Track 14 from his fourth album “A Wizard, A True Star” released in 1973 copyright Bearsville Records. It was recorded at his own Secret Sound Studio in Manhattan, which allowed him time to experiment without having to worry about paying hourly studio rates. After the success of his previous album “Something/Anything?” he was compared to the best singer/songwriters of the day, including being called “the male Carole King”. He didn’t appreciate the comparisons and felt he had more to offer as his legacy, so he decided to drastically change his musical direction. At that time he also began experimenting with psychedelic drugs and wanted to translate the sounds in his head to a recording that conveyed the various stages of a psychedelic trip. Side One of this album does so very effectively and the term “musical genius” has been associated with him ever since. He played all the instruments, engineered and produced most of the album himself. Side Two featured a medley of his favourite soul songs, which he was reminded of and re-interpreted while listening to them during his psychedelic adventures. The album is a sonic experience like no other and I strongly recommend a good set of headphones to appreciate it fully. It received excellent reviews but only reached No. 86 on the Billboard chart. Rundgren has said that he likely lost fifty percent of his audience with this change in direction but considers it his best career decision because it gave him freedom and maintained his artistic integrity. Written and produced by Todd Rundgren. Featuring:
Todd Rundgren - Lead vocals, lead & rhythm guitars, acoustic & electric pianos, synthesizers, sax, bass, drums, percussion, electronic effects & background vocals
Special Guests:
Moogy & the Rhythm Kingz:
Mark “Moogy” Klingman – Keyboards
Ralph Schuckett – Keyboards
John Siegler – Bass & cello
John Siomos – Drums
Jean-Yves “M. Frog” Labat – Synthesizers
Rick Derringer – Guitar
Tom Cosgrove – Guitar
Michael Brecker – Tenor sax
Randy Brecker – Trumpet
Barry Rogers – Trombone
David Sanborn – Tenor sax
“Buffalo” Bill Gelber – Bass
Talk, you can talk, but if you ask me
Take all your big words and put them together
What good will they do when the long day is through?
Does anybody love you?
Do you think that anybody's in love with
You can dress up or dress down as you
Gaze in the mirror hung up on your body
What good can it be when there's no one there to see?
(Does anybody love you?)
(Do you think that anybody's in love with you?)
(You're so lovely, so wise, you could make Venus crawl)
(But love between the ugly is the most beautiful love of all)
(Does anybody love you?)
(Do you think that anybody's in love with you?)
(Is anybody, anybody in love with you?)
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