On May 17, 1983, I know where I was…I was watching the Kinks play in Nashville at the newer Grand Ole Opry. This is a song I remember well from that show. The Kinks were still in their early 40s and they had more energy than their much younger opening band The White Animals.
The song was on the album Low Budget released in 1979. The album peaked at #11 in the Billboard Album Charts. Catch Me Now I’m Falling didn’t make the Billboard 100 but it was an FM hit. Another song off of Low Budget did chart… (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman peaked at #41 in the Billboard 100 in 1979.
I will have to say that Ray borrowed liberally from the Stones Jumping Jack Flash as far as the riff goes…but the song is great.
Catch Me Now I’m Falling
I remember, when you were down
And you needed a helping hand
I came to feed you
But now that I need you
You won’t give me a second glance
Now I’m calling all citizens from all over the world
This is Captain America calling
I bailed you out when you were down on your knees
So will you catch me now I’m falling
Help me now I’m calling you
Catch me now I’m falling
I’m in your hands, it’s up to you
Catch me now I’m falling
I remember when you were down
You would always come running to me
I never denied you and I would guide you
Through all of your difficulties
Now I’m calling all citizens from all over the world
This is Captain America calling
I bailed you out when you were down on your knees
So will you catch me now I’m falling
Help me now I’m calling you
Catch me now I’m falling
I’m in your hands, it’s up to you
Catch me now I’m falling
When you were broke you would come to me
And I would always pull you round
Now I call your office on the telephone
And your secretary tells me that she’s sorry,
But, you’ve gone out of town.
This is Captain America calling
This is Captain America calling
Help me now I’m calling you
Catch me now I’m falling
I’m in your hands, it’s up to you
Catch me now I’m falling
Catch me now I’m falling
Catch me now I’m falling
Catch me now I’m falling
Catch me now I’m falling
I stood by you through all of your depressions
And I lifted you when you were down
Now it’s your chance to do the same for me
I call your office and your secretary tells me
That you’ve gone out of town
This is Captain America calling
This is Captain America calling
Catch me now I’m falling
Catch me now I’m falling
I was the one who always bailed you out
Of your depressions and your difficulties
I never thought that you would let me down
But the next time you’re in trouble
Better not come running to me
Now I’m calling all citizens from all over the world
This is Captain America calling
I bailed you out when you were down on your knees
So will you catch me now I’m falling
Catch me now I’m falling
Catch me now I’m falling
Catch me now I’m falling
Catch me now I’m falling
Catch me now I’m falling
Now that you mention it, I can hear the Jumping Jack Flash riff.
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I love it but he did borrow from it.
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I remember that song, would have expected it would have charted even if not highly. A good one anyway.
That would have been a good show, I bet. Were they playing the ‘State of Confusion’ tunes? Coincidental timing – that was same week I saw Roxy Music (with Modern English) in Toronto, which was first real concert I went to. think that was on the 16th, but I’ve long since lost the ticket stub alas.
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Yes that is the tour I saw them on. State of Confusion. I’m lucky…I kept up with all of my ticket stubs except one…the Temptations in the 80s. A friend got me into that one.
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Didn’t know that tune – and, yes, that guitar riff definitely sounds like “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” I’m a bit surprised Ray Davies apparently didn’t get into any trouble for that. I feel nowadays you’d have to expect he’d get sued right away – people are just nuts when it comes to lawsuits, especially in this country!
Unfortunately, I’ve never seen The Kinks. That must have been a great concert!
BTW, completely unrelated, did you know they are showing “Yellow Submarine” on The Beatles YouTube channel today at 12:00 pm EDT/11:00 am CDT?
I realize this isn’t “Help” or “A Hard Day’s Night”, but I think I only watched that movie once, and it was like 40 years ago or so. Well, just in case, here’s the link:
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I put that Kinks concert up there with the Who…it was good.
I love Yellow Submarine. My son grew up on it and he went to the theatrical re-release last year when I was at work. I grew up on it also.
I’ve watched it many times…the art work is wonderful in it…and the music isn’t bad either! The Eleanor Rigby part is genius.
Thanks for the heads up.
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Honestly, I vaguely remember the film. I may have watched it before I actually became a Beatles fan! So, yes, I’ll definitely be tuning in! 🙂
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I may watch it today again….just because!
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It’s impressive. If you go to the YouTube, there are already more than 8,600 folks waiting, and people are posting comments in rapid machine fire mode! 🙂
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Cool…I read where Ringo was having an all watch Yellow Submarine day. This is what he was talking about.
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Thats great that you can remember a certain song from a certain show way back when.
Great read.
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I only heard this song a hand full of times before then…I thought wow they really stole that riff from the Stones lol.
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So very cool to see The Kinks in the new Opry venue. I bet they sounded great.
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I’ve never heard this but, it is awesome.
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I do like the Jumpling Jack Flash riff
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That was pretty cool. It’s as clear as a bell, too.
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I think we have established our common ground with The Kinks. Some of the best live shows. Good tune from that time.
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