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Not the 'Official Massachusetts' state Rock Song - Roadrunner, Roadrunner
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Not the 'Official Massachusetts' state Rock Song - Roadrunner, Roadrunner "I'm out exploring the modern world, By the pine trees and the Howard Johnsons, On Route 128 when it's late at night, We're heading from the north shore to the south shore, Well I see Route 3 in my sight and I'm the Roadrunner." “An Act designating the song ‘Roadrunner’ as the official rock song of the Commonwealth.” Bill H.3573 was not brought up for a vote in the Massachusetts legislature this year. The bill died in committee after facing a conflict with backers of the song 'Dream On' by Aerosmith. The efforts of long time rock fan, concert organizer, and Democratic Party activist Joyce Linehan had failed. For now. Joyce Linehan is from the same Dorchester neighborhood as former State Representative Marty Walsh. She asked him to introduce the bill over a year ago. In an article in the now defunct 'Boston Phoenix' Marty was not as passionate about the song as his constituent: "Walsh, 45, says he was 'aware' of Roadrunner' but that his tastes run more to U2." Ms. Linehan is now the City of Boston's Chief of Policy, appointed by Mayor Marty Walsh. She is a tireless organizer - from rock shows to campaigns for Democrats. Joyce will be back with this song. She wrote on Facebook: “Despite the valiant efforts of sophisticated music fans from every corner of the Commonwealth, ‘Roadrunner’ did NOT make it through this formal session, Hopes are diminished, but not lost, as we can try to do it in the informal sessions. It’s been a while since I lost one. It’s good for me. Strengthens my resolve.” She wrote on Facebook as the session ended without the bill coming up for a vote. People around the US, and even the world, took note of the effort. Stories were carried by 'The New York Times,' the Canadian CBC, and the UK Guardian. Lots of people have heard the song and love the simple depiction of a ride down the highway at night through Massachusetts. Brookline native John Hodgeman, often seen on the Daily Show, wrote “It is woven as deeply into the cultural landscape of Massachusetts as the Turnpike itself It is the pulsing sound of the night and the future. It connects the midnight ride of Paul Revere with the dream of every Massachusetts who has just gotten their license and is discovering the Freedom Trail that is Route 128 after the last movie lets out.”\ Simply put - "Roadrunner" is a song written by Jonathan Richman and recorded in various versions by Richman and his band, in most cases credited as The Modern Lovers. Critic Greil Marcus described it as "the most obvious song in the world, and the strangest". Rolling Stone ranked it #269 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. “Roadrunner” mainly uses two chords (D and A, and only two brief uses of E) Richman’s lyrics are passionate and candid, dealing with the freedom of driving alone and the beauty of the modern suburban environment, specifically the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts. The introductory countoff, "one - two - three - four - five - six!", and lyrics about "going faster miles an hour" with the "radio on" have endeared the song to many critics and listeners since it was first released. Former bandmate John Felice recalled that as<b> teenagers </font></b>he and Richman "used to get in the car and just drive up and down Route 128 and the Turnpike. We'd come up over a hill and he’d see the radio towers, the beacons flashing, and he would get almost teary-eyed. He'd see all this beauty in things where other people just wouldn’t see it." The Sex Pistols' vocalist Johnny Rotten has said that although he "hates all music", "Roadrunner" is his favorite song. This did not mean, however, that he took the time to learn the lyrics before recording his vocals. "Roadrunner" was also recorded by Joan Jett who did manage to learn the lyrics. Phish opened their concert with "Roadrunner" in Mansfield, MA on 09/11/2000. Guardian journalist Laura Barton has described "Roadrunner" as "one of the most magical songs in existence". In July 2007, Barton wrote an essay published in the newspaper about her attempt to visit all the places mentioned in Richman's recorded versions of the song, including the Stop & Shop at Natick, Massachusetts, the Howard Johnson's restaurant, the Prudential Tower, Quincy, Cohasset, Deer Island, Route 128, and Interstate 90 Jonathan Richman, the person who wrote the lyrics and song, however came out against the adoption of the song by the state, saying, “I don’t think the song is good enough to be a Massachusetts song of any kind" But, like a song you can't get out of your head, 'Roadrunner' lives on, at least as a song on Youtube and Dailymotion. Let's hope the legacy of the basic fun in the song is not officially associated with the government and politicians of Massachusetts.  |
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