During the lax period of Hunter's career in the 1980s he wrote this song for the 1984 movie soundtrack Teachers. It fits the satirical black comedy-drama well as it expresses a teacher's frustration to reach his students. Not many of the students would be expected to be successful.
There are two live releases of the song from 1987 and 1988 respectively.
1984 Movie Soundtrack Teachers
satirical black comedy-drama film
I'm The Teacher
(Ian Hunter)
The question's arisen is this a prison
Some say it is, some say it isn't
Why do I try? nobody listens
I pass by like an intermission
If there's just one weed in this flowerless grave
If there's just one seed I can save
I'm going to reach ya
Pleased to meet ya, I'm the teacher
Outlaws, cruisers, junkies, boozers
Take a back seat, with the three time losers
They're all having a ball, down at juvenile hall
By looking so small they must be victims of the system
I've been inside, (where the lies are hide)
Are you satisfied I never should have tried to beat you
I beseech you, sad little freaker
Pleased to meet you, I'm the teacher
They can snap your soul, blow it away
Like a fragile leaf on a windy day
Can you read? can you write? they couldn't care less
You can graduate on American Express, no personal checks
What do I do to get through to you?
Somebody sue the suit, don't let em eat ya
Don't you let 'em defeat ya Don't let 'em mistreat ya
'Cause sooner or later
They're going to cheat ya
Pleased to meet ya, I'm the teacher
Yeah.
| (I'm The) Teacher | 4:00 | Originally a movie soundtrack. It can be found on the compilation Once Bitten Twice Shy. It can also be found on Tilting The Mirror - Rarities (box set only). |
| (I'm The) Teacher (live 11th November 1987) | 3:52 | This live version (recorded at Rock and Roll Heaven, Toronto ON) can be found on Bag Of Tricks (Vol 1) (box set only). |
| (I'm The) Teacher (live 11th June 1988) | 4:02 | This live version (recorded at Rock and Roll Heaven, Toronto ON) can be found on Missing In Action (not on the box set). |
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