Dragonfly

[David]

I don't feel that the song Dragonfly has been given enough acclaim. Come on, people. This is one of the supreme classic examples of haunting folk-psychedelia from that era. It's like a Dylan Thomas paean.

[Wouter Vuijk]

Originally Posted by David

I don't feel that the song Dragonfly has been given enough acclaim. Come on, people. This is one of the supreme classic examples of haunting folk-psychedelia from that era. It's like a Dylan Thomas paean.

Agreed, but ........ What actually inspired them to write this song. It's rather obscure, to my ears at least.
And, BTW, your attached picture is definitely not from the Dragonfly line-up.

[Street_Dreamer]

Another great, great song. Dragonfly might be my favorite all-time song of Danny's. I'm going to listen to it now in fact.

Matt

[David]

Originally Posted by Wouter Vuijk

Agreed, but ........ What actually inspired them to write this song. It's rather obscure, to my ears at least.

Wikipedia says Kirwan got the idea (& maybe some of the lyrics) from a poem by W.H. Davies called "The Dragonfly," anthologized in 1929.

And, BTW, your attached picture is definitely not from the Dragonfly line-up.

True! It's the Fireflies lineup. You've got the Dragonly lineup, the Firefly lineup, & now we're just waiting for the Superfly lineup.

[bretonbanquet]

Originally Posted by David

Wikipedia says Kirwan got the idea (& maybe some of the lyrics) from a poem by W.H. Davies called "The Dragonfly," anthologized in 1929.

The song is actually credited to "Kirwan/Davies" as all the lyrics came from the poem, although the poem has more verses. It's more or less my most-played Mac song and the first one I heard that made me go and buy their albums

The video of the band playing this song on the German TV show "Beat Club" is well worth finding.. Bob Welch was in the band by this time.

[bretonbanquet]

Here's the Dragonfly line-up although I don't think Jeremy played on it, and not sure about Chris either

[aleuzzi]

I liked when Kirwan when set old poems to music. "Dragonfly" and Dust" are among my top-five Kirwan favorites.

"Dragonfly" is a severely underrated tune. The guitar rhythm parts are excellent. I do think Christine is signing harmony on it. Either that, or its Kirwan duetting himself with a falsetto.

[Wouter Vuijk]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

I liked when Kirwan when set old poems to music. "Dragonfly" and Dust" are among my top-five Kirwan favorites.

"Dragonfly" is a severely underrated tune. The guitar rhythm parts are excellent. I do think Christine is signing harmony on it. Either that, or its Kirwan duetting himself with a falsetto.

I just listened to it and I must agree, the guitar parts are really magnificent. Furthermore, it's definitely Danny duetting with himself. However I also took a look at the Beatclub video. Here you can see both Bob and Chris singing the "Aaah....aaaah" parts at the end.

[Wouter Vuijk]

Originally Posted by David View Post
Wikipedia says Kirwan got the idea (& maybe some of the lyrics) from a poem by W.H. Davies called "The Dragonfly," anthologized in 1929.

Originally Posted by bretonbanquet

The song is actually credited to "Kirwan/Davies" as all the lyrics came from the poem, although the poem has more verses. It's more or less my most-played Mac song and the first one I heard that made me go and buy their albums

The video of the band playing this song on the German TV show "Beat Club" is well worth finding.. Bob Welch was in the band by this time.

Sure, Kirwan/Davies. But which Davies, W.H. or Clifford. The Penguin lyrics credit the song to Danny Kirwan and C.G. Adams (whose real name we all know is Clifford Davies)

[bretonbanquet]

Originally Posted by Wouter Vuijk

Originally Posted by David View Post
Wikipedia says Kirwan got the idea (& maybe some of the lyrics) from a poem by W.H. Davies called "The Dragonfly," anthologized in 1929.



Sure, Kirwan/Davies. But which Davies, W.H. or Clifford. The Penguin lyrics credit the song to Danny Kirwan and C.G. Adams (whose real name we all know is Clifford Davies)

Definitely WH Davies. First, Clifford Davis spelt his name without the 'e', and always used "Adams" for composer credits. Second, on the 1971 Greatest Hits album, it actually says "D Kirwan / WH Davies" Third, the lyrics are without question lifted straight from the Davies poem.

The Penguin is wrong

[David]

Originally Posted by Wouter Vuijk

However I also took a look at the Beatclub video. Here you can see both Bob and Chris singing the "Aaah....aaaah" parts at the end.

And Christine is filling it all out with her trademark rhythmic Hohner Pianet N parts, which are absent from the studio recording. The "N" model is shown below, with the optional amplifier fitted underneath.



(She is also shown playing the "N" on YouTube on the video for When the Train Gets Back, using the tremolo feature found only on the "N" & not on the "L" or "C."

[wetcamelfood]

Originally Posted by bretonbanquet

Definitely WH Davies. First, Clifford Davis spelt his name without the 'e', and always used "Adams" for composer credits. Second, on the 1971 Greatest Hits album, it actually says "D Kirwan / WH Davies" Third, the lyrics are without question lifted straight from the Davies poem.

The Penguin is wrong

Fixed:

http://discog.fleetwoodmac.net/songs.php?sid=1759

Thanks for that.

John

[bretonbanquet]

Originally Posted by wetcamelfood

Fixed:

http://discog.fleetwoodmac.net/songs.php?sid=1759

Thanks for that.

John

Wow, that was quick My pleasure

[strandinthewind]

Perhaps Christine was rearing a fab. art deco broach on the day of inspiration?

In any event - fab. music to say the least. My fav. line is "A gorgeous opal crown sat on his head"

[David]

Originally Posted by wetcamelfood

Fixed:

http://discog.fleetwoodmac.net/songs.php?sid=1759

Thanks for that.

John

So which poem was it? I assume The Dragonfly?