Name: KGNU Morning Sound Alternative, May 5, 2025, with DJ Doug Gertner by Doug
Duration: 2 h 38 min
Description: Cinco de Mayo music, memorial tribute to Jill Sobule, Japan theme set, indie, alternative, and world music, new and old, on Community Radio KGNU.

All day long I felt like
Smashing my face in a clear glass window.
But instead, I went out
And smashed up a phone box round the corner.

I never had a chance to choose my own parents,
I’d never know why I should be stuck with mine.
Mommy’s always trying not to eat
And daddy’s always smelling like he’s pickled in booze.

I never had a chance to choose my own name,
I’d never know why I should be stuck with mine.
Mommy’s always talkin’ ’bout family pride
And daddy’s always hiding ’bout his week-end rides.

All day long I felt like
Smashing my face in a clear glass window.
But instead, I went out
And smashed up a station wagon round the block.

I looked at the mirror and told myself,
I’m glad I still don’t look like them at least.
Mommy’s like a film star in a distorted mirror,
Daddy’s like a guy who lost his stomach in the war.

I went to shake hands with the president in miami,
I went to a rock show to see mick jagger.
And you’d never believe it, surprise to my life,
They had paint on their faces just like mommy’s.

Am I going crazy or is it just you, daddy? 
Am I going nuts or is it just you, mommy? 
Am I plain gone or is it the world? 
Daddy, I’d rather have you dead than crazy.

Trying to talk to them is like eating tv dinner when you’re angry,
Trying to get their love is like watching ice cream ad when you’re hungry.
They gave me a watch that’s guaranteed not to break
But my mommy and daddy broke up last fall.

Am I going crazy or is it just you, daddy? 
Am I going nuts or is it just you, mommy? 
Am I plain gone or is it the world? 
Mommy, I’d rather have you dead than crazy.

All day long I felt like
Smashing my face in a clear glass window.
But instead, I went out
And smashed up a church yard round the corner.
 
APPROXIMATELY INFINITE UNIVERSE
Approximately Infinite Universe is a double album by Yoko Ono, released in early 1973. It represents a departure from the experimental avant garde rock of her first two albums towards a more conventional pop/rock sound, while also dabbling in feminist rock. It peaked at #193 in the United States. The 1997 CD re-issue on Rykodisc added two acoustic demos of songs from this era that were later released on 1981's Season of Glass.

Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band - I Felt Like Smashing My Face In A Clear Glass Window

NOW OR NEVER

Are we gonna keep pushing our children to drugs
Are we gonna keep driving them insane
Are we gonna keep laying empty words and fists
Are we gonna be remembered as the century that failed

People of America, when will we learn
It's now or never. There's no time to lose.

Are we gonna keep sending our youths to war
Are we gonna keep scarring ricefields and infants
Are we gonna keep watching dead bodies over dinner
Are we gonna be known as the century that kills

People of America, when will we stop
It's now or never, there's no time to waste.

Are we gonna keep pretending things are alright
Are we gonna keep our mouth closed just in case
Are we gonna keep putting off until it's too late
Are we gonna be known as the century of fear

People of America when will we see
It's now or never, we've no time to lose

Are we gonna keep digging oil wells and gold
Are we gonna keep shooting the ones that try to change
Are we gonna keep thinking it won't happen to us
Are we gonna be known as the century that kills

People of America, please listen to your soul
We can change the times to century of hope

Cause

A dream you dream alone is only a dream
But a dream we dream together is reality.
 

Reading the lyrics after so many years made me choke up.
NOW OR NEVER!
It works now.
The lines “Are we gonna keep shooting the ones that try to change,
Are we gonna keep thinking it won’t happen to us” were hard to read.
When I wrote those lines, John and I were a proud and happy couple,
believing that it would make a difference to speak out.
And I think it did.
I didn’t know that John was the one who would be shot to death for trying to change…
But they couldn’t kill him.
His spirit is still alive and growing inside all of us.
yoko

Yoko Ono Lennon
Memorial Day, 30 May 2011
 
The cover of NOW OR NEVER is a photograph by United States Army photographer Ronald L. Haeberle on March 16, 1968 from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Lai_massacre">1968 My Lai Massacre</a> - the mass murder of several hundred* unarmed citizens of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), mostly civilians, and mainly women and children, by U.S. Army forces on March 16, 1968. The incident prompted widespread outrage around the world and reduced U.S. support at home for the Vietnam War.

* 347 according to the U.S Army (not including My Khe killings), others estimate more than 400 killed and injuries are unknown, Vietnamese government lists 504 killed in total from both My Lai and My Khe.
 
The Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band single NOW OR NEVER was released by Apple on Nov 13, 1972. 
Also available on the album <a href="http://amzn.to/YOapproxiu" target="_blank">Approximately Infinite Universe</a>.
 
See also: <a href="http://imaginepeace.com/archives/3753">My Lai Peace Park</a>.

Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band - Now Or Never

Recorded on 1 June 1969, in Room 1742 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, after the recording of 'Give Peace A Chance'.

REMEMBER LOVE

Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to sing.
Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to meet.
Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to live.
Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to dream.

Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to see.
Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to meet.
Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to live.
Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to tie.

Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to live.
Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to tie.
Remember love, remember love.
Love
Remember love.
Love
Love


Vocals: Yoko Ono
Guitar: John Lennon

The B-Side of the single 'Give Peace A Chance' by Plastic Ono Band.

Later released on the remastered CD of the John Lennon & Yoko Ono album 'Two Virgins'

Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins

Plastic Ono Band - Remember Love

If you keep hammering anti-abortion,
We'll tell you no more masturbation for men.
Ev'ry day you're killing living sperms in billions,
So how do you feel about that, brother?

What a waste, what a waste,
What a waste, what a waste,
To have to talk to a phony like you.

If you keep telling us we're more than equal,
We'll tell you equal is not equal enough.
For centuries we've been taking your double ass deal,
So what do you say to that, brother?

What a drag, what a drag,
What a drag, what a drag,
To have to cope with a crazy like you.

Brrrr -

Ah -
Ah -
Ah -

If you keep laying on money or power,
We'll tell you meanwhile your sprinkler is out of soda.
So keep off our grass till you're in some kinda order,
What do you say to that, brother?

What a mess, what a mess,
What a mess, what a mess,
To have to put up with a fuzzy like you.


from the Yoko Ono album "Approximately Infinite Universe"

Yoko Ono: vocals
Stan Bronstein: saxophone, flute, clarinet
Richard Frank Jr: drums, percussion
Daria Price: castanet. 
Gary Van Scyoc: bass, trumpet
Adam Ippolito: piano, organ, harmonium, trumpet
Wayne Gabriel: guitar
Joel Nohnn (John Lennon): guitar and background vocals

Produced by Yoko Ono and John Lennon
Arrangement: Yoko Ono
String orchestration: Ron Frangipane

From the Yoko Ono album 'Approximately Infinite Universe'.

Approximately Infinite Universe is a double album by Yoko Ono, released in early 1973. It represents a departure from the experimental avant-garde rock of her first two albums towards a more conventional pop/rock sound, while also dabbling in feminist rock.

The 1997 CD re-issue on Rykodisc added two acoustic demos of songs from this era that were later released on 1981's Season of Glass.

Yoko Ono - What A Mess

Yang yang holds on to a giant phone,
Yang yangs soft voice goes on and on,
I hate you, I hate you, where did it go wrong? 
Yangyang goes talking to himself on the phone.

Yang yang sends his men pebbles and stones,
Yang yang rips his women down to the bones.
I own you, I own you, so give us a song,
Yangyang goes talking to his world on the phone.

Yang yangs born with a phone cord round his neck,
Yang yang never fails to stick to his kick.
I want you, I want you, youre making me sick.
But yangyang, the chords never long enough
To reach your mommys trick.

Yang yang yang yang yang,
Yang yang yang yang yang,
Yang yang, snap out,
Give up, cut out,
Tune up and join us,
Join the revolution,
Join the revolution.

No kick is good enough for lifetime substitution,
No brick will give you a lifetime consolation.
And whether you dig it or not,
We outnumber you in population.
And leave your private institution,
Get down to real communication,
Leave your scene of destruction
And join us in revolution.

Yang yang yang yang yang,
Yang yang yang yang yang,
Yang yang, wake up,
Give up, cut out,
Come out and join us,
Join the revolution,
Join the revolution.


APPROXIMATELY INFINITE UNIVERSE
Approximately Infinite Universe is a double album by Yoko Ono, released in early 1973. It represents a departure from the experimental avant garde rock of her first two albums towards a more conventional pop/rock sound, while also dabbling in feminist rock. It peaked at #193 in the United States. The 1997 CD re-issue on Rykodisc added two acoustic demos of songs from this era that were later released on 1981's Season of Glass.


Yoko Ono - Yang Yang

Sanford Baran of KGNU interviews classical guitarist Sharon Isbin, highlighting her achievements and influence in classical music, including founding the guitar departments at Juilliard and the Aspen Music Festival. Sharon discusses her upcoming recital at the Aspen Music Festival on July 30th, featuring a diverse program. Sharon shares insights on her collaborations with various artists across genres and how these enrich her music. She reflects on her prolific recording career, emphasizing the conceptual nature of her albums, and discusses her new album "Live in Aspen" with Amjad Ali Khan and his sons.

Interview: Sharon Isbin

Jayme Stone joins KGNU DJ Doug Gertner to discuss his musical background, influences, and upcoming performance in Denver with Alexa Wildish on February 27th at the Savoy. Jayme shares his experience growing up in Toronto and his time traveling to Mali, and also talks about his work as an instigator of creative projects. (Interview date: 2/3/2025)

Interview: Jayme Stone

KGNU DJ Fergus Stone sat down with Wood Box Heroes to discuss their musical journey, from their formation in Nashville to their growth as a band. They discussed their post-pandemic experience in Nashville, their songwriting process, and their plans for upcoming tours. Catch them live at the 2025 Midwinter Bluegrass Festival, sponsored by KGNU! (Interview date: 2/8/2025)

Interview: Wood Box Heroes

Jake Wolf, drummer for Sages and Spirits and other notable bands, joined Doug Gertner on KGNU to preview the band’s special performance at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver, celebrating the venue’s 22nd anniversary. Jake shared insights about Sages and Spirits, and shared that during the performance, he will be presented with a rare "beam" instrument from the Grateful Guitars Foundation. (Interview date: 1/22/2025)

Interview: Jake Wolf

Cinco de Mayo music, memorial tribute to Jill Sobule, Japan theme set, indie, alternative, and world music, new and old, on Community Radio KGNU.

KGNU Morning Sound Alternative, May 5, 2025, with DJ Doug Gertner

Doug

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