Last week, I proudly asserted that, as a general rule, I try to go with my first instincts when responding to Song Lyric Sunday prompts. This time, though, it may be a case of all the best rules being more honoured in the breach than the observance.

That’s because Helen has chosen the theme of ‘Numbers’.

If I had an ounce of integrity you would now be looking at Dylan’s ‘From A Buick 6’. Which is okay, of course, but Bob probably deserves a bit more of a rest here, so instead I went for the (close) second song that popped into my head.

This song by Jimi Hendrix from the ‘Axis: Bold As Love’ album has been covered many times, it seems. I doubt, though, that any match the ‘that’s me he’s talking about’ impact of the original on people of a certain (teen)age in 1967. People such as…oh, I don’t know…me. Funny how some things never leave you.

If the sun refused to shine,
I don’t mind, I don’t mind.
If the mountains fell in the sea,
Let it be, it ain’t me.

Got my own world to live through
And I ain’t gonna copy you.

Now, if 6 turned up to be 9,
I don’t mind, I don’t mind.
If all the hippies cut off all their hair,
I don’t care, I don’t care.

White-collar conservatives flashing down the street
Pointing their plastic finger at me.
They’re hoping soon my kind will drop and die,
But I’m gonna wave my freak flag high. .. High!

Fall mountains, just don’t fall on me
Go on mister Businessman,
You can’t dress like me.
Nobody know what I’m talking about
I’ve got my own life to live
I’m the one that’s gotta die
When it’s time for me to die
So let me live my life the way… I want to.

As for a video to go with the lyrics, I’m ashamed to say that this one’s got me stumped. I blame Youtube. I don’t want to use a cover version, a ‘how to’ guide or an interpretation through the medium of modern dance, so here’s an extract from the soundtrack of ‘Easy Rider’: a film that also means a lot to people who were still of a certain (teen)age in 1969.

Song Lyric Sunday 4 March 2018