Written: 1974
Writers: David Jenneson, Alan Hovden
Status: Recorded but unpublished
Genre and Style: Retro rock
Comments: Dave: This is a great fun song that joyously sums up the Burner Boys reason for being better than any other. I wrote the lyrics in one day in my head while working cutting brush for the City during a driving rain storm. I’ve always felt the song had high concept and, given the circumstances under which it was written, was somewhat magical.
Comments: Al: I always remember arranging and recording this song right off the floor with only vocal overdubs and thinking this is the way we should have done everything as it worked so well – unfortunately there was no band that could be pulled together anymore… this was a special occasion for the Burner Revival.
Vocals - Dave "Big D" Jenneson
I got sick of all the noise
In the record shop and on the Real McCoys
So I went out and got myself a brand new toy
And now I’m a Burner Boy
The old cash box goes ding a ling
Come along you want to hear the jail bird sing
Ain’t nothing feels better than to spread your wings
And a band is a beautiful thing
Every cat I’ve met so far
Has a big M. Hohner or a new guitar
And he’s getting it together or he’s gonna be a star
Depending on who you are
I jumped my chance up I did spring
No I never could be happy only hanging in the wings
And you’d better make it snappy if you’re going to be the king
And a band is a beautiful thing.
A band is a beautiful thing
I told all the people I meant to bring
There’s a knock on the door
The telephone rings
And a band is a beautiful thing.
I always knew I would survive
If I made it new and I played it live
And soon my sugar daddy-o will arrive
And say ‘You’re gonna make a 45!’
I sure do like that Carol King
And what she does with the words she sings
And Elton John forgot one thing
And a band is a beautiful thing
A band is a beautiful thing
I told all the people I meant to bring
There’s a knock on the door
The telephone rings
And a band is a beautiful thing.
Saw John and Paul in ‘ 64
And I saw the crowd and I heard the roar
And I said Oh Boy I’m gonna be a star
But now I little more
The jukebox bounced through a burning ring
I’m hanging from the ceiling and swinging from a swing
Everybody’s here and everybody sing
And a band is a beautiful thing.
A band is a beautiful thing
I told all the people I meant to bring
There’s a knock on the door
The telephone rings
And a band is a beautiful
Band is a beautiful
Band is a beautiful thing.