Jonathan Richman began playing music and writing his own songs in the mid-1960s. In 1969 he moved to New York City, where he spent time living on the couch of The Velvet Underground's manager and working odd jobs while trying to break in as a professional musician. Failing at this, he returned to Boston. Having moved back, he formed The Modern Lovers. Other notable members of the group were keyboard player Jerry Harrison and drummer David Robinson, who later joined Talking Heads and The Cars, respectively. In 1972 they recorded a series of songs with John Cale producing, including the seminal "Roadrunner," which were eventually released on the group's sole album, Modern Lovers, in 1975.
Shortly after these recordings were made, Richman broke up the band and embarked on his long and eclectic solo career. For a while he continued recording under the "Modern Lovers" name (or rather, the more telling "Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers" appellation), but all the members were different, and in the new incarnation were essentially his backing band. The sound of the new group was considerably different as well, focusing on acoustic instrumentation rather than the prior electric guitars and drums. The album Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers was released in January 1977, Rock and Roll with the Modern Lovers followed a month later, and Modern Lovers Live in 1978.
In 1979 Richman finally went completely solo. That year's Back in Your Life was released under the "Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers" moniker, but this was true of only about half the disc—the rest was solo work. This album was probably the most extreme detour by Richman into eclecticism; after the odd but traditional acoustic rock of the previous albums, this one's solo tracks showed off a string bass and Glockenspiel as main instruments.A few years' hiatus ended in 1983 with Jonathan Sings!—memorably featuring a cover with Richman serenading a crowd wearing nothing but a guitar and neck strap. This was followed up with a series of pop efforts (Rockin' and Romance, It's Time for Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, and Modern Lovers 88 from 1985, 1986 and 1988 respectively). Soon after, he returned to swooping madly around the musical landscape: country music with 1990's Jonathan Goes Country, and Spanish translations of his earlier work (as well as traditional Spanish songs) with 1993's Jonathan, Te Vas a Emocionar!
Always possessing an ardent cult following, Richman has become better known in recent years thanks to a series of appearances on fan Conan O'Brien's show; also helping was a major part in the 1998 movie There's Something About Mary, where he played half of a two-man Greek chorus that commented on the movie while performing in the framed action itself.
He has continued his release schedule all along, with You Must Ask the Heart in 1995, Surrender to Jonathan in 1996, I'm So Confused in 1998, Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eye Shadow in 2001 and Not So Much To Be Loved As To Love in 2004. In 1998 a live album of Modern Lovers recordings from the early '70s was released, Live at the Long Branch & More. There is also a DVD of a live performance Take me to the Plaza 2002. A tribute album, If I Were a Richman, was released by Wampus Multimedia in 2001. In live 'solo' shows, he frequently tours with drummer Tommy Larkins, the other part of the two-man chorus mentioned above. He is a tremendously charismatic stage presence, and this has helped maintain his dedicated cult following.
Richman's work with the first incarnation of Modern Lovers is a major influence on punk rock. One critic called him the "Godfather of Punk". Artists as diverse as the Sex Pistols and Joan Jett have covered "Roadrunner". Boston ska-punk band, Big D and the Kids Table, have covered "New England" live and on their Gypsy Hill EP. A version of "Pablo Picasso" performed by Burning Sensations was included in the 1984 cult film, Repo Man. David Bowie covered "Pablo Picasso" on his album Reality. Velvet Underground founding member John Cale has a version of the song on his 1975 album, Helen of Troy, and continues to include the song in his live shows. Iggy Pop has performed "Pablo Picasso" live and wrote an extra verse for it. Echo and the Bunnymen covered "She Cracked" in concert in 1984 and 1985 and Siouxsie and the Banshees have a version of the song on Downside Up.
Richman's music has set the tone for many alternative rock bands, such as Violent Femmes, Galaxie 500, They Might Be Giants ("Roadrunner" reportedly inspired John Flansburgh to become a musician), Weezer, Tullycraft, Jens Lekman, singer Frank Black (who composed the tribute song "The Man Who Was Too Loud"), Brandon Flowers, Art Brut, Craig Finn of The Hold Steady & Lifter Puller and Nerf Herder who composed a song about him, titled "Jonathan", which appeared on the band's second album How To Meet Girls. British country rock band The Rockingbirds released the single "Jonathan, Jonathan" in tribute to Richman in 1992.
As a producer himself, Richman and drummer Tommy Larkin produced Vic Chesnutt's final album Skitter on Take-Off in 2009 which appeared on Vapor Records. Chesnutt opened for Richman at concerts many times during his later years.
"Roadrunner" is on the soundtrack of School of Rock. In the commentary, director Richard Linklater mentions it is often called "the first punk song" and wanted to include it for that reason, along with all the other seminal rock songs in that film.
A tribute album, If I Were a Richman: a Tribute to the Music of Jonathan Richman, was released by Wampus Multimedia in 2001.
I Was Dancing In The Lesbian Bar
Jonathan Richman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And that night club bar was a little uptight
Yeah, I was dancing all alone a little self conscious
When some kids came up and said, "for dancing come with us."
And soon
I was dancing in a lesbian bar.
I was dancing in a lesbian bar.
Well I was dancing in the lesbian bar
In the industrial zone.
I was dancing with my friends
And dancing alone.
Well the first bar things were alright
But in this bar, things were Friday night.
In the first bar things were just alright.
This bar things were Friday night.
I was dancing in a lesbian bar.
I was dancing in a lesbian bar.
Well I was dancing in the lesbian bar
Way downtown
I was there to check the scene
And hang around
Well the first bar things were stop and stare
But in this bar things were laissez faire
In the first bar things were stop and stare
In this bar things were lassez faire.
I was dancing in a lesbian bar.
I was dancing in a lesbian bar.
In the first bar folks were drinking sips
But in this bar they could shake their hips,
In the first bar they were drinking sips
In this bar they could shake their hips.
I was dancing in a lesbian bar.
I was dancing in a lesbian bar.
I was dancing in a lesbian bar.
I was dancing in a lesbian bar.
Well in the first bar, things were okay
But in this bar things were more my way
In the first bar things were just okay
But in this bar things were done my way.
I was dancing in a lesbian bar.
I was dancing in a lesbian bar.
Well in the first bar things were controlled
But in this bar things were Rock and Roll
In the first bar things were so controlled
In this bar things were way way bold.
I was dancing in a lesbian bar.
I was dancing in a lesbian bar.
The meaning behind Jonathan Richman’s “I Was Dancing In The Lesbian Bar” has often been debated since its release in 1992, and it can be interpreted in a variety of ways. At its core, it is a story of a night out that leads to a fun time in a bar where the singer feels comfortable and free to let loose. The first bar is uptight, where people were self-conscious and watched each other. However, the second bar, the one in the industrial zone, is a lesbian bar where the vibe is relaxed, and people can freely move their hips and express themselves without any restraint.
The singer was initially nervous, dancing alone and feeling self-conscious. But then some strangers invited him to come to this “lesbian bar” where he felt transformed. He changed from being self-conscious to feeling respected, as no one bothered him there or made him feel uncomfortable. He describes how in the first bar, people were just sipping their drinks, but in the lesbian bar, people were moving their bodies, and he felt free to dance in a judgment-free environment.
The song deals with issues such as sexuality, gender identity, and societal norms regarding how one should dance, but it also allows for individual expression and personal freedom in a safe space. For Richman, who has been known for his quirky songwriting style focusing on love, friendship, and nostalgia, the song offers an insightful commentary on the need for inclusivity, acceptance, and a space where people can just have fun without any constraints.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I was dancing at a night club one Friday night
I was enjoying myself at a nightclub on a Friday night
And that night club bar was a little uptight
The atmosphere at the bar was tense and not relaxed
Yeah, I was dancing all alone a little self conscious
I was dancing by myself and feeling a bit insecure
When some kids came up and said, "for dancing come with us."
A group of people approached and invited me to dance with them
And soon
Before I knew it
I was dancing in a lesbian bar.
I found myself dancing in a bar that primarily catered to lesbians
Well I was dancing in the lesbian bar
I continued to dance in the lesbian bar
In the industrial zone.
The bar was located in an industrial area
I was dancing with my friends
I was dancing with my companions
And dancing alone.
At times, I was also dancing by myself
Well the first bar things were alright
The first bar I went to was decent and had no major issues
But in this bar, things were Friday night.
The lesbian bar had a very lively and energetic atmosphere
In the first bar things were just alright.
The first bar didn't offer anything particularly special
This bar things were Friday night.
The lesbian bar was full of excitement and energy
Well I was dancing in the lesbian bar
I continued to dance in the lesbian bar
Way downtown
The lesbian bar was located far away from the city center
I was there to check the scene
I went to the bar to see what it was like
And hang around
I also stayed to socialize and spend time there
Well the first bar things were stop and stare
The first bar I went to was filled with gawkers and people staring
But in this bar things were laissez faire
The lesbian bar had a relaxed and open-minded atmosphere
In the first bar things were stop and stare
The first bar was very judgmental and didn't allow people to be themselves
In this bar things were lassez faire.
In contrast, the lesbian bar was much more accepting and laid-back
In the first bar folks were drinking sips
People at the first bar were having a few drinks here and there
But in this bar they could shake their hips,
People at the lesbian bar were free to dance and express themselves without judgement
I was dancing in a lesbian bar.
I enjoyed myself by dancing and being part of the atmosphere at the lesbian bar
Well in the first bar, things were okay
Although the first bar was not exceptional, it was decent enough
But in this bar things were more my way
The lesbian bar suited me more based on its open-minded and free-spirited atmosphere
In the first bar things were just okay
The first bar didn't have anything special that stood out
But in this bar things were done my way.
In contrast, the lesbian bar was much more in line with my tastes and preferences
Well in the first bar things were controlled
The first bar had strict rules and was heavily monitored
But in this bar things were Rock and Roll
The lesbian bar was much looser and relaxed, with a much more open and casual attitude
In the first bar things were so controlled
The first bar was very strict and rules-driven
In this bar things were way way bold.
In contrast, the lesbian bar was willing to take risks and be a bit bolder
I was dancing in a lesbian bar.
Once again, I enjoyed dancing and being part of the scene at the lesbian bar
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: RICHMAN JONATHAN MICHAEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind