We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

I Need You (Like A Hole In The Head) with President V​/​Os

by Al Hovden

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 USD  or more

     

about

This is another song, written by myself and Dave Jenneson in 1973, that will be included in our upcoming documentary film A Band Is A Beautiful Thing.

In the 1960s and early 70s we had closely followed news of the Viet Nam War. Canada had drawn many young Americans north to escape the draft and to find shelter. The war had lasted through three presidents - Kennedy, Johnston and Nixon. America finally rose up in protest and forced an end to it during Nixon's reign. It had been a long, ugly, brutal conflict.

A comment from Dave: This song was written during the height of the Watergate Scandal about President Richard Nixon when he was the most hated man in the universe. America’s youth were dying in Viet Nam. It has a grand yet heartbroken feel. For thirty years I have thought of it as nothing but a curiosity from the past. However, seeing it now it is clear that it applied every bit as much to President George W. Bush and his wasting the lives of American servicemen in Iraq. Some things never change.

The jury is still out on Donald Trump.

lyrics

I Need You

I need you like a hole in the head
They freed you from the book of the dead
And with your cold old soul
You loved each line that you read

Gonna take my heart to a good mortician
It was blown apart
And now my only mission
Is to sit and watch while the street musicians play

I need you like American Pie
Indeed you are the whiskey and rye
And them poor young lads
Toast to the mud in your eye

And I really don’t that think they want to listen
To songs about love
Songs about kissing
For them those things just picked up and died

Do you remember when you had
Children arm in arms all around you
Oh how you broke their hearts
When you raised your crown
They put Old Glory in the ground

SOLO

Do you remember when you had
Children arm in arms all around you
Oh how you broke their hearts
When you raised your crown
They put Old Glory in the ground

I need you like a mouthful of lead
They feed you on the whitest white bread
And the cold cold North
Is where I’m laying my head

And a man named Sam supposed to be my brother
But I wouldn’t want to see him making
Eyes at mother
I think he might want to take her away

I followed your dream but you turned it around
I followed your dream but you turned it around
I don’t need you.

credits


Vocals, piano, acoustic guitars, melodica, mandolin - Al Hovden
Electric guitars - Peter Sinclair
Drums, bass and additional electric guitar - Sundown Sessions
Mixed and mastered - Sundown Sessions.

license

tags

about

Al Hovden image

Al Hovden Vancouver, British Columbia

Written songs for Bruce Fairburn – producer of Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Yes and more; songs published by Bruce Allen (manager of Bryan Adams, Michael Buble and Diana Krall) and produced material for many other Canadian artists and publishers. Also wrote songs for two albums by Terry Jacks (famous for the #1 international hit Season’s In The Sun). This year placed a song in a US TV show TBA. ... more

contact / help

Contact Al Hovden

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Al Hovden, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Saxophonist Isaiah Collier chats about his new LP and the influence of Pharoah Sanders.
listen now