Reader's Digest
ALSO RELEASED ON: Live At The Elsinore, Wounded Lion, Sixty - The Trilogy Concert, The Colossus Of Roads
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Version 1 is a full studio recording
Note that the stereo image is reversed on the DTS LP and on the Focus cassette |
Only Visiting This Planet [All vinyl and cassette versions]
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Version 2 is the same recording as version 1, but with the initial "four" removed
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7" Single, Verve VK-10718 [See Singles page]
Only Visiting This Planet [All CD versions] The Very Best Of Larry Norman Volume 2 |
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Version 3 is a full studio recording, with a much heavier rock style than the original. Note that the introduction is 'borrowed' from the song I Want It All from the Merchants Of Venus album Wish Across The Land
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Only Visiting This Planet [CD releases, at least up to 2003]
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Version 4 is a live recording, performed solo with acoustic guitar, in Sweden in 1993
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Version 5 is a live recording, performed solo with acoustic guitar
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Version 6 is the same recording as version 1, but from a mono radio broadcast and with the presenter talking over the start and end
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Version 7 is a live recording, performed solo with acoustic guitar at the Creation West festival in 2000
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Version 8 is a live recording, performed solo with acoustic guitar during a concert in Northern Ireland
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Version 9 is the same recording as version 2, but faded out earlier
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lyrics versions 1 and 6
Four [Spoken]
Alice is a drag queen
Bowie's somewhere in between
Other bands are looking mean
Me, I'm trying to stay clean
I don't dig the radio
I hate what the charts pick
Rock and roll may not be dead
But it's getting sick
All over the world disc jockeys talk the same
And every town I play is like the one from where I came
The Rolling Stones are millionaires
Flower children pallbearers
Beatles said all you need is love
And then they broke up
Jimi took an overdose
Janis followed so close
The whole music scene and
All the bands are pretty comatose
This time last year, people didn't wanna hear
They looked at Jesus from afar
This year he's a superstar
Dear John, who's more popular now
I've been listening to Paul's records
I think he really is dead
It's 1973, I wonder who we're gonna see
Who's in power now
I think I'll turn on the TV
The man on the news said
China's gonna beat us
We shot all our dreamers
And there's no one left to lead us
We need a solution, we need salvation
Let's send some people to the moon
And gather information
They brought back a big bag of rocks
Only cost thirteen billion
Must be nice rocks
You think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Then you find out they're only princes to begin with
And everybody has to choose
Whether they'll win or lose
Follow God or sing the blues
And who they're gonna sin with
What a mess the world is in
I wonder who began it
Don't ask me, I'm only visiting this planet
This world is not my home
I'm just passing through
Alice is a drag queen
Bowie's somewhere in between
Other bands are looking mean
Me, I'm trying to stay clean
I don't dig the radio
I hate what the charts pick
Rock and roll may not be dead
But it's getting sick
All over the world disc jockeys talk the same
And every town I play is like the one from where I came
The Rolling Stones are millionaires
Flower children pallbearers
Beatles said all you need is love
And then they broke up
Jimi took an overdose
Janis followed so close
The whole music scene and
All the bands are pretty comatose
This time last year, people didn't wanna hear
They looked at Jesus from afar
This year he's a superstar
Dear John, who's more popular now
I've been listening to Paul's records
I think he really is dead
It's 1973, I wonder who we're gonna see
Who's in power now
I think I'll turn on the TV
The man on the news said
China's gonna beat us
We shot all our dreamers
And there's no one left to lead us
We need a solution, we need salvation
Let's send some people to the moon
And gather information
They brought back a big bag of rocks
Only cost thirteen billion
Must be nice rocks
You think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Then you find out they're only princes to begin with
And everybody has to choose
Whether they'll win or lose
Follow God or sing the blues
And who they're gonna sin with
What a mess the world is in
I wonder who began it
Don't ask me, I'm only visiting this planet
This world is not my home
I'm just passing through
lyrics versions 2 and 9
Alice is a drag queen
Bowie's somewhere in between
Other bands are looking mean
Me, I'm trying to stay clean
I don't dig the radio
I hate what the charts pick
Rock and roll may not be dead
But it's getting sick
All over the world disc jockeys talk the same
And every town I play is like the one from where I came
The Rolling Stones are millionaires
Flower children pallbearers
Beatles said all you need is love
And then they broke up
Jimi took an overdose
Janis followed so close
The whole music scene and
All the bands are pretty comatose
This time last year, people didn't wanna hear
They looked at Jesus from afar
This year he's a superstar
Dear John, who's more popular now
I've been listening to Paul's records
I think he really is dead
It's 1973, I wonder who we're gonna see
Who's in power now
I think I'll turn on the TV
The man on the news said
China's gonna beat us
We shot all our dreamers
And there's no one left to lead us
We need a solution, we need salvation
Let's send some people to the moon
And gather information
They brought back a big bag of rocks
Only cost thirteen billion
Must be nice rocks
You think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Then you find out they're only princes to begin with
And everybody has to choose
Whether they'll win or lose
Follow God or sing the blues
And who they're gonna sin with
What a mess the world is in
I wonder who began it
Don't ask me, I'm only visiting this planet
This world is not my home
I'm just passing through
Bowie's somewhere in between
Other bands are looking mean
Me, I'm trying to stay clean
I don't dig the radio
I hate what the charts pick
Rock and roll may not be dead
But it's getting sick
All over the world disc jockeys talk the same
And every town I play is like the one from where I came
The Rolling Stones are millionaires
Flower children pallbearers
Beatles said all you need is love
And then they broke up
Jimi took an overdose
Janis followed so close
The whole music scene and
All the bands are pretty comatose
This time last year, people didn't wanna hear
They looked at Jesus from afar
This year he's a superstar
Dear John, who's more popular now
I've been listening to Paul's records
I think he really is dead
It's 1973, I wonder who we're gonna see
Who's in power now
I think I'll turn on the TV
The man on the news said
China's gonna beat us
We shot all our dreamers
And there's no one left to lead us
We need a solution, we need salvation
Let's send some people to the moon
And gather information
They brought back a big bag of rocks
Only cost thirteen billion
Must be nice rocks
You think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Then you find out they're only princes to begin with
And everybody has to choose
Whether they'll win or lose
Follow God or sing the blues
And who they're gonna sin with
What a mess the world is in
I wonder who began it
Don't ask me, I'm only visiting this planet
This world is not my home
I'm just passing through
lyrics version 3
Alice is a drag queen
Bowie's somewhere in between
Other bands are looking mean
Me, I'm trying to stay clean
I don't dig the radio
I hate what the charts pick
Rock and roll may not be dead
But it's really sick
All over the world disc jockeys talk the same
And every town I play is like the town from where I came
Except for this town
I always say that
Rolling Stones are millionaires
Flower children pallbearers
Beatles said all you need is love
Then they broke up
Jimi took an overdose
Janis followed so close
The whole music scene
All the bands are pretty comatose
This time last year, people didn't wanna hear
They looked at Jesus from afar
Now they call him superstar
Dear John
Never mind
I've been listening t' some of Paul's new records
Never mind
It's 1973, I wonder who we're gonna see
Who's in power now
Think I'll turn on the TV
Man on the news said
China's gonna beat us
We shot all our dreamers
There's no one left to lead us
We need a solution, some kinda salvation
Let's send some people to the moon
And gather information
They brought back a big bag of rocks
Only cost two hundred forty seven billion
Must be nice rocks
You think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Then you find out they're only princes to begin with
Everybody's got to choose
Whether they will win or lose
Follow God or sing the blues
And who they're gonna sin with
What a mess the world is in
I wonder who began it
Don't ask me, I'm only visiting this planet
I'm not home at last
I'm just passing through
See ya
Bowie's somewhere in between
Other bands are looking mean
Me, I'm trying to stay clean
I don't dig the radio
I hate what the charts pick
Rock and roll may not be dead
But it's really sick
All over the world disc jockeys talk the same
And every town I play is like the town from where I came
Except for this town
I always say that
Rolling Stones are millionaires
Flower children pallbearers
Beatles said all you need is love
Then they broke up
Jimi took an overdose
Janis followed so close
The whole music scene
All the bands are pretty comatose
This time last year, people didn't wanna hear
They looked at Jesus from afar
Now they call him superstar
Dear John
Never mind
I've been listening t' some of Paul's new records
Never mind
It's 1973, I wonder who we're gonna see
Who's in power now
Think I'll turn on the TV
Man on the news said
China's gonna beat us
We shot all our dreamers
There's no one left to lead us
We need a solution, some kinda salvation
Let's send some people to the moon
And gather information
They brought back a big bag of rocks
Only cost two hundred forty seven billion
Must be nice rocks
You think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Then you find out they're only princes to begin with
Everybody's got to choose
Whether they will win or lose
Follow God or sing the blues
And who they're gonna sin with
What a mess the world is in
I wonder who began it
Don't ask me, I'm only visiting this planet
I'm not home at last
I'm just passing through
See ya
lyrics version 4
Alice Cooper is a drag queen
Bowie's somewhere in between [clears throat]
Other bands are looking mean
Me, I'm trying to stay clean
I don't like the radio
I hate what the charts pick
Rock and roll may not be dead
But it's really sick
All over the world disc jockeys talk the same
Every town I play is like the town from where I came
Except for this town
This is an island
Well the Rolling Stones are millionaires
Flower children pallbearers
Beatles said all you need is love
Then they broke up
I’ll never break up
Janis had an overdose
Jimi followed so close
The whole music scene
All the bands are pretty comatose
This time last year, people didn't wanna hear
They looked at Jesus from afar
Now they call him superstar
Dear John, never mind
Well it's 1973, I wonder who we're gonna see
Who's in power now
Think I'll turn on the TV
Man on the news said
China's gonna beat us
We shot all our dreamers
There's no one left to lead us
We need a solution, some kinda salvation
Let's send people to the moon
And gather information
They brought back a big bag of rocks
Only cost two hundred forty seven billion
Must be nice rocks
You think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Martin Luther King, Rodney King, every king
You think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Then you find out we’re only princes to begin with
Everybody’s got to choose
Whether they will win or lose
Follow God or sing the blues
And who they're gonna sin with
What a mess the world is in
I wonder who began it
Don't ask me, I'm only visiting this planet
Bowie's somewhere in between [clears throat]
Other bands are looking mean
Me, I'm trying to stay clean
I don't like the radio
I hate what the charts pick
Rock and roll may not be dead
But it's really sick
All over the world disc jockeys talk the same
Every town I play is like the town from where I came
Except for this town
This is an island
Well the Rolling Stones are millionaires
Flower children pallbearers
Beatles said all you need is love
Then they broke up
I’ll never break up
Janis had an overdose
Jimi followed so close
The whole music scene
All the bands are pretty comatose
This time last year, people didn't wanna hear
They looked at Jesus from afar
Now they call him superstar
Dear John, never mind
Well it's 1973, I wonder who we're gonna see
Who's in power now
Think I'll turn on the TV
Man on the news said
China's gonna beat us
We shot all our dreamers
There's no one left to lead us
We need a solution, some kinda salvation
Let's send people to the moon
And gather information
They brought back a big bag of rocks
Only cost two hundred forty seven billion
Must be nice rocks
You think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Martin Luther King, Rodney King, every king
You think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Then you find out we’re only princes to begin with
Everybody’s got to choose
Whether they will win or lose
Follow God or sing the blues
And who they're gonna sin with
What a mess the world is in
I wonder who began it
Don't ask me, I'm only visiting this planet
lyrics version 5
Alice Cooper is a drag queen
But now he's a christian so eh, I wrote this song a long time ago [Spoken]
Alice Cooper is a drag queen
Bowie's somewhere in between
Other bands're looking mean
Me, I'm trying to stay clean
I don't like the radio
I hate what the charts pick
Rock and roll may not be dead
But it's really sick
All over the world disc jockeys talk the same
Every town I play is like the town from where I came
Except for this town
I always say that. This time I mean it [Spoken]
The Rolling Stones are millionaires
Flower children pallbearers
Beatles said all you need is love
Then they broke up
I'll never break up
Jimi Hendrix took an overdose
Joplin followed so close
The whole music scene and
All the bands are pretty comatose
This time last year, people didn't wanna hear
They looked at Jesus from afar
Now they call him superstar
Well it's 1973, I wonder who we're gonna see
Who's in power now
Think I'll turn on the TV
The man on the news said
China's gonna beat us
We shot all our dreamers
There's no one left to lead us
We need a solution, some kind of salvation
Let's send some people to the moon
And gather information
They brought back a big bag of rocks
Only cost two hundred forty seven billion
Must be nice rocks
Well you think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Martin Luther King. Rodney. Don. Prince Charles. No [Spoken]
You think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Then you find out they're only princes to begin with
Everybody's got to choose
Whether they will win or lose
Follow God or sing the blues
And who they're gonna sin with
What a mess the world is in
I wonder who began it
Don't ask me, I'm only visiting this planet
This world is not my home
And this is not rap
But now he's a christian so eh, I wrote this song a long time ago [Spoken]
Alice Cooper is a drag queen
Bowie's somewhere in between
Other bands're looking mean
Me, I'm trying to stay clean
I don't like the radio
I hate what the charts pick
Rock and roll may not be dead
But it's really sick
All over the world disc jockeys talk the same
Every town I play is like the town from where I came
Except for this town
I always say that. This time I mean it [Spoken]
The Rolling Stones are millionaires
Flower children pallbearers
Beatles said all you need is love
Then they broke up
I'll never break up
Jimi Hendrix took an overdose
Joplin followed so close
The whole music scene and
All the bands are pretty comatose
This time last year, people didn't wanna hear
They looked at Jesus from afar
Now they call him superstar
Well it's 1973, I wonder who we're gonna see
Who's in power now
Think I'll turn on the TV
The man on the news said
China's gonna beat us
We shot all our dreamers
There's no one left to lead us
We need a solution, some kind of salvation
Let's send some people to the moon
And gather information
They brought back a big bag of rocks
Only cost two hundred forty seven billion
Must be nice rocks
Well you think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Martin Luther King. Rodney. Don. Prince Charles. No [Spoken]
You think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Then you find out they're only princes to begin with
Everybody's got to choose
Whether they will win or lose
Follow God or sing the blues
And who they're gonna sin with
What a mess the world is in
I wonder who began it
Don't ask me, I'm only visiting this planet
This world is not my home
And this is not rap
lyrics version 7
Alice Cooper is a drag queen
Bowie somewhere in between
Other bands are looking mean
Me, I'm trying to stay clean
I don't dig the radio
I hate what the charts pick
Rock and roll may not be dead
But it's really sick
All over the world disc jockeys talk the same
Every town I play is like the town from where I came
Except for this town
I always say that
Right now I mean it
Ooh a hot time in the old town tonight [Spoken]
Rolling Stones are millionaires
Flower children pallbearers
Beatles said all you need is love
Then they broke up
I'll never break up
Jimi Hendrix took an overdose
Janis Joplin followed so close
The whole music scene and
All the bands are comatose
This time last year, people didn't wanna hear
They looked at Jesus from afar
Now they call him superstar
Well it's 1973, I wonder who we're gonna see
Who's in power now
Think I'll turn on the TV
The man on the news said
China's gonna beat us
We shot all our dreamers
There's no one left to lead us
We need a solution, some kinda salvation
Let's send people to the moon
And gather information
They brought back a big bag of rocks
Only cost two hundred forty seven billion
Must be nice rocks
Well you think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Martin Luther King
Rodney King
Don
You think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Then you find out they're only princes to begin with
Everybody's got to choose
Whether they will win or lose
Follow God or sing the blues
And who they're gonna sin with
What a mess the world is in
I wonder who began it
Don't ask me, I'm only visiting this planet
This world is not my home
And this is not rap
Bowie somewhere in between
Other bands are looking mean
Me, I'm trying to stay clean
I don't dig the radio
I hate what the charts pick
Rock and roll may not be dead
But it's really sick
All over the world disc jockeys talk the same
Every town I play is like the town from where I came
Except for this town
I always say that
Right now I mean it
Ooh a hot time in the old town tonight [Spoken]
Rolling Stones are millionaires
Flower children pallbearers
Beatles said all you need is love
Then they broke up
I'll never break up
Jimi Hendrix took an overdose
Janis Joplin followed so close
The whole music scene and
All the bands are comatose
This time last year, people didn't wanna hear
They looked at Jesus from afar
Now they call him superstar
Well it's 1973, I wonder who we're gonna see
Who's in power now
Think I'll turn on the TV
The man on the news said
China's gonna beat us
We shot all our dreamers
There's no one left to lead us
We need a solution, some kinda salvation
Let's send people to the moon
And gather information
They brought back a big bag of rocks
Only cost two hundred forty seven billion
Must be nice rocks
Well you think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Martin Luther King
Rodney King
Don
You think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Then you find out they're only princes to begin with
Everybody's got to choose
Whether they will win or lose
Follow God or sing the blues
And who they're gonna sin with
What a mess the world is in
I wonder who began it
Don't ask me, I'm only visiting this planet
This world is not my home
And this is not rap
lyrics version 8
This is an old song [Spoken]
Alice Cooper is a drag queen
Bowie's somewhere in between
Other bands are looking mean
Me, I'm trying to stay clean
I don't like the radio
I hate what the charts pick
Rock and roll may not be dead
But it's really sick
All over the world disc jockeys talk the same
And every town I play is like the town from where I came
Except for this town
Well the Rolling Stones again
The Rolling Stones are millionaires
Flower children pallbearers
Beatles said all you need is love
And then they broke up
I, I'll never break up
Jimi took an overdose
Janis followed so close
The whole music scene and
All the bands are pretty comatose
This time last year, people didn't wanna hear
They looked at Jesus from afar
Now they call him superstar
Dear John, never mind
Well it's a 1973, I wonder who we're gonna see
Who's in power now
I think I'll turn on the TV
The man on the news said
China's gonna beat us
We shot all our dreamers
There's no one left to lead us
We need a solution, some kind of salvation
Let's send some people to the moon
And gather information
They brought back a big bag of rocks
Only cost two hundred forty seven billion
Must be nice rocks
Well you think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Martin Luther
Rodney
Don
Prince Charles
Well you think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Then you find out they're only princes to begin with
Everybody's got to choose
Whether they'll win or lose
Follow God or sing the blues
Who they're gonna sin with
But what a mess the world is in
I wonder who began it
Don't ask me, I'm only visiting this planet
This world is not my home
And this is not rap
Alice Cooper is a drag queen
Bowie's somewhere in between
Other bands are looking mean
Me, I'm trying to stay clean
I don't like the radio
I hate what the charts pick
Rock and roll may not be dead
But it's really sick
All over the world disc jockeys talk the same
And every town I play is like the town from where I came
Except for this town
Well the Rolling Stones again
The Rolling Stones are millionaires
Flower children pallbearers
Beatles said all you need is love
And then they broke up
I, I'll never break up
Jimi took an overdose
Janis followed so close
The whole music scene and
All the bands are pretty comatose
This time last year, people didn't wanna hear
They looked at Jesus from afar
Now they call him superstar
Dear John, never mind
Well it's a 1973, I wonder who we're gonna see
Who's in power now
I think I'll turn on the TV
The man on the news said
China's gonna beat us
We shot all our dreamers
There's no one left to lead us
We need a solution, some kind of salvation
Let's send some people to the moon
And gather information
They brought back a big bag of rocks
Only cost two hundred forty seven billion
Must be nice rocks
Well you think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Martin Luther
Rodney
Don
Prince Charles
Well you think it's such a sad thing
When you see a fallen king
Then you find out they're only princes to begin with
Everybody's got to choose
Whether they'll win or lose
Follow God or sing the blues
Who they're gonna sin with
But what a mess the world is in
I wonder who began it
Don't ask me, I'm only visiting this planet
This world is not my home
And this is not rap
This is the album's [Only Visiting This Planet] final thrust: another irreverent commentary on American society. Larry makes fun of radio, rock and roll, the space race, and ends with a reminder of our human mortality. Then he bids us farewell, saying again that he has no opinions, though demonstrating the converse. His real point: we are all on a journey and need to seek the truth about our existence more directly from our creator. We are responsible for our choices and need to undertake an examination of our souls.
This song seems to be Larry's response or follow on to Bob Dylan's 'Subterranean Homesick Blues' from the album Bringing It All Back Home. The melody and lyrical structure are almost identical.