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Song Parodies -> "Vincent (The Other One)"
Original Song Title:
"Vincent"
(MP3)Original Performer:
Don McLean
Parody Song Title:
"Vincent (The Other One)"
Parody Written by:
Lifeliver
The Lyrics
Vincent Eugene Craddock (1935-1971) was the hardest-rocking and most uncompromising of the pure rockabillies. His red-hot original band, the Blue Caps, featured guitarist Cliff Gallup, regarded by many to this day as the greatest of the genre. Gene's energetic, expressive voice, Gallup's scorching solos and a carefully choreographed stage act made them a force to be reckoned with in 1956. Unfortunately Gallup quit the same year.
About a year before fame struck, Vincent's left leg was completely destroyed in a motorcycle accident and was permanently sheathed in a steel prosthetic, leaving him in chronic pain. In the UK, he suffered further serious injuries in the same 1960 car crash that killed another budding legend-to-be, 21-y-o Eddie Cochran. Alcoholism further exacerbated his health problems and it was only a matter of time.
I've not been able to track down footage of the original Blue Caps but their recordings still stand with the best, and Gene Vincent remains on the highest echelon of the rocknroll pantheon with Elvis, Jerry Lee, Chuck Berry, Little Richard et. al. I can't imagine him singing this delicate, poetic Don McLean ballad, but it's a sad song for a sad story.
About a year before fame struck, Vincent's left leg was completely destroyed in a motorcycle accident and was permanently sheathed in a steel prosthetic, leaving him in chronic pain. In the UK, he suffered further serious injuries in the same 1960 car crash that killed another budding legend-to-be, 21-y-o Eddie Cochran. Alcoholism further exacerbated his health problems and it was only a matter of time.
I've not been able to track down footage of the original Blue Caps but their recordings still stand with the best, and Gene Vincent remains on the highest echelon of the rocknroll pantheon with Elvis, Jerry Lee, Chuck Berry, Little Richard et. al. I can't imagine him singing this delicate, poetic Don McLean ballad, but it's a sad song for a sad story.
VINCENT (The Other One)
Starry comet flight
Panting as your Blue Caps play
Gallup lead break flails away
A voice that knows the heart of rock and roll
Feverish your chills
Be-bop-a-lu-la still yet thrills
Catch their act, man it really kills
To rockers, this expressive firebrand
Now I understand why you are so legend'ry
And how you suffered with your shattered knee
How you sang so wild and free
With one leg missin', stop did not know how
- No reminiscing now
Starring in spotlight
Flaming vocals brightly blaze
Swirling clouds of rockin' craze
Explode in Vincent's jeans of denim blue
Singing straight to you
Runaway this speeding train
Though his face is lined in pain
This rockabilly cat raged through the land
Now I understand how much you went through for me
And how you suffered through your agony
And how you tried to set us free
Your brow would glisten, stop it, too late now
Shut up and listen - pow!
For they could not help you
The bottle had to do
And when no strength was left inside
On that California night
Your organs failed as drinkers' often do
But I could have told you, Vincent
Your body's never meant
To live as dangerous as you
Starry tribute night
Greasy hair and bold ducktails
Petticoats and pony tails
The cool cats jive and spin and can't forget
Like that tragic crash regret
Eddie Cochran's bloody clothes
A star just born who quickly rose
Lay crushed and broken, country Wiltshire road
Now I think I know what you tried to say to me
And how you struggled with adversity
And how your music felt so free
Music that glistens, the rockers jiving still
I hope they always will
Original recording here.
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User Comments
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Uh-huh, you bet! Gene only had two big hits, but that was enough to make Jerry Lee Lewis a legend for all time, and he should be remembered, too.
I remember Gene...and "Be-bop A-lula"...the echo recording that sounded a lot like Elvis..good tribute
Cleverly crafted musical history lesson with lots of atmospheric language. Your skills are on display here!
I feel like there should be a moment of silence here
Hmmm....first up - I think Don McLean would approve. :)
Good use of the original lyrics, especially the Cochran line.
But as for myself, I'm afraid I never really could get into rockabilly, so pairing that theme with this gentle song just doesn't do it for me. It kind of jolts my senses. I remember buying the record in '72 and turning out all the lights in the house and sitting in the dark listening to it over and over. (Until the neighbor started prowling around outside shining a flashlight in the window, 'cus he couldn't figure out why the house was dark - that kinda jolted the senses too...lol)
Good use of the original lyrics, especially the Cochran line.
But as for myself, I'm afraid I never really could get into rockabilly, so pairing that theme with this gentle song just doesn't do it for me. It kind of jolts my senses. I remember buying the record in '72 and turning out all the lights in the house and sitting in the dark listening to it over and over. (Until the neighbor started prowling around outside shining a flashlight in the window, 'cus he couldn't figure out why the house was dark - that kinda jolted the senses too...lol)
@ Michael - thanks and good to see you on side
@ AFW - there must be scores of covers of his biggest hit, but imho none have come even close to the original 1956 recording. He could rock out equal to Elvis, but lacked EP's physical 'Hollywood' assets, not to mention a team of crack songwriters and promoters. I couldn't see him cooing 'Love Me Tender' on a Tennessee porch, somehow
@ TJC, Dave W - nice compliments, thanks so much.
@ Meriadoc - I appreciate your point of view and thanks for your candour. I think you're probably right. Rockabilly tends to be a male-dominated genre anyhow.
@ AFW - there must be scores of covers of his biggest hit, but imho none have come even close to the original 1956 recording. He could rock out equal to Elvis, but lacked EP's physical 'Hollywood' assets, not to mention a team of crack songwriters and promoters. I couldn't see him cooing 'Love Me Tender' on a Tennessee porch, somehow
@ TJC, Dave W - nice compliments, thanks so much.
@ Meriadoc - I appreciate your point of view and thanks for your candour. I think you're probably right. Rockabilly tends to be a male-dominated genre anyhow.
I loved this one. There was a rockabilly craze in Scandinavia in the early eighties. While Finns are move into heavy metal, Sweden does have still a strong rockabilly subculture. And no, I do not own bell skirt nor fishnet stockings. Fives.
Thanks for dropping by, Susan, and nice to see you back.
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