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    Alligator

    NOT SUCH A BAD BOY
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    • B
      B J Conlee last edited by

      While this song didn't get as much pre-advanced press as others (New, Queenie Eye, Save Us, Everybody Out There, Hosanna) it has quickly become one of my favorites on NEW. I'm not saying it is the best song on NEW, but in my opinion, it is really good (another possible Macca classic). Just curious what others think. The song's melody is so infectious and the production is great. Love the "could you be that person for me" part but really love all of it. Another thing I would like to ask. Alligator sounds so much like Paul but I can't think of another Macca song (Beatles, Wings or Solo) that I can compare it to. Just curious what others think.

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      • thenightfish
        thenightfish last edited by

        B J Conlee:

        While this song didn't get as much pre-advanced press as others (New, Queenie Eye, Save Us, Everybody Out There, Hosanna) it has quickly become one of my favorites on NEW. I'm not saying it is the best song on NEW, but in my opinion, it is really good (another possible Macca classic). Just curious what others think. The song's melody is so infectious and the production is great. Love the "could you be that person for me" part but really love all of it. Another thing I would like to ask. Alligator sounds so much like Paul but I can't think of another Macca song (Beatles, Wings or Solo) that I can compare it to. Just curious what others think.

        One of my favorites on the album from the very first time I heard it.

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        • Jeff Lynne's Beard
          Jeff Lynne's Beard last edited by

          "Alligator" is a sheer delight. I wasn't sure about the lyrics at first, but I have come to love an alligator in the way I love my salamander. It's a brilliantly creative song with a touch of the Wings-era about it. Having a rather catchy chorus also helps its cause! "New" really is wonderful, isn't it?

          ...and, in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.

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          • Kestrel
            Kestrel last edited by

            I really like the track but it would have been better without the fussy 'do wop' backing vocal arrangement. The title track also suffers from fussy backing voacls although they do work very effectively on 'Queenie Eye'.

            Wembley Empire Pool, London  (Wings) 21st October 1976.

            'Take It Away' video shoot Elstree studios, London 23rd June 1982.

            'Give My Regards To Broad Street' film premier, London 29th November 1984.

            Docklands Arena rehearsal concert, London 5th February 1993.

            Run Devil Run launch party, Equinox Club, London 30th September 1999.

            O2 Arena, London 22nd December 2009.

            O2 Arena, London 5th December 2011.

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            • Nancy R
              Nancy R last edited by

              I love this song and the lyrics esp. "I need somebody who's a sweet communicator I can give my alligator to."

              Omni, Atlanta, GA May 18, 1976, Feb. 17, 1990

              GA Dome, Atlanta, GA May 1, 1993

              Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA May 12, 2002

              FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN May 26, 2013

              Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA Oct. 15, 2014

              Infinite Energy Center, Duluth, GA July 13, 2017

              Bon Secours Arena, Greenville, SC May 30, 2019

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              • A
                admin last edited by

                It's about Paul's Dark side and if someone will love HIM for his many moods....love the line.. "Everybody else is busy doing better than me "...hence give my alligator too

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                • steveramon
                  steveramon last edited by

                  love Alligator its my favorite track

                  3/1/90 NEC Birmingham
                  28/6/90 Kings Dock Liverpool
                  15/9/93 Earls Court London
                  29/5/03 Hallam FM Arena Sheffield
                  19/12/11 MEN Arena Manchester
                  27/5/15 Barclaycard Arena Birmingham

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                  • illwobble
                    illwobble last edited by

                    I was looking forward to this one as the title intrigued me a lot. I agree, that "I need somebody who's a sweet communicator I can give my alligator to" line is great. Intriguing. The predictable lyrics to the chorus annoy me a little bit (...be that person for me/... feel right setting me free/ ...dare to find my key), and that chorus with the falsetto voice is the worst bit but otherwise I really like it. It's a really great sounding track with lots going on, interesting structure, nice use of synths and instruments. I like the way it fizzles out at the end too. The sleeve notes list a ?play-me-a-song book? amongst the instruments Macca plays on here. Any ideas??

                    \-Jon

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                    • Fan4-45years
                      Fan4-45years last edited by

                      "I need a place where I can rest my weary bones and have a conversation not too deep." Yeah, don't we all need that. Priceless.

                      Atlanta, GA, Omni, George Harrison, Thanksgiving 1974
                      Atlanta, GA, Paul and Linda McCartney, May 1, 1993
                      Missoula, MT, (sound check), Paul McCartney, August 5, 2014
                      Cleveland, OH, Ringo's Rock Hall Induction, April 18, 2015

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                      • thenightfish
                        thenightfish last edited by

                        illwobble:

                        The sleeve notes list a ?play-me-a-song book? amongst the instruments Macca plays on here. Any ideas??

                        Perhaps he used this?

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                        • oobu24
                          oobu24 last edited by

                          thenightfish:

                          illwobble:

                          The sleeve notes list a ?play-me-a-song book? amongst the instruments Macca plays on here. Any ideas??

                          Perhaps he used this?

                          I saw the same thing when I googled it.

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                          • Fan4-45years
                            Fan4-45years last edited by

                            I guess Nancy dared to find his key

                            Atlanta, GA, Omni, George Harrison, Thanksgiving 1974
                            Atlanta, GA, Paul and Linda McCartney, May 1, 1993
                            Missoula, MT, (sound check), Paul McCartney, August 5, 2014
                            Cleveland, OH, Ringo's Rock Hall Induction, April 18, 2015

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                            • oobu24
                              oobu24 last edited by

                              Fan4-45years:

                              I guess Nancy dared to find his key

                              Not our NancyR right?

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                              • Nancy R
                                Nancy R last edited by

                                oobu24:

                                Fan4-45years:

                                I guess Nancy dared to find his key

                                Not our NancyR right?

                                I'd like to "find his key!" nudge nudge

                                Omni, Atlanta, GA May 18, 1976, Feb. 17, 1990

                                GA Dome, Atlanta, GA May 1, 1993

                                Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA May 12, 2002

                                FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN May 26, 2013

                                Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA Oct. 15, 2014

                                Infinite Energy Center, Duluth, GA July 13, 2017

                                Bon Secours Arena, Greenville, SC May 30, 2019

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                                • Fan4-45years
                                  Fan4-45years last edited by

                                  Nancy R:

                                  oobu24:

                                  Fan4-45years:

                                  I guess Nancy dared to find his key

                                  Not our NancyR right?

                                  I'd like to "find his key!" nudge nudge

                                  Or see that alligator

                                  Atlanta, GA, Omni, George Harrison, Thanksgiving 1974
                                  Atlanta, GA, Paul and Linda McCartney, May 1, 1993
                                  Missoula, MT, (sound check), Paul McCartney, August 5, 2014
                                  Cleveland, OH, Ringo's Rock Hall Induction, April 18, 2015

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                                  • SusyLuvsPaul
                                    SusyLuvsPaul last edited by

                                    Great sounding ditty, real cool ops: I too must fess up to thinking what Nancy R apparently thought about Paul's term "the key" and also the word "Alligator" ops: A poster wrote the world "alligator" actually refers to Paul's "dark side" or "bad moods"--where did they get that impression, from the lyrics? I may be obtuse but don't see that in there. That he meant that by "alligator"-- a metaphor for his bad side, his mean hateful dark side.

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                                    • Nancy R
                                      Nancy R last edited by

                                      SusyLuvsPaul:

                                      Great sounding ditty, real cool ops: I too must fess up to thinking what Nancy R apparently thought about Paul's term "the key" and also the word "Alligator" ops: A poster wrote the world "alligator" actually refers to Paul's "dark side" or "bad moods"--where did they get that impression, from the lyrics? I may be obtuse but don't see that in there. That he meant that by "alligator"-- a metaphor for his bad side, his mean hateful dark side.

                                      Yeah Susy, that's what he was really referring to. Remember in the song he talks about "coming home from the zoo?" So he uses an animal (alligator) as a metaphor for his (not exactly) "dark side" or "bad mood." Too harsh to say "mean, hateful dark side"--it's not that bad. He just wants someone he can "unload" his problems on who is a "sweet communicator." Comprende?

                                      Omni, Atlanta, GA May 18, 1976, Feb. 17, 1990

                                      GA Dome, Atlanta, GA May 1, 1993

                                      Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA May 12, 2002

                                      FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN May 26, 2013

                                      Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA Oct. 15, 2014

                                      Infinite Energy Center, Duluth, GA July 13, 2017

                                      Bon Secours Arena, Greenville, SC May 30, 2019

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
                                      • Beatles4Ever
                                        Beatles4Ever last edited by

                                        Nancy R:

                                        SusyLuvsPaul:

                                        Great sounding ditty, real cool ops: I too must fess up to thinking what Nancy R apparently thought about Paul's term "the key" and also the word "Alligator" ops: A poster wrote the world "alligator" actually refers to Paul's "dark side" or "bad moods"--where did they get that impression, from the lyrics? I may be obtuse but don't see that in there. That he meant that by "alligator"-- a metaphor for his bad side, his mean hateful dark side.

                                        Yeah Susy, that's what he was really referring to. Remember in the song he talks about "coming home from the zoo?" So he uses an animal (alligator) as a metaphor for his (not exactly) "dark side" or "bad mood." Too harsh to say "mean, hateful dark side"--it's not that bad. He just wants someone he can "unload" his problems on who is a "sweet communicator." Comprende?

                                        Uh, I sort of think he's using the word, alligator, as a clever euphemism for some 'body part' rather than as a metaphor for his dark side. There's some sexual connotation IMO. But I guess we can all interpret it the way we want. That's what's so great about all music. I'm still wondering what John meant...if anything beyond word play...which he loved to do...by the lyric"...sit in my armchair and feel my disease..." in "Come Together". I loved his "...like a lizard on a window pane... a soap impression of his wife that he ate and donated to the National Trust" in "Happiness Is A Warm Gun". Someone once asked him about all that, it sounding so profound and all, and he responded, "The words just felt f**king great coming off my lips." Sooooo....

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                                        • Nancy R
                                          Nancy R last edited by

                                          Beatles4Ever&Ever, when I first heard the song, I though "alligator" was a euphemism for "little Macca" too! Paul probably wrote the lyric that way so it could be interpreted both ways and I love it!

                                          Omni, Atlanta, GA May 18, 1976, Feb. 17, 1990

                                          GA Dome, Atlanta, GA May 1, 1993

                                          Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA May 12, 2002

                                          FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN May 26, 2013

                                          Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA Oct. 15, 2014

                                          Infinite Energy Center, Duluth, GA July 13, 2017

                                          Bon Secours Arena, Greenville, SC May 30, 2019

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
                                          • toris
                                            toris last edited by

                                            Nancy R:

                                            Beatles4Ever&Ever, when I first heard the song, I though "alligator" was a euphemism for "little Macca" too! Paul probably wrote the lyric that way so it could be interpreted both ways and I love it!

                                            I think I prefer Alligator to be written by Paul as a euphemism for a "little Macca" than perhaps a musical icon of the opposite sex drawing such an analogy... ouch!

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