the modern lovers

When these proto punk tracks were finally released thirty five years ago, the Modern Lovers had already broken up; but their legend was cemented in rock history. Jonathan Richman modeled the band after his heroes the Velvet Underground, who he had followed around New York City and even opened for at one point. The classic lineup featured Richman on guitar, David Robinson (who later went on to play in DMZ and the Cars) on drums, Jerry Harrison (who would later join Talking Heads) on keyboards, and Ernie Brooks on bass. 'The Modern Lovers' was compiled from various demos that the band recorded with Stuart Love, John Cale, and Alan Mason. When Richman signed with Matthew Kaufman's new label Beserkley Records, Kaufman put out 'The Modern Lovers' using remixed versions of the tracks recorded years before for Warner Brothers and A&M. The album's raw power coupled with Richman's honest teenage angst and geeky humor was a revelation to the developing punk scene and inspired a whole generation.

The instant classic 'Roadrunner' regurgitates 'Sister Ray' into something pure and innocent. It was produced by none other than the Velvet Underground's John Cale for Warner in April of 1972.

"Alright I'm in love with modern moonlight

128 when it's dark outside

I'm in love with Massachusetts

I'm in love with the radio on

It helps me from being alone late at night

It helps me from being lonely late at night

I don't feel so bad now in the car

Don't feel so alone, got the radio on

Like the roadrunner

That's right"

'Pablo Picasso' also comes from the Cale sessions in Los Angeles.

"Well some people try to pick up girls

And get called assholes

This never happened to Pablo Picasso

He could walk down your street

And girls could not resist his stare and

So Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole"

'Hospital' comes from the first recordings for Warner Brothers at the Intermedia studios in Boston in late 1971. It was credited as being "donated by Jerry Harrison" because he had the original 1971 session tapes.

"When you get out of the hospital

Let me back into your life

I can't stand what you do

But I'm in love with your eyes"

'Girlfriend' was recorded with Alan Mason and Robert Appere in April of 1972 in Los Angeles for A&M, who were also courting the band.

"If I were to walk to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston

Well, first I'd go to the room where they keep the Cezanne

But if I had by my side a girlfriend

Then I could look through the paintings

I could look right through them

Because I'd have found something that I understand

I understand a girlfriend.

That's a girl friend

Said G-I-R-L-F-R-E-N

That's a girlfriend, baby

That's something that I understand

Alright"

'I'm Straight' comes from the 1973 recordings organised by Kim Fowley and produced by Stuart "Dinky" Dawson. It was not included on the original release; but was added to the re-issue on Rhino Records in 1989.

"So this phone call today conerns Hippie Johnny.

He's always stoned. He's never straight.

I saw you today, you know walk by with Hippie Johnny.

Look, I had to call up today, how I want to take his place."

'The Modern Lovers' 
full album:



All songs written by Jonathan Richman

0:00 Roadrunner
4:05 Astral Plane
7:07 Old World
11:11 Pablo Picasso
15:32 I'm Straight
19:50 Dignified and Old
22:20 She Cracked
25:16 Hospital
30:52 Someone I Care About
34:31 Girl Friend
38:26 Modern World

42:10 Government Center