Zappa, Frank - 50/50 Lyrics

Still sounds amazing and ...Ralph Humphrey!!! A true beast on drums.

apostrophe is one of the greatest albums ever made, period

But this song isn't from Apostrophe (')

@hakantunaTV Aposthrofe is the only zappa cd that i hav and it has this song , its 15th song

@hakantunaTV hmm Seems to be that my CD has two albums :) ..got it from a friend , never had real outers as it came inside of a Chris Rea covers

The three best solos ever played . twist ur head and blend it .. Best ever

Everyone needs to check out the live versions from the '73 tour of Australia.

Got a link?

I remember it well cuz I wuz there 🎵

The gold standard for complex jazz rock music

Ricky Lancelotti is an absolute madman and i love it, some of the sickest vocals on any Zappa song

LOVE THAT BASS

Weird mix, can barely hear the horns.

Funny strange lyrics and incredible musicianship. What more can a fella ask...TJ STRUSKA

Am I the only one hearing Paul di Anno's voice in this song from time to time? Reminiscence of Killers tone.

George Duke goes bananas on the organ , love it.

45 yrs later i still jump and down to franks music

Lurge on the organ ...

Ahhhh that Bass. WTF.

What a truly appropriate name for the album. My favorite from FZ.
\m/ (>_<) \m/

His music I proving itself now after not being taken seriously for so long ..

That guitar solo is like someone has 50,000 volts of electicity running through them and is almost not responsible for the notes they are hitting. The more I hear it the better it gets. There's my 50/50.

holy fuck what a guitar solo! Frank was a damn shredder!

I put the guys face from the bottom of the picture frame on the hood of my 77 Mustang/Cobra Mach II in multi colored refractive tape.

50-50 ... great!

I figure the odds are better than Fifty Fifty that this is one of my fave Zappa jams! Frank’s solo is off the chain!

MY SMILE IS STUCK
Whoops wrong song

When that JLP solo hits 👌 goosebumps

I miss Frank Zappa!

Does anybody know how he plays guitar like that? Is he actually that insane, or does he use some effects that make it sound like hes player more notes then he actually is? I know hes an incredible player, but i cant even imagine moving your fingers that fast.

Bizarre fusion with Jean luc ponty on fiddle electric, the same artist who plays violin on Baba O'Reilly by the Who.

Dave Arbus played the violin solo at the end of Baba O'Reilly

Now these cats can play !!!

Well, my dandruff is loose
And my breath is chartreuse
I know I ain't cute
And my voice is kaput
But that's alright, people
I'm just crazy enough to sing to you
Any old way

I figure the odds be fifty-fifty
I just might have something to say

I ain't gonna sing you no love song
How my heart is all soft
Will not beg your indulgence
Cause you heard it before
And that's alright, people
I'm just crazy enough to sing to you
Any old way

I figure the odds be fifty-fifty
I just might have something to say
In my pants

Now I've taken your time
I have sung you my song
Ain't no great revelation
But it wasn't too long
And that's alright, people
I'm just crazy enough to sing to you
Any old way

I figure the odds be fifty-fifty
I just might have something to say

Just when you think the song has reached its peak, another solo shows up!

George duke's solo's like getting slung fast and hard in a tilt o whirl at a cheesy carnival operated by drunken carneys.

That is so damn I'm amusing.

Fucking sick!!!

Damn - George Duke smokes on this. IMO his playing on this song is as good as Emerson's on Karn Evil 9. Very underrated keyboard player.

1973 this band we're playing their ass off !

For any karaoke novice

my moms coworker said she had a zappatite in 78, it was on eversince,many many albums later

All of the sudden, I had an urge to hear this song.

Me too.

carrepair with steak and beer ?

Just discovered that Ricky Lancelotti died in a car crash in 1980, aged just 35. RIP Ricky, we will remember you forever thanks to your work on this album (and others).

He died way too young.

but lives he like he sounds ? thats the question of Shakespeare. You regret my dawn ?

my theme song

Jean Luc Ponty!! This song is genius. George Duke vocals and Frank Zappa guitar.

I love the bass line

R.I.P Frank
Damn I wish I were alive when you were.

This is awful.

If by "awful" you mean "fantastic," I agree with you.

Where the hell did that bass player learn to play? I wanna go there.

3:35 that solo is on fire

The bass on this is beyond great

The solos on this track are quite outstanding..!

yall too fn crazy for me?

Love the bass on this track.

Great Song! Figure the odds be........

Now that's what musicians call bitchin'.....

This is probably my favourite Zappa track. Alongside the amazing solos, the chord progressions in the backing music really brings them to life

Ponty's solo @ 2:40 absolutely smokes!

sister marriage with moon ? Mike .

That's Exactly the word.

i remember getting this record when i was a kid i played it over and over my mom hated Zappa,,,,lolo was funny shit

FRANK ZAPPA IS THE STANLEY KUBRICK OF MUSUC!

That's what my mum said
I said pink floyd was
But i get it

Frank's better than Stanley, may they both rest in peace. Huge fan of both. Kubrick = Pink Floyd, Frank has no equal.

Well, my dandruff is loose
And my breath is chartreuse
I know I ain't cute
And my voice is kaput
But that's alright, people
I'm just crazy enough to sing to you
Any old way

I figure the odds be fifty-fifty
I just might have something to say

I ain't gonna sing you no love song
How my heart is all soft
Will not beg your indulgence
Cause you heard it before
And that's alright, people
I'm just crazy enough to sing to you
Any old way

I figure the odds be fifty-fifty
I just might have something to say
In my pants

Now I've taken your time
I have sung you my song
Ain't no great revelation
But it wasn't too long
And that's alright, people
I'm just crazy enough to sing to you
Any old way

I figure the odds be fifty-fifty
I just might have something to say

A beauty!

Tom Fowler kicks this one's ass!

They all cut loose on this track!

Well my dandruff is loose and my breath is chartreuse!!
Who the fuck comes up with shit like that?
Bless you Frank!!

This song is the one how I found Zappa's music. It was in 1973 when I won a Phillips cassette recorder playing bingo at a local bingo hall. I was there with my father. Soon I bought an empty cassette and went to my friend's to record some music on it. CCR album Cosmo's factory and some Beatles songs. They were already familiar to me and so good. After recording them there was still about 10 minutes empty room in the end of the cassette and my friend said maybe i should try this. It was my friend's older brothers Zappa lp Over nite sensation and song Fifty fifty from it. Ok, I said i'll try. When listening to it, I remember I was thinking what the hmmm is this. At home next day I played the cassette once but kept on playing Fifty Fifty again and again. That day I forgot CCR and Beatles and found Zappa. And that is the road i am still on.

Adding... I was about 15 years old then and after that i have bought all 60s and 70s Zappa albums. Some of them are pure s..t but the others just kind of soul food for me. Greetings from Finland.

ELP + James Brown singing + Jethro Tull = "Fifty-Fifty". Amazing!!!

Another one of my favourite Zappa song from one of my favourite albums. Someone jockingly said to me that the bass reminded him of Starsky and Hutch in terms of style.

The calliope sound just cracked me up on such an intricate piece....The circus is coming ....but hold on folks it will blow you away.....

I'm surprised Les Claypool hasn't covered this song yet. He's got the personnel to do it. Flip flop the George Duke keyboards with Mike Dillon going off on his vibraphone.

Still brings a tear to my eye. And that's 45 years later and too many listens to count.

DAMN! Put a saddle on this one and ride it around the track! smokin' basswork! (i'm a bassist/guitarist/singer) Still have this on Vinyl. FYI - today is Frank Zappa's Birthday -RIp 12-04-93 at 52 - wonder what he'd be putting out now?

At least as likely as not

Odds may be 50-50 we make it through another year.

I don''t even know what I'm doing this weekend yet ;)

Ricky Coleman well, we just got past the halfway point. cheers!!

Got this Lp in the excellent argentine edition

My life changed after I got this album

just try playing any of the ONS tunes on your instrument of choice. Unless you listen a lot and have a "Phonographic Memory" you need music to get it right.

Ponty's best work! :)...Nah...He has tons of great stuff! I feel lucky to have seen them both Zappa and Ponty separate tours.

I seen ponty live in 2000 at the house of blues,chicago

I live my life with this songs words "I think the the odds are fifty fifty I might have something to say.

Bass is killer in this one

Found this gem with Tom. His lines are so good.

Even a rehearsal of the tune is great to hear!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQvxKj2fhLA

Tom Fowler is unbelievable , truly one of he masters on bass.

I’ll say it’s a class act these guys have synergy if I know what that means seems to apply

Tom Fowler was a truly underrated bassist. Love him!

OH YES THAT BASS MAKES IT

started listening to frank in '69 and haven't stopped yet...

Your gonna love the journey, David, Some will suit your taste, some will not, but its never boring, keep listening David.

Will do, Anthony. I'm actually more optimistic than that. I'm quite persistent when I listen to music, especially great artists like Frank, so even if I don't like something at first I keep listening until I "get it." I had to struggle a bit with "Lumpy Gravy" and "200 Motels" but now I really like both of those. I also struggled with about a four-minute section of the song "The Grand Wazoo." But after listening to it around 60 times :) I was able to gain an appreciation for that part. I already liked the rest of the track. We'll see how I do with "The Yellow Shark" and "Civilization Phaze III" when I get to those.

72...these is a great song...

me i confess are ya gonna punish me?

Oooft, might be time to take a break for a bit?

43 years and still kickin' and grinnin' with wholesale satisfaction! Truly amazing early "Jam Band!"

Is that a Farfisa with a wheel? Also Luc-Ponty starting at 3:14

Sounds like a Wurlitzer to me.

A Wurlitzer I think

thanks....them boys could play, even cats and dogs heard that shit on 8 and wouldnt leave the room

Awesome

Oh my.... I think my brain just spewed cum out of my ears..... Sooooo gooood!!!!!!!!!

Those 3 solos are just INTENSE! The whole song is genius!

In the Kansas song Icarus - Borne on Wings of Steel there is an absolutely amazing well decided switch off of solos between the keys/organ, guitar and violing. My favourite few moments of music to feature those three instruments.

Doomkid thanks for the Zappa video compilation

Ralph Humphrey aint bad either!

Agreed.

He was fabulous

I think this song is about James Brown.

I'd like to know as well.

Can't see it myself - the singer (Ricky Lancelotti) kind of sounds like James Brown in places but that's about it.

👌😎☮

This song which happens to be one of my favorites since it is memorable because of its solo appearances.
Especially, the solo by Jean-Luc Ponty!, George Duke and Ian Underwood, et al.

Songs been stuck in my head for days,, had to break down an play it. post it. Wow what incredible leads throughout

Ricky Lancelotti!

absolute bad ass synth solo

i think it tells rick lancelottis crash story personally...the effects that blend sound like screaching wheels...

The entire album is full of innovative, catchy songs that bend genres and minds. And the LP art, what can you say, Zappa at his absolute finest, surrounded by some of the most talented musicians of their generation.

the singing is what makes the album 10/10

Mimis Amimos . . but mainly the instrumentals and composing . .

Yeah if you listen closely you can hear the geinus at work,!!!!!

50-50 review hopefully with the tools of much chutzpah. with revelation revealed to the best of my ability by HCT. as follows, a analysis of excellence and discernment while calling those things as they appear from the perspective of the 3rd heaven where only God and angels and the Father Son and the Holy Spirit abide and provide wisdom to me and you I might add. as .......follows dudes and dudettes catch the fire of revelation in the knowledge of Him and speak mysteries and oracles at all times. Be ye perfect as your father in heaven is perfect. Frank Zappa is a filthy translator of truth in music. The nuggets of revelation are few and far between. Go figure...sela... therefore , we glean truth in the message warily and with knowledge and wisdom... Iron sharpens iron and diamonds sharpen iron in order to create nuggets of purity in song and message. We love Franks discernment of praiseworthy message in that he chooses occasionally carefully his musicians according to their eternal talent portrayals. Jean luk ponty is hearing from heaven in his talent as is this drummer billy cob-lam ma bee? the Frankenstein style keyboards reminiscent of castles in Germany reveal the breath of satanically inspired atmosphere albeit entertaining to the nth degree. The screaming moaning of Frank Zappas guitar is but a reflection of a sad desperate state of mind willing to endanger others, in its quest for fulfillment. Coupled together we see a excellent miraculous presentation of evangelical music presented attractively by a humble screaming spokesman in unorthodox delivery.. He who has eyes to hear let him hear. I have taken your time i have sung you my song aint not great revelation but it wasent too long and thats alright people...."just crazy enough to sing to you any old way." I figure the odds be 50 50 that i might just have something to say to you.

How is it humanly possible to play the way Zappa plays the solo on this amazing track...because he was inhumanly talented, that's why!

+terrypussypower
The way he kicks in after the electric violin, with a sort of electric violin tone on his guitar, is just part of the brilliance of this cut.

@mano a mano It's like a machine gun!

That's why you hear Zappa covers so seldom.

What a lot of people don't realize is that Zappa was so well-respected as both a musician and composer by his peers in Rock and Jazz fusion. The guy just transcended so many different musical styles - his work is so eclectic

This one is like a Zappa response to Return to Forever, and pretty dope, at least to me. George Duke Zappa is the Zappa I like best.

an ex-girlfriend said once to me: good music it's like having a orgasm!! U got that right Manuela Ribeiro!

especially psychedelic

"!One of the tightest bands "ever"!

Here, I'll say it: George Duke totally beats both Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman on that one.

totally

Agreed, till the day he passed away, George was a master.

IT'S NOT EVEN A CLOSE COMPETITION LOL

@Rob Kerin Seen both Duke and Emerson more than once, Duke with Weather Report, CObham Duke Bandand Zappa,and Emerson twice with ELP. Duke, hands down. He can play it all flawlessly, and he can swing. No contest

Gilles Tremblay ummm...ELP SHOULD HAVE BEEN EMERSON, WETTON, AND DAVIDSON FROM THE NICE, PALMER COUKD NEVER EVER EVER PLAY THIS STUFF, SORRY FACTS KIDS, ZAP WAS A JAZZ, ROCK, CLASSICAL AND EVERYTHING ELSE. KING CRIMSON WITH RED, LARKS, AND STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK...NOW THERE ARE albums THAT BELONG TO TNE ROCK CLASSICS BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST GREAT. LIKE ELPs TRILOGY, BSS, TARKUS, YES...RELAYER, CLOSE TO TE..M, FRAGILE FOR SURE, SUPERTRAMPS CRIME OTCENTURY , ETC ETC...THERE ARE LOADS OF GREAT ALBUMS BUT THEY ALL SPENT SO MUCH WASTED TIME WHEN ZAPPA WOULD HAVE WRITTEN TEN RELAYER LEVEL ALBUMS WHILST THEY GOT ONE OUT, AND LAUGHED AT THEM HEHE...SO IF YOU LOVE MUSIC ALL GREAT ALBUMS ARE STILL GREAT..UNMMM HOW DARE YOU—-GODLY, CREME ETCETC..SO MANY...BUT ZAPPA was an true KILL SHOT COMPOSER, IF LISTEN TO BOOTLEGGED ELP STIFF ITS LOOSE AND CRAP..LETS BE PAINFULLY HONEST. GNZ

Another genius that died before his time. Nothing more to say,... his music & creative ability speak for themselves.

TRY this ... get your next band to play 1 song where everybody plays the same lead part.... just like 50 //50 .... I dare you... !!!!