Week 59 – Think Bensonium

Day 413: Firewood and Candles, Paul Kelly

Roderick Benson — Thu, 06 May 2021 23:00:18 +0000

In 2018 I took my daughter Grace to see Paul Kelly in a pub in the Northern quarter of Manchester. If we were to see him in Australia, we would be in a many thousand seat venue however because he is not really known in the UK we had the privilege of seeing him a venue which held at most about 150 people. It was absolutely great. At the time his latest album “Life is Fine” had only recently been released and this was the third song on the album which he played as his third song in the concert since he literally played every song on the new album; something he could do because every song on the album is top quality and so makes great concert material.

Day 412: Russians, Sting

Roderick Benson — Wed, 05 May 2021 23:00:42 +0000

This song I guess is a bit dated now, but it captures the nervousness of a potential nuclear war that hovered over all us during the cold war. As someone who loves lyrics this song certainly is a good example of the wordsmith’s art as it captures in lyrics the hope that nuclear war will never happen because those who control the ICBM arsenals also love their children. Below is the full lyrics of this song.

2022 Update: Hmm sadly not as dated as we would have liked .

In Europe and America there’s a growing feeling of hysteria
Conditioned to respond to all the threats
In the rhetorical speeches of the Soviets
Mister Krushchev said, “We will bury you”
I don’t subscribe to this point of view
It’d be such an ignorant thing to do
If the Russians love their children too
How can I save my little boy from Oppenheimer’s deadly toy?
There is no monopoly on common sense
On either side of the political fence
We share the same biology, regardless of ideology
Believe me when I say to you
I hope the Russians love their children too

There is no historical precedent
To put the words in the mouth of the president?
There’s no such thing as a winnable war
It’s a lie we don’t believe anymore
Mister Reagan says, “We will protect you”
I don’t subscribe to this point of view
Believe me when I say to you
I hope the Russians love their children too
We share the same biology, regardless of ideology
But what might save us, me and you
Is if the Russians love their children too

Day 411: Through these walls, Phil Collins

Roderick Benson — Tue, 04 May 2021 23:00:30 +0000

This song captures an unusual theme. It is written from the perspective of a sexual pervert who listens “through these walls” at couples making love and sees through the windows at the girls and boys imagining the noise.

As the song progresses Phil sings

Oh I’m feeling like I’m locked in a cage
No way in, no way out, and it gets so lonely
Am I really asking a lot
Just to reach out and touch somebody
‘Cause when I look through my windows or open my door
I can feel it all around me

In an odd way the song captures the broken humanity of the pervert who is simply incredibly relationally disabled and just wants to end his loneliness.

Day 410: Father’s Eyes, Eric Clapton

Roderick Benson — Mon, 03 May 2021 23:00:20 +0000

For me this song always has a double meaning. The song makes me think of my own late father but also my heavenly father. Enjoy the guitaring.

Day 409: Yahweh, U2

Roderick Benson — Sun, 02 May 2021 23:00:56 +0000

As a Christian of some 50 years I can relate to this song. Sadly life is not easy for anyone and sometimes it is so hard to make sense of the odd reality in which we all find ourselves.

Day 408: Going underground, The Jam

Roderick Benson — Sat, 01 May 2021 23:00:50 +0000

In the same year the Squeeze released their Classic Cool for Cats another British mod rock band the Jam released this classic.

Day 407: Cool for Cats, Squeeze

Roderick Benson — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 23:00:56 +0000

So what do I open up week 59 with? How about this little number from the British band the Squeeze which was a hit in 1979. “Cool for cats” is certainly one of those songs that everyone who was born in the 60s will remember. Like the reference to the 70s police soap The Sweeney.