Smothered In Hugs

Taken from "Bee Thousand" 1993

"In the summer that you came
there was something eating everyone
And the sunshine fund was low
We couldn't greet you with a simple hello
And the watchers of the flood were busy in their chambers
Making sure there was new blood to sustain their dying veins

But I believed you
No need for further questioning
I'm gonna leave with you
You can teach me all you know
Which way will we go now on our trip to taller windows
I really don't know now
I really don't know

In the winter that you left, there was business as usual
With the same old fears and frustrations
But the word got out, it was really such a pity
But the judges and the saints and the textbook committee
Decided you should be left out - not even mentioned

But I believed you
No need for further questioning
I'm gonna leave with you
You can teach me all you know
Which way will we go now on our trip to taller windows
I really don't know now
I really don't know"

ahhhhh. A GBV classic. A relentless throb of wonderful goodness. Downbeat and sad but uplifting and beautiful all at the same time. Who are the Textbook committee?

Queen Of Cans And Jars

Taken from "Bee Thousand" 1994

"To see the light and try but failed
On jagged seas that can't be sailed
And sought to lead but always trailed
Asked questions anyway

And all around the breeding grounds
The nymphos sweetly played
The queen of cans and jars will keep them safe

To be so keen on global trend
To be so tight on how and when
To scratch and claw until the end
To work for each new day

And all around the hunting ground
The dead were on display
The queen of cans and jars will keep them safe"

A stone cold Guided By Voices classic. That riff. That sound. That voice. I remember hearing this song for the first time as a first time Guided By Voices listener and being blown how amazing and how different this was. I couldnt tell if GBV made it up as they went along, how many singers were in the band (due to Bobs differing styles) and what the hell was going on. Turn this on, turn it up and nod yer head!

Ester's Day

Taken from "Bee Thousand" 1994

"Jimmy was a fly
Got sucked in by an actor
and wrapped in a cocoon
of skin-tight buffoonery
Now here's the plan...

Scene from Ester's day
Of running backward courses
With a horse of different forces
Lying wings of films
That never see the screen
Couldn't bear to face their dreams

Down and out
Couldn't bear to shout it out

Brought up on the road
A sparkle shiny diner
Is the home for wayward minor
In a flying car that seems
To whisper in an ear
Let's just go get out of here

Down and out
Couldn't bear to shout it out

Down and out
Couldn't bear to shout it out"

Time for a classic and one of my favourite ever Guided By Voices songs "Ester's Day". Its starts with a snippet of another song but somehow wouldnt be the same song without it, "Jimmy Was A Fly" indeed. Then we are into the main Acoustic song. Its its simply wonderful and one of the most beautiful songs ever written with lyrics that make you cry and make you happy at the same time. Its a song about getting up and doing it! Face your dreams!

Hardcore UFO's

Taken from "Bee Thousand" 1994

"Sitting out on your house
Watching hardcore UFOs
Drawing pictures, playing solos 'til ten
Are you amplified to rock?
Are you waiting for a contact?
I'll be with you, without you, again

Turn and run the angel's calling
You say when and I say I'm falling
Up and down from broken down buildings
Back and forth but please don't bother at all

Count the days that we have wasted from the start
Eat the words, build a playground in your head

Turn and run the angel's calling
You say when and I say I'm falling
Up and down from broken down buildings
Back and forth but you know why I left you for so long

You know why I left you for so long"

A couple of months into "A Pollard A Day" and we get round to the first Guided By Voices song I ever heard from the classic "Bee Thousand" album. The 1st Song on the 1st Guided By Voices album I listened to and it takes me right back. I remember buying the album from "Offbeat" records in Hull, seeing the strange cover and thinking "I've heard of this lot" and taking a chance on it. It change my musical life forever. "Are you Amplified to Rock?" I sure am now. Classic!