Post by -Wings- on Dec 4, 2005 14:13:51 GMT -5
I'm one of Chaos and Creation in the Backyard's biggest fans. Ever since the album debuted, I've listened it it more than any other Sir Paul album besides Wingspan and Band on the Run. Almost every track is flawless, something he hasn't been able to claim since the days of the Beatles.
And as I've listened... and listened... I can't help but shake this underlying meaning behind the album. Ever since Doctor Robert posted saying he heard James Paul's voice (which I read before I heard the album, so it may have clouded my judgment), I've been paying close attention, and I think he's correct. Now, I don't think this is really the voice of the original McCartney. If anything, it was done on purpose and it's really all Bill. The thing is, it's not always in the JPM tone. Sometimes he sings it as "Sir Paul" (or Faul) too... his usual voice as we've come to know it. Then I noticed that most of the songs sound as if both of these voices are alternating singing, or sometimes very faintly singing together. So, consider this theory...
What if Paul didn't die? I know "The Story" says that he does, but even that is just the transcription of whispers that have been going around in inner circles for years. No, what if Paul still had the car accident but, instead of claiming his life, it was only near fatal. Already burned out from the horrible experiences touring during the summer before and sick of the music game (remember, there were interviews prior to this claiming he didn't want to make a career out of this much longer), this shook him up enough to run away. He wanted to quit, but the British government wouldn't allow it. That's when Bill stepped in, while Paul quietly retired to a secluded island: the hippie commune. Not a burial place, but where the very alive Paul McCartney got away from a life he had been trapped in.
39 years or so later, Bill invites Paul McCartney to come back and collaborate on an album with him. And so, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard is born, with Bill being the 'Chaos' and Paul being the 'Creation.' JPM is on the front cover, and when you open up the booklet, you see an older sketch drawing of a McCartney, but which one? Obviously they couldn't have put a picture of the current JPM there, as he looks too different from Bill at this point. But a drawing? Sure, and nobody would question it. On the back of the booklet, you do have a picture of current Bill, as it's his album too.
At least, this is what I believe Bill is trying to make us realize with this album. I don't think James Paul had anything to do with it, but this is the conceptual story Bill created to try and grab the essence of McCartney once more. It's all performed by Bill, but he also assumes the persona and thought processes of James Paul. This is the reason for the dual "Paul McCartney" logo that the CD sports.
Now... the songs.
1. Fine Line - This is Bill singing to Paul to come back, an invitation to return from the man who replaced him.
Come on brother, all is forgiven
We all cried when you were driven away
Come on brother, everything is better
Everything is better when you come home and stay
2. How Kind of You - This is Paul singing back to Bill and telling him thanks, not only for inviting him back, but for playing the game for so many years.
How kind of you to think of me
When I was out of sorts
It really meant alot to be
In someone else's thoughts
Someone else's mind
Someone else as kind, as you
3. Jenny Wren - Jenny Wren, the figure in this song, is James Paul, and this song is both Bill and Paul singing.
Like so many girls, Jenny Wren could sing
But a broken heart, took her soul away
4. At the Mercy - This is both Bill and Paul singing about what they both went through during the autumn of 1966, with one running away and the other taking his place.
Paul: At the mercy, at the mercy
At the mercy of a busy road,
Who can handle such a heavy load?
[snip]
Sometimes I'd rather run and hide,
Then stay and face the fear inside
Bill: At the mercy, At the mercy
At the mercy of a busy day,
We can think of nothing more to say
If you show me love, I won't refuse
I know you'd never make me choose
Between the love I've got and the love I'd lose
[snip]
If you take me up, I won't say no
I guess you'd rather see me grow
Into a better man than the one you know.
5. Friends to Go - Paul had been waiting 'on the other side' (faking his death) until he felt it was safe to come out of hiding again.
I've been waitin on the other side, for your friends to leave
So I don't have to hide, I prefer they didnt know
So I've been waiting on the other side, for your friends to go
I've been sliding down a slippery slope, I've been climbing
Up a slowly burning rope, but the flame is getting low
I've been waitin' on the other side, for your friends to go
You never need to worry about me, I'll be fine on my own
Someone else can worry about me
I've spent alot of time on my own
I've spent alot of time on my own
I've been waitin till the danger past, I don't know
How long the storm is gonna to last, if we're gonna carry on
I'll been waiting on the other side, till your friends are gone
(could the "friends" be John and George?)
6. English Tea - I get a "Lucy in the Sky" vibe from this song. Could it be about the commune or hiding spot Paul has spent the last 39 years at?
Miles of miles of English garden, stretching past the willow tree
Lines of holly, hocks and roses, listen most attentively
7. Too Much Rain - This is about the accident that was the catalyst for Paul changing his life.
It's not right, in one life
Too much rain
You, know the wheels keep turning
Why, do the tears run down your face
We, use to hide away our feelings
But for now, tell yourself it won't happen again
It's not right, in one life
Too much rain
It's too much for anyone, Too hard for anyone
Who wants a happy and peaceful life
You've gotta learn to laugh
8. Certain Softness - Okay, so my creativity is running a bit dry with this one.
9. Riding to Vanity Fair - This is Paul's belated response to "How Do You Sleep?" Yes, what if "How Do You Sleep" was about Paul and not Bill? Maybe they did have a falling out over Paul's decision to leave the band, and maybe there were some hurt feelings on Paul's part when Sgt. Pepper took off as big as it did. John's bitterness was then towards Paul and not Bill (those freaks were right when they said you was dead).
You put me down
But I can laugh it off
And act like nothing's wrong
But why pretend
I think I've heard enough
Of your familiar song
10. Follow Me - Paul follows Bill back from seclusion.
11. Promise To You Girl - At the back portion of their lives now, Paul and Bill finally unite to make "Paul McCartney" a musical force again.
Looking through the backyard of my life
Time to sweep the fallen leaves away
[Chorus - harmonies]
Like the sun that rises every day
We can chase the dark clouds from the sky
I gave my promise to you girl, I don't wanna take it back
You and me, side by side, We know how to change the world
That is why, I gave my promise to you girl
12. This Never Happened Before - This song has a similiar theme.
I'm very sure, this never happened to me before
I met you and now I'm sure
This never happened before
Now I see, this is the way it's supposed to be
I met you and now I see
This is the way it should be
This is the way it should be, for lovers
They shouldn't go it alone
It's not so good when your on your own
13. Anyway - Bill singing to Paul that if he wants to stay, he'd appreciate it.
If we could be, closer longer
That would help me, help me so much
We can cure each other's sorrow
Won't you please, please, please get in touch
I've got way too much time on my hands.
And as I've listened... and listened... I can't help but shake this underlying meaning behind the album. Ever since Doctor Robert posted saying he heard James Paul's voice (which I read before I heard the album, so it may have clouded my judgment), I've been paying close attention, and I think he's correct. Now, I don't think this is really the voice of the original McCartney. If anything, it was done on purpose and it's really all Bill. The thing is, it's not always in the JPM tone. Sometimes he sings it as "Sir Paul" (or Faul) too... his usual voice as we've come to know it. Then I noticed that most of the songs sound as if both of these voices are alternating singing, or sometimes very faintly singing together. So, consider this theory...
What if Paul didn't die? I know "The Story" says that he does, but even that is just the transcription of whispers that have been going around in inner circles for years. No, what if Paul still had the car accident but, instead of claiming his life, it was only near fatal. Already burned out from the horrible experiences touring during the summer before and sick of the music game (remember, there were interviews prior to this claiming he didn't want to make a career out of this much longer), this shook him up enough to run away. He wanted to quit, but the British government wouldn't allow it. That's when Bill stepped in, while Paul quietly retired to a secluded island: the hippie commune. Not a burial place, but where the very alive Paul McCartney got away from a life he had been trapped in.
39 years or so later, Bill invites Paul McCartney to come back and collaborate on an album with him. And so, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard is born, with Bill being the 'Chaos' and Paul being the 'Creation.' JPM is on the front cover, and when you open up the booklet, you see an older sketch drawing of a McCartney, but which one? Obviously they couldn't have put a picture of the current JPM there, as he looks too different from Bill at this point. But a drawing? Sure, and nobody would question it. On the back of the booklet, you do have a picture of current Bill, as it's his album too.
At least, this is what I believe Bill is trying to make us realize with this album. I don't think James Paul had anything to do with it, but this is the conceptual story Bill created to try and grab the essence of McCartney once more. It's all performed by Bill, but he also assumes the persona and thought processes of James Paul. This is the reason for the dual "Paul McCartney" logo that the CD sports.
Now... the songs.
1. Fine Line - This is Bill singing to Paul to come back, an invitation to return from the man who replaced him.
Come on brother, all is forgiven
We all cried when you were driven away
Come on brother, everything is better
Everything is better when you come home and stay
2. How Kind of You - This is Paul singing back to Bill and telling him thanks, not only for inviting him back, but for playing the game for so many years.
How kind of you to think of me
When I was out of sorts
It really meant alot to be
In someone else's thoughts
Someone else's mind
Someone else as kind, as you
3. Jenny Wren - Jenny Wren, the figure in this song, is James Paul, and this song is both Bill and Paul singing.
Like so many girls, Jenny Wren could sing
But a broken heart, took her soul away
4. At the Mercy - This is both Bill and Paul singing about what they both went through during the autumn of 1966, with one running away and the other taking his place.
Paul: At the mercy, at the mercy
At the mercy of a busy road,
Who can handle such a heavy load?
[snip]
Sometimes I'd rather run and hide,
Then stay and face the fear inside
Bill: At the mercy, At the mercy
At the mercy of a busy day,
We can think of nothing more to say
If you show me love, I won't refuse
I know you'd never make me choose
Between the love I've got and the love I'd lose
[snip]
If you take me up, I won't say no
I guess you'd rather see me grow
Into a better man than the one you know.
5. Friends to Go - Paul had been waiting 'on the other side' (faking his death) until he felt it was safe to come out of hiding again.
I've been waitin on the other side, for your friends to leave
So I don't have to hide, I prefer they didnt know
So I've been waiting on the other side, for your friends to go
I've been sliding down a slippery slope, I've been climbing
Up a slowly burning rope, but the flame is getting low
I've been waitin' on the other side, for your friends to go
You never need to worry about me, I'll be fine on my own
Someone else can worry about me
I've spent alot of time on my own
I've spent alot of time on my own
I've been waitin till the danger past, I don't know
How long the storm is gonna to last, if we're gonna carry on
I'll been waiting on the other side, till your friends are gone
(could the "friends" be John and George?)
6. English Tea - I get a "Lucy in the Sky" vibe from this song. Could it be about the commune or hiding spot Paul has spent the last 39 years at?
Miles of miles of English garden, stretching past the willow tree
Lines of holly, hocks and roses, listen most attentively
7. Too Much Rain - This is about the accident that was the catalyst for Paul changing his life.
It's not right, in one life
Too much rain
You, know the wheels keep turning
Why, do the tears run down your face
We, use to hide away our feelings
But for now, tell yourself it won't happen again
It's not right, in one life
Too much rain
It's too much for anyone, Too hard for anyone
Who wants a happy and peaceful life
You've gotta learn to laugh
8. Certain Softness - Okay, so my creativity is running a bit dry with this one.
9. Riding to Vanity Fair - This is Paul's belated response to "How Do You Sleep?" Yes, what if "How Do You Sleep" was about Paul and not Bill? Maybe they did have a falling out over Paul's decision to leave the band, and maybe there were some hurt feelings on Paul's part when Sgt. Pepper took off as big as it did. John's bitterness was then towards Paul and not Bill (those freaks were right when they said you was dead).
You put me down
But I can laugh it off
And act like nothing's wrong
But why pretend
I think I've heard enough
Of your familiar song
10. Follow Me - Paul follows Bill back from seclusion.
11. Promise To You Girl - At the back portion of their lives now, Paul and Bill finally unite to make "Paul McCartney" a musical force again.
Looking through the backyard of my life
Time to sweep the fallen leaves away
[Chorus - harmonies]
Like the sun that rises every day
We can chase the dark clouds from the sky
I gave my promise to you girl, I don't wanna take it back
You and me, side by side, We know how to change the world
That is why, I gave my promise to you girl
12. This Never Happened Before - This song has a similiar theme.
I'm very sure, this never happened to me before
I met you and now I'm sure
This never happened before
Now I see, this is the way it's supposed to be
I met you and now I see
This is the way it should be
This is the way it should be, for lovers
They shouldn't go it alone
It's not so good when your on your own
13. Anyway - Bill singing to Paul that if he wants to stay, he'd appreciate it.
If we could be, closer longer
That would help me, help me so much
We can cure each other's sorrow
Won't you please, please, please get in touch
I've got way too much time on my hands.
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