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I'd Rather Be Dead

Recorded/Published: 1972
At the end of the Son of Schmilsson album Richard Perry says "Goodbye, Harry" to which Harry Nilsson replies, "See ya next album, Richard." According to Nilsson expert, Curtis Armstrong, this was something of an inside joke: during the "I'd Rather Be Dead" sessions Harry and Richard brought in the Stepney and Pinner Choir #6, a group of senior citizens, to sing on the track. The day turned into something of a party for everyone. At one point, Harry and Richard were up in the booth listening to a playback with Klaus Voormann when they heard a weird sound on the recording. They played it back over and over trying to determine what it was. Finally, Voormann, who Harry claimed has ears like no one else on earth, said it sounded to him like a wooden leg creaking. This put Harry and Richard into a bit of a bind, as they were a little embarrassed about asking a roomful of pensioners if any of them had a wooden leg. But there seemed to be little choice as the clock was ticking on the session which had already gone on for hours. Richard, very apologetically, asked if there was anyone in the room with a wooden leg. "I 'ave!" said one. So they asked him to please try and keep still while the tape was rolling. At the end of the session, as the Choir were headed out for the bus and saying their goodbyes, the fellow with the wooden leg tipped his cap to Harry and Richard and said, "Well, see ya next album!"

Source: Curtis Armstrong

Downloads:

I'd Rather Be Dead MP3 Download

Credits:

Backing Vocals: Stepney and Pinner Choir #6
Producer: Richard Perry
Publisher: EMI Blackwood Music
Songwriter: Harry Nilsson
Songwriter: Richard Perry
Vocals: Harry Nilsson

Lyrics:

I'd rather be dead.
I'd rather be dead.
I'd rather be dead than wet my bed.
I'd rather be dead.
I'd rather be dead.
I'd rather be dead than wet my bed ...

Albums:

Son of Schmilsson {Stereophonic LP}
Son of Schmilsson {Best Buy LP Reissue}
Son of Schmilsson {US CD Reissue}
Son of Schmilsson {Japanese CD Reissue}
Son of Schmilsson {UK CD Reissue}
Son of Schmilsson {2006 US Reissue}

Song Ratings/Reviews
 
I'd Rather Be Dead
(4.0 / 4.0)
Jon Gentille
(4.0 / 4.0)
Joseph Skade
(3.0 / 4.0)

[Add Your Rating/Review For This Song]

Other I'd Rather Be Dead Articles
I'd Rather Be Dead (Song)
Connections for I'd Rather Be Dead
Son of Schmilsson {Stereophonic LP} (Album)
Son of Schmilsson {Best Buy LP Reissue} (Album)
Son of Schmilsson {US CD Reissue} (Album)
Son of Schmilsson {Japanese CD Reissue} (Album)
Son of Schmilsson {UK CD Reissue} (Album)
One Last Touch of Nilsson (Part 2) (Bio)
Alan Corbett (Misc)
Alvis Sherouse (Misc)
Did Somebody Drop His Mouse? (Movie/TV)
Wood Records Releases Harry Nilsson Tribute Album (News)
I'd Rather Be Dead (Song)
Son of Schmilsson {2006 US Reissue} (Album)
Harry Nilsson (Misc)
Richard Perry (Misc)
EMI Blackwood Music (Misc)
Stepney and Pinner Choir #6 (Misc)

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