The slow burn groove of Wild East featured Hoople-style piano chords and blistering sax. It is a mildly energetic and melodic song about the Wild West moved relocated to New York.
Hunter enjoys writing tales of those who are down and out and here is one such example. It is an ordinary bloke but one with literary references atypical of pop songs. He feels like Jason sent by Pelias on an impossible mission, to fetch the Golden Fleece, along the way the Cyclops is laughing at him. This guy is a druggie but someone from the methadone clinic calls and:
He writes all my lyrics backwards on diapers
All this is happening while loving the grease of wild east. We see Jezebel, who along with her husband, instituted the worship of the false gods of Baal and Asherah, talking to Jane. I'd speculate but maybe this is Sweet Jane. Hunter comments on this song as about NYC.
There is a live version from 1987.
Searching for the Golden Fleece
The reason why Jason needed to find the Golden Fleece in the first place is because of the order given by Pelias. Pelias came up with the idea from Jason, who conversed with his uncle on what he would do to keep someone away. Jason did not realize at the time that Pelias wanted to rid himself of Jason forever. Pelias had taken the throne in Iolcus from Jason’s father, making Jason no longer the heir to the crown. So, since Pelias most likely felt threatened by Jason, he didn’t want him anywhere near Iolcus.
Pelias sent him on an impossible mission, to fetch the Golden Fleece from the King Aeetes of Colchis. Jason did not refuse the order forwarded by Pelias, but instead assembled a fleet of heroes and warriors to help him on his journey. This group was the Argonauts.
https://www.theoi.com/articles/what-is-the-story-of-jason-and-the-golden-fleece/
Cyclops
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclopes
Jezebel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jezebel
Wild East
(Ian Hunter)
Well it's Tuesday night
How I'd like to be inside at this time
Watchin' T.V. is killin' me
It's such a drag tonight
I feel like Jason
Just found a rusty fleece
And the Cyclops all laughin' at me
You can't tame Wild East
Wild East Wild East
Wild East Wild East
Now some cynic from the methadone clinic
He keeps on bothering me
He writes all my lyrics backwards on diapers
And hangs 'em from the local trees
Watch out, white boy
Don't argue with a sawn off piece
I'm a crazy son, Mama
I love the grease of Wild East
Wild East Wild East
Wild East Wild East
Wild East Wild East
Wild East Wild East
Now Jezebel don't feel too well, she talks to Jane
'Bout a one way conversation on a subway train
Hey! They took away her wallet and her valise
Love hate, love hate, love hate, love hate, Wild East
Wild East Wild East
Wild East Wild East
Wild East Wild East
Wild East come on crazy Wild East
(repeat and fade)
Wild East | 3:58 | Originally released on You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic, and on the compilations From The Knees Of My Heart and The Singles Collection 1975-83. |
Wild East (live 11th November 1987) | 4:30 | This live version (recorded at Rock and Roll Heaven, Toronto ON) was released on Missing In Action, and on Bag Of Tricks (Vol 1) (box set only). |