Professor Mikey’s OLD SCHOOL

Kung Fu CURTIS MAYFIELD (1974)

Curtis Mayfield made his first impression on music as a member of the Impressions in the 1960s, writing and recording such hits as “It’s All Right” and “I’m So Proud.”  He began his solo career in 1970 but really hit his stride in 1972 with the soundtrack to Superfly.  His sound was completely unique, part gospel, part funk, part street, part Heaven, all soul.  Mayfield’s artistry circled around what was going on in his life, in his world, and his time.  Today we hear a very strange tale from his 1974 album Sweet Exorcist.  There’s a martial arts craze going on, so he spins a tale about a kid from the ghetto, living a hard life, made even harder by the fact that he was named Kung Fu.Our days of comfort, days of nightDon't put yourself in solitudeWho can I trust with my lifeWhen people tend to be so rude?My mama borned me in a ghettoThere was no mattress for my headBut, no, she couldn't call me JesusI wasn't white enough, she saidAnd then she named me, (y'all), Kung FuDon't have to explain it, no, Kung FuDon't know how you'll take it, (here), Kung FuI'm just trying to make it, (love), Kung FuI've got some babies and some sistersMy brother worked for Uncle SamIt's just a shame, ain't it, Mister?We being brothers of the damnedBut loving brings about a differenceYou are my love...I do believeShall we join hands for tomorrow?Don't carry nothin' up your sleeveKeep your head high, Kung FuI will 'til I die, yeah, Kung FuDon't be too intense, no, Kung FuKeep your common sense, yeah, Kung FuDon't be mistaken for a secretThere is no secret part of youYou bet your life if you think wicked (don't think wicked child)Someone else is thinking wicked, tooKeep your head high, Kung FuI will 'til I die, yeah, Kung FuDon't be too intense, no, Kung FuKeep your common sense, yeah, Kung FuOur days of comfort, days of nightDon't put yourself in solitudeWho can I trust with my lifeWhen people tend to be so rude?My mama borned me in a ghettoThere was no mattress for my headBut, no, she couldn't name me JesusI wasn't white enough, she saidAnd then she named me, (y'all), Kung FuDon't have to explain it, no, Kung FuDon't know how you'll take it, (here), Kung FuI'm just trying to make it, (love), Kung Fu(y'all), Kung FuYeah, Kung FuDONT LET THE SUMMER PASS WITHOUT MAKING A SPLASH IN 1983! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

OLD SCHOOL DOUBLE FEATURE “The Pusher vs King Heroin” JAMES BROWN meets STEPPENWOLF

Welcome to a special double feature on Old School. Presenting two hard hitting social commentaries from 1968 and 1972, in a way you’ve never heard them so stick around.. The Pusher was written by Hoyt Axton, whose mother wrote Heartbreak Hotel for Elvis. He didn’t record his version until after Steppenwolf had made it a hit with a little help from it’s placement in Easy Rider. James Brown co wrote King Heroin along with Charles Bobbit, Manny Rosen, and David Matthews. It’s not a dance tune but it is a serious pondering of a global problem that has yet to go away.Whether you know them both, of this is your first time, listen to it with fresh ears and a slightly different mix.James Brown joins forces with John Kaye and Steppenwolf…LyricsYou know I've smoked a lot of grassO' Lord, I've popped a lot of pillsBut I've never touched nothin'That my spirit could killYou know, I've seen a lot of people walkin' 'roundWith tombstones in their eyesBut the pusher don't careAh, if you live or if you dieGod, The PusherGod, I say The PusherI said God, God The Pusher manYou know the dealer, the dealer is a manWith the love grass in his handOh but the pusher is a monsterGood God, he's not a natural manThe dealer for a nickelLord, he'll sell you lots of sweet dreamsAh, but the pusher ruin your bodyLord, he'll leave your, he'll leave your mind to screamGod, The PusherGod, God the PusherI said God, God, God The Pusher manWell, now if I were the president of this landYou know, I'd declare total war on The Pusher manI'd cut him if he stands, and I'd shoot him if he'd runYes I'd kill him with my Bible and my razor and my gunGod The PusherGod The PusherI said God, God The Pusher manSource: LyricFindSongwriters: Hoyt Wayne AxtonThe Pusher lyrics © Universal Music Publishing GroupLadies and gentlemenFellow AmericansLady AmericansThis is James BrownI wanna talk to you about one of ourMost deadly, killers in the country todayI had a dream the other night, and IWas sittin' in my living roomDozed off to sleepSo I start to dreamin'I dreamed I walked in a place andI saw a real strange, weird objectStandin' up talkin' to the peopleAnd I found out it was heroinThat deadly drug that go in your veinsHe saysI came to this country without a passportEver since then I've been hunted and soughtMy little white grains are nothin' but wasteSoft and deadly and bitter to tasteI'm a world of power and all know it's trueUse me once and you'll know it, tooI can make a mere schoolboy forget his booksI can make a world-famous beauty neglect her looksI can make a good man forsake his wifeSend a greedy man to prison for the rest of his lifeI can make a man forsake his country and flagMake a girl sell her body for a five-dollar bagSome think my adventure's a joy and a thrillBut I'll put a gun in your hand and make you killIn cellophane bags, I've found my wayTo heads of state and children at playI'm financed in China, ran in JapanI'm respected in Turkey and I'm legal in SiamI take my addicts and make 'em steal, borrow, begThen they search for a vein in their arm or their legSo, be you Italian, Jewish, Black or MexI can make the most virile of men forget their sexSo now, no, my man, you must, you know, do your bestTo keep up your habit until your arrestNow the police have taken you from under my wingDo you think they dare defy me, I who am kingNow, you must lie in that county jailWhere I can't get to you by visit or mailSo squirm, with discomfort, wiggle and coughSix days of madness, you might throw me offCurse me in name, defy me in speechBut you'd pick me up right no if I were in your reachAll through your sentence you've become resolved to your fateHear now young man and woman, I'll be waitin' at the gateAnd don't be afraid, don't run, I'm not chasedSure my name is Heroin, you'll be back for a tasteBehold, you're hooked, your foot is in the stirrupAnd make, haste, mount the steed and ride him wellFor the white horse of heroin will ride you to , to HellWill ride you to until you are deadDead, brother, deadThis is a revolution of the mindGet your mind togetherAnd get away from drugsThat's the manBack, backSource: LyricFindSongwriters: Charles Bobbitt / Charles Fred Bobbitt / Dave Matthews / James Brown / Manny RosenTheme From King Heroin lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, IncNeed more? The hits (and misses) just keep on coming! Some of these you may have never heard, but you will never forget them!Thanks to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics for the following info:Since 2010, the number of Americans who die from overdosing on heroin has more than quadrupled.Key Findings14KThe number of Americans who die annually from overdosing on heroin.902kThe number of Americans who use heroin annually.6.25MThe number of Americans who use heroin within their lifetime.Heroin Usage StatisticsFrom 2019 to 2020, heroin usage has increased among all people aged 12 or older. A large majority of people who used heroin first misused prescription opioids.* 902,000 Americans use heroin annually.* 6.25 Million Americans will use heroin at least once in their lifetime.* Heroin makes up 4.5% of all illicit drug use in the lifetime of Americans aged 12 or older.* Heroin makes up 1.5% of all illicit drug use annually among Americans aged 12 or older.* 103,000 Americans first start using heroin annually.* 80% of people who use heroin first misused prescription opioids.Heroin Usage among Grade School Children StatisticsHeroin usage has shown up as early as middle school in minimal amounts. Less than 1% of students in either high school or middle school use heroin on an annual basis.* 2% of highschool students have used heroin in their lifetime.* 0.5% of 8th graders reported using heroin within their lifetime.* 0.2% of 8th graders, 10th graders, and 12th graders combined reported using heroin in the last 12 months.Heroin Use Disorder StatisticsAmong the U.S. population aged 12 or older, less than 1% had a heroin disorder which still translates to hundreds of thousands of Americans. More people receive treatment for using heroin in a year than the number of people who have a substance abuse disorder with heroin.* 691,000 Americans aged 12 or older had a heroin disorder in 2020.* 0.2% of Americans aged 12 or older had a heroin disorder.* Americans with a heroin substance abuse disorder made up 1.7% of the total population with a substance abuse disorder.* 755,000 people aged 12 or older received substance use treatment for heroin.* The population with a heroin substance use disorder is the 8th largest population with a substance use disorder.Heroin Overdose Deaths Nationwide StatisticsDeaths due to heroin overdoses have significantly increased since 2010. From 2012 to 2014 the rate of heroin overdose deaths nearly doubled. After 2014, the death rate remained in the tens of thousands.* 14,019 die annually from overdosing on heroin.* Over nearly a decade, the annual death rate due to heroin overdose has risen by over 10,000 people.* 8,746 people die annually from overdosing on heroin and synthetic opioids other than methadone.* 5,273 people die annually from overdosing on heroin without taking synthetic opioids other than methadone.* 2.7 deaths occur annually from overdoses on heroin and synthetic opioids other than methadone for every 100,000 people.* 1.7 deaths occur annually from overdoses on heroin without taking synthetic opioids other than methadoneRETROFIT is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. If you prefer to listen on something other than a podcast, find Professor Mikey’s Old School on YouTube and subscribe there also! Thanks for all the follows, the likes, the comments, the requests, and the good vibes in general. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

OLD SCHOOL REDUX II: Episodes 4, 5, 6

Here’s another edition of the earliest Old Schools! No themes, just a hodgepodge of glistening but aging vinyl that stayed under the radar of mass popularity.For Episode 4, we touch down in Kim Fowley’s humid and dismal Los Angeles by night. Luckily we have the Popsicles to cool us off. Then we dial it back to Chicago in the DiMaggio summer, where Lil Green has scored some pre-war weed. Finally, we end up on a mystic mountaintop with Eric Burdon’s New Animals, who have come seeking enlightened. If you meet the Buddha on the road, he’s bound to have a podcast!ENDLESS TEEN PARTY The PopsiclesKNOCKING MYSELF OUT Lil GreenCLOSER TO THE TRUTH Eric Burdon and the New AnimalsThree songs from different eras and the unique mindsets have only one commonality. They have their own particular oddball quirkiness. They weren’t intended as novelty songs and yet…pretty darn novel.Welcome to Old School #5 Madison Bones!THE MADISON TIME PART 1 Ray Bryant ComboRay Bryant was a solid jazz cat who had a modest hit with the Madison Time in 1960. Then the song realized the dream of a second coming. For this one, it was in the unlikely hit Hairspray (1988). Then it got yet another boost when the movie became a musical then came back as another movie in 2007!Here’s the video from the first movie, a rarity from a 1960 local dance show, and and instructional DVD feature because you can’t sit down!SPAZZ The Elastik BandThe Elastik Band provided a politically incorrect low for the psychedelic era in 1967. Tasteless as it is, it does enjoy a groove of sorts, a one hit wonder destined for the boneyard.ROCKIN’ BONES Ronnie DawsonWhich takes us to a Texas rocking lone star who was hitting the Billy Idol look in the ancient Fifties. Ronnie Dawson was Ronnie Dee for his first record, “Action Packed” in 1958. For his second song in 1959 he was already fretting at least his teen mortality. But like Ray Bryant, Ronnie Dawson had a fabulous second act, touring rockabilly crazed Europe in the 1980s! He’d seen the needle in the stylus and the damage done!Remember, you can hear the podcast at the top of the page. While you are there you can download this episode to cozy up next to your other podcasts. Also you can arrange to have Old School delivered directly to that app. So if you pull the email plug for a while you wit miss any episodes!The Madison Time (part 1)Ray BryantIt’s the madison time hit it You're lookin' good -A big strong line When I say hit it,I want you to go two up and twoBack with a big strong turnAnd back to the madisonHit itta(Instrumental)You're lookin' goodNow when I say hit it,I want you to go two up and twoBack double crossCome out of it with the riflemanHit itta(Instrumental)CrazyNow when I say hit I want the strong"M" erase it and back to the madisonHit it(Instrumental)Walk on you're lookin' good(Instrumental)Now then when I say hit, it'll be "T" time(Instrumental)Hit it(Instrumental)Big strong lineNow when I say hit it I want the big strongCleveland box and back to the madison(Instrumental)Hit it(Instrumental)CrazyNow when I say hit it,I want the big strong basketballWith the Wilt Chamberlain hook(Instrumental)Hit it -- 2 pointsNow this time when I say hit it,I want the big strongJackie Gleason and back to the madison(Instrumental)Hit it - and away we goNow then when I say hit, birdland 'til I say stopHit it -- how 'bout a little stiff leg there?You're lookin' goodNow when I say hit it come out of the birdland back to the madison(Instrumental)Hit it - crazyWhen I say hit it, go 2 up and 2 back double cross and freezeHit it(Instrumental)And hold it right thereCommentsFor fifty years, I’ve been bewildered. Why wasn’t “Feel Older Now” by The Phlorescent Leech and Eddie (Flo and Eddie y’all) a huge hit of 1972, like Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold” or Roberta Flacks’s “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.”It is joyous, it is mad, it is weird. Maybe that affected the record sales. Also there was the blossoming of the Watergate scandal. Who had time for two refugees from the power pop giants The Turtles, Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan? Clearly they had moved on from lollipops and roses hits like “Happy Together.”Clearly, Mark and Howard had taken the LSD Frank Zappa had offered them, grown their beards out sloppy, and adopted the scuzzy hippie look of their new band, The Mothers of Invention.What happened in those time is told well by Howard Kaylan in Shell Shocked: My Life with the Turtles, Flo and Eddie, and Frank Zappa, etc.Yes they smoked pot in the Lincoln bedroom. They may have imbibed a bit during the sessions for this blasting ballad that features the whimsy of growing old backed by bitterness, regret, and amplifiers stacked to the moon.FEEL OLDER NOW Phlorescent Leech and EddieI talk about seeing Jackie Wilson in person on a golden oldie tour in the podcast. What a presence. Wilson was an incredible performer who brought such passion and joy to his music. The video is him doing one of gymnasium nation’s greatest hits. In the show is his professional debut from 1956. Jackie wails. As Van Morrison said, “Jackie Wilson Said (I’m in Heaven When You Smile)”.REET PETITE Jackie WilsonWrapping OS#6 we have a great tune from the industrial pioneers led by Genesis P-Orridge and Casey Fanni Tutti. They began life as COUM Transmission, and performed as Death Factory before hitting on the name we remember them for.ADRENALINE Throbbing GristleAll this energy destroys me Killing my security Sitting here you make me shiver Sitting here I lose all fear Making love in different places Jealousy brings you So nearIt still helps me be happy It still helps make me free Yet it still helps me be happyA And it still helps made me freeAdrenalin, adrenalin paper-thin adrenalin paper-thin adrenalinSitting here you make me shiver Sitting here you see my fear I am split in different places I am split from everything Longing for securityPaper-thin adrenalin Paper-thin adrenalin Waiting for the life you giveHere we are just sitting prettyHere we are just sitting prettyPaper-thin adrenalinPaper-thin adrenalinPaper-thin adrenalinLonging for securityI am split in different placesI am split from everythingYet it still helps make me happySitting with adrenalinAnd it still helps make me happySitting with adrenalinCan I be alive once more?Sitting with adrenalinSitting with adrenalinSitting with adrenalinSitting with adrenalinNeed more? Here’s Volume 1 from YouTube: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

I’ve Been Lonely for So Long FREDERICK KNIGHT (1972)

Frederick Knight was born in Alabama in 1944, and in 1972 he scored large on the R&B charts with the falsetto moaning and wailing we are about to hear.  Success agreed with this knight, however, and before he was through he had written and produced Anita Ward’s disco sensation “Ring My Bell.”  Here we check Knight the performer, with a lesson in how bad life can get, although we know he cried all the way to the bank.  Frederick Knight and “I’ve Been Lonely for So Long.”I've been lonely for so longDon't seem like happiness will come alongI've been lonely for so longDon't seem like happiness will come alongThese ain't rain clouds over my headEverybody's throwing rocks in my bedJust can't seem to get ahead in lifeOoh, nothin' I do ever turn out for the rightWon't somebody help me please'Cause I've been lonely for so longDon't seem like happiness will come alongI've been lonely for so longDon't seem like happiness will come alongI lay awake every nightTryin' to figure out how to make things rightThere's got to be a better way I knowTo shake this monkey off 'cause he's makin' me soWon't somebody help me please'Cause I've been ooh, lonely for so longDon't seem like happiness will come alongI've been lonely so longDon't seem like happiness will come alongYes, I know what it feels like to be lonelyTo have your friends turn their backs on youTo never know the real meaningOf peace of mind, ohJust can't seem to get ahead in lifeOoh, nothin' I do ever turn out for the rightWon't somebody help me please'Cause I've been lonely for so longDon't seem like happiness will come alongI've been lonely for so longDon't seem like happiness will come alongI've been down so longI've been down so longI've been down so longI've been down so longI get lonely, I get lonelyI get lonely, I get lonelyI get lonely, lonelySource: LyricFindSongwriters: Jerry Weaver / Posie KnightI’ve Been Lonely (For So long) lyrics © Concord Music Publishing LLC This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

99th Floor THE MOVING SIDEWALKS

Bill Gibbons came out of a garage in Houston, Texas, where he played in bands like The Saints and The Coachmen. In 1966, along with Tom Moore, Don Summers, and Dan Mitchell, they came together as the Moving Sidewalks. In 1967 , when much of the world had fallen for psychedelics, the band released their most famous track on the Tantara label. It was a high point in their short history, almost as good as when they opened for Jimi Hendrix when he experienced Texas in 1968. Here’s the Moving Sidewalks, with some real elevator nastiness called The 99th Floor!!When I woke up this morning,I didn't feel so goodThen my baby told me,I'll make you feel like you shouldSo we got on an elevator,And then we shut the doorBaby, we won't stop,We won't stop tillWe get to the ninety-ninth floorNext thing that came to meCame much to my surpriseThen I began to realizeThat you were telling me no liesSo come on, come on,Come on, baby,Let's do it some moreSaid that we won't stop,We won't stop tillWe get to the ninety-ninth floorCome on, baby...Come on and treat me rightLet's go to the ninety-ninth floorAnd make me feel so right...Source: MusixmatchSongwriters: Bill Gibbonsmm This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

Mercy THE COLLINS KIDS (1958)

Larry and Lorrie Collins, a brother and sister rockabilly act born in Tulsa and Talequah, Oklahoma, found themselves national celebrities when they appeared on weekly television on Tex Ritter’s Town Hall Party beginning in 1958.  At that time Lorrie was a 17 year old sweetheart of the rodeo, and Larry was cowpunk 15, a flat topped shorty ripping it up on an electric double neck guitar.  PS, Ricky Nelson fell in love with Lorrie when he saw her on television, and she was his first girlfriend, both in real life and on The Ozzie and Harriet Show.  Together they made beautiful music together.  From their first album, here’s the Collins Kids with “Mercy.”My baby is a rare kindHe really sends chills up my spineMy baby loves me, yes, indeedMy baby is the one for meMercyWhat my baby does to me, me, me, yeah, meMercyWhat my baby does to me, me, me, meWhen my baby embraces meHe sure don't know what he does to meWhen he whispers that he loves me soHe makes my pulse go, go, goMеrcyWhat my baby does to me, me, mе, yeah, meMercyWhat my baby does to me, me, me, meAw, let's get it nowMercy, how my baby pleases meHe's just as sweet as he can beBut, mercy, when he teases meOh, he sure don't know what he does to meMercyWhat my baby does to me, me, me, yeah, meMercyWhat my baby does to me, me, me, meMercy meDial up OLD SCHOOL on YouTube! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

Can’t Let Her Go THE HIPSTER IMAGE (1964)

Back in time we go to the London club scene of 1964, where pop is being met head on by an R&B scene that leaves the mods and rockers to chose sides.  Animals manager Mike Jeffries discovered this band, and they were produced by Animals keyboard man Alan Price.  The Hipster Image comes and goes, but in this instance the band is almost as good as their name.  Here they are with “Can’t Let Her Go.”Hipsters Through Time…Hipster Image Biography(Courtesy of ALL MUSIC by Bruce Eder)A hot mod band of the mid-'60s discovered by Animals managers Mike Jeffries and, with one 1965 single produced by Alan Price, Hipster Image managed to become a major band on the London club scene without ever charting a record.Established around Keele University in northern Staffordshire, England, the group comprised Colin Cooper (vocals/saxophone), Eric Leese (keyboards), Tony "Dirk" Durkin (bass), Frank Proudlove (vocals/saxophone), and Keith Webb (drums). They issued two soul numbers -- "Little Piece of Leather" and "All for You" -- onto a flexidisc issued at the university, which got them noticed by Jeffries and into a recording studio in London. Typical of Decca's judgement, the B-side, "Make Her Mine," was the better of the two songs and a popular club single.Despite these breaks, the band was never able to sustain itself and ultimately broke up, although its four surviving songs have since emerged on CD, and "Make Her Mine" is an acknowledged classic, appearing on numerous Northern soul and mod compilations.In 2020, the previously recorded 1965 track "True" was unearthed from the vaults and issued alongside a handful of other unreleased songs.AI casts a hipster movie:Yes, I’m familiar with the term “hipster image.” It typically refers to a style or appearance associated with a subculture known as hipsters. Hipsters are often characterized by their non-mainstream fashion choices, eclectic tastes, and a preference for independent or alternative culture. The term “hipster image” can encompass various elements, including vintage clothing, indie music, artistic pursuits, and an emphasis on individuality.Try this. Imagine you have to cast a modern hipster couple in anew movie. Who would you pick?If I were to cast a modern hipster couple in a movie, I would consider actors who embody the hipster aesthetic and have showcased versatility in their performances. Here are a few actors who could potentially fit the roles: 1. Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt: Known for their roles in indie films and their quirky personalities, they could bring the right mix of whimsy and charm to portray a hipster couple. 2. Aubrey Plaza and Michael Cera: Both have played offbeat characters in independent films and have a distinct sense of humor, making them potential choices for a hipster couple with a dry and ironic wit. 3. Lena Dunham and Adam Driver: With their involvement in the TV series “Girls,” they have demonstrated an understanding of modern hipster culture and could bring authenticity to such roles.Remember, casting choices ultimately depend on the specific requirements of the movie and the chemistry between the actors.1 This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

A Question of Temperature THE BALLOON FARM (1967)

The Balloon Farm came out of New York City, where they took their name from a trendy nightclub allegedly christened by Bob Dylan, who swore he could seen cartoon balloons floating above all the heads.  Their big song featured a fuzz guitar and a swirling Hammond B3.  It took it a while to catch on, released in October of 67, but finally hitting the charts in March of 68.  Other musical footnote, the group’s leader, Mike Appel, went on to write songs for the Partridge Family.  Thank you for reading RETROFIT. This post is public so feel free to share it.Then he switched to business, and became Bruce Springsteen’s manager.  From the Balloon Farm, A Question of Temperature.There's a sudden rise in the mercuryThere's a thumpin' in my heart, it just had to beHeat wave, hurricane, whirling in my headCool disposition, just hanging by a threadIs it a question of love, haIs it a state of mind, no, no, no, noIt's a question of, it's a question ofIt's a question of, it's a question ofOf temperature, yeahI wake up in the morningGo to sleep at night with the feverShe says, I won't hang you upAnd I say, baby, I believe yaIs it a question of love, haIs it a state of mind, no, no, no, noIt's a question of, it's a question ofIt's a question of, it's a question ofOf temperature, yeahI'll tell it like it is, girl you gotta keep your distance'Cause the doctor says I've got a very low resistanceNon-stop elevator pushing to the topNo second chance for a temperature dropIs it a question of love, haIs it a state of mind, no, no, no, noIt's a question of, it's a question ofIt's a question of, it's a question ofOf temperature, yeahSource: MusixmatchSongwriters: D. Henny / E. Schnug / M. AppelIf you bonded with the Balloon Farm, you are likely to enjoy a tour in a rocking UFO: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

Tramp OTIS REDDING and CARLA THOMAS

Otis Redding was born in Dawson, Georgia and raised in Macon. He dropped out of Ballad Hudson High when he was a sophomore, joined Little Richard's band, and sent his mother $25 a week. He eventually wrote a song called "Respect" that was recorded by Aretha Franklin. 1967 was the monumental year of his life, as well as being the last. The year he turned 26 he recorded a series of great duets with Carla Thomas, blew away the crowd at the Monterey Pop Festival and six months later lost his life in a plane crash. Here he is in his prime, from an album he recorded with Carla called King and Queen. Lowell Fulson and Jimmy McCracklin wrote it, Otis Redding and Carla Thomas made it their own…Tramp!TrampWhat you call me?TrampOh you didn'tYou don't wear continental clothes or Stetson hatsWell I tell you one doggone thingIt makes me feel good to know one thingI know I'm a loverMatter of opinion, babyThat's all right, Mama wasSoPapa tooAnd I'm the only childLovin' is all I know to doYou know what, Otis?What?You're countryThat's alrightYou straight from the Georgia woodsThat's goodYou know what? You wear overallsAnd big old brogan shoesAnd you need a haircut, trampHaircut? Woman, you foolin'Ooh, I'm a loverMama was, Grandmama, Papa tooThey'll make you oneOh, that's alrightAnd I'm the only son of a gun, yeah, this side of the sunTrampThat's right, that's what you areYou know what? I'm no trampYou know what, Otis?I don't care what you say, you're still a trampWhat?That's rightYou haven't even got a fat bankroll in your pocketYou probably haven't even got twenty-five centsI got six Cadillacs, five LincolnsFour Fords, six Mercuries, three T-Birds, MustangOoh, I'm a loverYou're true about meMy Mama was, my Papa tooI tell you one thingWell tell meI'm the only son of a gun, yeah this side of the sunAlrightYou're a tramp, OtisNo I'm notI don't care what you say, you're still a trampDon't call me thatLook here, you ain't got no moneyI got everythingYou can't buy me all those minks and sablesAnd all that stuff I wantI can buy you minks, rats, frogs, squirrels, rabbitsAnything you want, womanLook, you can go out in the Georgia woods catch them, babyOh, you foolin'You're still a trampThat's alrightYou a tramp, Otis, you just a trampThat's alrightYou wear overalls, you need a haircut, babyCut off some of that hair off your headYou think you a lover, huh?Source: MusixmatchSongwriters: Lowell Fulsom / Jimmy Mccracklin This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

Pandora’s Golden Heebie Jeebies THE ASSOCIATION

It feels that for every 200 bands that released one album and broke up, leaving behind promises of what might have been and precious rarities that camp forever in the back bins at the indy record stores, there was one or two who made it big.  The Association had all the success any band could ask for, but it probably cost them the recognition they deserved for a deeper side.  For two years they appeared on television lip syncing hits like “Cherish” and “Windy,” all the while keeping the edginess as something known only to the album buyers.  Despite the LA pop and gloss, this band was anti war, pro psychedelic, spiritual, and dare I say progressive.  Return with us now for a prime example, from the album Renaissance, the Association and Pandora’s Golden Heebie Jeebies…I have walked along the paths of dark and lightAnd I have seen the sunrise and I've seen the nightI've seen the calm before the storm and then the fightAnd now I see the sparrows as they begin to flyAnd all that's left for me to doIs cryI've had my view of happiness and my view of despairI've cleaned out all the cobwebs and I've learned how to compareI've seen all of the circles and I've had my last affairAnd now I see the sparrows as they begin to flyAnd all that's left for me to doIs cryThinking that I was lost then finding the end to all beginningsGave to me the key, made of lead and goldenFreeing locks, Pandora's boxes, devils are expendedAnd I'm finally freeAnd when all the tears are finally criedAnd I am finally clean insideThe gentle winds will come and they will dry my mindAnd I will see the sparrow that need no longer flyAnd all that will be left for me to doIs dieSource: LyricFindSongwriters: Gary Jules AlexanderPandora's Golden Heebie Jeebies lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLCFYAI:Pandora is a figure from Greek mythology. She was the first mortal woman created by the gods. According to the myth, Zeus, the king of the gods, ordered Hephaestus, the god of craftsmanship, to create Pandora as a punishment for Prometheus, who had stolen fire from the gods and given it to humans.Pandora was given various gifts from the gods, including beauty, grace, and curiosity. She was also given a jar or box (often referred to as "Pandora's Box"), which she was instructed not to open under any circumstances. However, her curiosity got the better of her, and she opened the box, unleashing all the evils and diseases into the world.Only hope remained trapped inside the box, providing a glimmer of optimism amidst the suffering. The myth of Pandora serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of curiosity and the existence of evil in the world.She is believed to have existed during the mythological era of ancient Greece, which is often associated with the Bronze Age. It's important to note that Pandora is a fictional character and not associated with any specific historical period. The myths and legends surrounding Pandora have been passed down through generations, contributing to the rich tapestry of Greek mythology.While the name Pandora is not as commonly used as some other names, there are a few notable individuals named Pandora. Here are a couple of examples:1. Pandora Vanderpump Sabo: Pandora Vanderpump Sabo is the daughter of reality TV personality Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd. She has appeared on the reality show "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" alongside her family.2. Pandora Colin: Pandora Colin is a British actress known for her roles in film, television, and theater. She has appeared in productions such as "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and "The Night Watch."The Association is a rock band known for their harmony-driven pop songs. The original members of The Association were:1. Jules Alexander (guitar, vocals)2. Terry Kirkman (vocals, keyboards)3. Brian Cole (bass, vocals)4. Russ Giguere (vocals, percussion)5. Ted Bluechel Jr. (drums, vocals)6. Jim Yester (guitar, vocals)These were the founding members of the band when they achieved their initial success in the 1960s. Over the years, there have been changes in the lineup, with various musicians joining and departing the group. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe