Bowie, of course, was a much better singer and a much harder rocker. There can be no doubt that Rose influenced Bowie's early-'70s work, particularly Hunky Dory, which owed something to Rose's early albums in both the quasi-musical piano styles and thorny-rose lyrics.
Biff rose to baby free#
When he sang about flowery love and idyllic free living, there were sarcastic and ironic undercurrents that made him hard to take seriously at the same time, the words were too far out for him to get accepted by Broadway or the easy listening pop market. But stick to writing, we'll get someone else to sing them." Lyrically, he was a different story, with an arch and whimsical tone that both reflected and mocked the counterculture. These were delivered in a whiney voice that made it easy to envision scenes of cigar-chomping Tin Pan Alley publishers telling him, "We like your songs, kid. Musically, Rose was firmly in the pre-World War II camp, sounding like a Broadway songwriter with his jaunty piano and bouncy singalong melodies. Bowie also covered another song from that album, "Buzz the Fuzz," in live performances (it can be heard on a 1970 bootleg), and Tiny Tim did "Fill Your Heart" on the B-side of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips." If he's remembered by rock audiences at all, it's because David Bowie covered a Rose song - "Fill Your Heart" (co-written by Rose and Paul Williams), from Rose's 1968 debut album - on Hunky Dory. It isn't quite accurate to call him a rock artist, but he fits in rock about as well as anywhere else. Suggest a correction in the comments below.An odd and goofy singer/songwriter who didn't fit in any comfortable niche when he emerged in the late 1960s, New Orleans pianist Biff Rose was like a vaudeville entertainer reincarnated as a spacy hippie. In the end, I decided that I wanted to be with Molly, and nothing else mattered.Ĭontributed by Camden N. There was a promise that I made to Molly a long time ago. The letter itself was aging and beginning to turn yellow due to the passage of time. The ink on the letter was beginning to fade over time. I took the time to read a letter from Molly. The circus performers were covered in paint from head to toe.ĭespite the seemingly warm environment, the winter cold still lingered. I heard the sound of a carousel and wondered which town I was in. Here comes a carrousel guess which town it is The painted smile of the circus performers concealed their true feelings and emotions. Oh that grease paint smile can hide your soul I saw many children from various generations while on this journey. I traveled on a freight train with an uncertain destination.Īnd see a thousand children young and old Molly was understanding of my situation, which brought me some comfort. Molly was keeping in touch by writing letters. I had not saved any money for myself and Molly. I had become a part of the circus family.ĭespite my success, there was one thing that was missing. The glamour and glitz of show business was my reality. I achieved success in the entertainment industry. I had a hope and a plan to come back to her soon. There was someone special in my life whom I longed to be with. I aimed to be successful and independent. I sought after the novelty and excitement of the circus life. In my youth, I had a desire to venture out and experience the world. In the end, he realizes that he needs to honor his promise to Molly and go back to her. Her letters remind him of who he is and what's important to him. Molly becomes his anchor, the one constant in his life that he can rely on. The circus, with its superficiality and transience, is a place where he can hide from his problems, but it's also lonely. The singer leaves behind everything he knows to chase after fame and fortune, but despite his success, he realizes that he's not fulfilled. The song is a reflection on how chasing one's dreams can lead to unintended consequences. The ink is fading, and the pages are turning yellow, but he vows to keep his promise to her. The singer is left with nothing but the letters he receives from Molly, which he treasures. The circus, with its bright lights and greasepaint smiles, is a place where one can hide their soul. Despite making it big in show business, he realizes that he hasn't saved a penny for her. The song "Molly" by Biff Rose tells the story of a young man who runs away from home to join the circus, hoping to make enough money to be with his love, Molly.
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