R Dean Taylor - Shadow

[mysterysinger]

I find some of the lyrics a bit, well, erm. Might just be my Britishness but do they seem a bit odd to you? Or am I missing something. And are they based on a real situation?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSPBeFdKdEc

[WaitingWatchingLookingForAChance]

No. It's not just you. Yes. The story line is quite borderline stomach-churning. Like you, I kept wondering if I was missing something. I don't think I was. Seems this sort of thing was all the rage back then. Has ANYONE else ever thought "Vehicle" sounded like a sonic billboard for creepy, child snatchers everywhere?

[soulwally]

No. It's not just you. Yes. The story line is quite borderline stomach-churning. Like you, I kept wondering if I was missing something. I don't think I was. Seems this sort of thing was all the rage back then. Has ANYONE else ever thought "Vehicle" sounded like a sonic billboard for creepy, child snatchers everywhere?
Er, that's a No from me

[TomatoTom123]

Well, quite a strange song…

Someone on YouTube said that it "puts a different light on his hit "Indiana Wants Me" where he's being chased by the police"…

[snakepit]

Well, quite a strange song…

Someone on YouTube said that it "puts a different light on his hit "Indiana Wants Me" where he's being chased by the police"…

makes you wonder how old Jane was?

[144man]

makes you wonder how old Jane was?

All Grown Up [Motown Unreleased 1964]:)

[snakepit]

Hi 144man
Ol' R Dean seems to have a thing about young girls
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3t0KR5ocXWQ

[144man]

The Union Gap's "Young Girl" and "This Girl Is A Woman Now" spring to mind.

[snakepit]

Perhaps that was the idea that promted " Shadow"

[Graham Jarvis]

Perhaps that was the idea that promted " Shadow"

R Dean Taylor was always a hero of mine, as I grew up in the early 7T's & we had Ghost, Lets Go Somewhere, Indiana Wants etc, also all of the other songs he wrote and co wrote for Motown. Later years when I listened to "Shadow" for the first time I was so surprised that he got away with it & that Motown allowed such? I decided and uploaded this 2years ago to see if any response, & yes just one response just one year ago.

Amazing really as its been the same for centuries including our last century. There are hundreds of similar records issued and still played by famous artists. Recently I heard a song on radio of Neil Diamond and was amazed, then more an exception Jerry Lee Lewis rocked up in London in 1958 with his 13 year old wife, thankfully a vast number took exception which seriously affected his future.

It would be good to widen the discussion concerning other sensitive things on the back of published records? One of Detroits most famous female artists both for Motown & Stax is Mabel John and for me anything concerning younger females was just accepted, however Mabel had the guts to issue her Stax 45 "Don't Hit Me No More" and that had a signifcant response that they would not listen to the record. Really!
Anyway I had taken it down off youtube, but more recently put it back on.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REUNrE47kiQ

[snakepit]

Yes Graham
A number of tunes make you think.
How about this Northern Soul biggie.
How many listened to the lyrics?
Or was 16 ok?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qG2imVfiy7g

[copley]

OMG! I can't believe that anyone thought that this song was a good idea! I feel sick.

[mysterysinger]

Also recorded by a group called Tindersticks.

[mysterysinger]

Sixteen is fine - well at least here in the UK - witness "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen", "Only Sixteen", "Sweet Little Sixteen", "When You Were Sweet 16" etc

[Graham Jarvis]

"Shadow" is a Sh*% record anyway still can't believe he got away with it!

[Boogiedown]

Apparently the main allure of Shadow [curious choice of name ] is that she’s underage . Dean makes sure to mention that she’s 14 at least three times in the song .

and Ringo was thirty three when he was lusting after girls half his age as he boasted on YOU'RE SIXTEEN

[snakepit]

I see that the video has been removed.

[mysterysinger]

Well here's another ....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1-XwPgPezE

[TomatoTom123]

"Shadow, you drag me down
But every day I love you more
Shadow, you bring me down
And every day I need you more
Than the day before

Body of a woman, mind of a child
Shadow, you sure do drive me wild
You're only 14 years old

Shadow, it's in your touch
All those things that I just don't know
Shadow, you mean so much
I never thought I had so far to go
I need you so"

Just listening again… the song is definitely about sexual desire for a 14-year-old girl, no???!! I have so many questions…..

[144man]

Sixteen is fine - well at least here in the UK - witness "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen", "Only Sixteen", "Sweet Little Sixteen", "When You Were Sweet 16" etc

Another one where the age mentioned is 16 is Chairmen of the Board's "Tricked & Trapped [By A Tricky Trapper]", a track which looks at the situation from a different angle.

[TomatoTom123]

And, 100 Proof [[Aged In Soul)'s "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number"… which opens by declaring "13, 14, 15, 16" are all "alright"…!!!