"Virginia Plain" Roxy Music LYRICS Bryan Ferry, Eno, Phil Manzanera, debut single August 1972 GREAT

Recorded in July 1972 at London's Command Studios. This was released as Roxy Music's debut single in August 1972. Unique! One of the greatest debut singles in history! One odd thing about this is that Roxy Music never sounded better than on this debut single. After all, you expect a band to improve over time. For example, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were not at their best on their debut singles--they were good at the start, but later singles were better. Roxy may have MATCHED this in quality with some later recordings. But surpass this? No, nothing better came from these musicians. This is as good as it gets from Roxy Music. It was bold to present brilliant lyrics at such a frantic pace. By the way, who could follow all these words when this was on the radio in late 1972? Was that to be expected? Risky. If you don't know what the song is about--well, don't worry too much about it. May not be important to understand all in pop songs. "Virginia plain" was a brand of cigarette at the time. Does that help? It's about everything and about nothing. Wait, the lyrics at the start are honest and clear about the band wanting to make the big time. It's debatable whether Roxy Music ever made the "big time." Big hits eluded the ensemble. But if we are speaking long term, the band has a respectable place in pop music history. The lyrics are a jumble of non-sequiturs. That's redundant--"jumble" and "non-sequiturs" repeats the same idea. The name "Robert E. Lee" refers to music industry lawyer Robert Lee (not to the Civil War general). I love that synthesizer courtesy of Eno--though I'm not too fond of Eno on other Roxy tracks (synthsizer can be a bore--it takes away from Roxy's potenetial status as an early punk band). We can hear the influence of pop music of the 1950s, including the opening piano chords. Great work on that bass guitar! I love the references to Hollywood films. The Last Picture Show! For some reason, people link the names of Roxy Music and Sparks, but I don't see much of a connection. The two Mael brothers of Sparks never used make-up or glitter on the eyes as found on Roxy muisicians (Roxy musicians have the so-called "glam look"). The vocals of Rusell Mael and Bryan Ferry are NOT similar. Maybe a heavy use of keyboartd is one connection? My opinion is that Sparks is the band with the more distinguished long-term career--at least I turn to the music of Sparks more often. As for the names of Bowie and Roxy being spoken of together--no, I don't see a real connection (only superficial similarities). But I love Roxy Music! Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols said this song made him want to become a musician. Some people conclude the Steve Jones statement that this Roxy Music single was the beginning of punk music. No, the lyrics and instrumentation are too sophisticated to be called "punk." Make me a deal and make it straight--all signed and sealed, I'll take it. To Robert E. Lee I'll show it. I hope and pray he don't blow it 'cause we've been around a long time just try try try tryin' to make the big time. Take me on a roller coaster. Take me for an airplane ride. Take me for a six days wonder, but don't you don't you throw my pride aside besides what's real and make believe. Baby Jane's in Acapulco. We are flyin' down to Rio. Throw me a line. I'm sinking fast, clutching at straws--can't make it. Havana sound we're trying--hard edge, the hipster jiving. The Last Picture Show's down the drive-in. You're so sheer. You're so chic-- teenage rebel of the week. Flavours of the mountain steamline, midnight blue casino floors--dance the cha-cha through till sunrise. Open up exclusive doors--oh wow! Just like flamingos look the same--so me and you, just we two, got to search for something new. Far beyond the pale horizon, some place near the desert strand, where my Studebaker takes me, that's where I'll make my stand, but wait! Can't you see that Holzer mane? What's her name? Virginia Plain.