Life On Venus

Album: Ridin' the Wind - The Anthology (1963)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was group leader Joe Meek's tribute to the keyboard sounds of the day. The track starts with a voiceover: "News Flash: Signals have been received from the planet Venus. These resemble sounds similar to those created by a musical instrument such as an organ so perhaps there is life on Venus?"
  • The organ is the main instrument used in the tune, with a guitar solo in the second verse. Then the organ returns with the accompaniment of a vocal, which is similar to the Tornados hit, "Telstar." A second Meek example is "Pop Art Goes Mozart." In this track he combines as the title implies the modern beat of a pop tune with the sound of instrument that sounds a bit like a harpsichord.
  • Other tunes and tracks performed by the Tornados which have the organ as the main or featured instrument: "Cootenanny," "Costa Monger," "Do you come here often," "Exodus" (almost a standard tune in a band's playlist during the '60s and early '70s), "Globetrottin," "Hot Pot," "Hymn For Teenagers," "Indian Brave," "Jungle Fever," "Locomotion With You," "Monte Carlo," "The Ice Cream Man," "The Scales Of Justice." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Geoff - Sydney, Australia, for all above

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Songs Discussed in Movies

Songs Discussed in MoviesSong Writing

Bridesmaids, Reservoir Dogs, Willy Wonka - just a few of the flicks where characters discuss specific songs, sometimes as a prelude to murder.