Newman, Randy - The Story Of A Rock And Roll Band Lyrics






They were six fine English boys
Who knew each other in Birmingham
They bought a drum and guitar
Started a rock-roll band

And Johnny played little violin
And Bobby Joe played the big violin
The one that stands on the floor
They were all in the rock-roll band

Their first song sounded like this
Please get me a witness
Please get me a witness

Right off, they needed a name
Someone said, "How 'bout the Renegades ?"
Johnny said, "Well I don't know.
I prefer E.L.O."

I love their "Mr. Blue Skies"
Almost my favorite is "Turn to Stone"
And how 'bout "Telephone Line"?
I love that E.L.O.





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Newman, Randy The Story Of A Rock And Roll Band Comments
  1. M.... T....

    This was the one song on that album that always reminded me of it

  2. N.... M....

    "What I like about it is that I got everything so wrong," he laughed. "Mispronounced the name of the town, made up their names. And they do have these idiosyncrasies about their music that are funny. It's maybe a kind of a joke, but I wouldn't have done it if I really hated them like I hate some people." - Randy Newman as told to Jeff Giles

    What I can't figure out is which "first song" he's making fun of during the "Please get me a witness" part? 10538 Overture? Showdown? Can't Get it Out of My Head?

    N.... M....

    no,i just did a small investigation and i think we must not make it to difficult and look not to far into this.i think randy based that section on e.l.o."s ultimate song that is mr.blue sky.

  3. D.... B....

    This has got to be one of the worst songs ever written. Was it supposed to be funny? He sounds drunk. I keep coming back to it though, makes me laugh every time.

  4. K.... S....

    randy loves ELO and randy hates ELO end of story. randy hates you too and really really hates ppl like me! LOL

    K.... S....

    are you short?

  5. G.... G....

    Like Randy, I always hated ELO.

  6. B.... H....

    There's no way he wasn't a fan if we could imitate their style perfectly.

    B.... H....

    Haven't listened to the MOI in decades so I have no idea what you are talking about.

    B.... H....

    maybe you should give it a go then.

    B.... H....

    Their best album was "Ruben and the Jets", a brilliant parody of the doo-wop genre.

    B.... H....

    the irony that you mention that doo-wop parody albumunder this randy newman is not gone lost on me.

    B.... H....

    good. it shouldn't.

  7. H.... M....

    Randy Newman is a fantastic composer, lyricist, and performer. A rare triple threat.

  8. R.... F....

    How about the renegades?

  9. n.... ....

    It's a real tribute... With a smile....

  10. R.... C....

    I always wondered, was this a tribute or sarcasm? Someone reassure me...

    R.... C....

    @Ricky Coleman "I always wondered, was this a tribute or sarcasm?" It's a song with a narrator who loves L.A., er, E.L.O.

    R.... C....

    Now then, Jeffie's chicken shiva boots are rockin---think he wore them to a 'cow island' or two. Mighta had somethin ta do wit the D.A.'s spruce goose gone out of the blue? Randy however belts out too much heart on "Pretty Boy" for me not to believe that "Short People" is a similar heart felt witness against the diet in the hotel on california st.. Nice shots Mr. Newman!

    R.... C....

    Randy may have liked Jeff Lynne but you can bet your ass he hated the schlock they produced. Just compare their work to "Good Old Boys" or "Little Criminals", both masterpieces.

    R.... C....

    Early ELO was legit, but ya their later poppy/disco material was shit

    R.... C....

    Randy's genius is that he is never 100% serious, and never 100% kidding. My guess is that he thinks/thought that ELO is total schlock, but rather likes the schlock anyway. I don't think he could have nailed their sound so perfectly if he hadn't been a fan on some level.

  11. P.... B....

    Brilliant the way he imitates ELO's style even with a short reprise at the end, classic!

    P.... B....

    with producing the threetles reunion it was the other way around.cheers for the fine accolades.

    P.... B....

    +Phelim Burgess He says the joke of this song is that it doesn't really sound like them truly. And of course, he gets all the facts of their history wrong :)

  12. b.... ....

    God, I loved this record when it came out.

    b.... ....

    I still do