Roll Away The Stone, Ian Hunter, Mott The Hoople, The Hoople LP, Strings Attached, Truth, Vol. 2

Originally Roll Away The Stone was released on The Hoople LP by Mott The Hoople, was a big hit as a single, and Hunter performed the song often during his solo career. The song actually out sold All The Young Dudes. Hunter wrote the song during rehearsals near Kings Road during the Mott LP sessions but thinking it could be a hit the song was held by CBS for the next record. 

To Ian's horror, as a big fan of Leon Russell--he even asked Russell to produce him once that didn't work out since Russell was in litigation with Shelter Records--released a song with the same title although they are two completely different tunes. 

The musicians and singers can have a bit of fun with this one during the section about a rockabilly party when a female voice can chime in responding to the lead vocal. 

The song is included in a medley on Rick Derringer & Friends. 

Sign up now for the pre-release of Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing at TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me!

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

At 46:42 the song starts on the Derringer version:

https://youtu.be/NvQ79Bx26rs

Roll Away The Stone

(Ian Hunter)

Baby if you just say you still care
Follow you most anywhere
Roll away the stone, roll away the stone.

And, in the darkest night,
I'll keep you safe and all right
Roll away the stone, roll away the stone

Won't you roll away the stone
Why be cold and so alone?
Won't you roll away the stone
Don't you let it die

No matter if fools say we can't win
I know I'll fall in love again
Roll away the stone, roll away the stone
So sing - we still got a chance
Baby in love and sweet romance
Roll away the stone, roll away the stone

Won't you roll away the stone
Why be cold and so alone?
Won't you roll away the stone
Don't you let it lie

There's a rockabilly party on Saturday night
Are you gonna be there
(Well I got my invite)
Gonna bring your records
(Ohh, will do)
Made it!

Won't you roll away the stone
Why be cold and so alone?
Won't you roll away the stone
Don't you let it die
Come on roll
Come on roll, yeah
Come on roll
I want you to roll
Come on..... yeah
Come on roll

Roll Away The Stone which closed the original album also saw original guitarist Mick Ralphs' guitar repaced by Bender's lead and seems weaker in comparison.

Roll Away The Stone (album version)	3:10	Originally a single (with Mick Ralphs on guitar) and an album track (with Ariel Bender on guitar). The album version was originally on The Hoople, also on London to Memphis, Ballad of Mott - A Retrospective, The (MTH) Collection, The Essential Mott The Hoople, Super Hits, Old Records Never Die, Shades of Ian Hunter - The Ballad of Mott The Hoople, The Collection and The Very Best of Ian Hunter.
Roll Away The Stone (single version)	3:10	The single version can be found on Greatest Hits, All The Way From Memphis, Gold, The Golden Age of Rock n Roll, Mojo Presents, Roll Away The Stone, All The Young Dudes - The Anthology, The Journey, The Golden Age 1969-1997 and The Very Best of Mott The Hoople.
Roll Away The Stone (live 14th December 1973)	3:31	This live version (recorded Hammersmith Odeon, London England) is on Live (30th Anniversary Edition).
Roll Away The Stone (live 13th April 1974)	(5:15)	This live version (recorded Santa Monica Civic Center, Los Angeles CA) can be found on Two Miles From Live Heaven, the In Performance box set and the compilations All The Young Dudes 2-CD compilation, An Introduction to Mott The Hoople, Essential Young Dudes - Live And More, Hoopling - Best Of Live and on Walkin' With The Hoople.
Roll Away The Stone (live 8/9th May 1974)	(3:51)	This live version (recorded Uris Theater, New York City NY) can be found on All The Young Dudes - The Anthology and on Live (30th Anniversary Edition).
Roll Away The Stone (live 1st October 2009)	4:24	This live version (recorded Hammersmith Apollo, London England) is on Hammersmith Apollo 2009.
Roll Away The Stone (live 17th November 2013)	4:14	This live version (recorded O2 Apollo, Manchester England) is on Live 2013.

Roll Away The Stone (live 11th September 1981)	(9:20)	Originally a Mott The Hoople track. This live version (recorded Dr. Pepper Music Festival, Pier 84, New York NY) was originally issued on the Ian Hunter Rocks video (VHS/Laserdisc only). The video (DVD) can also be found on It Never Happened (box set only); the audio can be found on From The Knees Of My Heart (not on the box set).
Roll Away The Stone (live 29/30th January 2002)	5:03	This live version (recorded Sentrum Scene, Oslo Norway) was issued on Strings Attached.
Roll Away The Stone (live 28th May 2004)	3:13	This live version (recorded The Astoria, London England) was released on The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nuthin' But The Truth. It can also be foud on Greatest Hits Live In London. Not on the box set.
Roll Away The Stone (live 12th June 2004)	3:15	This live version (recorded at the Bikini, Barcelona, Spain) was released on Bag Of Tricks (Vol 2) (box set only).

Rock and Roll Queen, Death May Be Your Santa Claus, Ian Hunter, Stranded, Vol. 2

Rock and Roll Queen the Mick Ralphs song from the first Mott The Hoople LP found numerous ways into Hunter's solo career. It was included as a coda or coupled to other songs or performed independently several times. On Bag of Tricks - Live Rarities Vol. 2 it is married to another MTH song, Death May Be Your Santa Claus. This pairing was recorded at the Life Cafe, Manchester, UK on 19 May 2002. 

ecorded at The Life Cafe, Manchester UK 19th May 2002

Death May Be Your Santa Claus¹

Bag Of Tricks - Live Rarities Vol 2

Also recorded at the Park West, Chicago IL 22nd June 1979 on Collateral Damage. It follows as a medley with Walkin' With a Mountain. 

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

Rock and Roll Queen

(Mick Ralphs)

Listen woman you needn't look so stupid when I call your name out loud
Cause everybody thinks you're a sweet smelling girl with intelligence and you
know how
I wouldn't want anyone else to know
About the way you really are
You're just a rock and roll queen
You know what I mean
And I'm just a rock and roll star

Listen woman you needn't go to bed with everybody that you meet
Cause everybody thinks you're a sweet little girl with intelligence in your
feet
I wouldn't want anyone else to know
About the way you really are
You're just a rock and roll queen
You know what I mean
And I'm just a rock and roll star
Alright!
You're just a rock and roll queen
You know what I mean
And I'm just a rock and roll star
(fade)

Guitarist Mick Ralphs surprised everyone when he delivered Rock And Roll Queen, a full-tilt rocker that would stay in the live set almost to the end.

Rock n' Roll Queen (live 22nd June 1979)	(4:22)	Originally a Mott The Hoople track. This live version (as a coda to Walkin' With A Mountain, recorded at Park West, Chicago IL) was released on Collateral Damage. Not on the box set.
Rock n' Roll Queen (live 5-11th November 1979)	(4:20)	This live version (as a coda to Walkin' With A Mountain, recorded at The Roxy, Los Angeles CA) was released on Welcome to the Club, and on the compilation From The Knees Of My Heart.
Rock 'n' Roll Queen (live 22nd November 1979)	(5:45)	This live version (as a coda to Walkin' With A Mountain, recorded Hammermith Odeon, London England) was originally issued on If You Wait Long Enough For Anything, You Can Get It On Sale (box set only).
Rock 'n' Roll Queen (live 19th May 2002)	(9:11)	This live version (coupled with Death May Be Your Santa Claus, recorded Life Cafe, Manchester England) was originally issued on Bag Of Tricks (Vol 2) (box set only).
Rock n' Roll Queen (live 28th May 2004)	4:21	This live version (recorded The Astoria, London England) was released on The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nuthin' But The Truth and on Behind The Shades and Greatest Hits Live In London. Not on the box set.
Roll Away The Stone (live 11th September 1981)	(9:20)	Originally a Mott The Hoople track. This live version (recorded Dr. Pepper Music Festival, Pier 84, New York NY) was originally issued on the Ian Hunter Rocks video (VHS/Laserdisc only). The video (DVD) can also be found on It Never Happened (box set only); the audio can be found on From The Knees Of My Heart (not on the box set).
Roll Away The Stone (live 29/30th January 2002)	5:03	This live version (recorded Sentrum Scene, Oslo Norway) was issued on Strings Attached.
Roll Away The Stone (live 28th May 2004)	3:13	This live version (recorded The Astoria, London England) was released on The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nuthin' But The Truth. It can also be foud on Greatest Hits Live In London. Not on the box set.
Roll Away The Stone (live 12th June 2004)	3:15	This live version (recorded at the Bikini, Barcelona, Spain) was released on Bag Of Tricks (Vol 2) (box set only).

River Of Tears, Ian Hunter, Man Overboard

The last song on the CD River Of Tears explores one of Hunter's interests and that is Native American lore and this song is similar to what he expressed on Ta Shunka Witco (Crazy Horse). The Agouras is a reference to the Chumash who settled in Agoura Hills, California about 10,000 years ago. 

Realistically, Ian points out Native Americans fought each but he points out one tribe that was different; they were artisans. The song tells a story of a lost daughter who hides in a tree but when the village tears turn into a river: 

the river flowed like an arrow to the foot of a hollow tree

The legend grew about this startling event of healing. This is quite a unique take on a Native American story. 

Ian was at a hotel and when the lift took a long time he read about the legend and wrote this song about the story. 

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

The area was first settled by the Chumash Native Americans around 10,000 years ago.^[11] The Alta California (Upper California) coast was settled by Spanish Franciscan missionaries in the late 18th century.

In about 1800, Miguel Ortega was granted a Spanish grazing concession called Rancho Las Virgenes or El Rancho de Nuestra Señora La Reina de Las Virgenes. The grant was abandoned after Ortega's death in 1810, and José Maria Dominguez was given Rancho Las Virgenes as a Mexican land grant in 1834. Maria Antonia Machado de Reyes purchased the rancho from Dominguez in 1845. (The "Reyes Adobe" ranch headquarters sits today in central Agoura Hills, where it is part of the Reyes Adobe Museum built around 2004 and owned by the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department.^[12])

1. Ta Shunka Witco (Crazy Horse)

The River of Tears

(Ian Hunter)

Waiting on an elevator - in a hotel out in California
The smog clouds up the windows - but there is a plaque up on the wall
That tells of the Agouras - people who were here long before us
Before the covered wagons - before they lost it all

They were hunters, they were fisherman and they often fought each other
But one small tribe was different, their leader was a peaceful man
They were weavers, they were painters, trading pelts for pretty colours
Protected by the warriors for the beauty in their hands
Roll back the years, roll back the years, to the river of tears

The chief he had a daughter, she was young and she was beautiful
He said "Go into the forest, get some berries for the dye
But make you way back quickly, for the old bear's getting hungry
I don't want you out there, when the sun falls from the sky"

Her basket filled with berries, she headed back toward the village
When a mighty roar erupted, she ran and hid inside a hollow tree
And shadows were getting longer, and the forest was getting colder
And the chief began to panic, where could his daughter be?
Lost in the years, lost in the years, on the river of tears

In the camp the fires were dying when the old chief started crying
Soon all the tribe were crying, and the ground grew wet beneath their feet
And the tears they turned to water and the water became a river
And the river flowed like an arrow to the foot of a hollow tree

And the girl looked out in wonder as she saw the water falling
She knew it was her father and she swam to his canoe
And all the tribe stopped crying and the river started subsiding
Into the hill of the Agouras, and so the legend grew
Roll back the years, roll back the years
Roll back the years, roll back the years
To the river of tears

(I wish all the world was healing)
(I wish all the world was healing)
(I wish all the world was healing)
(I wish all the world was healing)

River Of Tears

5:35

Originally issued on Man Overboard.

Resurrection Mary, Ian Hunter, The Artful Dodger

On 29 April 1994 the Mick Ronson Memorial Concert was staged including the new song Resurrection Mary. This is a story song about a well-known Chicago area legend. The legend relates that an apparition appears to drivers and there are allusions to the corruption, Mafia, and cronies that are endemic to Chicago such as Big Jim Colosimo. In a religious experience, the driver hopes to repent and be reborn and then Mary speaks in tongues which is known as glossolalia. The lyrics evolved over the years between the studio and live versions. 

Hunter advises that the song came from seeing a documentary about the legend on 60 Minutes. Mary is the elusive spectral "incandescent glow" in the song who was run over by a hit and run driver and was never found. The incident occurred on Archer Avenue and Mary allegedly hitches taxis outside Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, Illinois. The truthful aspect of the song is confirmed by Ian who called the cemetery to verify that Mary is actually buried there; there is dispute about the specific identification of the Mary in question though. Hunter was told that this is one of the best songs he'd ever written and he agrees. 

There is a trio version and a live release from 1994. 

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

Big Jim Colosimo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection_Mary

Resurrection Mary

(Ian Hunter)

(Studio version)

In 1935 I was living in paradise, I had a friend up in Cicero.
We used to go out to the track, we'd knock a few whiskeys back.
I'd lose my shirt and then I would lose my way home

I was driving my Stutz Black Hawk through Justice in the dark,
when suddenly the blood froze in my veins.
She was standing by the road in an incandescent glow,
My heart stood still, my foot slammed on the brakes.

She said "Please, please would you dignify my wish?
I'm trying to get to Heaven, could you tell me where that is?"

On a wild Chicago night, with a wind howling white,
I caught my first sign of Resurrection Mary.

I was trembling like a leaf, I was scared beyond belief,
after all my conscience ain't that clear.
I used to work for Mickey Finn, I did the numbers for Big Jim
Perhaps my day of reckoning lies here?

I said "Please, please, I would dignify your wish.
But when it comes to Heaven, I'm just a little bit amateurish."

On a wild Chicago night, with a wind howling white
I cheated time with Resurrection Mary.

And I felt tears form in my eyes,
for the first time I felt something deep inside,
and the first time I saw angels high in the air,
for the first time in my life,
and I said "Mary, go to the light, it's gonna be alright."

I got down on my knees, I said "Sweet Mary, please,
dignify these wishes before you run.
Will you tell him I've reformed, will you tell him I'm reborn?"
She closed her eyes and then she spoke in tongues

I said "Please, please, tell me what he said."
She said "You must die
the day before the devil knows you're dead."

On a wild Chicago night, with a wind howling white
I waved goodbye.

On a wild Chicago night, oh with a wind howling white
I lost sight
of Resurrection Mary
of Resurrection Mary
of Resurrection Mary
of Resurrection Mary
with the naked eye
with the naked eye
with the naked eye
with the naked eye

There are a number of differences to the lyrics in the live version as performed at the Mick Ronson Memorial Concert at London's Hammersmith Apollo, 29th April 1994.

In 1935 I was living in paradise, I had a friend up in Cicero.
We used to go out to the track and knock a few whiskeys back.
I'd lose my shirt and then I'd lose my way home

I was driving my Stutz back home through Justice in the dark,
when suddenly the blood froze in my veins.
She was standing by the road in an incandescent glow.
My heart said 'run' but my foot slammed on the brakes.

She said "Please, please would you justify my wish?
I'm trying to get to Heaven, will you tell me where that is?"

On a wild Chicago night, with a wind howling white,
I caught my first sign of Resurrection Mary, RM, RM, RM.

I was trembling like a leaf, I was scared beyond belief,
after all my conscience is not clear.
I used to work with Mickey Finn, I did the numbers for Big Jim
Perhaps my day of reckoning was here?

I said "Please, please, I'd love to dignify your wish.
But when it comes to Heaven, I'm just a little bit amateurish."

On a wild Chicago night, with a wind howling white
I cheated time with Resurrection Mary, RM, RM, RM.

Yeah the tears were forming in my eyes,
for the first time, I felt something deep inside,
and for the first time I saw angels high in the air,
for the first time in my life.
I said "Mary, go to the light, it's gonna be alright."

I got down on my knees and I said "Sweet Mary, please,
justify the wishes before you run.
Will you tell him I've reformed, will you tell him I'm reborn?"
She closed her eyes and then she spoke in tongues

I said "Please, please, will you tell me what he said?"
She said "You must die
the day before the devil knows you're dead."

On a wild Chicago night, with a wind howling white
well I waved goodbye to Ressurection Mary, RM, RM, RM.

On a wild Chicago night, with a wind howling white
I lost sight
of Resurrection Mary
of Resurrection Mary
of Resurrection Mary
of Resurrection Mary
with the naked eye
with the naked eye
with the naked eye
with the naked eye.

Resurrection Mary	6:11	Originally issued on The Artful Dodger.
Resurrection Mary (trio version)	6:55	This version can be found on Tilting The Mirror - Rarities (box set only).
Resurrection Mary (live 29th April 1994)	7:28	This live version (recorded Hammersmith Apollo, London England) is on The Mick Ronson Memorial Concert, and on Bag Of Tricks (Vol 1) (box set only). The version on Bag Of Tricks (Vol 1) appears 10s longer (at 7:38) due to extended crowd noise at the start and end.

Restless Youth, Ian Hunter, All American Alien Boy

Gerry Weems offered a robust guitar part for this medium-paced song that sparked up the LP with a song similar to what Ian knew from his past. Chris Stanton played bass on this one track in a style reminiscent of Joe Cocker's With a Little Help From My Friends. This song although not American and autobiographical seems similar to Hunter's British upbringing since he too had a restless youth. The Little Italy son is leader of the gang. He is part of the criminal element and becomes a hit man but his life is ended by a policeman. Ian's observation on America addresses the juvenile delinquency that he observed as a newly transplanted emigrant. Ian notes that it probably came from a newspaper story of the time and he was labeled "hostile" on a school report; he still has the report. 

Sign up now for the pre-release of Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing at TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me!

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

Restless Youth

(Ian Hunter)

He's much the same as anyone - He don't do what he's told
He got hostile on his school report - and he leaves his mother cold
His father owned a bakery - one day they found him hanged
It ain't good to be free in Little Italy - his son's the leader of the gang

CHORUS
RESTLESS YOUTH - RESTLESS YOUTH
RESTLESS YOUTH - RESTLESS YOUTH

He soon found out he could not work - the money was no good
This child of the city hit the welfare kitty - did some runnin' for the hoods
And the logic of the street was such - that everything was bent
There's a lot of white collars - stealing government dollars - wouldn't notice
such a little percent.

CHORUS

Now I went to his graduation - in some Brooklyn overnight jail
He said he was a member of the rock'n roll nation - 
but his face was drawn 'n pale
They gave him a suspended sentence - 'n he got straight on the phone
Called a big, big, man with a Miami tan 'n said
"Hi I'm Al Capone - the 2nd Restless Youth"

CHORUS

Now his first hit came at seventeen - his second was his last
Some dealer ran screaming from the scene - as the bullets whistled past
'N the cop that killed him shook his head 'n said "I swear the truth
When I know it was some old, old man 'n not a restless youth."

CHORUS

Now the moral of this story is that all he saw was greed
Legal, illegalities 'n all them politician thieves
Good people of the U.S.A. if you want your kids to grow
Then check your harvest carefully - Don't reap; before you sow

CHORUS

Restless Youth

6:17

Originally issued on All American Alien Boy.

Rest In Peace, Ian Hunter, (live 29/30th January 2002), Ian Hunter, Originally a Mott The Hoople

Rest In Peace was originally released as the B-side to the Mott The Hoople track The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll from The Hoople LP. Hunter wrote the song after seeing a Bob Dylan gig at Madison Square Garden in NYC. Generously, Hunter gave the band members in Mott The Hoople writing and publishing credit on B-sides that he wrote which earns the same amount in royalties as the A-sides. It sounds like a summary of a life at a funeral and was revived in 2002 and 2004 during Hunter's solo career. 

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, The DoctorOfDigital@pm.me

Ian explains the whole story at 17:30 on this bootleg - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T1cptbzJLH4...

TL

What's the lyric discrepancy?

http://www.hunter-mott.com/lyrics/rest_in_peace.html

DM

The song was originally on the 1972 ATYD album. Why would it have been released two years later and two albums later as a B side? Are you sure about this?

PO

It wasn't on ATYD. Are you thinking of Seadiver perhaps?

The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll" / "Rest in Peace" (March 1974) – UK No. 16 / US No. 96 From MTH 1974's The Hoople LP. 

During Ian's solo career, there are two versions from 2002 and 2004 respectively. 

TG in conversation with him. Bob Dylan

Rest in Peace (studio version)

(Ian Hunter)

Oh if my wheel could take another turn
and if my life replaced itself again,
I wouldn't want a single thing to change.
Oh it's been good, though it's been strange.

And if my dreams were willing to come true,
oh I would not even try to let them through.
I'm sure there's things I've missed, that others preached.
The goals they reached, they weren't for me.

Rest in peace,
even though the worries seem to mount,
don't let them count.
Rest in peace.

Throw all those smiles and paper miles away.
You make willow pattern pictures through the rain.
And swallow when your heart begins to breathe,
just like a bird, do what it please.

'Cause I ain't gonna be here all that long
and when I'm old I want to know I sung.
If there's a road ahead, I'll jump right in.
Just got to win, this is my hymn.

Rest in peace,
even though your worries seem to mount,
don't let them count.
Rest in peace.

Rest in peace.

There are a number of differences in the lyrics to the live-album version:

Rest in Peace ("Mott The Hoople Live" version)

(Ian Hunter)

Oh if my wheel could take another turn
and if my life replaced itself again,
I wouldn't want a single thing to change.
Oh it's been good, though it's been strange.

And if my dreams were willing to come true,
oh I would not even try to force them through.
I'm sure there's things I've missed, that others preached.
The goals they reached, they weren't for me.

Rest in peace,
even though the worries seem to mount,
don't let them count.
Rest in peace.

Throw all those miles and paper smiles away.
You make willow pattern pictures through the rain.
And swallow when your heart begins to breathe,
just like the birds, do what they please.

'Cause you know, we ain't gonna be here all that long
and when I go I want to know I sung.
If there's a road ahead, I'll jump right in.
Just got to win, this is my hymn.

Rest in peace,
even though your worries seem to mount,
don't let them count.
Rest in peace.

Rest in peace.

Rest In Peace	3:54	Originally the B-side to The Golden Age of Rock n Roll, it can be found on The Collection, Ballad of Mott - A Retrospective, All The Young Dudes - The Anthology, Gold, The Golden Age of Rock n Roll, Shades of Ian Hunter - The Ballad of Mott The Hoople, The Very Best of Ian Hunter and the 2000 and 2006 CD reissues of The Hoople.
Rest In Peace (live 13th April 1974)	6:54	This live version (recorded Santa Monica Civic Center, Los Angeles CA) can be found on Two Miles From Live Heaven, the In Performance box set and the compilations Concert Anthology and Essential Young Dudes - Live And More.
Rest In Peace (live 8/9th May 1974)	6:01	This live version (recorded Uris Theater, New York City NY) can be found on Live and the compilations The Essential Mott The Hoople and Roll Away The Stone.

Rest In Peace (live 29/30th January 2002)	6:31	Originally a Mott The Hoople track. This live version (recorded Sentrum Scene, Oslo Norway) was released on Strings Attached.
Rest In Peace (live 28th May 2004)	4:42	This live version (recorded The Astoria, London England) was released on The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nuthin' But The Truth. Not on the box set.

Red Letter Day, Ian Hunter, Ian Hunter's Dirty Laundry

Hunter starting working with John Jansen in 1987 on YUI Orta but Red Letter Day didn't get recorded until this effort and it is one of the few solo written songs on the CD. Here Hunter is close to his beloved but the difficulties of relationships is that we often can not see eye to eye with our lovers. We miss each other. The lovers are separated but once the partners come home together again it will be all right. The title of the song comes from the idea of any day with special significance and is a phrase rooted in classical antiquity, e.g., important days are indicated in red in Roman Republic calendars. 

Would it be a surprise that Ian's wife Trudi thinks of it as one of her favorites? Its true.  

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

A red letter day (sometimes hyphenated as red-letter day) is any day of special significance or opportunity. Its roots are in classical antiquity; for instance, important days are indicated in red in a calendar dating from the Roman Republic (509–27 BC).^[1]

Red Letter Day

(Ian Hunter)

Red Letter Day (3) mmmm...
Late at night I drift away somewhere I'm walking on the moon - 

talking to you there I miss you babe, 

oh I miss you In my empty room on a crowded avenue
Oh I've been rolling down the river, girl And I bump into you
I miss you babe, oh I miss you
When I come home the love is gonna last forever
'Cause deep in my heart, the loving never went away
When I come home, the love is gonna last forever
It's going to be a Red Letter Day (3) oh-oh
Why oh why oh why can't we see eye to eye
All we do is argue and the years go rolling by
How on earth could it be worth such a sacrifice
All we got's each other and I'm lonely in this life
I miss you girl oh I miss you

When I come home the love is gonna last forever
'Cause deep in my heart, the loving never went away
When I come home, the love is gonna last forever
It's going to be a Red Letter Day (many times)

Leave your light on 'cause I've waited so long

Red Letter Day

5:11

Originally issued on Ian Hunter's Dirty Laundry.

Real Or Imaginary, Ian Hunter, bonus EP with initial copies of Shrunken Heads

Real Or Imaginary didn't quite make the cut but was only released as part of a bonus EP with initial copies of the CD. The singer writes to his mother that he is ok recognizing that everyone has got an enemy, real or imaginary. In this case, the fright that the singer expresses is his deployment in warfare. Hunter has written against the stupidity of warfare elsewhere in Flowers and Death 'n' Glory Boys. 

Although not part of the official release Hunter is quite keen on the song. The song was eliminated only because the CD was full and already had the correct balance of slow and heavy songs.  The song just didn't fit because would have overloaded the slow songs on the release. Both Wasted and this track would have slowed down the CD too much. The release included those songs that fit together to form a coherent message and sequencing. The bonus tracks of the EP weren't a marketing ply the eleven songs included on the regular release fit together. 

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

Real or Imaginary

(Ian Hunter)

Midnight
Just sent the letter home
Mom, I'm okay
It won't be long
But everybody's got an enemy
Real or imaginary
Send for the cavalry
I wonder if I got it wrong

And I confess
I ain't the bravest
Wish I was home with you
Where I belong
But everybody's got an enemy
Real or imaginary
Deep down inside of me
I wonder if I got it wrong

We're the entertainers
You've seen us on TV
Headlines in all the papers
For all the world to see

But I miss you
And all those little things you do
Don't a shed a tear for me
We must be strong

Everybody's got an enemy
Real or imaginary
Just before I go to sleep
I wonder, have I got it wrong?

Real Or Imaginary

3:39

Originally released on the bonus EP with initial copies of Shrunken Heads.

Read 'em 'n' Weep, Ian Hunter, Shrunken Heads

Often the last track on a release is deeply moving and Read 'em 'n' Weep is in the tradition of: Sea Diver, The Outsider, and God (Take 1). The stylish, heart-breaking regret is a touching reminiscing on lost love. If you have ever been in that situation you can appreciate the heartbreak. Words are not needed when your love is breaking your heart. There is no reason for the breakup but the jilted lover who has been left for another has love letters to console him although they actually lead to tears. 

Not surprisingly, Hunter confirmed that this song is based on real events along the lines of Irene Wilde. Since he couldn't afford the bus fare in Shrewsbury Ian walked to the lady's suburb, Cathy, in Meole Brace; and, it must have seemed like a much longer walk home after a breakup. 

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

Read 'em And Weep

(Ian Hunter)

On a warm summer day, in the hour of my youth
I walked the four miles to your door
You wore a straw hat, high heels to match
And the whitest cotton dress I ever saw
When I tried to hold you, you turned away
You don't have to tell me, it's all over your face
I can see the writing on the wall
And there's a distance in your eyes that says it all

Read it and weep
I can't get no sleep
'Cos I know you won't change your mind tomorrow
I'm sinking under, I don't wanna lose you
This emptiness is more than I can handle
You gave me no reason, but you gave me rhyme
I put the words to music and I was out of my mind
All I've got's the letters that I keep 
And sometimes just before I go to sleep

I read 'em 'n' weep
You swept me off my feet
Now I know, time's the only healer
This jealousy hurts
The thought of seeing you with someone else
Cuts like a knife
Into the heart of me
Life is a river
It twists and it turns
But I'll get over you babe
I'll live and I'll learn
The paper's full of January sales
I guess I won't be buying fairytales

Read 'em 'n' weep
Cryin' in my sleep
'Cos I know I'm gonna be alone tomorrow
And I walked the four miles
Yeah I walked the four miles
In tears and sorrow
This was the story, here's where it ends
Next time I'll be wiser
I won't get let down again
I wanted you so badly, but I failed
Now all I got's these little paper trails

Read 'em 'n' weep 
Read 'em 'n' weep
Oh yeah
Read 'em 'n' weep
Read 'em 'n' weep
Ah, ha

I wanted you so badly, but I failed
Now all I got's these little paper trails

Read 'em 'n' Weep

5:02

Originally released on Shrunken Heads.

Rape, Ian Hunter, All American Alien Boy

Rape is hauntingly political but with a beautiful gospel flavor and a stunning female chorus about a violent and personal encounter. Justice is not served is the message while the perpetrator believes he will escape punishment because he's "sick, rich, and stoned." The final verdict is: "Justice just is . . . Not" punctuated by majestic backing vocals.

Singin' In The Rain by Gene Kelly was the original intro for the song and similar to the juxtaposition between high art and violence in A Clockwork Orange. Kelly rang Fred Heller, Hunter's manager, and felt the inclusion of his song might tarnish his image and the intro was dropped in 1976. Upon the reissue Kelly had passed away in the meantime thus maybe Sony took advantage of his passing and released the Kelly intro although the label denied it and said it was a mistake. In any event, the intro works and supports the point that Ian was making. Violent criminals take advantage of society and often there is no justice, for victims.  

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

Rape

(Ian Hunter)

He searched through his love like a thief on the run
He searched through his face - to see the guilt water run
But he's fresh out of tears and nobody has come
And justice has got to be done

Oh moon in the city stay open and clear
For his vision ain't good and his mind's disappeared
"Get along mother nature" they spat at your son
So justice has got to be done

And beauty is lying alone in the park
Her friend has gone bowling in the alleys so dark
Where's her knight in white armour who rides a chrome Ford
Justice would seem to be bored
Justice would seem to be bored

A knife full of life penetrated the bait
While he thinks 'o the sister and the mother that he hates
And he thinks he'll get off 'cos he's sick, and stoned
And justice was made to be honed
And justice was made to be honed

And his lawyer is smiling one hell of a smile
'N he's lying all the lies - of the lies in exile 
While she's dying of grief he's defending his brief
And justice would seem to be cheap
And justice would seem to be cheap

Well I've searched through the falling, and I searched through the failed 
I've searched through the jury - the judge and the jailed
But sleeping beauty is dead no use pricking her thumb
And justice has got to be done

Justice just is - justice just is - justice just is - Not!

The 1998 CD also came with a previously-unavailable version of Rape, which had the Singin' In The Rain intro. This version was previously available only on a few US test pressings and had never been issued officially before!

Rape	4:04	Originally issued on All American Alien Boy. Also on the compilation The Singles Collection 1975-83
Rape (alternate version)	4:20	A rare version, with the Singin' In The Rain intro, was released on the 2000 CD reissue of All American Alien Boyin place of the 'regular' version. Note it is not on subsequent issues, and not in the box set.