My Boy

A poll due to a recent controversy.

Words & Music: B. Martin/ P. Coulter

You're sleeping son, I know
But, really, this can't wait
I wanted to explain
Before it gets too late
For your mother and me
Love has finally died
This is no happy home
But God knows how I've tried

Because you're all I have, my boy
You are my life, my pride, my joy
And if I stay, I stay because of you, my boy

I know it's hard to understand
Why did we ever start?
We're more like strangers now
Each acting out a part
I have laughed, I have cried
I have lost every game
Taken all I can take
But I'll stay just the same

Because you're all I have, my boy
You are my life, my pride, my joy
And if I stay, I stay because of you, my boy
Sleep on, you haven't heard a word

Perhaps it's just as well
Why spoil your little dreams
Why put you through the hell
Life is no fairytale
As one day you will know
But now you're just a child
I'll stay her and watch you grow

Because you're all I have, my boy
You are my life, my pride, my joy
And if I stay, I stay because of you, my boy

Recorded: 1973/12/13, first released on Good Times

brilliant track from EP

This poll is so deeply flawed I won't even bother to vote.....I mean c'mon...where are options:

a) All of the above
b) I do what Rob does....I love Rob

It's patently obvious that without these options, you're never going to get a meaningful result.

b) I do what Rob does....I love Rob

LD can hand in her vote personally if she so wishes.

The studio version of My Boy was one of his best recordings in the 70's.
My Boy got to No 5 in 1974 in the UK charts. Should have got to No 1.
It did not stay that long in the charts.

This poll is so deeply flawed I won't even bother to vote.....I mean c'mon...where are options:

a) All of the above
b) I do what Rob does....I love Rob

It's patently obvious that without these options, you're never going to get a meaningful result.

If some are waiting to see what I voted, you need to look no farther than option #4.

I like the song, but I prefer the live versions over the studio release.

Last edited by Rob on Thu Feb 26, 2009 5:26 am, edited 1 time in total.

The studio recording is absolutely fabulous. Nobody could sing that song like Elvis. The live versions are also great. The one from May 6, 1975 may even be better than the ingenious studio master. A vocal master piece anyway you cut it.

The studio version of My Boy was one of his best recordings in the 70's.

Indeed - top 10 stuff!

What about Ron Tutt´s work at the ending (though I think that the recording is looped)? Those fills are magic!

KInd regards

Björn

The live versions are an absolute highlight of any show they appear in. Period!!

The words are excellent, in the true tradition of telling a story in song, with incredible emotion. Practically flawless within it's genre.

I love it

Lynyrd Skynyrd might have said it best.

The live versions are an absolute highlight of any show they appear in. Period!!

Yes, just more evidence of the deterioration of Elvis' live show.

Practically flawless within it's genre.

Indeed. Schmaltz doesn't get much better than "My Boy."

The live versions are an absolute highlight of any show they appear in. Period!!

Yes, just more evidence of the deterioration of Elvis' live show.

At least you agreed with me. Excellent.

Practically flawless within it's genre.

Indeed. Schmaltz doesn't get much better than "My Boy."

Are you sincere?

The following is from random house:

The figurative use of schmaltz ('mawkishness, oversentimentality') and its derivative, schmaltzy, is not found in Yiddish but is rather an American English innovation on the Yiddish loanword. The parallel to this innovation is the word goo and its derivative gooey: both goo and schmaltz are thick, sticky, oily substances, and figuratively both mean 'maudlin or mawkish sentimentality'. Semantically, both words compare something (music, writings, etc.) dripping with thick sentimentality to the drippings of a fatty or greasy substance.

The following is from random house:

The figurative use of schmaltz ('mawkishness, oversentimentality') and its derivative, schmaltzy, is not found in Yiddish but is rather an American English innovation on the Yiddish loanword. The parallel to this innovation is the word goo and its derivative gooey: both goo and schmaltz are thick, sticky, oily substances, and figuratively both mean 'maudlin or mawkish sentimentality'. Semantically, both words compare something (music, writings, etc.) dripping with thick sentimentality to the drippings of a fatty or greasy substance.

Thinking about it, the word doesn't really apply here, does it ?

A father, caught up in an unhappy marriage, explains to his sleeping son why he won't leave, but will stay & 'watch him grow'.

It doesn't come across as 'dripping with thick sentimentality' to these ears.

More like an apt description applying to many trapped in a disfunctional marriage.................

More like an apt description applying to many trapped in a disfunctional marriage.................

Colin, you are wise beyond your years..................................

No, let me rephrase that. You are wise.

More like an apt description applying to many trapped in a disfunctional marriage.................

Colin, you are wise beyond your years..................................
No, let me rephrase that. You are wise.

Err...................... thanks................... [I think]...................

I love this song very moving and so true. I know some people who stick it out together even though there is no love. So sad

I love this song very moving and so true. I know some people who stick it out together even though there is no love. So sad

Yes. Very moving.

Adult song with an adult theme. I think that is why a few people do not "get it".

Adult song with an adult theme. I think that is why a few people do not "get it".

... but the Rock-A-Hula fraction is not too big.

I love this song very moving and so true. I know some people who stick it out together even though there is no love. So sad

Yes. Very moving.

Adult song with an adult theme. I think that is why a few people do not "get it".

Yes, the same problem must occur with The Sound Of Your Cry.

Adult song with an adult theme. I think that is why a few people do not "get it".

Yes, the same problem must occur with The Sound Of Your Cry.

"Life" is a very adult song with a most adult theme.

Why was it not a #1 smash in May 1971?

Maybe it was because a vapid, childish Rolling Stones single got in the way.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Sugar_(song)

Life is just not fair (pun intended).