richard & linda thompson “wall of death”
from: shoot out the lights, 1982
“Let me ride on the Wall Of Death one more time
Let me ride on the Wall Of Death one more time
You can waste your time on the other rides
This is the nearest to being alive
Oh let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death
You can go with the crazy people in the Crooked House
You can fly away on the Rocket or spin in the Mouse
The Tunnel Of Love might amuse you
Noah’s Ark might confuse you
But let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death
On the Wall Of Death all the world is far from me
On the Wall Of Death it’s the nearest to being free
Well you’re going nowhere
When you ride on the carousel
And maybe you’re strong
But what’s the good of ringing a bell
The switchback will make you crazy.
Beware of the bearded lady
Oh let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death
Let me ride on the Wall Of Death one more time
Oh let me ride on the Wall Of Death one more time
You can waste your time on the other rides
This is the nearest to being alive
Oh let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death
Let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death
Oh let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death”
The last song on Shoot out the Lights. Perhaps the finest breakup album. The structure is Richard singing one song followed by one of Linda’s, with them harmonizing on the final song. As Linda told Rolling Stone, “I think we were both miserable and didn’t know how to get it out. We couldn’t talk to each other, so we just did it on the record.” Amazing harmonies, beautiful song.
Life is a carnival, isn’t it ?
-Linda Freedman-
