Corduroy
When fashion hits your generation is when growing up really gets confusing.
I love a great short song. Back in the days of mix tapes, a track that clocked in under 2 minutes could always be snuck onto the end of a tape. And then, right after I graduated high school They Might Be Giants came out with their first album and fully cemented my love of the pithy pop tune so…when this one popped out I couldn’t let it go.
Just like with the mix tapes, once the band learned the song, there was always room for it in our set.
We recorded a version that appeared on The City Limits’ compilation “As Far As You Can Go Without Leaving – Volume 1”. It wasn’t great but we were undeterred.
We made two attempts at recording the album. This is one of two tracks that made it on the record from the first sessions, mostly because of Colin’s performance and the tone on the drums. Perfectly tough and brittle, like gunshots in a movie.
Lyrics
Corduroy
Everyone
Everywhere
is sure to hear the pants I where
They’re corduroy
Y’see
On about my first day of school
I learned what it meant to be truly cool
I’d wear the things that no one else will
Make sure I’m truly dressed to kill
in corduroy
Corduroy
Oh oh boy
Oh joy!
Corduroy
Everybody wants to be the king of high school
Just like me
Back in ’83
I had the loudest pants in my school but
on about the second week
the halls were much too loud to speak
They’re going vup-vup-vup
like a symphony
Everybody’s dressed just like me
They’re going vup-vup-vup
Oh the harmony!
I guess I’m Mr. Popularity now in
Corduroy
Corduroy
Oh boy!
Oh joy!
Corduroy!
Credits
Written by Andras Jones
Andras Jones – Lead Vocals & Electric Rhythm Guitar
John Nason – Lead Guitar & Vocals
Marshall Thompson – Keyboards & Vocals
Brian Schey – Bass Guitar & Vocals
Colin Mahoney – Drums
Recorded at Pure Sound in Bothell, WA with John Russell
Additional tracking with Earle Mankey & Tom Weir in LA
Mixed at John & Stu’s in Seattle with Kevin Suggs
Purchase
$1.50