BALLAD OF LUCY JORDON - chords and comments
No, the title is NOT misspelled. Shel Silverstein used "Jordon" when he wrote it for Dr.Hook and the Medicine Show, and I'm true to originals. But in this case I'm true to the lyrics only.
The song was released as a single in 1974. I hardly noticed it. In 1979 Marianne Faithful recorded it for her album "Broken English" with sparse synth by Steve Winwood, and it became a smash hit. I didn't like it. I've heard several other versions; none of them hit my brain. Why not? The lyrics are brilliant, and one of the very few "serious" ones Silverstein ever wrote.
Last year I came across it again, and realized that the melody is stereotypic and boring.
Shel Silverstein was not a composer. Neighter a musician. I doubt he was musical at all. He was a prolyfic writer with bright ideas, wrote down hundreds of lyrics, gave them three chords and let go.
... He's been dead for 20 years.
... I'll fix it.
The chords I've put up here don't fit the original melody, but by keeping it in mind and following the chord progression, you'll probably find the same changes as I made; bringing on tension to Shel's good work. Sorry for still not being able to supply my humble album with sample audio files: if I ever do; this one will be one of the first.
G G7 C G
the mornin' sun touched lightly on the eyes of Lucy Jordon
Bm Hm A7 D7
in her white suburban bedroom in her white suburban town
G G7 C G
as she lay there 'neath the covers dreaming of a thousand lovers
Bm Hm D7 G
Till the world turned to orange and the room went spinnin' round
C G Hm Am
At the age of 37 she realized she'd never ride through Paris
D7 C G
In a sports car with the warm wind in her hair
G G7 C G
So she let the phone keep ringin' as she sat there softly singin'
Am D7 C G
Pretty nursery rhymes she'd memorized in her daddy's easy chair