that the main line in the chorus of “Bastards of Young” is not what we’ve all been singing along to for more than 20 years
Westerberg: “It took years for someone to pick up on the fact that the chorus is “Wait on the sons of no one,” not “We are the sons of no one.” I didn’t even know that – I wrote it and forgot it. A writer named Bob Mehr had to point that out to me. I actually took it from a chapter in the Bible.”
SPIN: Whoa And that might be the most famous line you’ve ever written.
Armstrong: I can’t wait to tell my friend Jason – we always play Replacements trivia. I’m so winning this one. (page 53, April 2010, Spin)
(for the record, i cannot find that so called bible chapter anywhere in the bible.)
later Billie Joe asks Paul why they never created a side project together and Paul says its the same reason John Fogerty and Alex Chilton never had one – because they do pretty much the same type of music.
Tony Pierce! Just googling this piece of trivia for verification and landed on your blog! Serendipity, synchronicity. Add to your legacy that you made a rabid Replacements fan of me and I discuss them. A lot. Not to mention you inspired and taught me stuff about writing that I more or less consider all the time. Soulmates I guess. Read the first page of your blog just now. Glad you are still telling stories. You are a real Jorn Barger of personal literary works. (I grew up with Jorn so I can say that). Your old friend from Cuisenart Poetry (gag) days. Jane (JaneOaks) PS: Thrilled you were witness to the Cubs win. I knew you’d be there.
Welcome back Jane! Hope you stick around!
Tony, found this (link below), after seeing that Spin interview again, Paul’s original scratching may have been his first instinct to poetry based on this verse. Maybe announcing an idea as he struggles with his spirituality, a solution, inspired from a Catholic boy’s memory of sermons; Let’s not to wait on things to change, not attach ourselves to traditions. Like the rain falls, without permission – doesn’t come, stay or go by man’s decree, let’s declare we will wait for no one, the fathers or their sons. We are without precedent. We are unique and free. Anyhow that’s how I hear it, and the recorded lyrics don’t change the meaning. Still perseverating after all these months…. http://biblehub.com/micah/5-7.htm
I love it! And I think you are right!