Liddy Buck, the song

**mylittledemon** · #1 05-28-2004, 10:36 PM

Being the fan I am, I was shocked I didn't know there was a song by John Stewart called "Liddy Buck!" Anyone know the story behind this?

AliP · #2 05-29-2004, 12:53 AM

I know there is an article somewhere (Les?) where John talks about the song. From what I remember Lindsey used to call John "Johnny Stew" and John called Lindsey "Liddy Buck." I think John wrote it in response to Johnny Stew. Sorry that isn't much help, but I can't remember the exact details. Great song BTW! One of my faves

goldie · #3 05-29-2004, 02:13 PM

The song is on John Stewart's Wires from the Bunker CD, released in 2000. Lindsey is mentioned in the liner notes and also contributes vocals and guitars on another song on the CD.

sodascouts · #4 05-29-2004, 10:09 PM

Here's what he wrote in that booklet:

"Lindsey Buckingham from Fleetwood Mac wrote a song on his first solo album called Johnny Stew. I thought I'd return the favor with Liddy Buck. It's about this time in his life when they were recording the Tusk album and he was deliberating leaving the band if he couldn't record some tracks on his own. I tried to simulate a Lindsey-esque track as best as I could as a homage to him. He always was and will continue to be a great inspiration to me."

sodascouts · #5 05-29-2004, 10:15 PM

P.S. The song totally rips off I Know I'm Not Wrong, IMHO. Listen to the instrumental of IKINW and you'll see what I mean. I mean, I know he wanted to sound LIKE LB, but come on!

face of glass · #6 05-30-2004, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sodascouts

P.S. The song totally rips off I Know I'm Not Wrong, IMHO. Listen to the instrumental of IKINW and you'll see what I mean. I mean, I know he wanted to sound LIKE LB, but come on!

You wouldn't think that was an intentional stab at Lindsey then? He recycled "I Know I'm Not Wrong" (the "Song #1" of the grand project) in "Not That Funny" and therefore John Stewart could have been pointing out to us how every rock and roll artist enjoys repeating him/herself, whether consciously or unconsciously.

sodascouts · #7 05-30-2004, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by face of glass

You wouldn't think that was an intentional stab at Lindsey then? He recycled "I Know I'm Not Wrong" (the "Song #1" of the grand project) in "Not That Funny" and therefore John Stewart could have been pointing out to us how every rock and roll artist enjoys repeating him/herself, whether consciously or unconsciously.

I thought he was trying to give Lindsey a tribute, not a stab wound!

Ah well, excuses can be made for anything.

CarneVaca · #8 06-01-2004, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by face of glass

You wouldn't think that was an intentional stab at Lindsey then? He recycled "I Know I'm Not Wrong" (the "Song #1" of the grand project) in "Not That Funny"

How do you know that? We really don't know which song came first. Quite possibly, the original idea may have spawned both songs, but I wouldn't say "Not that Funny" "recycles" "I Know I'm Not Wrong." While the chord structure is similar, the songs are in different keys and have quite distinct feels.

CarneVaca · #9 06-01-2004, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sodascouts

I thought he was trying to give Lindsey a tribute, not a stab wound!

I like Liddy Buck a lot precisely because it sounds like IKINW. Hey, you know what they say about imitation and flattery.

face of glass · #10 06-03-2004, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sodascouts

Ah well, excuses can be made for anything.

Yes, even for "Family Man".

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarneVaca

How do you know that? We really don't know which song came first. Quite possibly, the original idea may have spawned both songs, but I wouldn't say "Not that Funny" "recycles" "I Know I'm Not Wrong." While the chord structure is similar, the songs are in different keys and have quite distinct feels.

Oh, I know that. I think "NTF" is still a very clever rewrite of "IKINW" in that the vocal melody is more insistent (because it uses less notes) and obsessive. That's why I initially came up with the childlike - childish analogy.

Also, I found these from the U.S. Copyright Office (with Johnny Stew providing the inspiration). Not that they verify anything but here goes:

13. Registration Number: PA-50-764
Title: I know I'm not wrong / Lindsey Buckingham.
Note: Performed by aFleetwood Mac.
In: Tusk. W B Records 2HS 3350, c1979. 2 sound discs : 33 1/3 rpm ; 12 in. side 3, band 5
Claimant: Fleetwood Mac Music
Created: 1979
Published: 12Oct79
Registered: 14Nov79
Title on © Application: Lindsey's song number 1.
Author on © Application: music & additional & amended words: Lindsey Buckingham.
Previous Related Version: Words & music prev. reg. 12Feb79, PAu 89-756.
Claim Limit: NEW MATTER: "additional & amended words."
Special Codes: 37/M

107. Registration Number: PAu-139-671
Title: It's not that funny / words & music by Lindsey Buckingham.
Description: 2 p.
Claimant: cFleetwood Mac Music
Created: 1979
Registered: 15Aug79
Special Codes: 3/M

CarneVaca · #11 06-03-2004, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by face of glass

Also, I found these from the U.S. Copyright Office (with Johnny Stew providing the inspiration). Not that they verify anything but here goes:

Should've looked more closely, dude. The records disprove your theory. "I Know I'm Not Wrong" was registered on Nov. 14, 1979. "Not that Funny" was registered on August 15, 1979. I don't know how it works up there in Lapland, but in this part of the world August precedes November.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Face of Glass

Oh, I know that.

Hmm... clearly you don't.

face of glass · #12 06-03-2004, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by face of glass

Previous Related Version: Words & music prev. reg. 12Feb79, PAu 89-756.

As David Byrne said, "facts are simple and facts are straight". No further humorous stabs necessary.

CarneVaca · #13 06-03-2004, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by face of glass

As David Byrne said, "facts are simple and facts are straight". No further humorous stabs necessary.

Hmmm... missed that part. I guess I should have looked at it more closely.

The Tower · #14 06-03-2004, 02:58 PM

Copyright registration date is not necessarily related to when a song was written, so the dates really don't prove anything one way or the other.

I think both NTF and IKINW sound a lot a like and are very simple three chord songs. I think IKINW is a much better example of a simple "punk" attempt melodically than NTF.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarneVaca

Should've looked more closely, dude. The records disprove your theory. "I Know I'm Not Wrong" was registered on Nov. 14, 1979. "Not that Funny" was registered on August 15, 1979. I don't know how it works up there in Lapland, but in this part of the world August precedes November.

Hmm... clearly you don't.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarneVaca

Hmmm... missed that part. I guess I should have looked at it more closely.

I love your "front page" accusations and your "page six" retractions....

CarneVaca · #15 06-03-2004, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Tower

I love your "front page" accusations and your "page six" retractions....

Dude, at least I acknowledged my error. I was tempted to point out the dates don't necessarily prove his point either, but I refrained. You went ahead and made the point for me, so thanks.