Dan Hill's wretched lyrics to the It's a Long Road (Theme from First Blood) have forever sullied this great melody for me. Because of this, whenever I learn that a treasured melody has lyrics, I make a point NOT to listen to the vocal version. I'm not talking about Cole Porter or George Gershwin lyrics, or where the lyricist is an otherwise brilliant talent, but lesser entities like Dan Hill, whose lyrics--and crap vocal--have ruined Jerry's once-moving music for all time.
Remember: Dan Hill is the same guy who sang "Sometimes When We Touch", which sounds like a dog food advert.
Does anyone here share my dislike for the First Blood vocal? I wish I could unremember the damned thing.
Dan Hill's wretched lyrics to the It's a Long Road (Theme from First Blood) have forever sullied this great melody for me. Because of this, whenever I learn that a treasured melody has lyrics, I make a point NOT to listen to the vocal version. I'm not talking about Cole Porter or George Gershwin lyrics, or where the lyricist is an otherwise brilliant talent, but lesser entities like Dan Hill, whose lyrics--and crap vocal--have ruined Jerry's once-moving music for all time.
Remember: Dan Hill is the same guy who sang "Sometimes When We Touch", which sounds like a dog food advert.
Does anyone here share my dislike for the First Blood vocal? I wish I could unremember the damned thing.
Hal Shaper wrote the lyrics. Dan sung them. Saying that I have no problem with either the lyrics or the singing. I thought it was a solid effort and worked as an end credit.
I think the theme is too good and to strong to be ruined by that terrible lyrics. I never listened to the song for more than 30 seconds.
The score remains to this day one of my all-time favorite works by Goldsmith. It's great to finally have it presented complete and chronological on disc without all those edits and cuts. The presentation also makes more sense this way when Goldsmith introduces his ostinato motif after those beautiful homecoming-Americana cues at the beginning!
Are you out of your mind!!! It´s a long road is a great song along with Goldsmiths score (which is one of his best) Sad lyrics accompanied with that great Rambo tune... J.Phelps, you have 10 seconds to reconsider
The lyrics and vocals are so bad, it sounds like it's a parody of the real song. Unfortunately, however, it IS the real song. I just laugh and shake my head in disbelief every time I hear it. I never skip past it, though. I'm a glutton for punishment.
Curiously, I listen to lots of rock & pop, but I've never really been very lyrics-oriented. It's all about the music to me. Lyrics are usually just oral sounds that carry the melody line. That's why I've always found that song to be very, very beautiful. I also think the "It's a long road..." refrain is pretty poetic and in synch with the melancholy of the melody. Mirrors the character's long way back to society.
I can't remember reading anywhere -- were the lyrics written first and the melody written for those lyrics, or did the theme come first and the lyrics an afterthought?
I can't remember reading anywhere -- were the lyrics written first and the melody written for those lyrics, or did the theme come first and the lyrics an afterthought?
I've heard it in the film and I think it's harmless enough. I never listen to it on the CD though. I don't think about the lyrics when hearing Goldsmith's music just as I don't think about Bill Murray singing "Star Wars....nothin' but Star Wars..." on Saturday Night Live when listening to the SW CD.
I don't think about the lyrics when hearing Goldsmith's music just as I don't think about Bill Murray singing "Star Wars....nothin' but Star Wars..." on Saturday Night Live when listening to the SW CD.
Ah, sometimes it's a blessing when English isn't your mother tongue. You still understand the lyrics, but it's easier to just ignore them when you want to.
Curiously, I listen to lots of rock & pop, but I've never really been very lyrics-oriented. It's all about the music to me. Lyrics are usually just oral sounds that carry the melody line.
Exactly my sentiment. As long as the voice is ok, I never mind stupid lyrics (as long as they are not in German).
