Radio K.A.O.S.

1- Radio Waves Written: solo Running Time: 4:58 Rating: *** Comments:  This song serves as a good start to this bizarre concept album.  It's not very unique or imaginative, and there is nothing special about the melody or the all-too-simple lyrics, but it is a good song, and helps to introduce the very strange story of Billy, the vegetable who talks with a mechanical voice and hears radio waves in his head, and Jim, a disc jockey for a Los Angeles radio station, KAOS. Lyrics: radio waves, radio waves he hears radio waves, radio waves the atmosphere is thin and cold the yellow sun is getting old the ozone overflows with radio waves am, fm, weather and news our leaders had a frank exchange of views are you confused? radio waves radio waves, radio waves am radio waves, fm radio waves radio waves, mind-numbing radio waves fear-stunning radio waves, radio waves magic billy in his wheel chair is picking up all this stuff in the air billy is face to face with outer space messages from distant stars the local police calling all cars, radio waves hear them radio waves, radio waves jesus saves radio, radio waves radio waves, am radio waves, fm radio waves all them radio waves radio waves, radio waves, he hears radio waves radio waves, radio waves, hopeful radio waves dopeful radio waves russian radio waves, prussian radio waves eastern radio waves, western radio waves testing radio waves, one two, one two radio waves, getting through to you morse code radio waves, tobacco road radio waves south to paloma radio waves, oklahoma city radio waves sitting pretty radio waves, nitty-gritty radio waves radio waves Words: [Jim]: this is K.A.O.S.  you and i are listening to KAOS in los angeles. let's go to the telephones now and take a request.  [Billy]: hello, i am billy.  [Jim]: yes?  [Billy]: i hear radio waves in my head.  [Jim]: you hear radio waves in your head? ah, is there a request that you have tonight for KAOS?...[Jim]: alright, that's a song called "radio waves," you are listening to KAOS in los angeles and we've got billy on the line...[Billy]:  i'm from the valleys

2- Who Needs Information? Written: solo Running Time: 5:55 Rating: ***** Comments:  This song tells about Billy's brother Benny, who used to take him out, until one night he climbs to the top of a bridge with a stolen cordless phone.  A cab driver is killed by a concrete block that dropped off a similar bridge, and when Benny is questioned about it, they arrest him.  This song talks about the things Benny said to him that night.  It's got a great melody, and great lyrics.  This is one of the best songs on the album. Lyrics: me and benny went out last night looking for fun supping ale in the moonlight waiting for the dawn to come benny pointed at a hi fi shop, he said hey man, look at all the stuff they got how'd you make a have out of a have not? hmmm, who needs information? when you're working underground? just give me confirmation we could win a million pounds benny climbed up on a footbridge and he teetered on a parapet he said can you see the whites of their headlights? are they coming yet? who needs information? this high off the ground? just give me confirmation we could win a million pounds who needs information? when you're living in constant fear? j-j-just give me confirmation, yeah there's some way out of here some way out of here some way out of here some way out of here out of here, some way out of here, some way out of here, some way out of here benny hefted a breeze block and tried to let go got hung up on a tear drop so me and benny went home who needs information? when you're living in constant fear? just give me confirmation, yeah there's some way out of here some way out of here some way out of here some way out of here out of here, some way out of here, some way out of here, some way out of here who needs information? yeah when you're living on borrowed time? just give me confirmation there will be a winner this time who needs information? when you're working underground? just give me confirmation we could win a million pounds who needs, who needs, who needs information? this high off the ground? just give me confirmation we could win a million pounds, yeah Words: [Jim]: you're from the valley?  [Billy]: no jim, you schmuck, the valleys; wales, male voice choirs.  [Jim]: wales, now is this sperm or blue tip?  [Billy]: ha ha ha ha, very funny, jim.  [Jim]: sorry  [Billy]: me and benny went out.  [Jim]: who's benny?...[Jim]: um, so you're brother's in jail?

3- Me Or Him Written: solo Running Time: 5:23 Rating: **** Comments:  This is a very sad, simple song.  It is about Billy's woes for his brother Benny, and about the entire world in general.  The melody is nice and simple, and while the music isn't very strong, the emotion behind it is.  The first verse is some of the best lyrical passages ever written in my opinion.  It's so simple yet incredibly chilling.  It's worth paying attention to. Lyrics: you wake up in the morning, get something for the pot wonder why the sun makes the rocks feel hot draw on the walls, eat, get laid back in the good old days then some damn fool invents the wheel listen to the whitewalls squeal you spend all day looking for a parking spot nothing for the heart, nothing for the pot benny turned the dial on his short wave radio oh how he wanted to talk to the people, he wanted his own show tune in moscow, tune in new york listen to the welsh kid talk communicating like in the good old days forgive me father, for i have sinned it was either me or him and a voice said benny, you fucked the whole thing up benny, your time is up, your time is up benny turned the dial on his shortwave radio he wanted to talk to the people, he wanted his own show tune in moscow, tune in new york listen to the welsh kid talk communicating like the good old days, the good old days forgive me father, for i have sinned father, it was either me or him father, could we turn back the clock? i never meant to drop the concrete block benny turned the dial on his shortwave radio how he wanted to talk to the people, he wanted his own show tune in moscow, tune in new york listen to the welsh kid talk just like in the good old days the good old days Words: [welsh policeman]: mobile one two to central. we have a multiple on the a465 between cwmbran and cylgoch. ambulance, over. roger central, over and out...[radio announcer]: do you really think iranian terrorists would have taken americans hostage if ronald reagan were president? do you really think the russians would have invaded afghanistan if ronald reagan were president? do you really think third-rate military dictators would laugh at america and burn our flag in contempt if ronald reagan were president?...[concerned citizen]: well, it might work!...[hostage]: we as a group do most importantly want to beseech president reagan and our fellow americans to refrain from any form of military or violent means as an attempt, no matter how noble or heroic, to secure our freedom...[concerned citizen]: sure! only it's going to be mighty dangerous for you, cassidy...[hoppy's faithful sidekick]: guess you don't know. hoppalong cassidy, mister. adventure's his bread, excitement's his butter, and danger, why to him that's like strawberry jam to top it off...[Jim]: this is some live rock and roll at KAOS, where rock and roll comes out of chaos and a song song called...

4- The Powers That Be Written: solo Running Time: 4:36 Rating: **** Comments:  This song is great for it's awesome beat.  There's not much to it, but it's great rock and roll, and a nice break from the slow pace of the previous track. Lyrics: the powers that be, the powers that be... they like a tough game, no rules some you win, some you lose competition good for you they're dying to be free they're the powers that be they like a bomb proof cadillac air conditioned, gold taps back seat gun rack, platinum hub cabs they pick horses for courses they're the market forces they like order, make-up, lime light power game shows, rodeos, star wars, tv they're the powers that be if you see them come you better run, run rou better run on home you better run, run you better run on home sisters of mercy, better join with your brothers put a stop to the soap opera right now they say the toothless get ruthless you better run on home you better run, run you better run on home the powers that be, the powers that be... they like treats, tricks, carrots and sticks they like fear and loathing, they like sheep's clothing and blacked-out vans blacked-out vans, contingency plans they like death or glory, they love a good story they love a good story sisters of mercy, better join with your brothers put a stop to the soap opera state they say the toothless get ruthless run home before it's too late you better run, run you better run on home you better run, run you better run on home... Words: [Jim]: ..."the powers that be"...[Billy]: goodnight, jim.  [Jim]: goodnight, billy.  [uncle dave's great dane]: woof, woof, woof...[Paraquat Kelly]: bull heads, three red snappers, one pink snpper and your pacific coastal trench hosemonster fish.  [Cynthia Fox]: ohhh! stay at sky david's juke joint of joy reports, forty under the console giggle stick ling cod, twenty-three purple perches, four sledgehammerhead sharks, and what a surprise, eighty four crabs, and no red snappers.  [Paraquat Kelly]: hey, and that'll do for the triumphant return of the fish report with a beat...[Jim]: we think of it as mainstreet, but to the rest of the country, it's sunset strip. you're listening to KAOS in los angeles.

5- Sunset Strip Written: solo Running Time: 4:45 Rating: **** Comments:  This is a simple song in which Billy expresses how he likes some things, and yet he still feels like an outcast.  By now, Billy and Jim are friends, and he calls him often.  The chorus of the song has a great melody, and the whole song makes you want to dance.  There's just not much emotion behind it, but it's still a cool song. Lyrics: i like staying with my uncle dave and i like playing with his great dane but i don't fit i feel alien and strange, kinda outta range i like riding in my uncle's car down to the beach where the pretty girls all parade and movie stars and paparazzi play the charles atlas kicking sand in the face game and i sit in the canyon with my back to the sea there's a blood red dragon on a field of green calling me back, back to the black hills again ooh, ooh, billy come home billy is searching for his native land flicking through the stations with the dial in his head picking up ------------- and a male voice choir on the short wave band billy taps out jim's number on the phone sits shaking as he waits for jim's answering tone come on, my friend, speak to me please the land of my fathers is calling to me and i sit in the canyon with my back to the sea there's a blood red dragon on a field of green calling me back, back to the black hills again ooh, ooh, billy come home come on home he sits in the canyon with his back to the sea sees a blood red dragon on a field of green he hears a male voice choir singing billy come home billy, billy, come home come on home Words: [weirdo]: i don't like fish, marine fish...[Jim]: you are listening to KAOS here is los angeles...[weirdo]: i don't like fish.  [Jim]: yes, we've established that, ah, do you have a request?  [weirdo]: shell fish, guppy, salmon, shrimp and crab and lobster, flounder...i hate fish, but i think most of all i hate fresh fish, like trout, i hate fresh trout...my least-hated, favourite fish would be sole, that way you don't have to see the eyes...sole has no eyes... [Jim]: oh no...[another weirdo]: i'd like to be home with my monkey and my dog...[Jim]: thank you...[weirdo]: i'd like to be home with my monkey and my dog, i'd like to be home with my monkey and my dog, i'd like to be home with my monkey...[Jim]: they don't care, shut up, play the record.

6- Home Written: solo Running Time: 6:00 RANKING: #2  ******* Comments:  This is the best song on the album.  It's got a great beat, a great melody, a powerful chorus, and excellent lyrics.  The music is so moving and strong, and everything just works so perfectly.  The message is a simple one, but it is delivered so powerfully and with such emotion that you can feel it on a deeper level.  Waters belts out the amazing chorus, and at one point a back-up singer belts out her own vocal improvisation at maximum intensity.  This song is perfect, and it makes the album a masterpiece. Lyrics: could be jerusalem, or it could be cairo could be berlin, or it could be prague could be moscow, could be new york could be llaneli, and it could be warrington could be warsaw, and it could be moose jaw could be rome everybody got somewhere they call home when they overrun the defences a minor invasion put down to expenses will you go down to the airport lounge? will you accept your second-class status? a nation of waitresses and waitors will you mix their martinis? will you stand still for it? or will you take to the hills? could be clay and it could be sand could be desert could be a tract of arable land could be a house, could be a corner shop could be a cabin by a bend in the river could be something your old man handed down could be something you built on your own everybody got something he calls home when the cowboys and arabs draw down on each other at noon in the cool, dusty air of the city boardroom will you stand by a passive spectator of the market dictators? will you discreetly withdraw with your ear pressed to the boardroom door? will you hear when the lion within you roars? will you take to the hills? ohhh ohh will you stand, will you stand for it? will you hear? ohhhh! ohh! when the lion within you roars could be your father and it could be your mother could be your sister, could be your brother could be a foreigner, could be a turk could be someone out looking for work, norman could be a king, could be the aga khan could be a vietnam vet with no arms and no legs could be a saint, could be sinner could be a loser, or it could be a winner could be a banker, could be a baker could be a laker, could be kareem abdul jabar could be a male voice choir could be a lover, could be a fighter could be a super heavyweight, or it could be something lighter could be a cripple, could be a freak could be a wop, gook, geek could be a cop, could be a thief could be a family of ten living in one room on relief could be our leaders in their concrete tomb with their tinned food and their silver spoon could be the pilot with god on his side could be the kid in the middle of a bomb sight could be a fanatic, could be a terrorist could be a dentist, could be a psychiatrist could be humble, could be proud could be a face in the crowd could be the soldier in the white cravat who turns the key in spite of the fact that this is the end of the cat and mouse who dwelt in the house where the laughter rang and the tears were spilt the house that jack built where the laughter rang and the tears were spilt the house that jack built bang, bang, shoot, shoot white-gloved thumb, lord, thy will be done he was always a good boy, his mother said he'll do his duty when he's grown, yeah everybody got someone they call home Words: [Jim]: oh god!...[weirdo]: sole has no eyes

7- Four Minutes Written: solo Running Time: 4:00 Rating: ***** Comments:  All of a sudden, the story jumps to a bizarre climax.  Billy has learned that he can use his brain to control computers, and he has simulated nuclear explosions everwhere.  Now, he learns that they are going to press the button in four minutes, and this song beautifully paints the picture of these last moments of life on earth as we know it. Lyrics: after a near miss on a plane, you swear you'll never fly again after the first kiss when you make up you swear you'll never break up again and when you've just run a red light sit shaking under the street-light you swear to yourself you'll never drink and drive again sometimes, i feel like going home you swear you'll never let things go by again sometimes, i miss the rain and snow and you'll never toe the party line again and when the east wind blows sometimes i feel like going home goodbye, little spy in the sky they say the cameras don't lie am i happy? am i said? am i good? am i bad? Words: [Billy]: four minutes and counting.  [Jim]: o.k.  [Billy]: they pressed the button, jim.  [Jim]: they pressed the button, billy, what button?  [Billy]: the big red one.  [Jim]: you mean the button?  [Billy]: goodbye, jim.  [Jim]: goodbye? oh, yes, this ain't au revoir, it's goodbye! ha ha!...this is KAOS, it's a beautiful, balmy southern california summer day, it's eighty degrees...i said balmy...i could say bomby, ha ha...o.k. i'm jim and this is Radio KAOS and with only four minutes left to us, let's use this as wisely as possible...[Molly]: everybody got someone they call home...[Jim]: out at dodger stadium, it's the bottom of the seventh, the dodgers are leading three to nothing over the giants, and for those of you who are looking to go skiing tomorrow, too bad...i'm kinda lost in here to tell you the truth...o.k. good, ladies and gentlemen, if the reports that we are getting are correct, this could be it. billy, if you're listening to me, please call now...billy, if you're listening, please call...[weirdo]: solo has no eyes...[Jim]: billy, if you're listening, please call...[weirdo]: sole has no eyes, sole has no eyes...[Billy]: ten...nine...eight...seven...[Margaret Thatcher]: our independent nuclear deterrent has helped to keep the peace...[Billy]: ...six...five...four...three...[person]: you've got a job...[Billy]: ...two...one...[Margaret Thatcher]: ...for nearly forty years...[Jim]: goodbye, billy...

8- The Tide Is Turning (After Live Aid) Written: solo Running Time: 5:45 Other Versions: Live In Berlin Rating: ***** Comments:  This is an incredibly beautiful song.  Billy has used his mind to drain the world of power, so instead of nuclear explosions destroying everything, the entire world has gone back to zero.  In the darkness, one man begins to sing, and this song is what he says, as everyone else begins to join in.  This is one the most positive endings that Waters has ever written to one of his albums, and it can almost bring a tear to your eye. Lyrics: i used to think the world was flat rarely through my hat into the crowd i felt i had used up my quota of yearning used to look in on the children at night in the glow of their donald duck light and frighten myself with the thought of my little ones burning but oh, the tide is turning the tide is turning satellite buzzing through the endless night exclusive to moonshots and world title fights jesus christ, imagine what it must be earning who is the strongest? who is the best? who holds the aces, the east or the west? this is the crap our children are learning but oh oh oh, the tide is turning oh oh oh, the tide is turning, the tide is turning oh oh oh, the tide is turning now the satellite's confused 'cause on saturday night the airwaves were full of campassion and light and his silicon heart warmed to the sight of a billion candles burning ooh ooh ooh, the tide is turning ooh ooh ooh, the tide is turning the tide is turning, billy now i'm not saying the battle is won but on saturday night all those kids in the sun wrested technology's sword in the hands of the war lords ooh ooh ooh, the tide is turning ooh ooh, the tide is turning the tide is turning, sylvester oh oh oh, the tide is turning...

Released: 1987 by Columbia Running Time: 41:22 Ranking: #4 out of 7 solo albums Album Highlight: Home Album Weak Point: Radio Waves Average Song Rating: **** Comments:  This concept album has one of the most bizarre concepts, and it is very loosely put together for such a strong story.  Still, a few stand-out songs and some powerfully emotional moments make this album a fantastic listen.  There are a few weak songs, but the worst song is over right at the beginning.  The middle is filled with a few mediocre songs, and the last three songs are all masterpieces.  Like all of Waters's albums, the songs don't work as well out of context, but some of these songs do fine on their own.