Somebody Tell Me My Name
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Version 1 is a full mono studio recording by the band People! It was first released in 1968 on several 7" singles and on a 7" EP
Note that most of the single labels denote the song as 2:54 in length, but the Australian release, CP-1729 says 2:49. It is actually about 2:53 long on all releases apart from the Mexican single, 6353, which was pressed with a faster play speed and is actually 2:49 long |
7" Singles, Capitol P2078/2078 / 33 M 2078 / 6353 / CL-15553 / K23827 / CP-1729 / CLF-2078 / CR-1960
7" EP, Capitol EAP 21103 Down Under [All versions except US CD] Over And Out We Wish You A Larry Christmas The Best Of People! Vol 1 |
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Version 2 is a live recording, performed with a full band. Gene Mason and Denny Fridkin joined Larry for the People! Reunion concert in Salem, in 2006
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lyrics version 1
As I wander through this city
In a nameless town I walk
Now I've got this empty feeling
Names on sidewalks scribed in chalk
But powdered people cannot talk
Can this be a city's tombstone
Broken neon signs that say
Happy days are here forever
I think I'm in a play
So let me think about today
What will become of me now that I'm here
When will the crowd give a cheer
Have you got the time of day
It doesn't bother me
The time I've got could fill a day
In one eternity
It seems so strange it doesn't change
There's no one here but me
I wouldn't like to take a chance
In real reality
So long ago the city roared
It filled me inside out
Today I find an empty peace
I shatter with my shout
Look into windows where people have been
No one expected to win
Climbing stairs to reach the ending
Of a life that's been a sham
Why should I be left to wander
City won't you take this man
No one left to lend a hand
Everything happens when nothing's the same
Somebody tell me my name
Somebody tell me my name [x8]
In a nameless town I walk
Now I've got this empty feeling
Names on sidewalks scribed in chalk
But powdered people cannot talk
Can this be a city's tombstone
Broken neon signs that say
Happy days are here forever
I think I'm in a play
So let me think about today
What will become of me now that I'm here
When will the crowd give a cheer
Have you got the time of day
It doesn't bother me
The time I've got could fill a day
In one eternity
It seems so strange it doesn't change
There's no one here but me
I wouldn't like to take a chance
In real reality
So long ago the city roared
It filled me inside out
Today I find an empty peace
I shatter with my shout
Look into windows where people have been
No one expected to win
Climbing stairs to reach the ending
Of a life that's been a sham
Why should I be left to wander
City won't you take this man
No one left to lend a hand
Everything happens when nothing's the same
Somebody tell me my name
Somebody tell me my name [x8]
lyrics version 2
As I wander through this city
In a nameless town I walk
And I've got this empty sidewalk
Names on sidewalks scribed in chalk
But powdered people cannot talk
Can this be a city's tombstone
Broken neon signs that say
Happy days are here forever
I think I'm in a play
So let me think about today
What will become of me now that I'm here
When will the crowd give a cheer
Have you got the time of day
It doesn't bother me
The time I got could fill a day
In one eternity
It seems so strange, it doesn't change
There's nobody here but me
I wish I'd like to take a chance
In real reality
So long ago the city roared
It filled me inside out
Today I find an empty peace
I shatter with my shout
Look into windows where people have been
No one expected to win
Climbing stairs to reach the ending
Of a life that's been a sham
How can I be left to wander
City won't you take this man
No one left to lend a hand
Everything happens when nothing's the same
Somebody tell me my name
Somebody tell me my name [x11]
Somebody tell me my name [x8]
Somebody tell me
Oh lord
In a nameless town I walk
And I've got this empty sidewalk
Names on sidewalks scribed in chalk
But powdered people cannot talk
Can this be a city's tombstone
Broken neon signs that say
Happy days are here forever
I think I'm in a play
So let me think about today
What will become of me now that I'm here
When will the crowd give a cheer
Have you got the time of day
It doesn't bother me
The time I got could fill a day
In one eternity
It seems so strange, it doesn't change
There's nobody here but me
I wish I'd like to take a chance
In real reality
So long ago the city roared
It filled me inside out
Today I find an empty peace
I shatter with my shout
Look into windows where people have been
No one expected to win
Climbing stairs to reach the ending
Of a life that's been a sham
How can I be left to wander
City won't you take this man
No one left to lend a hand
Everything happens when nothing's the same
Somebody tell me my name
Somebody tell me my name [x11]
Somebody tell me my name [x8]
Somebody tell me
Oh lord