from Percy Adlon's film "Rosalie Goes Shopping." Words and music by Bob Telson. Lead vocals: Shawn Colvin and Jim Lauderdale, guitars: John Leventhal, keyboards: Bob Telson, harmonica: William Galison, drums: Leroy Clouden

Rosalie Goes Shopping original soundtrack

In 1990 Elektra Records asked me to arrange and produce a new version of this classic folk song recorded by The Seekers in 1972, which was oddly originally written as a Coke jingle (Buy the World a Coke), which last night was the closing music for the final episode of Mad Men.  For my version, I chose to put the song in a gospel context, and Jevetta Steele, who had recently sung my song Calling You for the film Bagdad Cafe, was the lead singer, with her brothers and sisters singing back vocals. I played piano and Butch Heyward played organ. I also composed a new chorus for the song.

I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing

from Bagdad Cafe the Musical, live in Lyon. Music by Bob Telson, lyrics by Lee Breuer. Sung by Jevetta Steele

I WANT THE SHERIFF
ARNIE IS THAT YOU?
IT'S BRENDA FROM THE BAGDAD
I WANT THE SHERIFF
ARNIE IS THAT YOU?
IT'S BRENDA FROM THE BAGDAD

I GOT A WEIRD CUSTOMER IN MY MOTEL.
A BOMB THREAT? 
NOT YET!
A MAN? NO. A WOMAN.
BUT NOT YOUR REGULAR KIND. 
SHE'S WEIRD ARNIE, I TELL YA SHE IS!
WHAT'S WEIRD?
SHE'S GOT SUSPICIOUS ITEMS IN HER ROOM
STRAIGHT RAZOR. SHARP AS HELL.
DANGEROUS? DANGEROUS???
WELL I DON'T KNOW IF SHE'S DANGEROUS.

BUT SHE'S GOT MEN'S PAJAMAS, TIES, AND SHOES
LEATHER SHORTS WITH FANCY SUSPENDERS.
YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING
LEATHER! MAYBE SHE'S A PERVERT
THE ADVANCE PERVERT FOR A WHOLE PERVERT CONVENTION
THEY'LL DESCEND ON BAGDAD IN DROVES
THEY'LL FLY IN LIKE FLIES...

LISTEN SHERIFF, AM I GETTIN' THRU
THERE'S TROUBLE AT THE BAGDAD
HEY ARNIE, TELL ME WHAT TO DO
GET OVER TO THE BAGDAD-

ARNIE, YOU STILL THERE?
SHE'S GOT A BLUE BOX WITH SUSPICIOUS LETTERING
M-A-G-I-C
WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT STANDS FOR?
I BET IT'S CODE
SOME KIND OF FOREIGN AGENT CODE
YEAH...IT FIGURES CAUSE SHE'S GOT AN ACCENT
A VERY VERY STRANGE ACCENT
WHERE ARE YOU?

Phone Rap

from Percy Adlon's film "Rosalie Goes Shopping." Words and music by Bob Telson. Sung by Jim Lauderdale.

If you stand next to the  flagman, you’ll have a perfect view
My fuel tank’s almost empty now, I could fly a loop for you
It’s just me and the old girl high in the summer sky
I got a southwest breeze behind me, and you know I’m gonna fly
I’m flying Back to Rosalie, I close my eyes and you’re all I see
Rosalie, take me in your arms, it’s like flying

When it’s sunrise in the rice fields the clouds go slipping by
The church house and the factory can’t touch me in the sky
Well it takes all of my energy, but it sure is a lot of fun
You never heard a sweeter sound than when my day is done
Don’tcha hear me flying 
Back to Rosalie, I close my eyes and you’re all I see
Rosalie, take me in your arms, it’s like flying


Back To Rosalie  (from Rosalie Goes Shopping) sung by Jim Lauderdale

from Percy Adlon's film "Rosalie Goes Shopping." Words and music by Bob Telson. 

Night Plane

from Percy Adlon's film "Rosalie Goes Shopping." Words and music by Bob Telson. Sung by Shawn Colvin.
John Leventhal: guitar, Tony Garnier: bass, Leroy Clouden: drums, Bob Telson: piano

Shouldn’t all my children have their hearts desire
The stores are full of things I love
I wake up every morning money problems on my mind
Don’t let them take it all away

Lord, won’t you give me just a little more credit
A little cash til I get it worked out
Turn my debts into Debts of Gratitude
Lord, won’t you give me just a little more credit
A little time til I get it worked out
Every dollar we’ll all be thanking you

Should you ever wonder where the money disappears
I can’t buy half of the things we need
Now should my children only see them promised on TV?
Why should they live in misery?

Lord, won’t you give me just a little more credit
A little cash til I get it worked out
Turn my debts into Debts of Gratitude
Lord, won’t you give me just a little more credit
A little time til I get it worked out
Every dollar we’ll sure be thanking you

Debts Of Gratitude, from Rosalie Goes Shopping, sung by Shawn Colvin

from Percy Adlon's film "Rosalie Goes Shopping." Music by Bob Telson. Harmonica: William Galison.

Love With Rosalie

Back To Rosalie (extended version)

Bob Telson is an American composer, singer/songwriter, and pianist best known for his work in musical theater and film, for which he has received Tony, Pulitzer, and Academy Award nominations.
Among his best known works are the score for “Bagdad Café” and the musical “The Gospel at Colonus” starring Morgan Freeman.
His songs have been recorded by Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole, George Benson, Joe Cocker, Celine Dion, Etta James, k.d. lang, Shawn Colvin, Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa and George Michael.

Debts Of Gratitude, from Rosalie Goes Shopping, sung by Shawn Colvin

Bob Telson

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