Help me figure out if I’m going insane… At least about this particular issue. I swear in the mid to late eighties there was a public service announcement they would show during Saturday morning cartoons featuring the Bare Naked Ladies. It was about accepting diversity and it featured one of the band members dressed as a green alien with no arms. They sang a song about this alien coming to Earth and not being accepted and how you should always be nice to people even though they’re different.
When I mention this memory to my friends they all look at me like I’m insane. Anyone else remember this?
You are not insane (in this instance): I remember this mini-video. I always wondered who that was. Thank you.
So what’s the name of the song and is it available commercially (so to speak)?
“I’m the guy who sails the sky, but
I think I’d like to live here. And you could teach
about your ground, your trees, your rivers.”
"If you wanna be a spaceman, it don't matter if you're black or white! Or blue, or orange or green or red. Or yellow with polka dots on your head."
The lead singer did indeed wear a yellow mumu with no sleeves or arm holes. In addition, he sported a strange hairdo amd green make up.
The song was of a much higher caliber than the usual Barney/Rafi crud used in PSA's aimed at kids.
The lyrics are from memory. I think the song might have
been “And then there was me.” This phrase pops up in the chorus enough that it could be the title. It was a great song. I love the way that the last word of one line becomes the start of a new line and a new musical tone. EG , the lead singer is singing softly and slowly about the wonders of Earth. When he says “I can’t believe what you call my eye” he switches to uptempo and continues “I’m the guy who sails…” In another section, the switch to a slower tempo is made with two lines connected by the word hands.
It’s called the Ballad of Gordon:
There was darkness, there was light,
There was day and there was night,
There was wrong and there was right…
And then there was me.
You didn't even know me, but you treated me like dirt.
(And then there was me)
You didn't even know me, but you called me a jerk.
(And then there was me)
I'm from a planet near a star
You wouldn't know (it's very far).
The're calling me the man from Mars
And I think they're insulting me.
They tried to take my special suit.
(Insulting me)
(Insulting me)
Put your hands up or I'll shoot! I don't have hands...
Across the galaxy I flew,
Heard a peaceful message sent by you.
Now I find you're judged by color and size.
I can't believe what you call my...
I'se the guy who sails the sky, but I think I'd like to live
here.
I'd like to share your mountains, share your trees, and share
your rivers.
I've never seen so many people of so many colors.
I'd like to think that someday maybe I could call you
brothers.
(And then there was we)
I'd like to learn about your pizza and your weather,
(And then there was we)
Then we could learn about how beings live together.
(And then there was we)
So if you're thinking about being a spaceman,
It don't matter if you're black or white
Or purple or blue or green or red
Or yellow with polka dots on your head
Or made of snow or made of wheat
Or looking like something that's kind of a treat.
I like your hat... (fade)