Collecting clothes
Moonshine washing line
They suit him fine
On the wall hung a tall mirror
Distorted view, see through baby blue
Thanks to that hot, wispyblond, Linda Scott, for this one!
This is a little obscure track by Pink Floyd. Yes, the same Pink Floyd that did some really good stuff back in the 70's, like that classic album, The Wall.
Arnold Layne, released in 1967 and 12 years prior to the release of The Wall album, was one of the first singles released by the group, which has roots dating back to the early 1960's.
From Wikipedia:
The song's title character is a transvestite whose primary pastime is stealing women's clothes and undergarments from washing lines. According to Roger Waters, "Arnold Layne" was actually based on a real person, and that this person routinely stole underwear from the mothers of (Syd) Barrett and Waters during their childhood days in Cambridge.
However, despite finding a place in the Top 20, the song's unusual transvestism theme attracted the ire of Radio London, which deemed the song too far-removed from "normal" society for its listeners before eventually banning it from radio airplay altogether.
The Lyrics:
Arnold Layne had a strange hobby
Collecting clothes
Moonshine washing line
They suit him fine
On the wall hung a tall mirror
Distorted view, see through baby blue
Oh, Arnold Layne
It's not the same, takes two to know
Two to know, two to know
Why can't you see?
Arnold Layne, Arnold Layne,
Arnold Layne, Arnold Layne
Now he's caught - a nasty sort of person
They gave him time
Doors bang - chain gang - he hates it
Oh, Arnold Layne
It's not the same, takes two to know
Two to know, two to know
Why can't you see?
Arnold Layne, Arnold Layne,
Arnold Layne, Arnold Layne
Don't do it again
Gosh..... that's an interesting one. I'd heard it before, but long, long ago...
ReplyDeleteI'm actually surprised that Radio London (I assume you mean the pirate one offshore?) banned it. Yeah, they would have managed to see through the lyrics but they were certainly more "liberal" than the Beeb back then, so I'm surprised.
The BBC's censors didn't ban Lola (The Kinks). Many believed that they simply didn't understand what it was ..!
Rdaio London went down the pan in late 1967, thanks to the BBC. Being part of the estbalishment/government meant the Beeb could get laws passed to ban those offshore stations that threatened it.
love
chrissie
xxxxx
I love that early Floyd, and what a cool video. A real shame that I was too young to enjoy the sixties. I never realized what the song was about, and you'd think I'd be keenly aware of the hints!
ReplyDeleteLooks like Wikipedia needs an edit: it's Syd Barrett, not Roger. Pssht, stupid wikipedia...
My bad, Leslie. I inserted, in parenthesis, the first name. Not sure what I was thinking but I was REALLY tired when I wrote that. I remember thinking, while driving home last night, that I did not even proof read the post...me of all people!
ReplyDeleteGonna do an edit.
Calie xxx
Yes, Chrissie, you are right. Per Wiki:
ReplyDeleteWonderful Radio London, commonly known as Radio London, but also known as Big L, was a top 40 (in London's case, the "Fab 40") offshore commercial station that operated from 16 December 1964 to 14 August 1967, from a ship anchored in the North Sea, three and a half miles off Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, England. The station, like the other offshore radio operators at the time, was dubbed a pirate radio station and its offices were located in the West End of London in Deanery Street just off Park Lane.
The station broadcast from the MV Galaxy, a former World War II United States Navy US Minesweeper originally named USS Density. The majority of programmes were presented live from a studio in the hold. The ship's metal bulkheads presented problems with acoustics and soundproofing that were originally solved by lining the walls with mattresses from the crew's bunk beds, which meant none of them could sleep during the day.
You found my other "secret song". Is this occult you are using or what?
ReplyDeleteCaroline x
Funny song, not particularly one of my favorite Floyd tunes, though. I much preferred the Gilmour/Waters/Mason/Wright ensemble from about Meddle 'til The Final Cut. Nothing like cruising down Interstate 10 through the hot Arizona desert listening to "Comfortably Numb" or "Time"
ReplyDelete@Caroline - Hi Caroline. No occult! Just a request.
ReplyDelete@Lori - Nice to see you here, girl. I love Floyd but this one is also not one of my favorites. If you like Floyd, listen to some Porcupine Tree...a group that sounds much like Pink Floyd.
Calie xxx
I absolutely love Pink Floyd. I'm not big a fan of the older stuff though.... for me it was Dark side of the Moon and The Wall and the later albums.
ReplyDeleteI never really took notice of the lyrics to that particular song until I read in a book about Pink Floyd and they had mentioned what the song was about.
It's funny now actually... years ago when I was a teenager and 1st started crossdressing, I did use to steal a few things of washing lines... so in a way that song could be about me...
I'm transitioning now...and now (pardon the pun) have the balls to go buy my own clothes.... :P
Thanks, Robyn. Good luck with your transition.
ReplyDelete