록시 뮤직의 첫 번째
UK 차트 1위 앨범이며
빌보드 200에 차트인을 하는 등[1] 영국을 넘어 미국 음악 시장에서도 조금이나마 주목을 받았다. 또한 신디사이저를 다루는
브라이언 이노의 이탈이 있었지만[2] 그가 없어도 록시 뮤직은 건재하다는 것을 보여준 앨범이다. 아이러니하게도 이노는 자신이 가장 좋아하는 록시 뮤직 앨범으로 이 앨범을 뽑았다.
이전 두 앨범과는 다르게 브라이언 페리 말고도 색소포니스트 앤디 맥케이나 기타리스트 필 만자네라가 작곡에 참여하기도 하였다. 음악적으로는 글램 록 성향이 짙어졌고 예술 지향적이였던 브라이언 페리의 입맛이 반영된 Amazona, A Song for Europe 등 극적이고 이국적인 노래가 많아졌다.
앨범 커버는
플레이보이 모델이였던 마릴린 콜이 찢어진 빨간색 드레스를 입은 모습이다. 런던 에지웨이 로드에 있는 작은 스튜디오에서 촬영을 하였는데, 콜은 당시 록시 뮤직에 대해 잘 몰랐다고 한다. 촬영장에서 빨간 드레스를 보고 예쁜 드레스를 입는다고 좋아했으나, 스타일리스트가 들어와서 옷을 찢기 시작해서 당황했다고 한다. 그리고 나서 앨범 아트의 방향성을 설명해줬다고.
출처
Street Life
Wish everybody would leave me alone -yeah
They're always calling on my telephone
When I pick it up there's no one there
So I walk outside just to take the air
Come on with me cruising down the street
Who knows what you'll see, who you might meet
This brave new world's not like yesterday
It can take you higher than the milky way
Now I'm blinded I can't really see, yeah
No more bright lights confusing me, no
Don't ask me why I'm feeling blue
'Cause loving you is all I can do
Hey good-looking boys, gather around
The sidewalk papers gutter-press you down
All those lies can be so unkind,
They can make you feel like you're losing your mind
Street Life
Street Life
Street Life
What a Life
Back to nature boys, Vasser girls too
Watch what you say, or think, or do
Continental-style strasse girls might
But you know exactly if it's wrong or right
Education is an important key, yes
But the good life's never won by degrees, no
Pointless passing through Harvard or Yale
Only window shopping, it's strictly no sale
Week end starts Friday soon after eight
Your jet black magic helps you celebrate
You may be stranded if you stick around
And that's really something
Just Like You
Buttercups, daisies
And most anything
They wither and fade
After blossom in Spring
Time conquers innocence
Pride takes a fall
In knowledge lies wisdom
That’s all
Everything changes
Weather blows hot or cold
Through alchemy iron turns gold
Quicksilver baby
So hard to pin down
Oh when are you coming around?
Hopelessly grounded
I walk through the streets
Remembering how we spent time
Hopefully yearning
That some day we’ll meet
But when will we? How could we? Why?
Oh my
Fashion house ladies
Need plenty loose change
When the latest creation
Is last year’s fab rave
Thought patterns hazy
This auto-style age
Will lady luck smile old and sage
She knows that never again, no
Will I give up my heart
To gamble with fate is my crime
Nevertheless love
It’s all here in my book
I’d write it but don’t have much time
You see I know it sounds crazy
But what can I do?
I’ve fallen head over heels
Over you
Chameleon colour
All phases of moon
The shifting of planets
And leopard spots too
As destiny wills it
So seasons will change
Just like you
Psalm
Try on your love
Like a new dress
The fit and the cut
Your friends to impress
Try on your smile
Square on your face
Showing affection
Should be no disgrace
Try out your God
Hope he will send
Kindness from strangers
On whom you depend
Try on his coat
A mantle most fine
Myriad colours
His harmony thine
Believe in me
Once seemed a good line
Now belief in Jesus
Is faith more sublime
Head in the clouds
But I can’t see the Lord
Short of perfection
I’ll try to be good
I’ll stand at his gate
I’ll wait for his sign
Then I’ll walk in his garden
When it’s my time
Drink from his cup
Hush now, don’t you cry
His quiet waters
Will never run dry
Nearing death’s vale
He’s here by my side
He leads me to paradise
A mountain so high
Don’t be afraid
Just treasure his word
Singing his praises
I know that I’ll be heard
He’s gonna take you by the hand
He’s gonna make you feel so good
Open up your eyes
And then you’ll see all that you should
Forget all your troubles
You will feel no pain
He’s all that you need
He’s your everything
When I’m feeling all at sea
And deliverance is that distant shore
I will not be worried
Someday his house will be my home
For evermore
Mother of Pearl
Turn the lights down
Way down low
Turn up the music
Hi as fi can go
All the gang’s here
Everyone you know
It’s a crazy scene
Hey there just look over your shoulder
Get the picture?
No, no, no, no
Yes
Walk a tight rope
Your life sign line
Such a bright hope
Right place, right time
What’s your number?
Never you mind
Take a powder
Wait a minute what’s that coming round the corner
Have you a future?
No, no, no, no
Yes
Well I’ve been up all night
Party time wasting
Is too much fun
Then I step back thinking
Of life’s inner meaning
And my latest fling
It’s the same old story
All love and glory
It’s a pantomime
If you’re looking for love
In a looking glass world
It’s pretty hard to find
Oh mother of pearl
I wouldn’t trade you
For another girl
Divine intervention
Always my intention
So I take my time
I’ve been looking for something
I’ve always wanted
But was never mine
But now I’ve seen that something
Just out of reach, glowing
Very Holy Grail
Oh mother of pearl
Lustrous lady
Of a sacred world
Thus, even Zarathustra
Another time loser
Could believe in you
With every goddess a let-down
Every idol a bring-down
It gets you down
But the search for perfection
Your own predilection
Goes on and on and on and on
Canadian Club love
A place in the country
Everyone’s ideal
But you are my favorita
And a place in your heart dear
Makes me feel more real
Oh mother of pearl
I wouldn’t change you
For the whole world
You’re highbrow, holy
With lots of soul
Melancholy shimmering
Serpentine sleekness
Was always my weakness
Like a simple tune
But no dilettante
Filigree fancy
Beats the plastic you
Career girl cover
Exposed and another
Slips right into view
Oh looking for love
In a looking glass world
Is pretty hard for you
Few throwaway kisses
The boomerang misses
Spin round and round
Fall on feather-bed quilted
Faced with silk
Softly stuffed eiderdown
Take refuge in pleasure
Just give me your future
We’ll forget your past
Oh mother of pearl
Submarine lover
In a shrinking world
Oh lonely dreamer
Your choker provokes
A picture cameo
Oh mother of pearl
So-so semi-precious
In your detached world
Oh mother of pearl
I wouldn’t trade you
For another girl
Oh mother of pearl
I wouldn’t trade you
For another girl