Nightflight to Venus
Boney M.
℗ 1978 Sire Records 6062
This 1978 album finds producer/Svengali Frank Farian starting to push his pop-disco attraction Boney M. into new and interesting musical territory. The songs are still very much disco tracks with an emphasis on bubblegum pop hooks, but Farian works some interesting musical flavors into the mix: "Painter Man" (a cover of a track by mod rockers Creation) effectively pits a series of heavy, distorted hard rock guitar riffs against its danceable beat, and "Brown Girl in the Ring" adds some distinctive steel drums into its rhythmic calypso-pop mixture. However, the oddest and most unusual and interesting combination of musical elements arrives with "Rasputin," a tribute to the legendary Russian historical figure that uses balalaikas to create its textured rhythm guitar hook. Nightflight to Venus also spawned a major international hit with "Rivers of Babylon," which mixes religious lyrics and a folk song melody with a pronounced beat to create an instantly accessible pop hymn. The other tracks include a few less than colorful moments ("Never Change Lovers in the Middle of the Night" could have been performed by any disco outfit), but Nightflight to Venus is an overall success thanks to the group's strong harmonies and the slick production from Farian, which keeps everything moving at a fast clip. The end result is one of the strongest albums in the Boney M. catalog, and a treat for anyone who likes dance music that is sugary sweet. — Donald A. Guarisco. |
- 1. Nightflight to Venus [04:46]
- 2. Rasputin [05:52]
- 3. Painter Man [03:10]
- 4. He Was a Steppenwolf [06:51]
- 5. King of the Road [02:37]
- 6. Rivers of Babylon [04:21]
- 7. Voodoonight [03:31]
- 8. Brown Girl in the Ring [04:02]
- 9. Never Change Lovers in the Middle of the Night [05:33]
- 10. Heart of Gold [04:07]
bonus:
- 11a. Mary's Boy Child [05:43]
- 11b. Oh My Lord
- 12. Dancing in the Street [03:59]
Участие в альбоме:
- Liz Mitchell: vocals
Тексты:
Nightflight to Venus
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome aboard the starship Boney M for our first passenger flight to Venus. Ready for count-down: 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 - ignition - lift off Nightflight to Venus Way out there in space Nightflight to Venus Our new fav'rite place Nightflight to Venus All systems are go Nightflight to Venus The sky is aglow Ladies and Gentlemen, we've had a successful take-off on this first Nightflight to Venus. Our flying time will be 8 hours. We'll be travelling at a speed of 2183 miles per second. Nightflight to Venus Nightflight to Venus Captain - unidentified object at 8 o'clock - 2 million miles away. Stand by for emergency manoeuvre. Object coming closer at the speed of light. We have 8 more seconds. Change course by 4 point 6 degrees. Order admitteted. Ladies and Gentlemen, in a few minutes we are going to be landing on Venus, push the button on your left side, the safety mechanism will do the rest for you. We hope you enjoyed the world's first Nightflight to Venus, have a good time there.
Rasputin
There lived a certain man in Russia long ago He was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glow Most people looked at him with terror and with fear But to Moscow chicks he was such a lovely dear He could preach the bible like a preacher Full of ecstacy and fire But he also was the kind of teacher Women would desire RA RA RASPUTIN Lover of the Russian queen There was a cat that really was gone RA RA RASPUTIN Russia's greatest love machine It was a shame how he carried on He ruled the Russian land and never mind the Czar But the kasachok he danced really wunderbar In all affairs of state he was the man to please But he was real great when he had a girl to squeeze For the queen he was no wheeler dealer Though she'd heard the things he'd done She believed he was a holy healer Who would heal her son RA RA RASPUTIN Lover of the Russian queen There was a cat that really was gone RA RA RASPUTIN Russia's greatest love machine It was a shame how he carried on (Spoken:) But when his drinking and lusting and his hunger for power became known to more and more people, the demands to do something about this outrageous man became louder and louder. "This man's just got to go!" declared his enemies But the ladies begged "Don't you try to do it, please" No doubt this Rasputin had lots of hidden charms Though he was a brute they just fell into his arms Then one night some men of higher standing Set a trap, they're not to blame "Come to visit us" they kept demanding And he really came RA RA RASPUTIN Lover of the Russian queen They put some poison into his wine RA RA RASPUTIN Russia's greatest love machine He drank it all and he said "I feel fine" RA RA RASPUTIN Lover of the Russian queen They didn't quit, they wanted his head RA RA RASPUTIN Russia's greatest love machine And so they shot him till he was dead (Spoken:) Oh, those Russians...
Painter Man
Went to college, studied arts To be an artist make a start Studied hard, gettin' my degree But no one seemed to notice me Painter man, painter man Who wanna be a painter man Painter man, painter man Who wanna be a painter man Tried cartoons and comic books Dirty postcards could have done Here was where the money laid Classic art has had it's day Painter man, painter man Who wanna be a painter man Painter man, painter man Who wanna be a painter man Did adverts for T.V. Household shops and brands of tea Labels all around the cans Who wanna be a painter man Painter man, painter man Who wanna be a painter man Painter man, painter man Who wanna be a painter man La...la...la...la...la...la... La...la...la...la...la...la...la... Painter man, painter man Who wanna be a painter man
He Was a Steppenwolf
Come on and listen to my tale It's a strange and sorry tale That's gonna rock you About a man, the drifting kind Let the story now unwind It's gonna shock you Some people said he was a ghost Wouldn't wanna be his host Or just to meet him And if he ever came their way They'd be sticks and stones, I'd say That would grieve him He was a Steppenwolf, a lost and lonely one He was a Steppenwolf, forever on the run He was a Steppenwolf, with a forgotten past He was a Steppenwolf, who found a love at last He was a Steppenwolf The girl he met was out-of-sight Though she walked the streets at night He didn't mind it She seemed as happy as a song And if anything was wrong He didn't find it They used to laugh and dance and drink And not ever did he think of a payday No matter where they ever were Every day he spent with her was a hey-day He was a Steppenwolf, and not a handsome man He was a Steppenwolf, who didn't know her plan He was a Steppenwolf, not very bright at all He was a Steppenwolf, just riding for a fall He was a Steppenwolf One day she said "It's time you knew That I started up with you For just one reason You're gonna do just what I want 'cause there's something that I want And I ain't teasing My life is empty all around Nothing that I ever found Would fulfill me So for a while I'll be with you When I say that we're through You must kill me!" He was a Steppenwolf, He cried "It isn't fair" He was a Steppenwolf, "You know how much I care" He was a Steppenwolf, She said "This is the deal" He was a Steppenwolf, He saw this was for real He was a Steppenwolf He was a Steppenwolf, they spent a long last night He was a Steppenwolf, and with a smile she died He was a Steppenwolf, a lost and lonely one He was a Steppenwolf, forever on the run He was a Steppenwolf
King of the Road
Trailers for sale or rent, Rooms to let - 50 cents, No phone, no pool, no pets, Ain't got no cigarettes, ah but Two hours of pushing broom buys an 8 by 12 four-bit room He's a man of means by no means King of the road. Third box car midnight train Destination Bangor, Maine Old worn-out suits and shoes, Don't pay no union dues. He smokes old stogies he has found Short, but not too big around He's a man of means by no means King of the road (He knows) Every engineer on every train All of their children and all of their names And every hang-out in every town Every lock that ain't locked When no one's around. I say, Trailers for sale or rent, Rooms to let - 50 cents, No phone, no pool, no pets, Ain't got no cigarettes. I've got two hours of pushing broom buys an 8 by 12 four-bit room He's a man of means by no means King of the road. King of the road. King of the road. King of the road.
Rivers of Babylon
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down ye-eah we wept, when we remembered Zion. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down ye-eah we wept, when we remembered Zion. When the wicked Carried us away in captivity Required from us a song Now how shall we sing the lord's song in a strange land When the wicked Carried us away in captivity Requiering of us a song Now how shall we sing the lord's song in a strange land Let the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart be acceptable in thy sight here tonight Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight here tonight By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down ye-eah we wept, when we remembered Zion. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down ye-eah we wept, when we remembered Zion. By the rivers of Babylon (dark tears of Babylon) there we sat down (You got to sing a song) ye-eah we wept, (Sing a song of love) when we remember Zion. (Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah) By the rivers of Babylon (Rough bits of Babylon) there we sat down (You hear the people cry) ye-eah we wept, (They need their God) when we remember Zion. (Ooh, have the power)
Voodoonight
Whispers, potions, puppet with needles Whispers, potions, puppet with needles Black night, right time It's all about, it's voodoonight Can't you feel it Strangers surround the voodoospell But you saw them close your mind Don't listen 'cause big Zombie makes a night of it We're all here and break the spell Don't follow him Big Zombie seeks a bride tonight Voodoonight Voodoonight Whispers, potions, puppet with needles Whispers, potions, puppet with needles Witchcraft, magic Odd songs to hear, it's voodoonight Does it haunt you The fatefull wish of voodoospell Voodoonight Voodoonight Voodoonight Voodoonight Voodoonight
Brown Girl in the Ring
Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la There's a brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la la Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la She looks like a sugar in a plum Plum plum Show me your motion Tra la la la la Come on show me your motion Tra la la la la la Show me your motion Tra la la la la She looks like a sugar in a plum Plum plum All had water run dry Got nowhere to wash my cloths All had water run dry Got nowhere to wash my cloths I remember one Saturday night We had fried fish and Johnny-cakes I remember one Saturday night We had fried fish and Johnny-cakes Beng-a-deng Beng-a-deng Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la There's a brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la la Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la She looks like a sugar in a plum Plum plum Show me your motion Tra la la la la Come on show me your motion Tra la la la la la Show me your motion Tra la la la la She looks like a sugar in a plum Plum plum All had water run dry Got nowhere to wash my cloths All had water run dry Got nowhere to wash my cloths I remember one Saturday night We had fried fish and Johnny-cakes I remember one Saturday night We had fried fish and Johnny-cakes Beng-a-deng Beng-a-deng Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la See, brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la la Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la She looks like a sugar in a plum Plum plum All had water run dry Got nowhere to wash my cloths All had water run dry Got nowhere to wash my cloths Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la Look that brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la la Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la She looks like a sugar in a plum Plum plum
Never Change Lovers in the Middle of the Night
You and I were finished I was through with you Splitting up forever Seemed the thing to do I said I can't stand you With your honey touch This time you were cheating me One time too much Just then I remembered That a friend I knew Told me one thing I should never do Never never change your lovers in the middle of the night Everything may look so different in the early morning light Never never be too hasty when you're grooping in the dark What you're getting into may be just a lark Keep your cool and don't change lovers when you're feeling sorta high Sorta big and high and mighty without really knowing why Let the heat wear off a little, give your man another chance And don't fall for someone else's song and dance Sure there was this guy Right next to me Mine just for the asking He said he would be But to leave my man Seemed to me all too strange And I'd say that I'm glad I didn't make the change Now our life is almost Like a Paradise Let me pass on to you This advice Keep your cool and don't change lovers in the middle of the night You may feel a strong temptation, the vibrations may be right But who knows what's gonna happen, you may simply lose your cool When you find it, you'll find out you were a fool Never never change your lovers under any midnight spell Take it easy, slow and easy, everything will turn out well Let the sunshine of a new day, and don't move while you're uptight Changing lovers in the middle of the night Never never change your lovers in the middle of the night Everything may look so different in the early morning light Never never be too hasty when you're grooping in the dark What you're getting into may be just a lark Keep your cool and don't change lovers when you're feeling sorta high Sorta big and high and mighty without really knowing why Let the heat wear off a little, give your man another chance And don't fall for someone else's song and dance
Heart of Gold
I want to live, I want to give I've been a miner for a heart of gold. All these expressions I never give That keep me searching for a heart of gold And I'm getting old. I want to live, I want to give I've been a miner for a heart of gold. All these expressions I never give That keep me searching for a heart of gold And I'm getting old. Keeps me searching for a heart of gold And I'm getting old. I've been to Hollywood I've been to Redwood I crossed the ocean for a heart of gold I've been in my mind, it's such a fine line That keeps me searching for a heart of gold And I'm getting old. Keeps me searching for a heart of gold And I'm getting old. Keeps me searching for a heart of gold Been a miner for a heart of gold. Crossed the ocean for a heart of gold Keeps me searching for a heart of gold And I'm getting old. Keeps me searching for a heart of gold Been a miner for a heart of gold. Crossed the ocean for a heart of gold Keeps me searching for a heart of gold Been a miner for a heart of gold. Crossed the ocean for a heart of gold Keeps me searching for a heart of gold Been a miner for a heart of gold. Crossed the ocean for a heart of gold Keeps me searching for a heart of gold And I'm getting old.