(Front of CD of 1986) Photo by Ebet Roberts (Front of CD of 1995) Art by Cal Schenkel

Live throughout 1984 World Tour

Linked material:

Does humor belong in music?

 

  1 Zoot allures
  2 Tinsel-Town rebellion
  3 Trouble every day
  4 Penguin in bondage
  5 Hot-plate heaven at the Green Hotel
  6 What’s new in Baltimore?
  7 Cock-suckers’ ball [The Clovers]
  8 WPLJ [Ray Dobard, Luther McDaniels]
  9 Let’s move to Cleveland
10 Whippin’ post [Gregg Allman]

 

All compositions by Frank Zappa, except as noted above.


Album notes by FZ
These songs were selected from the repertoire of the 1984 World Tour. Over a six month period many hours of exciting live material was recorded in a 24 track digital format. It took another six months to remix it onto PCM 1610 digital 2 track masters. If you enjoy this recording, be advised that there is a lot more lurking in the Vault. The recording dates were:
- The HAMMERSMITH ODEON - London, England, 8/10/84
- The CIVIC CENTER - Providence, Rhode Island, 26/10/84
- AMHERST COLLEGE - Lowell, Massachusetts, 28/10/84
- The TOWER THEATER - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 10/11/84
- The BISMARCK THEATRE - Chicago, Illinois, 23/11/84
- The BAYFRONT ARENA - St. Petersburg, Florida, 1/12/84
- The PARAMOUNT THEATRE - Seattle, Washington, 17/12/84
- QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE - Vancouver, British Columbia, 18/12/84
- The UNIVERSAL AMPHITHEATRE - Los Angeles, California, 23/12/84

1. Zoot allures


[Notes by FZ] Head is from London, solo from Providence.
 
[Instrumental]

2. Tinsel-Town rebellion


[Notes by FZ] Body of tune is from Chicago, ending is from Seattle.
 
From Madame Wong’s to Starwood to the Whisky on the Strip
You can hear the crashing, blasting strum of bands that come to be real hip
And get a record contract from a talent scout someday
They’ll sell their ass, their cocks and balls, they’ll take the check an’ walk away
 
If they’re lucky they’ll get famous for a week or two perhaps
They’ll buy some ugly clothes to wear and hope the business don’t collapse
Before some stupid magazine decides they’re really good
They’re a Tinsel Town Rebellion Band from DOWNTOWN HOLLYWOOD!
 
Tinsel Town Rebellion
Tinsel Town Rebellion Band
It’s a little bitty Tinsel Town Rebellion
A Tinsel Town Rebellion Band
 
They used to play all kinds of stuff and some of it was nice
Some of it was musical, but then they took some guy’s advice
To get a record deal, he said, they would have to be more PUNK
Forget their chops and play real dumb or else they would be sunk
 
So off they go to S.I.R. to learn some stupid riffs
Oh no!
No!
No, no, no, no, no, no
No!
It’s the 80’s again!
 
And when they think they’ve got it
They launch a new career
Who gives a fuck if what they play
Is somewhat insincere?

Let’s dance the blues again, everybody!

Dance the blues again

Come on and dance the blues again

Get down from the…

I write the songs that make the young girls cry!

 
Did you know that in Tinsel Town the people down there think that substance is a bore?
And if your New Wave group looks good they’ll hurry on back for more
Of leather groups

Eye to eye, rock you like a nincompoop!

And plastic groups

Whip it good!

And groups that look real queer

I’ll tumble 4 ya!

 

He’ll tumble 4 you

 

I’ll tumble 4 ya!

He’ll tumble 4 you very much

Moo moo moo moo moo

Hometown sausage jamboree

Moo moo moo moo moo

Moo moo moo moo moo

Moo moo moo MOO-AHHH!

The Tinsel Town aficionados come to see and not to hear
But then again this system works as perfect as a dream
It works for all of those record company pricks
(Let’s see that record company prick again)
It works for all of those record company pricks
(No, no, do it when it hits the floor)
It works for all of those record company pricks who come to skim the… CREAM
From the cesspools of excitement where Jim Morrison once stood
It’s that Tinsel Town Rebellion from down down down
Down down down
Town town town
Town town town
Holly lolly lolly
Holly lolly lolly
Woody woody pecker pecker
Woody woody pecker pecker
Woo-oo-ooh-ooh-ooh-ah-ooh-ah-ooh-ood
 
Woody pecker pecker!
Woody woody pecker pecker!
Hi-yo, Woody!
Hi-yo, Pecker!
Hi-yo, Silver!
One-Adam-Twelve, see de pecker!

3. Trouble every day


[Notes by FZ] Verses from St. Petersburg, solo from London.
 
(It’s a boy in a muumuu)
 
Well, I’m about to get sick from watchin’ MTV
I been checkin’ out the HO-HO-HO until my eyeballs fail to see
I mean to say that every day is just another rotten group
(Right you are, girl)
And when it’s gonna change, my friend, will probably make you stoop, I don’t know
 
So I’m watchin’ and I’m waitin’, hopin’ for the best
Even think I’ll go to prayin’ every time I hear ‘em sayin’
(Oh no!)
There’s no way to delay that trouble comin’ every day
There’s no way to delay that trouble comin’ every day
 
Wednesday I watched the riot, I seen those cops out on the street
I watched ‘em throwin’ rocks and stuff, and chokin’ in the heat
I listen to reports (Oh, we gotta!) ‘bout the whisky passin’ around
(Sho’ ‘nuff… dontcha!)
I seen the smoke & fire and the market burnin’ down
Watched while everybody on his street would HA HA HA!
To stomp & smash & bash & crash & slash & bust & burn
 
And I’m watchin’ and I’m waitin’, hopin’ for the best
Even think I’ll go to prayin’ every time I hear ‘em sayin’
(Oh no!)
There’s no way to delay that trouble comin’ every day
There’s no way to delay that trouble comin’ every day
 
[Instrumental]
 
I’m watchin’ and I’m waitin’, hopin’ for the best
Even think I’ll go to prayin’ every time I hear ‘em sayin’
(Oh no!)

4. Penguin in bondage


[Notes by FZ] Vocal section from Vancouver and St. Petersburg, solo from Vancouver.
 
She’s just like a penguin in bondage, boy
Oh yeah oh yeah oh
Rennenhenninnahenninnenninahennn
Way over on the wet side of the bed
Just like the mighty penguin
Flappin’ her eight ounce wings
 
Lord, you know it’s all over
If she come atcha on the strut & wrap ‘em all around yer head
Flappin’ her eight ounce wings, flappinumm
 
She’s just like a penguin in bondage, boy
HO-HO-HO! HO-HO-HO!
(Ooh, you missed! Oh sorry!)
(How ‘bout the next contestant?)
Shake up the pale-dry ginger ale
Tremblin’ like a penguin when the underpants fail
Yeah yeah
 

Lord, you must be havin’ her jumpin’ through a hoopa real fire
With some Kleenex wrapped around a coat-hang wire
 
[Instrumental]
 
Little penguin
A dirty little bird!
 
What?
 
[Instrumental]
 
She’s just like a penguin in bondage, boy
Oh yeah oh yeah oh
Rennenhenninnahenninneninahenn
Howlin’ over to some antarcticulated moon
In the frostbite nite with her flaps gone white
Shriekin’ as she spot the hoop across the room
The you-hoo-hoo
Oh, One-Adam-Twelve, see the hoop
 
You know it must be a penguin bound down
If you hear that terrible screamin’ and there ain’t no other birds around
 
She’s just like a penguin in bondage, boy
Oh yeah oh yeah oh
She’s just like a penguin in bondage, boy
Oh yeah oh yeah oh
Rennenhenninnahenninneninahenn
HO-HO-HO, Bill!
Aw, you must be careful not to leave her HO-HO-HO TOO LOOSE
(It’s a town in France)
‘Cause she just might box yer dog
‘Cause she just might box yer doggie
An’ leave you a dried-up kind of a dog biscuit… woo!

5. Hot-plate heaven at the Green Hotel


[Notes by FZ] Vancouver.
 
Bow wow
Wow wow
Bow wow
Bow wow
Bow wow
 
[FZ] I used to have a job an’ I was doin’ fairly well
Depression came along an’ everybody start to yell:
“Where’d they go, them good ol’ days an’ all that crap we used to sell?”
Now I’m in Hot-Plate Heaven at the Green Hotel
 
Republicans is fine if you’re a multi-millionaire
Democrats is fair if all you own is what you wear
Neither of ‘em’s really right ‘cause neither of ‘em care
‘Bout that Hot-Plate Heaven ‘cause they ain’t been there
 
They really oughta go an’ find out how the hallway smell
They’d benefit to know ‘bout what the bums in there could tell
(I guess we’re only dreamin’ but I s’pose it’s just as well
That’s all you get to dream up in the Green Hotel)
 
[Instrumental]
 
[FZ] Nature didn’t put me here an’ neither did my fate
It musta been some evil ol’ Republican candidate
He’s over there in Washington but I wish he was in hell
‘Cause I’m in Hot-Plate Heaven at the Green Hotel
 
Things is slightly better now, they hope we will forget
The misery of “TRICKLE-DOWN” an’ jelly bean etiquette
The Regal Presidential Style has simply not worn well
But neither has my rags up in the Green Hotel
 
I said the Green Hotel
I mean the Green Hotel
Been there once the Green Hotel
We’re goin’ again the Green Hotel
Neither has my rags up in the Green Hotel
 
Hey, pass me the dog-food!

6. What’s new in Baltimore?


[Notes by FZ] Front of tune is from Los Angeles, vocals from Philadelphia, solo from Los Angeles.
 
[Instrumental]
 
[FZ] Hey! What’s new in Baltimore?
(How ‘bout that chord that Ray played?)
Hey! What’s new in Baltimore?
(The newest chord in all of Baltimore!)
Hey! What’s new in Baltimore?
What’s new in Baltimore?
 
[Instrumental]
 
[FZ] Hey! What’s new in Baltimore?
Hey! What’s new in Baltimore?
Hey! What’s new in Baltimore?
What’s new in Baltimore?
What’s new in Baltimore?
What’s new in Baltimore?

7. Cock-suckers’ ball


[Notes by FZ] Los Angeles.
 
[FZ] Hey, this is for all the Republicans in the audience
 
Cock-sucker Sammy, get your motherfuckin’ mammy
We’re goin’ downtown to the Cock-Suckers’ Ball
Fuck, suck an’ fight
Till beginnin’ of the broad daylight
 
We don’t need no goddamn taxi fare
We’re gonna trim them whores in a rockin’-chair
Take off all the rags
We’re gonna play a little game called “Tag”
Tomorrow night at the rotten Cock-Suckers’ Ball
 
Come on you po’-ass singers and you big-dick slingers
We’re goin’ downtown to the Cock-Suckers’ Ball
Fuck, suck an’ fight
Till beginnin’ of the broad daylight
 
We don’t need no goddamn taxi fare
We’re gonna trim them whores in a rockin’-chair
Take off all the rags
We’re gonna play a little game called “Tag”
Tomorrow night at the rotten Cock-Suckers’ Ball
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Tomorrow night at the rotten Cock-Suckers’ Ball!
 
[FZ] Thank you, you’re too kind!

8. WPLJ


[Notes by FZ] Los Angeles.
 
[FZ] So…
Ha! Ha! Ha!
I say WPLJ, won’t you take a drink with me?
Jungle boogie now!
WPLJ really taste good to me
Well, it’s a good, good wine
It really makes you feel so fine, so fine, so fine
 
I went to the store, when they opened up the door
I said: “Please, please, please, gimme some more”
White Port and Lemon Juice
White Port and Lemon Juice
White Port and Lemon Juice
Ooh, what it do to you, to you, to you!
 
You take the bottle, you take the can
Shake it up fine, you get a good, good wine
White Port and Lemon Juice
White Port and Lemon Juice
White Port and Lemon Juice
Ooh, what it do to you, to you, to you!
 
The “W” is the White
The “P” is the Port
The “L” is the Lemon
The “J” is the Juice
White Port and Lemon Juice
White Port and Lemon Juice
White Port and Lemon Juice
Ooh, what it do to you, to you, to you!
 
I feel so good, I feel so fine
Got plenty lemon, got plenty wine
White Port and Lemon Juice
White Port and Lemon Juice
White Port and Lemon Juice
Ooh, what it do to you, to you, to you!
 
White Port and Lemon Juice
Ooh, what it do to you, to you, to you!
White Port and Lemon Juice
Ooh, what it do to you!

9. Let’s move to Cleveland


[Notes by FZ] Intro from Los Angeles, piano solo from St. Petersburg, drum solo from Vancouver, guitar solo from Amherst College, out-chorus from Los Angeles.
 
[Instrumental]
 
Let’s move to Cleveland
Bondolay boffo bonto!
Let’s move to Cleveland
I’ve been there!
Let’s move to Cleveland

10. Whippin’ post


[Notes by FZ] Los Angeles (the last song of the last show of the last tour).
 
[Bobby Martin] I been run down
Lord, an’ I been lied to
And I don’t know why
I let that mean woman make me out a fool
 
Well, she took all my money
An’ wrecked my new car
Now she’s with one of my good-time buddies
Drinkin’ in some cross-town bar
 
Sometime I feel…
Well, sometime I feel…
Like I been tied, well, to the whippin’ post
Tied to the whippin’ post
Tied to the whippin’ post
Good Lord, I feel like I’m dyin’
 
My friends tell me
Oh, that I been such a fool
I have to stand back an’ take it, babe
All for loving you
 
I drown myself in sorrow
As I look at what you done
But nothin’ seems to change
That bad times stay the same and I can’t run
 
Sometime I feel…
Well, sometime I feel…
Like I been tied, well, to the whippin’ post
Tied to the whippin’ post
Tied to the whippin’ post
Oh, good Lord, I feel like I’m dyin’
 
[Instrumental]
 
Oh! Oh Lord, Lord no!
Yeah Lord ooh!
Oh! I been tied down
 
Sometimes I feel…
Well, sometimes I feel…
Like I been tied, oh-wo-wo, to the whippin’ post
Yeah, tied to the whippin’ post
Well, I’m tied to the whippin’ post
YEAAAH! LO-WO-OOOOOOOH-OO-WE-OO-WEE OOOH!
LO-OO-OW-OW-OO LORD LORD
You know sometime I really do believe…
Well, I believe…
I said I believe…
I said I do believe…
I said I really do believe…
Well, an’ I must say it one more time, I believe…
That there just ain’t no such thing… as dyin’



Drawing by Cal Schenkel

English lyrics from site Information Is Not Knowledge.