I’m sure this is a fairly controversial pick of a band, but I’m specifically thinking of their demos and b-sides album, Extras. Without the sometimes cheesy or naff production that accompanied their album output, the songs on Extras still stand up really well. I was hoping to find a couple on YouTube, but can only offer this as proof:
One of the best tracks on Extras is Liza Radley, another song about disenfranchisement from the place and society you’re growing up in.
For some reason Paul Weller changed the lyrics for the album version (above, can’t find demo version online anywhere), and again the demo is much stronger. Lyrics reproduced below:
Liza Radley see the girl with long hair
See her creeping ‘cross summer lawns at midnight
And all the people in the town where we live say
“She’s not quite right”
But she don’t fit in with a small town
They just can’t understand why she’s got to be free
And for their lives only, she cries
Liza Radley see her jump through loneliness
Liza Radley take me when you go
And all the people in the town where we live say
“She’s not quite right”
But she don’t fit in with a small town
They just can’t understand why she’s got to be free
And for their lives only, she cries
Liza Radley I pledge myself to you alone
Then she kissed my face and says “love means nothing at all”
She kissed my face and says “life means nothing at all”
Plus as a bonus, the lyrics to the Burning Sky one that’s still potent for me:
How are things in your little world, I hope they’re going well and you are too.
Do you still see the same old crowd, the ones who used to meet every Friday.
I’m really sorry that I can’t be there but work comes first, I’m sure you’ll understand.
Things are really taking off for me business is thriving and I’m showing a profit and
And in any case it wouldn’t be the same,
’cause we’ve all grown up
and we’ve got our lives
and the values that we had
once upon a time,
seem stupid now
’cause the rent must be paid
and some bonds severed and others made.
Now I don’t want you to get me wrong, ideals are fine when you are young
and I must admit we had a laugh, but that’s all it was and ever will be,
’cause the Burning Sky keeps burning bright. And as long as it does (and it always will),
there’s no time for dreams when commerce calls.
And the taxman’s shouting
’cause he wants his dough
and the wheels of finance
won’t begin to slow.
And it’s only us realists
who are gonna come through
’cause there’s only one power
higher than that of truth and that’s the Burning Sky.
Oh and by the way I must tell you, before I sign off,
that I’ve got a meeting next week,
with the head of a big corporate
I can’t disclose who but I’m sure you’ll know it and.
And the Burning sky keeps burning bright.
And it won’t turn off til it’s had enough,
it’s the greedy bastard who won’t give up,
and you’re just a dreamer if you don’t realize,
and the sooner you do will be the better for you,
then we’ll all be happy and we’ll all be wise, and we’ll all bow down to the Burning Sky.
Then we’ll all be happy and we’ll all be wise and together we will live beneath the Burning Sky.
Full demo version here:
