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"Rebel King" the single

by Stan Ridgway

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"REBEL KING"" - by Stan Ridgway
(This song is also included in the album "MUSIC FOR FILM VOL. 1")

"Ridgway’s song about iconic actor/director Orson Welles, best known for his film masterpiece “Citizen Kane”, explodes in glorious guitars and strings. and quite like a piece of wide screen cinema in itself."

"Recounting the early scandals, rancorous studio battles and fabled Hollywood history of the great artist, genius and iconoclast, "Rebel King" paints a compelling sonic story of the great film maker and actor where "the dreams don't fade away". New work from the Wall Of Voodoo mastermind. A sincere tribute from one of America’s master songwriters and storytellers."

c & p A440 Records / dis information music bmi

lyrics

REBEL KING
Stan Ridgway / A440 records

At crack of dawn he died alone
Typing up a new screenplay at home
Every night he ate at Ma Massion'
Sat in his regular booth
There he would wait for the ones
Who'd made promises for films to come
They never showed they just cut and run
He'd say - some stories
Suffer from the truth

Deep in voice and big and broad
On the New York radio he talked like God
He'd made a joke on Halloween
When Hitler started to march
And all believed just like he'd planned
But a Martian invasion no it never did land
Marlene later said he was some kind of man
But what does it matter what you say?

Behind the gates where the fires keep burning
A camera pans on a wheel that's turning
High on a crane, track the wall and staircase
A mirror shatters with no dreams to replace

Orson Welles still burning bright
You'd said the best shots were all in black and white
Color can distract and make the dream not right
And then the dream will fade away
And then the dream will fade away

Years ago his rebel soul
Was called to Hollywood to work with RKO
He told a tale 'bout a big newspaper man
With power riches and greed - but then
Louella called her boss and said
This film is all about you we must kill this dead
And with one whisper on a phone from a San Simeon bed
Outside a giant white cockatoo screamed

Newspaper printed he had made a movie
A masterpiece that made them afraid of
A reputation that would not behave or
Follow orders from the ones who ordered

Orson Welles still burnin' bright
They'd said you were too dark
And that they needed more light
But with no shadow on the wall?
Then the dream's not right
And then the dream will fade away
And then the dream will fade away

After he died, went to his wake
There in Hollywood where most people fake
Sat in back, Director's Guild
The public was invited to attend
Most empty seats but loved ones there
People from his past and all the ones who cared
Moses gave a sermon 'bout the dancing bear
A traitor uttered Rosebud...

Kane and Ambersons, The Mercury Theater
Rock the Cradle, Third Man, The Stranger
Voodoo MacBeth and the Lady From Shanghai
A Touch Of Evil, hear The Chimes At Midnight

Orson Welles died alone
Slumped over his typewriter and his telephone
But not before he'd written
Where his hero goes home
And where the dreams don't fade away

People always fear what they can't buy and own
And where the dreams won't fade away

------------------------------------------
words / music by stan ridgway
dis information music bmi

credits


Recorded, Mixed at GoldenTone Studios
Venice CA March

Mastered by Doug Schwartz at Mulholland Sound, Chatsworth CA

Stan Ridgway: all guitars, hammer dulcimer, vocals
Pietra Wexstun: keyboards, electronics, heater Organr
Bruce Zelesnik: drums, percussion
Tommy Arizona: pedal steel guitar
Strings / Concert master : Laslo Vickers
Bass: Bill Blatt

Produced by Stan Ridgway
"Rebel King" is a song written by Stan Ridgway
C & P dis information music BMI

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Stan Ridgway & Pietra Wexstun Los Angeles, California

Stan Ridgway and Pietra Wexstun are now on BandCamp. New directions in music for your listening pleasure. Music and Song, Soundtracks for Film. Electronic experiments. Obscure song covers. its all part of their weird world. yeah gee. Join them. Resistance is futile. ... more

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