The Official Online Community of Babybird/Stephen Jones

Lyrical Puzzle?

Just got my copy today (HMV), and noticed that the opening lyrics to Black Flowers are the same as that on BMETNBM's (unindexed) I'm Gone ( which, coincidentally, happens to be my favourite song from that album). Obviously, only Stephen himself knows why this is so, but has anyone else any ideas?

Relatedly, anyone want to discuss lyrical content in Babybird generally?

(p.s. My favourite song so far after 1st days listening is 'On the backseat of your car').

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Lenler Olesen on March 11, 2010 at 11:04am: Didn't notice that the Black Flowers bit came from there. But he has always done that a lot... reusing stuff like lyric and samples. I asked him about when DotN came out:

You keep recycling lyrics (Cokeholes), samples (Brainwhack) and even full songs (Bruised Brain). Are some ideas just too good to be used only once, or do you have bad memory?
"Bad memory. I have lyrics written all over the place. On unopened electric bill envelopes. I’m a very bad filer. I’d be great in some government office."

...simple as that I guess; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by david mc call on March 12, 2010 at 2:35am: Well I doubt 'bad memory' is at work in this case? The opening 4 lines of 'I'm Gone' in particular are, imho, especially powerful, stark and evocative (the 'just a little sad that you saved me' is the really killer line) and seems, like 'Black Flowers', to be a variation on the theme of someone not being able/willing to open up fully to another and the distress this causes. Preemptive rejection etc. Since this scenario is fertile ground for an artist concerned with the human heart, and seems to be the connecting (conceptual) thread between the two songs, I think the- "some (lyrics) are just too good to be used only once" explanation is best. But what do I know?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michael Grice on April 2, 2010 at 11:03pm: I concur. Stephen has blessed those of us with the wisdom, to embrace human failings and emotions. That said, he has to repeat some lyrics so that even "simpletons" understand his messages. Hope this helps you.; ▶ Reply to This