Friday, April 9, 2021

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril XI

Smash Mouth, "Road Man" from Astro Lounge (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary: SKApril has always taken a broadminded, inclusive, one could even say ecumenical view of ska. Even "Weird Al" Yankovic has provided a song to SKApril: 1999's "Your Horoscope for Today" was part of SKApril 2019. Smash Mouth aren't a ska band, but if "Road Man" isn't a ska song—& I would argue it is, or maybe a reggae song—it is clearly ska-influenced.
"Road Man driving in the road van,
He's got to beat the clock to the next town,
Road Man driving in the road van,
Set up the sound system for the band.

"Road Man, slow it down
And you will get there safe and sound,
He says, 'No, no, no, the show must go on.'

"Road Man driving like a mad man,
Breaking land speed records in the van,
Road Man, he don't mind police man,
Leaving trail of ripped up citations…

"Road Man didn't see the train, man,
Until it was too late to slow the van.
Meanwhile, the band is waiting for the Road Man,
Who was crushed by his beloved sound system.

"Road Man, slow it down
And you will get there safe and sound,
He says, 'No, no, no, no, no, no
'No, no the show must go on,
'The show must go on
'The show must go on
'The show must go on
'The show must go on.'"

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