This is one of the most moving love songs ever written for people who’ve been around the block a few times. It is by new wave pioneer Graham Parker, who celebrates his 67th birthday today. Parker emerged from the U.K.’s boisterous pub rock scene of the early Seventies, and later that decade became grouped in with Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson as the not-quite-punk-but-angry-and-literate Rockers of the day. After he split with his band The Rumour his material never quite reached the popularity of Costello’s or Jackson’s, which was a shame when it was as good as this. Such a poignant lyric, incredible melody and a fantastic vocal performance. His is a catalogue worth revisiting someday.
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Wrapping Paper
I’ve broken your glass, called someone a dirty name
Made a nuisance of myself in front of friends
I’ve dug my own grave, please don’t let me lie in it
Instead let’s bury everything that caused us painSpeak to me now, speak to me, darling
You’re not a princess, I’m not prince charming
Speak with your tongue, use body language
And pull your skin like wrapping paper ’round my heartSometimes I feel the kick has gone, it gets mundane
So I team up with the devil and make hell
But I’ll hang on in as long as I know I’ve got you
As long as I know love’s a cure that makes me wellSpeak to me now, speak to me, darling
You’re not a princess, I’m not prince charming
Speak with your tongue, use body language
And pull your skin like wrapping paper ’round my heartWe move around, drag ourselves from town to town
Wrap up lots of gifts and toys and China tea
But they don’t feel nothin’, they’re just inanimate
They just go in suitcases and fly awaySpeak to me now, speak to me, darling
You’re not a princess, I’m not prince charming
Speak with your tongue, use body language
And pull your skin like wrapping paper ’round my heart
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By: Rich Karfilis
Today, people say Rock is dead, but Rich says bullshit to that. “We’ve got people like Jack White, Beck and Jeff Tweedy who are worthy carriers of the torch that was lit so long ago. Taking the big tent perspective, I would argue that Rock is as vital today as it’s ever been.” You can reach him at rich@rocknuts.net.
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