Papa Was A Rodeo

"Papa Was A Rodeo" by The Magnetic Fields
from the album 69 Love Songs (1999)

I combined the beautiful Super 8 footage from the below link and the album version of the Magnetic Fields song, and was pleasantly surprised at how well they work together. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK7k4Jerqpc

LYRICS:
I like your twisted point of view, Mike
I like your questioning eyebrows
You've made it pretty clear what you like
It's only fair to tell you now
that I leave early in the morning
and I won't be back till next year
I see that kiss-me pucker forming
but maybe you should plug it with a beer, 'cause

Papa was a rodeo
Mama was a rock'n'roll band
I could play guitar and rope a steer
before I learned to stand
Home was anywhere with diesel gas
Love was a trucker's hand
Never stuck around long enough
for a one-night stand
Before you kiss me you should know
Papa was a rodeo

The light reflecting off the mirror ball
looks like a thousand swirling eyes
They make me think I shouldn't be here at all
You know, every minute someone dies
What are we doing in this dive bar?
How can you live in a place like this?
Why don't you just get into my car
And I'll take you away
I'll take that kiss now, but

Papa was a rodeo
Mama was a rock'n'roll band
I could play guitar and rope a steer
before I learned to stand
Home was anywhere with diesel gas
Love was a trucker's hand
Never stuck around long enough
for a one-night stand
Before you kiss me you should know
Papa was a rodeo

And now it's 55 years later
We've had the romance of the century
After all these years wrestling gators
I still feel like crying
When I think of what you said to me:

"Papa was a rodeo
Mama was a rock'n'roll band
I could play guitar and rope a steer
before I learned to stand
Home was anywhere with diesel gas
Love was a trucker's hand
Never stuck around long enough
for a one-night stand
Before you kiss me you should know
Papa was a rodeo,"

What a coincidence
Your papa was a rodeo, too

Category:

Music

Tags:

• magnetic
• fields
• papa
• was
• rodeo
• super
• stephin
• merritt

[jpwriter]

This fantastic! The shaky movie, the planned "randomness" - everything! just works. I especially love the opening with the sunspot on the windshield. Great work. Very pleased to come across it - especially since it is one of my favorite love songs. I am also a bit envious. Thanks for sharing it.

[elizabethpritts]

bright eyes is okay i guess but there is no way it is anywhere close to this version. I heard it, and it's just okay. I don't think it is a good choice for a cover, he kinda killed it.

[edu8273]

@ElectroxXxBoosh actually Merrit is gay and i dont think any straight person could write "love was a truckers hand" and be serious about it

definetly a gay love song, even if straight people can enjoy it

[thazzchair]

Stephin Merritt invented dubstep. As a vocal warmup.

[clarabellen]

This song is amazing, I love it.

[whistlingiraffe]

I've always wanted someone to take a video of me like this. :P

[Thereisonlythemoment]

Been playing this over and over in the car. His voice just hits the spot, and when her voice comes in it gives me chills. Love it.

[Thereisonlythemoment]

Beautiful song and as always a piece of work is always open to individual interpretation. Where do we first learn about love and intimacy, ideally from loving consistent parents. Macho rodeo father? Musical on the road mother? Sometimes it's easier to reject people rather than be rejected. Nice Images.

[drakegraves]

aw, hell.

[GnarlySwell]

this video goes so well with the song,love it!!

[EloisaAndAbelard]

this is a great song. His deep voice, the slow, relaxed tempo.

[rememberwheni]

the magic numbers do a magic cover