Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Jugband Blues

It's awfully considerate of you to think of me here
And I'm much obliged to you for making it clear
That I'm not here.
And I never knew the moon could be so big
And I never knew the moon could be so blue
And I'm grateful that you threw away my old shoes
And brought me here instead dressed in red
And I'm wondering who could be writing this song.
I don't care if the sun don't shine
And I don't care if nothing is mine
And I don't care if I'm nervous with you

I'll do my loving in the winter.
And the sea isn't green
And I love the queen
And what exactly is a dream
And what exactly is a joke.




- This is the very last song Syd Barrett wrote for the band, and is the single contribution to the album, A Saucerful of Secrets.

- Interesting to note, it is also listed as the last song on the album.

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Barrett wanted a Salvation Army band to play on the track. They were brought in, but when he stated that he wanted them to simply "play whatever they want" regardless of the rest of the group, Norman Smith insisted on recorded parts. Eventually both versions were recorded and used.

- 8 members of the Salvation Army (The International Staff Band) - Ray Bowes (cornet), Terry Camsey (cornet), Mac Carter (trombone), Les Condon (Eb bass), Maurice Cooper (Euphonium), Ian Hankey (trombone), George Whittingham (Bb bass), and one other.

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The song is viewed by many fans as a sad farewell piece by Barrett who, by the beginning of the recording sessions for A Saucerful of Secrets, was already shrinking into a delirious state of mind, exacerbated by his feelings of alienation from the rest of the band, as can be gleaned from the painfully specific lyrics in the song ("I don't care if the sun don't shine/ And I don't care if nothing is mine"), although it has been argued that the common interpretation of the lyrics as reflecting Barrett's dementia owes more to Barrett's popular image more than fact, and that they could be read as a criticism of the other band members for forcing him out. Reference

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"Jugband Blues" is most often viewed as a creepy-spooky farewell to the band from its increasingly deranged ex-leader. While the lyrics do support this interpretation, the opening line -- "It's awfully considerate of you to think of me here/And I'm almost obliged to you for making it clear that I'm not here" -- sounds more like a potshot at Barrett's soon-to-be-former bandmates and their management, from an all-too-lucid singer/songwriter angered at being edged out of the band he founded. Reference

Author's Note: It is not difficult to see how utterly heartbreaking this song really is. One view of the video with a complacent and unwavering Syd Barrett blatantly reveals the overwhelming depression going on inside him. The opening lines in the song scream of a scathing betrayal by the band. "
It's awfully considerate of you to think of me here, And I'm much obliged to you for making it clear, That I'm not here."

He later goes on to say, "
And I'm wondering who could be writing this song. I don't care if the sun don't shine. And I don't care if nothing is mine. And I don't care if I'm nervous with you."
It very much sounds like he understands his days of leading Pink Floyd are over, but that he isn't exactly ready to part with the band yet.

And finally, the last two lines in the song seem to confirm his unhappiness of being asked to leave the band.

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