Saturday Gigs, Ian Hunter, Mott The Hoople, Strings, Truth

Saturday Gigs is a celebration of Mott The Hoople and was originally a 1974 single which was their swan song reminiscing about the band chronologically through the years. Ian thought it should be a huge hit but it stalled at #41 in the charts and the song broke the camel's back of the band. Mick Ralphs was gone by this point although had it been a hit maybe Mott would have continued. It gave Hunter more confidence that he could write hits and his songwriting was strong.

The song appeared consistently in Hunter solo live sets. 

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Saturday Gigs

(Ian Hunter)

Sixty-nine was cheapo wine,
Have a good time,
What your sign?
Float up to the Roundhouse
On a Sunday afternoon.

In Seventy we all agreed
A King's Road flat was the place to be 'Cause Chelsea girls are the best in the world for company.

In Seventy-one all the people come
Bust a few seats but it's just in fun
Take the Mick out of Top of the Pops
We play better than they do
(yeah, yeah, yeah) In Seventy-two we was born to lose We slipped down snakes into yesterday's news
I was ready to quit
But then we went to Croydon

Do you remember the Saturday gigs?
We do, we do
Do you remember the Saturday gigs?
We do, we do

The tickets for the fantasy were twelve and six a time
A fairy tale on sale

Oh, Seventy-three was a jambouree
We were the dudes and the dudes were we.
(oh oh oh oh oh)
Did you see the suits and the platform boots?
(oh dear, oh boy, ...)

In Seventy-four on the Broadway tour We didn't much like dressing up no more
Don't wanna be hip - but thanks for a great trip.

Do you remember the Saturday gigs?
We do, we do
Do you remember the Saturday gigs?
We do, we do
But now the kids pay a couple of quid
'Cause they need it just the same
It's all a game
A grown-up game

But you got off on those Saturday gigs
And we did, we did
'Cause you got off on those Saturday gigs
And we did, we did
And we got off on those Saturday gigs
And you did, you did
And we got off on those Saturday gigs
'Cause you did, you did

Don't you ever forget us
We'll never forget you
We're going to sleep now
You better be good, right? (ha ha ha)
See you next time [...?]
So long for now

Saturday Gigs	4:20	Originally a single, it can be found on the compilations Greatest Hits, The Collection, All The Young Dudes - The Anthology, The Essential Mott The Hoople, Gold, The Golden Age of Rock n Roll, The Journey, Shades of Ian Hunter - The Ballad of Mott The Hoople, Mojo Presents, Old Records Never Die, Roll Away The Stone, the 2006 CD reissue of The Hoople, The Very Best of Ian Hunter, The Golden Age 1969-1997 and The Very Best of Mott The Hoople.
Saturday Gigs (alternate version)	4:28	An alternate version (in which Mick Ronson plays some synth) can be found on Ballad of Mott - A Retrospective.
Saturday Gigs (live 1st October 2009)	6:37	This live version (recorded Hammersmith Apollo, London England) is on Hammersmith Apollo 2009.
Saturday Gigs (live 17th November 2013)	5:41	This live version (recorded O2 Apollo, Manchester England) is on Live 2013.
The Saturday Kids	6:01	This early draft of Saturday Gigs can be found on All The Young Dudes - The Anthology and on the 2006 CD reissue of The Hoople.

Saturday Gigs (live 29/30th January 2002)	6:29	Originally a Mott The Hoople track. This live version (recorded Sentrum Scene, Oslo Norway) was issued on Strings Attached.
Saturday Gigs (live 28th May 2004)	1:23	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.

A Sane Revolution, D. H. Lawrence, Ian Hunter, This spoken-word poem (off tape), coupled with a radio promo, Bag Of Tricks (Vol 1) (box set only).

A Sane Revolution is a spoken-word poem by Hunter and coupled with a radio promo. The actual poem is a reflection on the political revolutions in Europe and beyond, and a starting point for the social and sexual revolutions that were to come. The poet is D H Lawrence (1885-1930), born in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, England, the son of a coal miner. Best known for his novels, Lawrence was also a talented poet although his poetry is often neglected.

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

A Sane Revolution is a reflection on the political revolutions in Europe and beyond, and a starting pistol for the social and sexual revolutions that were to come.

A Sane Revolution

(1:11)

This spoken-word poem (off tape), coupled with a radio promo, was released on Bag Of Tricks (Vol 1) (box set only).

Saint, (Ian Hunter/James Mastro), Ian Hunter, When I'm President

The Civil War and the Wild West was the subject of three songs on the record. Saint co-written by guitarist James Mastro, explores Hunter's interest in the American Wild Wild West. It is an up-tempo rocker along the lines of Twisted Steel. There were all kinds of malcontents following the American Civil War and people were not prepared for the brutality of the American fight to end slavery; in this song, it is about a one-legged man who lost a leg in the war and could not join Jesse James and his gang. Indicative of how people were not prepared for the horror of war are the lines about

Lords 'n' ladies, sittin by the hillside
Makin' their bets on who is gonna win

This is a reference to the first battle of Bull Run, Virginia on July 21, 1861 when spectators, thinking the conflict would be short and relatively bloodless, came out to the battlefield as picnickers only to discover that they had to high tail it back to safety when the Union armies faced a rout. 

The rebel in the song would have run with Jesse and Frank James, Confederate bushwhackers who after the war became outlaws, bank and train robbers, and guerrillas in Missouri. Unfortunately for this rebel who is not a saint, he couldn't join the James' since he had lost a leg and would be no help in a bank robbery. As indicative of the bloodbath that was the Civil War Ian had a vision of the Battle of Pig Point upon which he based the song. This was an early naval battle also in Virginia in 1861. Hunter identifies the appalling nature of war in general and in particular the horrific American Civil Way which is by far the bloodiest and most costly conflict in American history. He writes:

It ain't the same without the music 

There's no music on battlefields.

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

The Battle of Pig Point, Virginia was an early naval battle of the American Civil War, after Lincoln had extended the Union blockade to include Virginia. On June 5, 1861, the Union gunboat USRC Harriet Lane under Captain John Faunce was ordered to attack Pig Point, but due to shallow water, the shots fell short, and the Union suffered five men wounded before withdrawing.

Bull Run on July 21, 1861, was going to be remembered as the first gory conflict in a long and bloody war. 

Bull Run, the first land battle of the Civil War, was fought at a time when many Americans believed the conflict would be short and relatively bloodless, writes the Senate Historical Office. That's part of the reason why civilians did go out to watch it. And yes, many did bring food. But though the juxtaposition of picnic food and battlefields might seem strange in hindsight, many of the picnickers were there because they had to be.

Jesse Woodson James (September 5, 1847 – April 3, 1882) was an American outlaw, bank and train robber, guerrilla and leader of the James–Younger Gang. Raised in the "Little Dixie" area of Western Missouri, James and his family maintained strong Southern sympathies. He and his brother Frank Jamesjoined pro-Confederate guerrillas known as "bushwhackers" operating in Missouri and Kansas during the American Civil War. As followers of William Quantrill and "Bloody Bill" Anderson, they were accused of committing atrocities against Union soldiers and civilian abolitionists, including the Centralia Massacre in 1864.

Saint

(Ian Hunter/James Mastro)

I got one leg 'n' a tin
I got one leg 'n' a tin
I got one leg 'n' a tin
Lords 'n' ladies, sittin by the hillside
Makin' their bets on who is gonna win

I'd be with Jesse 'n' Frank
I'd be with Jesse 'n' Frank
I'd be with Jesse 'n' Frank
But there ain't no way no one-legged hero could help 'em rob a bank

I ain't no saint, no
I ain't no saint, no 
I ain't no saint, no
That would never do
I ain't no saint, no
I ain't no saint no
I ain't no saint, no
But I could never be you

I got one leg 'n' a tin
I got one leg 'n' a tin
I got one leg 'n' a tin;
 
Horror, horror, can't believe the horror 
Flashbacks, deathtraps, morphine kicking in

I ain't no saint, no
I ain't no saint, no
I ain't no saint, no
I ain't no hayseed
I ain't no saint, no
I ain't no saint, no
I ain't no saint, but you can never buy me

It ain't the same without the music 
It ain't the same without the music
It ain't the same without the music 
It ain't the same without the music

(two, three, four)

I got one leg 'n' a tin
I got one leg 'n' a tin
I got one leg 'n' a tin
I took one for the team, one for the dream
One for the slaves, one for freedom
Put a penny in

I ain't no saint, no
I ain't no saint, no
I ain't no saint, no
That would never do
I ain't no saint, no
I ain't no saint, no
I ain't no saint, no
But I could never be you

(Yes!)

 

Saint is another up-tempo rocker, this time it reminds me at times of Twisted Steel.

Saint

3:35

Originally issued on When I'm President.

Rollerball, Ian Hunter, (live 29/30th January 2002) Unreleased in studio form. Strings Attached

Rollerball is one of the most unusual songs in the Hunter catalog and it has not been released in a studio version but only recorded live. It was first released as part of the Strings Attached song list in 2002 and there are two other live releases from 2004. It is apocylyptic in tone after the corporate wars and even a woman with a PhD is not immune since there are too many people who are now victims of progress. Everything of value on the earth is gone. Hunter's target in this song is corporate greed such as that represented by Margaret Thatcher though the music business is not immune to greed either and it is a total mess. The song comes from a James Caan line `before the corporate wars' in the 1975 science fiction sports film of the same name. The song would not be out of place on Rant. 

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

Rollerball is a 1975 science fiction sports film directed and produced by Norman Jewison.^[7] It stars James Caan, John Houseman, Maud Adams, John Beck, Moses Gunn and Ralph Richardson. The screenplay, written by William Harrison,^[8] adapted his own short story "Roller Ball Murder", which had first appeared in the September 1973 issue of Esquire.^[9]

Rollerball

(Ian Hunter)

Just another day
When everything goes wrong
You know that feeling you get
When you're done
My best years are behind me
My future is in doubt
They keep on putting those fences up
Trying to keep me out
Trying to keep me out

I heard the rumors
I hope they're not true
There ain't no depths
That they wouldn't sink to

I've been told, after the corporate wars
Everybody's obsolete
'Cause there ain't no more
No there ain't no more
Rollerball
Rollerball
Rollerball

She's a good woman
But she's easily led
They led her up the garden path
Right out of her head
She's an academic
She's got trophies on the wall
She's got her P.H.D. in hypocrisy
She can't help herself
She's gonna do well

They took away music
They took away art
They took away everything
That was close to her heart

I've been told, after the corporate wars
Everybody's obsolete
'Cause there ain't no more
No there ain't no more
Rollerball
Rollerball
Rollerball

Too many people
Too many people
Too many people
Too many people

Just another loser
Washed up on the sand
Just another winner
With blood on his hands
Just another victim
At the alter of success
Just another victim of
Progress
Progress
Progress
Progress

They cut down the forest
They polluted the sea
They messed up the ozone
Now they're looking for me

I've been told, after the corporate wars
Everybody's obsolete
'Cause there ain't no more
No there ain't no more
Rollerball
Rollerball
Rollerball

You heard it here first
You heard it here first
You heard it here first
You heard it here first

Rollerball is another new song, a medium-paced rocker that shows Ian is showing no sign of losing his touch.

Rollerball (live 29/30th January 2002)	5:27	Unreleased in studio form. This live version (recorded Sentrum Scene, Oslo Norway) was issued on Strings Attached.
Rollerball (live 28th May 2004)	5:30	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.
Rollerball (live 12th June 2004)	5:19	This live version (recorded at the Bikini, Barcelona, Spain) was released on Bag Of Tricks (Vol 2) (box set only).

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. 

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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).