Paul Simon - Kodachrome

PopArchivist wrote: I noticed the mono runs 3:26. Is there something different about it or any early fade? Just curious.

It's a dedicated mix with more reverb on the vocals and instruments mixed at different levels.

It surprised me, too, that "crap" was an issue in 1973. It wasn't a swear word. (I wonder when the word started being said on TV.) Even more surprising to me was that "bitch" was OK in 1974/1975 - and the 2 songs I'm thinking of both went to #1 (and both had Elton John on them) - The Bitch Is Back & Bad Blood.

On the other hand, "get inside her pants" had to be re-sung by the Knack for radio. And yes, times have sure changed. I listen to a lot of new pop music (not necessarily what's on the Hot 100) and young artists today use the "F" word so much.

In Britain, the BBC refused to play "Kodachrome", not because of the word 'crap', but because it mentioned a brand name. So in Britain the flip "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" became the hit.

It's curious that although there are more naughty words that can be played on the radio today than in years past, there are also words artists could get away with in the past that they can't today. My favourite example is Charlie Daniels' "Uneasy Rider", for which the 45 version bleeps the word "asses" but not "Toking on a number" or a word that rhymes with "bags". Today I think the situation would be reversed. It's also been ages since I've heard Rolf Harris' "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" on the radio, most likely because it refers to Australia's aboriginal people using a word that today is considered a racial slur.

Its a rather pathetic time we're living in "musically" when a song like that goes number one.
The times I see the exploration of cassette singles on this site it makes me think of how disposable music has become.
I can't imagine there will be much nostalgia for this potential one hit wonder.
Yes it is a novelty tune, but none the less thank goodness for all who are on this site who preserve the past.

I too, am disappointed by the "in your face" culture life has turned into. Sometimes I miss the days of the '70s and '80s when it seemed people were more polite to each other, and TV and radio were more "innocent".

Having said that, the radio station I usually listen to (WTSS Buffalo) is a "hot AC" station, and usually they'll play the censored versions of hit songs. For example, when they played "Rockstar" by Nickelback, just about every other word in the chorus was cut out. They must have been playing it from a promo CD single which took out all of the (possibly) offensive words. I guess they know they're audience!

Oh...and "I Kissed a Girl" is the 1000th No. 1 single since "Rock Around the Clock". (At least back then you could actually BUY a hit song on a single...)