록시 뮤직의 첫 번째 UK 차트 1위 앨범이며 빌보드 200에 차트인을 하는 등[1] 영국을 넘어 미국 음악 시장에서도 조금이나마 주목을 받았다. 또한 신디사이저를 다루는 브라이언 이노의 이탈이 있었지만[2] 그가 없어도 록시 뮤직은 건재하다는 것을 보여준 앨범이다. 아이러니하게도 이노는 자신이 가장 좋아하는 록시 뮤직 앨범으로 이 앨범을 뽑았다.
이전 두 앨범과는 다르게 브라이언 페리 말고도 색소포니스트 앤디 맥케이나 기타리스트 필 만자네라가 작곡에 참여하기도 하였다. 음악적으로는 글램 록 성향이 짙어졌고 예술 지향적이였던 브라이언 페리의 입맛이 반영된 Amazona, A Song for Europe 등 극적이고 이국적인 노래가 많아졌다.
앨범 커버는 플레이보이 모델이였던 마릴린 콜이 찢어진 빨간색 드레스를 입은 모습이다. 런던 에지웨이 로드에 있는 작은 스튜디오에서 촬영을 하였는데, 콜은 당시 록시 뮤직에 대해 잘 몰랐다고 한다. 촬영장에서 빨간 드레스를 보고 예쁜 드레스를 입는다고 좋아했으나, 스타일리스트가 들어와서 옷을 찢기 시작해서 당황했다고 한다. 그리고 나서 앨범 아트의 방향성을 설명해줬다고. 출처
Street LifeWish everybody would leave me alone -yeah They're always calling on my telephone When I pick it up there's no one there So I walk outside just to take the air Come on with me cruising down the street Who knows what you'll see, who you might meet This brave new world's not like yesterday It can take you higher than the milky way
Now I'm blinded I can't really see, yeah No more bright lights confusing me, no Don't ask me why I'm feeling blue 'Cause loving you is all I can do Hey good-looking boys, gather around The sidewalk papers gutter-press you down All those lies can be so unkind, They can make you feel like you're losing your mind
Street Life Street Life Street Life What a Life
Back to nature boys, Vasser girls too Watch what you say, or think, or do Continental-style strasse girls might But you know exactly if it's wrong or right Education is an important key, yes But the good life's never won by degrees, no
Pointless passing through Harvard or Yale Only window shopping, it's strictly no sale Week end starts Friday soon after eight Your jet black magic helps you celebrate You may be stranded if you stick around And that's really something
Just Like YouButtercups, daisies And most anything They wither and fade After blossom in Spring
Time conquers innocence Pride takes a fall In knowledge lies wisdom That’s all
Everything changes Weather blows hot or cold Through alchemy iron turns gold
Quicksilver baby So hard to pin down Oh when are you coming around?
Hopelessly grounded I walk through the streets Remembering how we spent time Hopefully yearning That some day we’ll meet But when will we? How could we? Why? Oh my
Fashion house ladies Need plenty loose change When the latest creation Is last year’s fab rave
Thought patterns hazy This auto-style age Will lady luck smile old and sage
She knows that never again, no Will I give up my heart To gamble with fate is my crime Nevertheless love It’s all here in my book I’d write it but don’t have much time
You see I know it sounds crazy But what can I do? I’ve fallen head over heels Over you
Chameleon colour All phases of moon The shifting of planets And leopard spots too
As destiny wills it So seasons will change Just like you
PsalmTry on your love Like a new dress The fit and the cut Your friends to impress Try on your smile Square on your face Showing affection Should be no disgrace Try out your God Hope he will send Kindness from strangers On whom you depend
Try on his coat A mantle most fine Myriad colours His harmony thine
Believe in me Once seemed a good line Now belief in Jesus Is faith more sublime
Head in the clouds But I can’t see the Lord Short of perfection I’ll try to be good
I’ll stand at his gate I’ll wait for his sign Then I’ll walk in his garden When it’s my time
Drink from his cup Hush now, don’t you cry His quiet waters Will never run dry
Nearing death’s vale He’s here by my side He leads me to paradise A mountain so high
Don’t be afraid Just treasure his word Singing his praises I know that I’ll be heard
He’s gonna take you by the hand He’s gonna make you feel so good Open up your eyes And then you’ll see all that you should
Forget all your troubles You will feel no pain He’s all that you need He’s your everything
When I’m feeling all at sea And deliverance is that distant shore I will not be worried Someday his house will be my home For evermore
Mother of PearlTurn the lights down Way down low Turn up the music Hi as fi can go All the gang’s here Everyone you know It’s a crazy scene Hey there just look over your shoulder Get the picture? No, no, no, no Yes
Walk a tight rope Your life sign line Such a bright hope Right place, right time What’s your number? Never you mind Take a powder Wait a minute what’s that coming round the corner Have you a future? No, no, no, no Yes
Well I’ve been up all night Party time wasting Is too much fun
Then I step back thinking Of life’s inner meaning And my latest fling
It’s the same old story All love and glory It’s a pantomime
If you’re looking for love In a looking glass world It’s pretty hard to find
Oh mother of pearl I wouldn’t trade you For another girl
Divine intervention Always my intention So I take my time
I’ve been looking for something I’ve always wanted But was never mine
But now I’ve seen that something Just out of reach, glowing Very Holy Grail
Oh mother of pearl Lustrous lady Of a sacred world
Thus, even Zarathustra Another time loser Could believe in you
With every goddess a let-down Every idol a bring-down It gets you down
But the search for perfection Your own predilection Goes on and on and on and on
Canadian Club love A place in the country Everyone’s ideal
But you are my favorita And a place in your heart dear Makes me feel more real
Oh mother of pearl I wouldn’t change you For the whole world
You’re highbrow, holy With lots of soul Melancholy shimmering
Serpentine sleekness Was always my weakness Like a simple tune
But no dilettante Filigree fancy Beats the plastic you
Career girl cover Exposed and another Slips right into view
Oh looking for love In a looking glass world Is pretty hard for you
Few throwaway kisses The boomerang misses Spin round and round
Fall on feather-bed quilted Faced with silk Softly stuffed eiderdown
Take refuge in pleasure Just give me your future We’ll forget your past
Oh mother of pearl Submarine lover In a shrinking world
Oh lonely dreamer Your choker provokes A picture cameo
Oh mother of pearl So-so semi-precious In your detached world
Oh mother of pearl I wouldn’t trade you For another girl
Oh mother of pearl I wouldn’t trade you For another girl