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"PIN UPS is an album of covers of songs originally performed by the Pretty Things, Them, the Yardbirds, Pink Floyd, the Mojos, the Who, the Easybeats, the Merseybeats and the Kinks. Bruce Springsteen's "Growin' Up" and Jacques Brel and Mort Shuman's "Port Of Amsterdam" are extra tracks that weren't included on the original LP. PINUPS served as a sort of "how to" guide to David Bowie's career. This all-covers album shed light on his ability to adopt personas and emulate musical genres with amazing speed and diversity. It also showed that Bowie was anticipating a different musical climate for the rest of the decade, signifying a change from what was admired during the 1960s.

The psychedelic overtones of Pink Floyd's "See Emily Play" and the garage rock cynicism of the Easybeats' "Friday On My Mind" perfectly display Bowie's ear for melody and eye for pop-culture posturing. He even tips a hat to his more established influences. The Kinks' "Where Have All The Good Times Gone" sparks his interest as a memory-soaked ballad (a Ray Davies specialty), and with The Who's "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" Bowie admits to not having invented the rock 'n' roll ego. PINUPS served another suitable purpose for the chameleonic performer, down-playing his other-worldly image by betraying his influences. By presenting Bowie as an actual fan--and not just an image/style manipulator--the album portrayed the singer in a different light, allowing him to loosen up his approach to performing and to step outside the multiple characters he had created for himself."

RCA RS 1003

Released: 19 October 1973

Lyrics (For more information on each track see the Encyclopedia)

1. Rosalyn 2:27 (Jimmy Duncan/Bill Farley)

Hey Rosalyn, tell me where you've been
Hey Rosalyn, tell me where you've been
All the night and all the day
High risk is the game you play
Treat me sure a sin

Oh Rosalyn, yeah Rosalyn

Hey Rosalyn, you're the girl for me
Hey Rosalyn, you're the girl for me
When I'm holding you so tight
It's so hard to say goodnight
It's you that I love now can't you see?

Do you really love me, do you love me true
Do you really love me Rosalyn?
Yeah gotta know, yeah gotta know
Yeah gotta know Rosalyn

Hey Rosalyn, you're the girl for me
Hey Rosalyn, you're the girl for me
When I'm holding you so tight
It's so hard to say goodnight
It's you that I love now can't you see?

Do you really love me, do you love me true
Do you really love me Rosalyn?
Yeah gotta know, yeah gotta know
Yeah gotta know Rosalyn
Yeah gotta know, yeah gotta know
Yeah gotta know Rosalyn
Rosalyn
Yeah Rosalyn, Rosalyn, Rosalyn, Rosalyn, hoo-yeah, ah

2. Here Comes the Night 3:09 (Bert Berns)

Ohhhhh... here it comes
Here comes the night
Yeah, here comes the night
Oh, yeah (here comes the night)

I can see right out my window walking down the street my girl
With another guy
His arms around her like it used to be with me
Oh it makes me want to die

Yeah, here it comes
Here comes the night
Yeah, (here comes the night) here comes the night
Yeah... (here comes the night)

There they go, funny how they look so good together
Wonder what is wrong with me
Why can't I accept the fact she's chosen him
And simply let them be?

Here it comes
Here comes the night
Here comes the night
Yeah... (here comes the night)

Oh she's with him they're turning down the lights
Now he's holding her the way I used to do
I can see her closing her eyes and telling him lies
Exactly like she told me too

Oh, here it comes
Here comes the night
Oh, he here comes the night
Yeah... (here comes the night)
Here, here it comes the
Here, here it comes the
Here comes the night yeah
Lonely, lonely night
Lonely, lonely night
Oh oo ho here comes the night
Here comes the night yeah

3. I Wish You Would 2:40 (Billy Arnold)

Early in the morning by the break of day
That's when my baby went away
Come back baby I wish you would
This crying and grieving won't do me no good

Hugging and a-kissing, late at night
You know pretty baby it feels just right
Come back baby what you're trying to do?
Turning on me and some other men too

Come back baby give me one more chance
You know I still love you gonna give you romance
Yeah, romance all night long
In my arms, oh yeah

Early in the morning by the break of day
That's when my baby went away
Come back baby I wish you would
This crying and grieving won't do me no good

Hey pretty baby I love you so
You know pretty baby it hurts me to see you go

Oh yeah Oh yeah Oh yeah Oh yeah Oh yeah Oh yeah Oh yeah

4. See Emily Play 4:03 (Syd Barrett)

Emily tries but misunderstands
She's often inclined to borrow somebody's dreams 'till tomorrow

There is no other day
Let's try it another way
You'll lose your mind and play
Free games for May
See Emily play

Soon after dark Emily cries
Gazing at trees in sorrow hardly a sound 'till tomorrow

There is no other day
Let's try it another way
You'll lose your mind and play
Free games for May
See Emily play

Put on a gown that touches the ground
Float on a river for ever and ever
Emily

There is no other day
Let's try it another way
You'll lose your mind and play
Free games for May
See Emily play

5. Everything's Alright 2:26 (Crouch/Konrad/Stavely/James/Karlson)

Oh, little baby
You know I've been away
Oh, little baby
You know I'll come today
Don't you know that

Everything's alright (everything's alright, babe)
Everything's alright (sometime I knew they would)
Everything's alright (everything's alright, babe)
Let me hold your hand and be your loving man
(all night, ho ho)
Let me hold your hand and be your loving man
(all night, ho ho)
Let me hold your hand and be your loving man
(all night, ho ho, alright!) alright

Oh, little baby
You know I feel so good
Oh, little baby
I never knew I could
And don't you know that

Everything's alright (everything's alright, babe)
Everything's alright (sometimes I knew they would)
Everything's alright (everything's alright, babe)
Let me give you loving like nobody can
(all night, ho ho)
Let me give you loving like nobody can
(all night, uh ho)
Let me give you loving like nobody can
(all night)
alright!

Let me hold your hand and be your loving man
Let me hold your hand and be your loving man
Let me hold your hand and be your loving man

No, no, no, no, no, that's a-loving you
(Must have been you, I'm gonna all night loving you)
No, no, no, no, no
I'll be good for you

Everything's alright (everything's alright, babe)
Everything's alright ( sometime I knew they would)
Everything's alright (everything's alright, babe)
Let me give you loving like nobody can
(all night, ho ho)
Let me give you loving like nobody can
(all night, uh ho)
Let me give you loving like nobody can
(all night)
Alright

Everything's alright
Everything's alright
Oooh

6. I Can't Explain 2:07 (Pete Townshend)

New feeling inside
It's a hot certain kind
I feel hot and cold
Down my soul, baby

I can't explain
Going out of my mind
Dizzy in the head, and I'm feeling blue
Things you say well maybe they're true
I get funny dreams again and again
Knows what it means, but

Can't explain
I think it's love
Say it to you
When I feel blue

I can't explain, no, I can't explain

You know I can't explain
I'm going out of my mind
Well I'm a worried guy
But I can't explain

7. Friday on My Mind 3:18 (Young/Vanda)

Monday morning feels so bad
Everybody seems to nag me
Coming Tuesday I feel better
Even my old man looks good
Wednesday just don't go
Thursday goes too slow
I've got Friday on my mind

(See my baby) Gonna have fun in the city (feel like fucking you)
(Do my baby screw) Be with my girl she's so pretty (all I want to do)
(I'll go crazy) She looks fine tonight
(zoom zoom zoom) She is out of sight to me (so divine)
(Tonight) I spend my bread
(Tonight) I lose my head
(Tonight) I've got to get tonight
Monday I have Friday on my mind

Do the five day drag once more (Monday blue)
There is nothing else that bugs me
More than working for the rich men (money making by the thief)
Hey I'll change that scene one day
Today I might be mad
Tomorrow I'll be glad
'Cause I'll have Friday on my mind

(See my baby) Gonna have fun in the city (feel like fucking you)
(Do my baby screw) Be with my girl she's so pretty (all I want to do)
(I'll go crazy) She looks fine tonight
(zoom zoom zoom) She is out of sight to me (so divine)
(Tonight) I spend my bread
(Tonight) I lose my head
(Tonight) I've got to get tonight
Monday I have Friday on my mind

See my baby (Gonna have fun in the city)
Feel like fucking you
Do my baby screw (Be with my girl she's so pretty)
All I want to do
Oh oh oh (Gonna have fun in the city)
(zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom)
Oh oh oh (I feel fucking, I feel fucking just so, just ahead)
(zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom)
See my baby see (Gonna have fun in the city)
(feel like (Hey) fucking you)
Till my baby's cool
(I feel fucking, I feel fucking just so just ahead)
Till my baby's cool (All I want to do)
(zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom) Oh yeah ha ha
(zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom) Oh yeah ha ha

8. Sorrow 2:48 (Feldman/Goldstein/Gottehrer)

With your long blonde hair and your eyes of blue
The only thing I ever got from you was sorrow
Sorrow
You acted funny trying to spend my money
You're out there playing your high class games of sorrow
Sorrow

You never do what you know you oughta
Something tells me you're a Devil's daughter
Sorrow, sorrow
Ahhhh, oo, oooo

I tried to find her
'Cause I can't resist her (I tried to find her)
I never knew just how much I missed her
Sorrow
Sorrow

With your long blonde hair and your eyes of blue
The only thing I ever got from you was sorrow
Sorrow
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh, ho-ho

9. Don't Bring Me Down 2:01 (Johnnie Dee)

I'm on my own, nowhere to roam
I tell you baby, don't want no home
I wander round, feet off the ground
I even go from town to town
I said I think this rock is grand
Say I'll be your man
Don't bring me down, don't bring me down

I met this chick, the other day
And then to me, she said she'll stay
I get this pad, just like a cave
And then we'll have, our living made
And then I'll lead her on the ground
My head is spinning round
Don't bring me down, don't bring me down

I, I, I, I, I need a lover 'cause someone new
And then to her I will be true
I'll buy her furs and pretty things
I'll even buy a wedding ring
But until then I'll ?settle down?
Say I'll be your man
Don't bring me down, don't bring me down
Until then I'll ?settle down?
Say I'll be your man
Don't bring me down, don't bring me down
Don't bring me down

10. Shape of Things 2:47 (Samwell-Smith/McCarty/Relf)

Shapes of things before my eyes
Just teach me to despise
Will time make man more wise
Here within my lonely frame
My eyes just hurt my brain
But will it seem the same

(Come tomorrow), will I be older
(Come tomorrow), maybe a soldier
(Come tomorrow), may I be bolder than today

Now the trees are almost green
But will they still be seen
When time and tide have been
Boy into your passing hands
Please don't destroy these land
Don't make them desert sands

(Come tomorrow), will I be older
(Come tomorrow), maybe a soldier
(Come tomorrow), may I be bolder than today

Soon I hope that I will find
A seed within my mind
That won't disgrace my kind

11. Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere 3:04 (Pete Townshend/Roger Daltrey)

I can go anyway (way I choose)
I can live anyhow (win or lose)
I can go anywhere (for something new)
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere I choose

Do anything (right or wrong)
I can talk anyhow (and get along)
I don't care anyway (I never lose)
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere I choose

Nothing gets in my way
Not even locked doors
Don't follow the lines that been laid before
I get along anyway I care
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere

I can go anyway (way I choose)
I can live anyhow (win or lose)
I can go anywhere (for something new)
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere I choose

(oh oh oh) Anyway,(oh oh oh) anyway I choose
(oh oh oh) I wanna go
(oh oh oh) Do it myself, do it myself,(oh oh oh) do it myself, do it myself
Anyway, (oh oh oh) anyway I choose

12. Where Have All The Good Times Gone 2:35 (Ray Davies)

In my life I've never stopped to worry about a thing
Opened up and shouted out and never tried to see
Wondering if I'd done wrong (uuuh uh uh uuuh hu)
Will this depression last for long

Won't you tell me
Where have all the good times gone
Where have all the good times gone
Where have all the good times gone

Once we had an easy ride and always felt the same
Time was on our side and I had everything to gain
Let it be like yesterday (uuuh uh uh uuuh hu)
Please let me have happy days

Ma and Pa looked back on all the things they used to do
Didn't have no money and they always told the truth
Daddy didn't have no toys (uuuh uh uh uuuh hu)
And Mummy didn't need no boys

Won't you tell me
Where have all the good times gone
Where have all the good times gone
Where have all the good times gone

Yesterday was such an easy game for you to play
But let's face it things are so much easier today
Guess you need some bringing down (uuuh uh uh uuuh hu)
Get your feet back on the ground

Won't you tell me
Where have all the good times gone
Where have all the good times gone
Where have all the good times gone

13. +Growin' Up 3:26 (Bruce Springsteen) (Unreleased track from PINUPS sessions)*

14. +Port of Amsterdam 3:19 (Jacques Brel/M Shuman) (1973 B-side of "Sorrow")

*"Growin' Up" - This Bruce Springsteen song was recorded twice. The first was recorded during the PINUPS (1973) sessions (available as a bonus track on the Rykodisk reissue and promo single) and a second version was recorded during the YOUNG AMERICANS sessions and remains unreleased.

**A remake of Bowie's 1966 single "The London Boys" was intended to be on the PINUPS (1973) album, but was dropped at the last minute.

Producers: David Bowie & Ken Scott

Engineer: Denis Blackeye

Arranged by: David Bowie & Mick Ronson

Personnel:

• David Bowie: vocals, alto & tenor saxes, guitar, harmonica, Moog synthesiser
• Mick Ronson: guitar, piano and backing vocals
• Trevor Bolder: bass
• Mike Garson: grand piano, electric piano, organ & harpsichord
• Aynsley Dunbar: drums
• Ken Fordham: baritone sax
• Mac Cormack: backing vocals

Studio: Chateau d'Herouville, France.

Singles:

"Sorrow" 7" single released in the UK and Spain on 12 October 1973. It was originally intended to be released on 28 September 1973, but RCA delayed its introduction due to Derram's re-release of "The Laughing Gnome."

"Sorrow/Port of Amsterdam" RCA 2424 UK. Highest chart position = #3
"Sorrow/Lady Grinning Soul" RCA APBO 9056 Spain

---This page last modified: 10 Dec 2018---