I Certainly Hope Not

Taken from "Sandbox" 1987

"The tension was pretty tight
leave you hangin without a fight
Give it all up cause theres no living in
the world of Artic
no giving, acquitting (are you quitting)

{chorus}
I certainly hope not ohhh noooo(*3)
ohhh ohhhh

There's so many things people say
just to help give it away (but get in the way)
I won't try to figure things out
it's complicated so when doubt (I did)
I start crying
stop lying (trying)

{chorus}

Attracted to the light
Everything will be alright (Where everything with you - all right)
Attracted to the light
Everything will be alright (Where everything will be)
Attracted to the light
Everything will be alright"

A pub stomp with a killer chorus, very traditional rock sounding song from the early GBV archives that could have been recorded anywhere between the 60s and late 80s. Good song though not typical GBV fare.

Long Distance Man

Taken from "Sandbox" 1987

"He's a long distance man
and he keeps on going because its not worth blowing
and he does what he can because it not worth losing and
there ain't no choosin

Any other world that you live in
don't believe in second chance
Sell another dream he won't take it
so don't fake it when you dance

Cover up your eyes in these bad times for
the sad times passing years build another tower
for your freedom he don't need them shed no tears.
for the long distance"

A classic from the early days of Guided By Voices. This is such a Mersey beat style song and reminds me of a cross between The Beatles and The La's. I miss the joyful tributes to 60s British Invasion Music.

The Drinking Jim Crow

Taken from "Sandbox" 1987.

"Ahhhhhhh, I have emotional scars
Ahhhhhhh, I don't understand what your saying
Ahhhhhhh, It's an accomplice of mine (Drowning in the commerce of life)
Feeeeling somethings going to blow
and watch where you go
I'm the drinking Jim Crow"

Lets take a step back in time right to the beginnings of Guided By Voices with the "Drinking Jim Crow". A good song that really showed the potential of Guided By Voices and what they would turn into. The melody and feel is all there. The earlier recordings to me are always a curiosity, as whole albums they sometimes feel a bit lost but take the songs out individually and each stands on its own merits.

Lips of Steel

Taken from "Sandbox" 1987.

"It's unreal you to tell me what I'm feeling
Strong emotions bouncing off the ceiling

Show me how far you can go
As close as I can get
As much as I will know

Stretch the truth and
Tell me I'm not dreaming
Trust your leaders
Superman with lips of steel

Show me how far you an go
We've got to get real close, now
Let's go see the show

We are on our way
We believe what you say

Ladies and Gentleman, Back by popular demand
for your entertainment and spirtual enlightment
Electric Jam Soul Aquariam"

A perfect 1 minute 30 pop song from the early years of Guided By Voices. A pastiche of "You really got me Going" and other British Invasion type songs and hard to believe this was recorded on an 8 track proabably in someones garage. Nice little talky bit at the end which again echoes R.E.M. again. Its amazing how a band so clearly influenced by R.E.M. is a band that sounds so unique themselves.