Writing is like being able to put life into a snow globe. It takes the things that are too big and scary and reduces them into a form that I can put away when I want and look at from a distance. It also takes all that’s good in life and captures it into something I can take out when I want and look at close up and keep forever. It makes the bad things into something I can hold…and the good things into something I can hold onto. Both help so much that I need that little souvenir of life.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Improper Poll: Travels with Guillaume

In all fairness, I was still a child when it first came out. I thought “getting it on” was like getting on with it—running along, moving on. So when that T. Rex song came out, I thought the refrain was, “Get it on, vagabond Guillaume.”

I had no idea who this Guillaume was, but I always wanted to picture hippies wandering around France. Even then I knew Guillaume was a boy’s name, but everyone knew those hippies were weird and gave their children monikers such as “Rainbow Fescue” and “Sunshine Albatross Beef Jerky.”

Lately there’s been a television commercial that uses a few lines from that song, which causes it to get stuck in my head, forcing me to dance around a bit and—horrors—sing. This is bad enough when I actually know the words, but this time I got to wondering if it really was Guillaume getting on with things.

So although my computer is still ailing, I managed to squeeze in some valuable research to find out what the heck those words really are. It was like that time I realized Madonna was singing, “Last night I dreamt of San Pedro,” and not “Last night I dreamt of some bagels.” I’m glad no one ever plays 80s music, because I bet that one would still make me hungry.

So here we are: the real lyrics.

I might just keep singing about Guillaume the vagabond. And P.S.: Have you ever been a wee bit confused about song lyrics?

Well you're dirty and sweet, clad in black don't look back and I love you
You're dirty and sweet, oh yeah
Well you're slim and you're weak, you've got the teeth of the hydra upon you
You're dirty sweet and you're my girl
Get it on, bang a gong, get it on
Get it on, bang a gong, get it on

Well you're built like a car, you've got a hub cap diamond star halo
You're built like a car, oh yeah
Well you're an untamed youth, that's the truth with your cloak full of eagles
You're dirty sweet and you're my girl
Get it on, bang a gong, get it on
Get it on, bang a gong, get it on

Well you're windy and wild, you've got the blues in your shoes and your stockings
You're windy and wild, oh yeah
Well you're built like a car, you've got a hub cap diamond star halo
You're dirty sweet and you're my girl
Get it on, bang a gong, get it on
Get it on, bang a gong, get it on

Well you're dirty and sweet, clad in black, don't look back and I love you
You're dirty and sweet, oh yeah
Well you dance when you walk, so let's dance, take a chance, understand me
You're dirty sweet and you're my girl
Get it on, bang a gong, get it on
Get it on, bang a gong, get it on

Get it on, bang a gong, get it on get it on....

7 comments:

  1. Oh yes, there are some lyrics I'm still screwed up on, but after reading the lyrics of this song, perhaps I'm going to just stick with my made-up lines.

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  2. I'm really bad with lyrics - I'm always amazed when I find out what the real words are... he he he. I agree with Sioux, I think I like my made up ones better in some cases.

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  3. I am part of the crowd who car-sings, "Blinded by the light, wrapped up like a douche, another rumor in the night."

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  4. Here's another one. Louie, Louie:

    "I learned how to hit her, again and again."

    Which should have been:

    "Tell her I'll never leave her again.'

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  5. Sioux and Lynn, glad I'm not the only one who sticks with my own. I suspect some real lyrics are too naughty for me, anyway, so I make them much more acceptable.

    Val, I will never again eat while reading your comments, because I almost choked. As it was, I had to clamp both hands over my mouth to keep from spewing. And it was cottage cheese. I too sing those exact words, so that must be right!

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  6. Since it's a musician thing to both slur and growl words, it's a miracle we have any clue what they're saying.

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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  7. Haha...I always mangle lyrics. My earliest mix up was the Christmas classic Winter Wonderland. I always thought it was: "Later on we'll perspire as we dream by the fire." It even made sense!

    My nephew Tim, when he was little, messed up the Pledge of Allegiance. He said he knew who the president was: Richard Sands. Huh? And he said . . . "And to the republic, for Richard Sands. . ." hehehe....

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