OK, a few more words on why Roy should be inducted to the song writers section of our HOF.
There are
many many good reasons, but i'll try and keep it to 5.
1. Crying.
There are, in the deepest darkest corners of the world, tribes not yet discovered by our civilization.
However, if you were ever to run into one and sing "I was alright, for a while" you would undoubtedly get the reply "I could smile for a while".
This song is EPIC!
It's been covered by many different artist, it's been used in movie and TV.
Only Fools & Horses made a generation of people cry "cwying" every time they hear the song, and Terry Fator took the gold in America's Got Talent by singing this song vent with a small turtle figure.
Not for nothing is this song so well used, so well known, and so well loved.
2. Blue Bayou.
Again, is there anyone on the planet who doesn't know the words to this song?
If there are, they need to be educated.
3. Blue Angel.
Meat once said that the ultimate Rock N Roll performance was Elvis singing Are You Lonesome Tonight.
I respectfully disagree.
The ultimate Rock N Roll performance was this stunning song.
It's a beautiful declaration of undying love, something that is very much at the heart of great Rock N Roll. No doubt because of the angsty nature of teenage love.
And not only did Roy lend his voice to this masterpiece, he also co-wrote it.
If I ever get it into my head to walk into a Rock N Roll themed American Diner, and this song
isn't playing on the jukebox, i'm turning right around and walking back out because nothing could be more authentic than this song.
4. Walk On.
Roy had a gift for the dramatic, and this song with it's slow burn with it's incredible built up to the end is nothing if not dramatic.
5. You Got It.
Written with fellow Wilburys Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty.
This is a good example of the quality of work Roy was putting out towards the end of his life.
Not only one of my favourite songs from his later days, one of my favourite songs PERIOD!
6. Up Town.
Yes I know this is 6, no I don't give a crap
Roy could be angsty, Roy could be dramatic, but Roy could also lay down some pretty great feel good Rock N Roll
He had a gift for being able to be the ordinary guy in his music.
In this song he's a bellhop who sees the same rich girl every day and wants to tell her that one day he's going to be a big success and will be able to be worthy of her.
It's a great daydream song. Something that takes the bellhop away from his crappy life and gives his hope. And it gives the listener hope too.
As a writer and a performer Roy (like Meat) was able to create characters and situations to suit the nature of the song he wanted to put across.
He is legend.