Among the hundreds of artists he's worked with include Phil Ochs, Tim Buckley, Haruomi Hosono, The Byrds, Rufus Wainwright, Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, Ry Cooder, U2, Joanna Newsom, Inara George, Keith Moon, Frank Zappa, Harpers Bizarre, Little Feat, Ringo Starr, Silverchair, and Skrillex.
In addition to producing, Parks has released seven studio albums of his own recordings: Song Cycle, Discover America, Clang of the Yankee Reaper, Jump!, Tokyo Rose, Songs Cycled, and with Brian Wilson, Orange Crate Art. He has also released a live album, Moonlighting: Live at the Ash Grove. His first official release was the 1966 single Number Nine, a modernized version of Beethoven's 9th backed with Do What You Wanta.
Parks has also established himself in film scores, and over the years has directed, arranged, produced, and composed soundtracks for a great number of motion pictures and television shows.
During his childhood, Parks became extremely fond of old-style American music, most notably the sounds of Tin Pan Alley. This interest in Depression-era songwriting would correlate heavily with his artistic goals and interests during the 1960s and beyond. He was also deeply affected by musicians Spike Jones and Les Paul, which led him to develop an interest with studio experimentation in the form of pop music.
Vine Street
Van Dyke Parks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I'm sad to say it never made the grade.
That was me, third guitar;
I wonder where the others are.
I sold the guitar today...
I never did play much anyway.
Vine Street.
We used to live there on Vine Street.
She made perfume in the back of the room
And me and my group, we'd sit out on the stoop
And we'd play for her the songs she liked best
To have us play, on Vine Street.
Vine Street, the crack of the backbeat on Vinestreet.
Swingin' along on the wings of a song
And I'll lie in, secure, self-righteous, and sure
Why we've things to say that the people would pay to hear us play, on Vine Street.
In Van Dyke Parks's song Vine Street, the singer reflects on his past as a musician and reminisces about his time living on Vine Street. The song is filled with a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past. The first verse speaks of a tape that was made but never made it to the big time, and the singer wonders about the fate of his fellow guitar players, suggesting that their musical aspirations may have been left behind. The second verse is about the singer selling his guitar, perhaps implying that he has given up on his dreams of being a musician. The final verse paints a picture of a simpler time, with the singer and his group playing music for a woman who made perfume in the back of the room. Vine Street is portrayed as a place where music was central, and where the singer and his friends could create and share their music with others.
Overall, the lyrics of Vine Street suggest a sense of loss and disappointment, as their musical aspirations never came to fruition. However, the song is also filled with a sense of warmth and nostalgia, as the singer looks back on a time where music was at the center of their lives. The song highlights the importance of music and creativity in our lives, and how, even if we don't achieve fame and success, music can still be a source of joy and inspiration.
Line by Line Meaning
That's the tape that we made,
Referring to a recording that was made, but ultimately deemed unworthy or not good enough.
But I'm sad to say it never made the grade.
Expressing disappointment that the recording did not meet the necessary standards or criteria to be considered successful or popular.
That was me, third guitar;
Identifying the singer as a member of a musical group who played the third guitar, suggesting that they may have been one of many musicians in the group.
I wonder where the others are.
Expressing curiosity or nostalgia about what happened to the other members of the musical group, who may have moved on from their shared experience.
I sold the guitar today...
Confessing that the artist has sold their guitar, which may be a symbol of their past as a musician or their decision to move on from that phase of their life.
I never did play much anyway.
Acknowledging that the singer was not particularly skilled or dedicated to playing guitar, suggesting that their role in the musical group may not have been as significant or memorable as others.
Vine Street.
Introducing the setting of the song as Vine Street, which may be a real or imagined location that holds significance for the singer and their memories of music and community.
We used to live there on Vine Street.
Recalling a time when the artist and others lived on Vine Street, possibly as part of a bohemian or artistic community that valued creativity and expression.
She made perfume in the back of the room
Describing a woman who lived or worked on Vine Street and created handmade perfume, which may be a symbol of artistic or DIY culture.
And me and my group, we'd sit out on the stoop
Reminiscing about spending time with a musical group on the front steps or porch of a building on Vine Street, which may have been a common gathering place for their community.
And we'd play for her the songs she liked best
Describing how the group would perform music for the woman who made perfume, possibly as a way to connect with her or express their appreciation for her creative work.
To have us play, on Vine Street.
Emphasizing the importance and significance of playing music on Vine Street, which may represent a sense of belonging or identity for the artist and their musical group.
Vine Street, the crack of the backbeat on Vinestreet.
Describing the sound and rhythm of the music played on Vine Street, which may have been characterized by a distinctive backbeat or percussion element.
Swingin' along on the wings of a song
Evoking a sense of musical freedom or inspiration, as if the singer and their group were lifted up by the power of the music they played on Vine Street.
And I'll lie in, secure, self-righteous, and sure
Reflecting on the singer's sense of confidence and self-assuredness when playing music on Vine Street, suggesting that this experience had a positive impact on their personal identity and self-esteem.
Why we've things to say that the people would pay to hear us play, on Vine Street.
Asserting the group's significance and value as musicians, suggesting that they had a unique sound or message that resonated with their community and could potentially attract paying audiences.
Contributed by Adam N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.