Category Archives: BLG Homages

The United States of America

A Homage to the Psychedelic Rock Band The United States Of America

Text by Bruce Gallanther (DMG Newsletter for April 14th, 2023)

The United States of America“The Garden of Earthly Delights” performed by The United States Of America, released in 1968. Written by Joseph Byrd and Dorothy Moskowitz

Poisonous gardens, lethal and sweet
Venomous blossoms
Choleric fruit, deadly to eat

Violet nightshades, innocent bloom
Omnivourous orchids
Cautiously wait, hungrily loom

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The Byrds (photo by By http://www.drb-fans.com/pre-drb.html, Copyright : Sony Music Entertainment, 1965 (then CBS, Inc.), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22312881)

A Homage to THE BYRDS’ “Eight Miles High”

Text by Bruce Gallanther (DMG Newsletter for February 16th, 2023)
Photograph of The Byrds (1965): http://www.drb-fans.com/pre-drb.html, Copyright : Sony Music Entertainment, 1965 (then CBS, Inc.)

“Eight Miles High” written by Gene Clark, Jim McGuinn & David Crosby. Released as a single on March 14, 1966. Performed by The Byrds, from their Fifth Dimension LP,

Eight miles high, and when you touch down
You’ll find that it’s stranger than known
Signs in the street, that say where you’re going
Are somewhere just being their own
Nowhere is there warmth to be found
Among those afraid of losing their ground
Rain gray town, known for its sound
In places, small faces unbound
Round the squares, huddled in storms
Some laughing, some just shapeless forms
Sidewalk scenes, and black limousines
Some living, some standing alone

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Babylon

A Homage to Dr. John’s “Babylon”

Text by Bruce Gallanter (Downtown Music Gallery, October 14th, 2022)

“Babylon” written by Dr. John, the Night Tripper, title track from Dr. John’s 2nd album Babylon released in 1969

Babylon
Is represented in the Bible by a stone
Babylon
Is thrown in a river and lost in a storm
Babylon
And never, never, ever again
Will anybody ever wanna call you they home

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