboxes and response times reasonable. Most people are very understanding of that and don’t expect an answer anyway but we would love to give our most supportive members – you guys – a better way to contact us.
That’s why we created the MLT Club Forum.
Both of us will be reading, commenting and answering your questions there, and from time to time even our mumager (stepmum + manager) Michaela and Papa Rudi (producer, co-songwriter, arranger, …) might pop in for the fun of it.
What We Ask Of You?
Mainly to stay as groovy as you are! When it comes to “rules” we just have one small request: For obvious reasons we would kindly ask you not to share any of the exclusive MLT Club content on Facebook and other Social Networks and spoil the game for everyone. We have plenty of videos, blog posts and news entries on the “official” part of the website and our Social Media pages that you are more than welcome to spread around – in fact we’d love you to. However, we’d love to keep the MLT Club content exclusive! ?While we intend to add a whole bunch more features, content and exclusive services regularly (we’d also love to hear your ideas in the forum!), this is what we have already put together to get this new adventure off the ground:
General Discussion
The “General Discussion” forum is intended for MLT related topics and conversations amongst all MLT Club members although we will certainly be reading and be available there too. We’re especially keen to read your feedback and ideas about the Club there!Introduce Yourself
This is the place for all new members to say hi to everyone and tell us a bit more about yourself. The whole community is looking forward to hearing from you and getting to know you better. Why not even share some pictures with us all?” -
Yes, we only had four channels in the sixties too, and we didn’t get the fourth channel until the mid sixties. We only got television in 1956, so those sixties shows were very early television productions for us. The first show i remember watching as an infant was the ‘Mickey Mouse Club’ and shows like ‘Our Gang’.
In comparison, today we also have cable television and internet streaming, and with the likes of ‘Netflix’ and ‘Stan’ etcetera, the choice is overwhelming! I much prefer today’s choices as we can virtually watch whatever we want, when we want, and with laptops, tablets and smart phones, wherever we want. That goes for MLT videos too!
