We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

SPECIAL CLASS (plus MOONLIGHT at the end)

from RIDGEMONT ST by Rick Berlin (now playing w/ THE NICKEL & DIME BAND)

/

about

Years back, as my first band, ORCHESTRA LUNA, was getting off the ground, I recorded a bunch of songs into a reel-to-reel. I had an upright piano with tacks in the hammers and I banged these tunes out so I wouldn't forget them (a condition that has lasted with me to this day). They embarrass me. My voice sounds so operatic, and the playing is awkward. I show them to practically no one. But there's something vaguely endearing about them. They also have an innocence that belies my later, albeit intermittent obsession with hit songs and a 'career'.

This one, like many at that time is recorded at Ridgemont St in Allston - big yellow house at the end of the street which one night we closed off, dropped acid and had a square dance - and we could actually walk to Jeremiah's on Harvard Ave - the place where OL got signed onto EPIC from.

lyrics

SPECIAL CLASS (plus MOONLIGHT at the end)

albert has a bad complexion
tho he washes his face every day
he tries not to look
in the window
he’s so careful
to look away
but yesterday
on the watertown bus
a girl in a raincoat
standing next to him

‘excuse me’
i says to myself
don’t i know you
from somewhere
oo
if i just had the courage
but she gets off
and i just stare

the strangers
sees each other
on the sidewalk
or in the store
ya think they’d talk
or say something
right off
but they scared
n they don’t know how
n so in the gamble for love
ya gotta bet your life

alex sits down
in a movie theater
he picks out
someone nice
they don’t look right at him
it’s simply not
polite
but he feels their leg
up against his thigh
n he starts
ya know
t ‘talk’

but when the lights come up
n the folks go home
i put on my coat
n i walk away
oo
if i just had
the courage
but it don’t feel right
so i just stare

the strangers
sees each other
on the sidewalk
or in the store
ya think they’d talk
or say something
right off
but they scared
n they don’t know how
n so in the gamble for love
ya gotta bet your life

charlene’s got legs
like a frog man
n lips a african fish
her eyes bug out
like potatoes
n she screams
like a wicked witch

I DO NOT!

but yesterday
out back of her house
she lift up her dress
n pretends

i know i ain’t that
special lookin’
but still i’m a popular girl
got experience
experience n talent
n boys all over
the world
for just one night
they don’t come back

the strangers
sees each other
on the sidewalk
or in the store
ya think they’d talk
or say something
right off
but they scared
n they don’t know how
n so in the gamble for love
ya might lose your life

? ...

rest of the song disappears

then
this duet w Peter Barrett n me:

MOONLIGHT

moonlight
is falling
like feathers
like snow
and main street
outside
points the way down to stardust
this room is a doorway
i don’t know where it goes

posters
of tough guys
records all over the floor
monster decals
flakin’ off of yr mirror
n the face i see in there
i don’t recognize him

young boy
asleep there
can i help you decide
should i stay
is there a freedom
a faithful companion
that keeps me from
runnin’ away

credits

from RIDGEMONT ST, released April 19, 1975

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Rick Berlin (now playing w/ THE NICKEL & DIME BAND) image

Rick Berlin (now playing w/ THE NICKEL & DIME BAND) Jamaica Plain

A giant on the Boston music scene. His colorful songwriting + strong stage presence have influenced countless other artists since the early 1970s. He continues to make music w/ intelligence + integrity, building an international reputation around his knotty, singular piano playing, straight-from-the-heart singing and a style of character-based songwriting that's drawn comparisons to Waits + Cohen ... more

contact / help

Contact Rick Berlin (now playing w/ THE NICKEL & DIME BAND)

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Rick Berlin (now playing w/ THE NICKEL & DIME BAND) recommends:

If you like Rick Berlin (now playing w/ THE NICKEL & DIME BAND), you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now