It Takes A Worried Man

Last Call Records

Record Details

2013
Genre:
Rock
Elliott Murphy - It Takes A Worried Man

It Takes A Worried Man is Elliott Murphy’s 2013 release with his long-time backing band The Normandy All Stars (Alan Fatras/drums & Laurent Pardo/bass) featuring guitar virtuoso Olivier Durand as well as Willie Deville alumni Kenny Margolis/keyboards and Boris Kinberg/percussion. The album was recorded at Rec ‘n Roll Studios in Brussels with additional overdubs and mixing at ACME Studios in New York and produced by Elliott’s son Gaspard Murphy. It Takes A Worried Man is something of a concept album with stories and characters galore and magnificent backing vocals by E-Street band member Patti Scialfa on the moving, “I Am Empty” – an existential anthem for the 21st century.

Tracklist

  1. Worried Man Blues -:-- / 2:27
  2. Angeline -:-- / 4:09
  3. Little Big Man -:-- / 4:20
  4. Murphyland -:-- / 2:33
  5. Then You Start Crying -:-- / 3:24
  6. I Am Empty -:-- / 5:12
  7. He’s Gone -:-- / 3:20
  8. Day for Night -:-- / 2:31
  9. A Little Bit More -:-- / 3:51
  10. Eternal Highway -:-- / 4:26
  11. Even Steven -:-- / 2:37

WORRIED MAN BLUES

It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
I’m worried now, but I won’t be worried long
I went across the river and I lay down to sleep
I went across the river and I lay down to sleep
Well I went across the river and I lay down to sleep
When I woke up, I had the shackles on my feet
Twenty-nine links of chain around my leg
I got twenty-nine links of chain around my leg
Twenty-nine links of chain around my leg
And on each link was the initial of my name
Because It takes a worried man to sing
a worried song
I asked the judge, what might be my fine
I asked the judge, what might be my fine
I asked the judge, well what might be my fine
Twenty-one years on that Rocky Mountain Line
The train that I ride, is sixteen coaches long
The train that I ride, is sixteen coaches long
The train I ride, is sixteen coaches long
The girl I love is on that train and gone
Well it takes a worried man to sing a worried song

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ANGELINE

If there’s a blue moon over Kentucky
Then there’s a chance we’ll come out ahead
There’s still a chance we’ll land on our feet here
With our illusions buried and dead
Oh Angeline you really got something
It’s something that keeps calling me
You were the bright spot outside my window
You were the last leaf on my tree – Angeline – Angeline
Well I could tell I really could love you
And that scared the hell out of me
And I could see that look in your eye there
I faced the truth reluctantly
My Angeline – My Angeline – My Angeline
Every night I will stand by your side
And every day I must wear a disguise
But you know well I still love you anyway
Oh you know I still love you anyway
Hey Hey – Hey Hey
Oh Angeline you told me something
That I remember to this day
You said as everybody gets older
They get more kinky in their own way
Angeline you were scared of nothing
At least nothing that you couldn’t fix
But you can’t stop the clock here
Even with your old bag of tricks
Angeline – My Angeline – My Angeline

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LITTLE BIG MAN

I just found a place – Where the sun don’t shine
Where your fate is decided – Way, way ahead of time
And it’s just around your corner – Abutting
a vacant lot
Next to that For Sale sign – And its stuck into
a pile of rot
Hey little big man – Don’t be afraid
And don’t be so discouraged – No one’s mind
is made
Well somewhere out on the road there
You might have lost your way
So we’re taking you to a motel
Just a temporary place to stay
Mister Jackson – Do your thing
Bring home the bacon – And that golden ring
Fanny Gonzales – Told me she thinks your cute
Thinks you might be the one
To take off her bathing suit
Hi ho silver – Gabba Gabba hey
I saw the last Ramone – Just the other day
Yeah – he looked healthy – he had a Hollywood tan
He wears that leather jacket – Like no other man can

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MURPHYLAND

Oh when the sun goes down we can stroll
downtown in the clear moonlight –
And we’re looking sharp as anyone can see –
And we click our heels and we tip our hat
And it’s blood for blood and we don’t look back
‘Cause Murphyland is where we want to be
Yeah Murphyland is where you want to be
Oh dancing frogs in fancy togs are sitting up
On an old lamppost singing three part harmony
And the butcher juggles knives in the air
And you won’t need money anywhere
‘Cause Murphyland everything is free
Oh Murphyland is where you want to be
And the girls all send carnations to the men
To wear in their lapel and they wear them so well
Dandies, Dudes and Glam stars that they are
And the men read verse and it couldn’t be worse
Sonnets in the bonnets and the histrionics
Oh Murphyland its just as it should be
Oh Murphyland – take it from me

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THEN YOU START CRYING

Then you start crying and somebody tells you to stop
Tell you to calm down – everything will be all right
Life is beautiful but the world can be hell
The sooner that you knew that – You’ll do very well
Oh my dear – Come here – My only one
We’re here on a mission be it secret or not
There’s the next plateau – Turn around and then you stop
Survey where you came from – Maybe you better not
When your past is a minefield- But it’s all that you got
Oh my dear – come here – my only One
What’s the point – What’s the deal – What’s the angle
What’s to steal – Where’s the avenue of the stars
What’s the problem – You’ve been solving – Are we cool
for a while – Can I pick up my guitar – I got money in my
pocket – Park my scooter and then lock it – Buy a paper
and I get depressed – But you make me feel better – put
my hands under your sweater – it’s the simple things –
we’re blessed
God’s orphan – with strong family ties
Deserted and marooned – I was abandoned by all sides
Once I had a rich uncle – but he just up and died
Well still I got a feeling time is on my side
Oh my dear – come near – my only one
Mister Jackson – Do your thing
Bring home the bacon – And that golden ring
Fanny Gonzales – Told me she thinks your cute
Think you might be the one – To take off that
bathing suit
You need to take a breather – And sniff the rose
of romance
Love may be a tired idea – But it’s making a fast
comeback
Hey hey!

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I AM EMPTY

I am empty as a stone
When I’m with you I’m alone
I am somewhere else then here
But I am alive
Born lonesome in this world
Your voice is what I heard
Your eyes are what I saw
What I saw you
Oh and the bad news coming like back to back
Souls swinging here like an acrobat
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust
Hallelujah
I am empty as a cloud
Words trapped inside my mouth
I am black and I am white
I’m wrong and I’m right
I am a ghost that’s being born
And I’m the man on the unicorn
I’m a knight brave and true
When I am for you
Oh and this love of mine is bouncing up and down
Like a lost balloon in a deserted town
Fountains of failure – what’s never been done
Hallelujah
And the bad news coming back to back
Souls swinging here like an acrobat
Dirty skies falling ashes to dust
Hallelujah – Hallelujah – Hallelujah

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HE’S GONE

Dawn already – Rain is steady – Falling with regret
Skies are cloudy wonder how we lost our last bet
Well love’s a game – you play it like a fool
And you show your cards – throw away the rules
He’s gone – he’s gone away from you
He’s gone – I know that much is true
He’s gone – And there’s no love for you
He’s gone – yes he’s gone
Is this what I really wanted – walls my only friend
No pictures of you anywhere – I see your face again
Well love’s a game when you play it like a fool
Show my cards – throw away the rules
He’s gone – he’s gone away from you
He’s gone – I know that much is true
He’s gone – And there’s no love for you
He’s gone – yes he’s gone – He’s gone

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DAY FOR NIGHT

I followed to the limit of what’s real and what’s fake
Don’t know another way to explain my mistake
I’m a mystical believer an agnostic with a cause
I spent my life in darkened theaters with a tub of popcorn
You’re a woman with the power I know you’ll make it right
I’ve seen you do your changes now make day for night
And when you walked into the room smiled with eyes so clear –
I knew I’d found my destiny and that was what
I feared – And to say that you weren’t needed to commit to my desires –
And to say that you weren’t hot to ignite my midnight fires –
Would be the lowest treachery that ever came to
light – Save it for the judge – make it day for night
Well its high time for the close-up for the payoff for the kill
I’ve died in all my movies – from bullets, rope and
pills – still they keep on casting me – romantic leading man
my tragedy my destiny – it’s paid off handsomely Soooo – Soooo
Well if you can make that journey than I can make it too
But it’s a long way back to nineteen seventy two
Set the settings for tomorrow throw caution to the wind
Down the mighty Mississippi with big Jim and Huck Finn
Side by side a time machine on its maiden flight
You’re the only girl I need make it Day for Night
Do you believe in woman’s power – Yes I believe I do
But not all of them – In fact none of them but you
I’m not sure what you mean the joker he replies
I’m looking for the girl with kaleidoscope eyes
Soooo – Soooo – Soooo

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A LITTLE BIT MORE

Pays his bills early – Don’t want no late fee
Who wants to lose time – When times are tough
And you’ve lost enough
Oh just a little bit more would be all right
A little bit more is what I need
A little bit more would be all right – Tonight
Most days she walks by – Won’t stop and say hi
To just another guy – With eyes of lust
Who wants too much
Just a little bit more would be all right
A little bit more is what you need
A little bit more would be all right – Tonight
Why don’t we just slow down
Walk through this sleepy town
No one knows why
And when they get home – And they are truly alone
And they start thinking – That he was him
And she was her
Oh just a little bit more would be alright
A little bit more is what I need
A little bit more would be all right – Tonight
A little bit more is what I need
A little bit more would be all right – Tonight

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ETERNAL HIGHWAY

We got wheels and we roll down this highway
We got wheel and we roll from town to town
So many stops along the way
You can look – but you can’t stay
As we roll along the eternal highway
Well I can feel you warm body here beside me
And I hope to be here until death pulls us apart
But I’m a stranger bound to roam
Even your love can’t make a home
When I feel the call of that eternal highway
Well this mountain is so high – just one way across it
I might be burning with light but my flame will go out
some day
I know – I know
So don’t cry for me when I’m gone
‘Cause my love will surely live on
In your heart – in your mind – in your soul
We got wheels and we’re rolling down this highway
I got wheels and I move from town to town
So many stops along the way
I can look – I can’t stay
As I roll along this eternal highway

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EVEN STEVEN

I can see your face in a bare outline
My memory is covered by the dust of time
A thin layer is growing thick until everything’s even
No gain no pain – even Steven
And something’ s missing and it will always be like that.
And I know you’re not coming back.
I can’t change it – make it right or find the reason.
Life’s like that – even Steven.
I’ve seen the seasons go around so many times now
I’m dizzy
Well I was sitting in the vestibule somebody
there is very cool
Who is he
Success is such a dirty word – and it changes meaning
all the time
And what I have that I know is mine is not the same
as what I wanted when I was twenty nine
You tell me who my heroes are – no fucking falling
rock stars
Circling above me on this dark night
A flock of angels all dressed in white
I can’t see them – But I hear sweet Angels breathing
And it soothes my suffering – even Steven
Soothes my suffering – even Steven
Yes it soothes my suffering – even Steven

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All songs by Elliott Murphy
©Elliott Murphy
Lyrics reprinted by permission

It Takes A Worried Man
Last Call Records LC949CD
2013

Produced and Mixed by Gaspard Murphy
Recorded by Charles de Schutter
Recorded at Rec ‘N Roll Studios, Brussels, Belgium
Cover Photograph by Françoise Viallon-Murphy
Cover Design by Chloé
Mastered by Raphael

Musicians:
Elliott Murphy: Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Harmonica
Olivier Durand: Dobro, Acoustic and Electric Guitars
Alan Fatras: Drums
Laurent Pardo: Bass
Patrick Riguelle: Backing Vocals
Boris Kinberg: Percussion
Kenny Margolis: Keyboards
Gaspard Murphy: Guitars, Hammond B3, Mellotron, String Arrangements
Patti Scialfa: Vocals on “I Am Empty”

Record By Record, Murphy By Murphy: It Takes A Worried Man

Another Gaspard Murphy production. In retrospect I wish I would have started the album with “I Am Empty” featuring the unbelievably great vocals of Patti Scialfa. But I was deep into the concept of a worried man so we began with the old folk song sung acapella that gave the album it’s name. “Murpyhyland” was a song on that album and now it’s the name of the company that Gaspard and I began a few years ago. Murphyland is where you want to be!

From the One Sheet:

Elliott Murphy’s new album It Takes A Worried Man will be released in March 2013 in Europe and the USA. Get ready for ten brilliant new songs and a reprise of a classic American folk song performed by Elliott and his long-time backing band The Normandy All Stars (Alan Fatras/drums & Laurent Pardo/bass) featuring guitar virtuoso Olivier Durand as well as Willie Deville alumni Kenny Margolis/keyboards and Boris Kinberg/percussion. The album was recorded at Rec ‘n Roll Studios in Brussels with additional overdubs and mixing at ACME Studios in New York and produced by Elliott’s son Gaspard Murphy. It Takes A Worried Man is something of a concept album with stories and characters galore and magnificent backing vocals by E-Street band member Patti Scialfa on the moving, “I Am Empty” – an existential anthem for the 21st century. Surely, this album is Elliott’s most finely produced release since his classic Just A Story From America. Fans are already calling it his most electric and hard-driving album in years with the Stones like rocker “Angeline,” the contagious rhythm of “Little Big Man,” and the Doors influenced “Day For Night.” A great new album with a provocative cover from a living rock ‘n roll legend who has released well over 30 albums and played more then 2000 concerts in an amazing 40 year career.

CDs

France:
Last Call Records LC949CD

Germany:
Blue Rose Records BLU DP0597

Please note: If you have additions or corrections to this discography, please send them to the webmaster.

Elliott Murphy - It Takes A Worried Man One Sheet
It Takes A Worried Man One Sheet