Song by Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers
The count down is magical extra two steps: Richman counts 1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6, to start the song. And he means it. Paul McCartney's fully directed countdown to “I Saw Her Standing There” is a sprinter's call in the moment. I remember the insistence.
Modern Lovers, oh my god! Could we all, could we all reach that sanctum?
Richman has been to town at Stop & Shop.
“Going faster miles an hour”, grand vista of language faster than intent.
AM was a real creature then, and he knew. The scamp district ekes a vantage and sight. No Longer Exists As Such. Precursorian remnant.
“I'm in love with modern moonlight”. The precinct of sincere dispatch, in the cuddling grasp of how the night embraces the treasure.
Chunka chunka persistence, drums, bass, and guitar. Organ floats atop, a voice, a vowel.
“The factories and the auto signs got the power of moderns sounds”. ALRIGHT!
The highway is your girlfriend as you go by quick
Suburban trees, suburban speed
And it smells like heaven (thunder)
Splashy/crunchy guitar chords, oozing/running organ runs.
Modern is a town with taste.
* * * * *
Roadrunner by Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers is a personal obsession. When I saw Phish my 2nd time, the opened with this song. It was in the running for Mass State Song. Beaten out, naturally, by The Standells and "Dirty Water". Fair enough, but they were from LA and knew little enough of the Charles River. I think Richman knew Stop & Shop and Rt 128. Modern Lovers were eventual drummer for The Cars and eventual keyboardist for Talking Heads. Other song obsession: "Omaha" by Moby Grape ("Listen my friends").
