Barenaked Ladies:
Gordon
Without a doubt, the Barenaked Ladies' debut album, Gordon
(1992), is an instant
classic. This album
shows off the wide variety of the Ladies' musical ability, ranging
from upbeat melodies with wacky random lyric twists to slower ballads showing off their sensitive
sides. If you don't have Gordon, I strongly recommend this to new fans. Skip to the bottom of the page to buy Gordon from cdnow.com. But first, here's a quick rundown of the highlighted songs on the
recording, or read the lyrics.
GENERAL COMMENTS: This CD is probably
one of the best studio albums recorded by the Ladies, and it really shows off
both the comical lyrical Ladies, and the mellow serious Ladies. There are 2 versions of this album, the
first print is a limited edition with all 5 Ladies on the front cover. If you have this version, keep it—it’s very
rare and valuable. PRODUCED BY Michael
Phillip Wojewoda.
"Hello City" (You’ve Found an Enemy) -- Steven
sings this upbeat song, with Ed singing the bridge as the rest of the band
sings “wat’up!” Featuring a cool piano
and trombone opening. W&M by SP&ER.
(3:22)
(a live version of this song is featured on Rock Spectacle)
"Enid" (We Never Knew) – Steven
sings this fast song about Enid.
Features a horn section, overlapping vocals, and a strange intro: “The
silence, the terror, The pain, the horror, As your mom comes downstairs.” W&M by
SP&ER. (4:07) (the “Enid” single
features slightly altered version, with the opening part edited out)
"Grade 9" (This is Me) – Steve, Ed,
and the Ladies sing this fast comedy song about, obviously, grade 9. W&M by
AC,JC,SP,ER&TS. (2:53) (a portion
of this song featured at beginning of "If I Had $1000000" on Rock Spectacle)
"Brian Wilson" (Lying in Bed) – Steve
sings slow song with a climax and cool outro.
W&M by SP. (4:47) (a live version is featured on Rock Spectacle) (“Brian Wilson” 1997 single features
new recording called “Brian Wilson 2000”, the US radio version)
"Be My Yoko Ono" (You Can Be) – Steve sings
with “choral-like” backing vocals.
W&M by SP&ER. (2:45) (this recording was, supposedly, re-mastered from the
original "Yellow Tape")
"Wrap Your Arms Around Me" (Hands Around Your Neck) – Steve
and Ed sing a slow, mellow song, the first non-comedic song on the album. Features a cool 1 ½ minute instrumental outro
featuring flugelhorn, bassoon, and pedal steel. W by SP&ER, M by
JC&ER. (4:35)
"What a Good Boy" (Bear With Me) – Another
slow Steven song. W by SP, M by SP&ER.
(3:52) (a live version is featured on Rock Spectacle)
"The King of Bedside Manor" (He’s Not the King) – Steve,
Ed, and the Ladies sing a fast song about the King. Featuring shakers and cartoon noises. Supposedly, the vocals for this song were recorded while all 5
“Ladies” were barenaked. W&M by SP&ER.
(2:24)
"Box Set" (It’s All Right Here) – Steve
sings an upbeat Latin style song about a sell-out singer and his past regrets
as he emerges with a new box set.
Featuring The Horn Cuskers.
W&M by SP.
(4:48)
"I Love You" (You Love Me) – Steve and
the Ladies sing a slow jazz bebop swing piece about love, with Andy taking the
scat vocals. W by AC,JC,SP&ER, M by AC&JC. (4:08)
"New Kid (On the Block)" – Steven with an upbeat
song. W&M
by Scott Dibble, SP&ER. (4:12)
"Blame It On Me" (If All Else Fails) – Steven,
Ed and Ladies sing a slow song. W&M by SP&ER.
(3:54)
"The Flag" (No One Has Won the War) – A
slow Steven song with Jim playing arco on string bass, and Tyler on snare and
bass drums. W&M by SP. (3:53)
"If I Had $1000000" (I’d Buy Your Love) – The
famous upbeat Steve and Ed duo, featuring between-verse banter, as well as a
fiddle, accordion, and an entire choir humming through the last verse. W&M by
SP&ER. (4:27) (a live version is
featured on Rock Spectacle) (the UK single features slightly
altered edit, cutting the “pre-wrapped sausages” line)
"Crazy" (Just Like You) – Ed and the
Ladies go crazy in this upbeat fast song with an unusual closing with “secret
noises”, bagpipes, and a sample from "Hello City". W&M by
ER&Tim Wilson. (4:08)
(US version):
Features bonus blooper and
"goof-off" reel, including a parody of "If I Had $1000000":
If I phoned my
friends in Ireland
I’d have my own
radio talk show and I’d talk to myself
And if I filmed
my sister walking
I’d yell stuff
like “hey, get off the phone!”
Now that you know a little bit
about the songs, you can buy the album, Gordon.
Buy Gordon at cdnow.com. (<--You can also
listen to sound clips here too)
Send me e-mail.
Back to Barrington St. Cafe.
Last updated January 29, 2001.
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