Now they wish they'd given Jack, more affection and respect : "Excerpt From A Global Icon Opera"

My knees, my legs are in a lot of pain as we wait for our first baby to make his first appearance any day now. Joint and nerve pressure, aaahhh! Things they don't tell you about in Yummy Mummy school...

Anyway, years ago, my friend

Cliff Malloy

who ran more than a few records stores in good ol Santa Rosa, California, turned me on to "Tomorrow" , a semi-obscure 1960s psychedelic rock band fronted by Keith West. Their most well known, eponymous titled album yielded a very interesting hit song, semi mini rock opera called, Excerpt from "A Teenage Opera" (also known as "Grocer Jack")
It is whimsical, wonderful, sad with an authentic children's chorus.
The song is referenced in Pete's "Keep Me Turning" off of his solo album, "Rough Mix" with Ronnie Lane. "Oh Jack are you ever comin' back? Will your operatic soul turn black?"
First season, "In The Attic" fans will remember Pete talking about it once.



This is the song I had in my head when I woke up today. It reminds me of Michael Jackson and his funeral which is due to start in about a half an hour. I truly believed he would have really enjoyed the song and the sentiment.


Rest in peace Thriller.

"Excerpt From A Teenage Opera"

Count the days into years
His fifty years brings many fears
Yesterday's laughter turned to tears
His arms and legs don't feel so strong
His heart is weak, there's something wrong
Opens windows in despair, tries to breathe in some fresh air
His conscience cries: "get on your feet
Without you, Jack, the town can't eat"

Grocer Jack, grocer Jack, get off your back
Go into town, don't let them down, oh no no
Grocer Jack, grocer Jack, get off your back
Go into town, don't let them down, oh no no

The people that live in the town don't understand
He's never been known to miss his round
"It's ten-o'clock", the housewives yell
"When Jack turns up we'll give him hell"
Husbands moan at breakfast tables
No milk, no eggs, no marmalade labels
Mothers send their children out
To Jack's house to scream and shout

Grocer Jack, grocer Jack, get off your back
Come into town, don't let us down, oh no no
Grocer Jack, grocer Jack, get off your back
Come into town, don't let us down, oh no no

It's Tuesday morning bright and clear
Lovely flowers decorate a marble square
People cry and walk away and think about the fateful day
Now they wish they'd given Jack more affection and respect
The little children dressed in black
Don't know what happened to old Jack

Grocer Jack, grocer Jack, is it true what mummy says
You won't come back, oh no no
Grocer Jack, grocer Jack, is it true what mummy says
You won't come back, oh no no
Grocer Jack, grocer Jack, is it true what mummy says
You won't come back, oh no no
Grocer Jack, grocer Jack, is it true what mummy says
You won't come back, oh no no ....