This is such a great song–and no one seems to really know what it’s about. There are tons of theories out there, but nothing that I felt was worth linking to. I won’t even bother speculating.
Besides, it’s such a beautiful melody, and such a cool song. The piano really makes it work, and Bowie’s vocals are on target. This is one of those ballads that I liked instantaneously, and for me, that’s rare.
Here’s a link to a promo made back in 1973
And of course, the lyrics:
It’s a god-awful small affair
To the girl with the mousy hair
But her mummy is yelling “No!”
And her daddy has told her to go
But her friend is nowhere to be seen
Now she walks through her sunken dream
To the seat with the clearest view
And she’s hooked to the silver screen
But the film is a saddening bore
For she’s lived it ten times or more
She could spit in the eyes of fools
As they ask her to focus on
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man! Look at those cavemen go
It’s the freakiest show
Take a look at the Lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man! Wonder if he’ll ever know
He’s in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?
It’s on Amerika’s tortured brow
That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow
Now the workers have struck for fame
‘Cause Lennon’s on sale again
See the mice in their million hordes
From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads
Rule Britannia is out of bounds
To my mother, my dog, and clowns
But the film is a saddening bore
‘Cause I wrote it ten times or more
It’s about to be writ again
As I ask you to focus on
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man! Look at those cavemen go
It’s the freakiest show
Take a look at the Lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man! Wonder if he’ll ever know
He’s in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?
This is one of those songs that sounds like it should be an FM radio staple, up there with much of Bruce Springsteen’s work. For some reason–perhaps due to underexposure, hard to say–it’s really not so famous.
It’s a simple song about a man who can’t get what he really wants from his girl, so he’s just gonna have as much fun with her as he can until someone better comes along. Perhaps that’s crass, but it’s a great anthemic song.
Here’s a link to a live performance
And of course, the lyrics:
You call that love in French
But its just Frenchette
I’ve been to France so let’s just dance
I get all the love I need in a luncheonette
In just one glance
So let’s just dance
I can’t get the kind of love that I want
or that I need
So let’s just dance
You come on like it’s all natural darlin’
But you know, oh it’s really only naturalette
It’s just like all your leathers darlin’
They don’t scare me
I know it’s really only leatherette
I take it down
I’m gonna wash it down
I scrub you on down in any old launderette
I can’t get the kind of love that I want
So let’s just dance and I’ll forget
Want you to come in my kitchen
And not my kitchenette
Want you to come in my dining room
And not my dinette
I can’t get the kind of love
So let’s just dance and I’ll forget
I can’t get the kind of love that I want
Or that I need
So let’s just dance
I can’t get the kind of love that I want
Or that I need
So let’s just dance
Let’s just dance
Let’s just dance
I said let’s just dance
Let’s just dance
Let’s just dance
Let’s just dance
Remember how we marveled darlin we were marvelous
We were marveling at the Marvelettes
Fell in love with Veronica darling,
And every last one of the Ronettes
Show got hot when Levi Stubbs
He got burned boys, messing round with Bernadette
Call that love in French but its just Frenchette
I’ve been to France so let’s just dance
I get all the love I need in a luncheonette
So let’s just dance
I can’t get the kind of love that I want
Or that I need
So let’s just dance
Let’s just dance
Let’s just dance
I said let’s just dance
My doctor said to take it easy baby
My doctor said to take it easy baby
I’m bound to take a little roll with you honey so let’s just dance
I’m bound to take a little stroll with you honey so let’s just dance
So let’s just dance
So let’s just dance
Yeah, I know this is late. Ask for a refund…
Vietnamese Baby is one of those rock songs that just plain–well, rocks. There are some interesting lyrics with sort of a war theme–seemingly about someone who perhaps fathered and abandoned a baby in Vietnam, and David Johansen’s vocals are strong as always. Beyond that, the song just plain rocks–oh, did I say that already?
And of course, the lyrics:
When I’m getting home to you
I gotta show you what I can do
But everything connects and that ain’t nowhere
Well, but maybe they’re just giving you all you’ve ever wanted
And maybe you never ever know what that was
And maybe you’re just finding it out now
With a Vietnamese baby on your mind
Technology satellite, well
What’s wrong today and why was
Everyone so busy they’ve forgotten why they’re playing
That he said, what’s wrong today is what wrong with you
You’re so solid, busy solid, that’s all you do
With a Vietnamese baby on your mind
Your pretty little mind
Catch me your slaves, shot at
Every riffle on the way and I gotta
Show you more mustard gas than any girl ever seen
Since I been blasted, I’ve been blown, I’ve been backing away
You’ve got to back it away
You’ve got to take a search of values, yeah
But I’ve got a concert out to play
With a Vietnamese baby on your mind
Your pretty little mind
Your pretty little mind
When I’m getting home to you
I’ve got to show you what I can do
But everything connects and that ain’t nowhere
No no no baby no nowhere
It just won’t give a no
I’m talking about your overture
Talking bout your overture
Got to shout about your overture
Now that it’s over, now that it’s over
Now that it’s over, what ya gonna do?