He is also known as the inventor of the electric rake. This musical instrument (though some would hesitate to call it "musical") is made by attaching a microphone or an electric guitar pickup to an ordinary lawn rake. The sounds that it can produce are impossible to describe.
Chadbourne started out playing rock and roll guitar, but quickly grew bored with the form's conventions. He started studying other genres, including blues, country, bluegrass, free jazz, and noise - eventually synthesizing all those heterogenous influences into a unique style of his own. He was also influenced early on by the experimental stylings of Captain Beefheart and the Mothers of Invention.
Chadbourne has worked with numerous artists including John Zorn, Fred Frith, Derek Bailey, Han Bennink, Carla Bley Band, Paul Lovens, Camper Van Beethoven, Jello Biafra, and Jimmy Carl Black.
While in Canada in the 1970s, he produced and hosted a radio program on Radio Radio 104.5 Cable FM in Calgary, Alberta. His show was notorious for obscure and remarkable music. Radio Radio is now the last quasi-pirate station in Canada.
Chadbourne also fronted Shockabilly (1982-1985) with Mark Kramer (bass/organ) and David Licht (drums), releasing four eclectic albums.
Chadbourne currently resides in Greensboro, NC.
He is sometimes referred to as Dr. Eugene Chadbourne
People Will Say We're In Love
Eugene Chadbourne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why do the neighbors chatter all day, behind their doors?
I know a way to prove what they say is quite untrue.
Here is the gist, a practical list of "donts" for you.
Don't throw bouquets at me
Don't please my folks too much
Don't laugh at my jokes too much
Don't sigh and gaze at me
Your sighs are so like mine
Your eyes mustn't glow like mine
People will say we're in love!
Don't start collecting things
Give me my rose and my glove.
Sweetheart they're suspecting things
People will say we're in love.
Don't praise my charm too much
Don't look so vain with me
Don't stand in the rain with me
People will say we're in love!
Don't take my arm too much
Don't keep your hand in mine
Your hand feels so grand in mine
People will say we're in love!
Don't dance all night with me
Till the stars fade from above.
They'll see it's alright with me
People will say we're in love.
In Eugene Chadbourne's song People Will Say We're In Love, the singer is expressing concern about the town gossip that is circulating about him and the person he is in love with. The singer acknowledges that he and his lover are being watched and scrutinized by their neighbors, which is leading to rumors and false stories. In order to avoid fueling the gossip mill, the singer has come up with a list of "don'ts" to follow. These include things like not throwing bouquets, not spending too much time with each other's families, and not standing too close or looking too lovingly at each other in public. By adhering to these guidelines, the singer hopes to dispel any rumors about their supposed romantic involvement.
The song is a commentary on the culture of small towns, where everyone knows everyone else's business and gossip spreads quickly. It highlights the pressure society places on individuals to conform to certain expectations and avoid any behavior that might be deemed scandalous. At its core, the song is about two people who are in love but who are forced to hide their feelings in order to avoid criticism and judgement from others.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do they think up stories that link my name with yours?
Why do people make up rumors that connect us together?
Why do the neighbors chatter all day, behind their doors?
Why do the neighbors gossip about us all day long, hiding behind their doors?
I know a way to prove what they say is quite untrue.
I have a plan to show that all the rumors are false.
Here is the gist, a practical list of "donts" for you.
Here's a summary of what we shouldn't do to avoid giving people the wrong impression.
Don't throw bouquets at me
Don't give me flowers in public.
Don't please my folks too much
Don't try to impress my family too much.
Don't laugh at my jokes too much
Don't laugh too loudly at my jokes.
People will say we're in love!
If you do any of the above, people will think we're in love.
Don't sigh and gaze at me
Don't look at me with longing or sigh affectionately.
Your sighs are so like mine
Don't mimic my mannerisms so people don't draw false conclusions.
Your eyes mustn't glow like mine
Don't gaze lovingly into my eyes like I do to yours.
Don't start collecting things
Don't bring gifts or memorabilia back from dates.
Give me my rose and my glove.
Just give me the flowers and gloves I already have; don't add to the collection.
Sweetheart they're suspecting things
People are starting to suspect that we're in love.
People will say we're in love.
Any action that suggests affection, people will assume we're in love.
Don't praise my charm too much
Don't flatter me in public.
Don't look so vain with me
Don't stare at me with self-admiration in public.
Don't stand in the rain with me
Don't stand too close to me in public.
Don't take my arm too much
Don't cling onto me for too long in public.
Don't keep your hand in mine
Don't hold my hand in public.
Your hand feels so grand in mine
Our hands fit perfectly together, but we can't let people see this.
Don't dance all night with me
Don't be seen dancing with me all night long.
Till the stars fade from above.
Until the end of the night when everyone else is gone.
They'll see it's alright with me
As long as we avoid giving the wrong impression, we can dance all night.
People will say we're in love.
Despite whatever we do, people will always make up their own stories about us.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Oscar Hammerstein Ii, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind