Back When My Hair Was Short album version

[Billy A. Anderson]

While I'm not going to post a link to the u-tube of it, recently I checked out the LP album version of "Back When My Hair Was Short," by Gunhill Road, with the lyrics about "selliing dope to some kids," and other variations of the 45 single, which was altered for mainstream radio play.

Actually I like both versions a lot.

Although I'm glad the Gunhill Road guys are still living, (and, performing?), it is very sad and depressing to see how they have aged.

The worst case of aging is Dean Ford of Dean Ford and the Gaylords, name changed to Marmalade, and their song "Reflections of my life," said to be a favorite of soldiers serving in Viet Nam, there being special war scenes videos of the song.

While even in the 1969 version, Mr. Ford was not exactly the Prettiest Thing Ya Ever Laid Eyes On, it is heart breaking to see him wrecked and ruined by aging, intercut with clips of him and the band int he 1969 version.

As I said about that clip of the Jaggerzz posted by Dr. Kobb, they have held up relatively well as far as aging goes.

[Billy A. Anderson]

Have done some more studying on this one. Some listeners claim that the original 1972 longer version with the "edigier" lyrics and the 1973 short version for radio airplay are "very" different.

I don't see it that way. I'd say that the short version just doesn't have the edigier lyrics.

Along with "selling dope to some kids," other lyrics left out of the shorter version are, a reference to LSD, "heavy scene, reading screw magazine . . . putting some nails in your savior," and "all kinds of love, love of a man for his neighbor, love of a man for his brother," altho I really don't see those last 2 as especially "edgy."

There were two different versions of one of the albums (forget how many albums total), but I'm glad I did check out the original version of "Back When My hair was short," since it has gotten my interest up in the albums, which I might eventually get to listen to,and find more songs I might like.

Anyone else here familiar wiht Gunhill Road?

[Billy A. Anderson]

I said I wasn't going to post the video, but since Deeky asked about Gunhill Road, I've reversed my decision.  Here it is, Deeky.