In 1978, A&M Records released Tim Curry's debut solo album. Entitled Read My Lips, the album featured an eclectic range of songs (mostly covers) performed in diverse genre. Highlights of the album are a reggae version of the Beatles song "I Will", a rendition of "Wake Nicodemus" with full bagpipe backing, and an original bar-room ballad, "Alan".
The following year, Curry's second and most successful album was released. Titled Fearless, the LP was more rock-oriented than Read My Lips and mostly featured original songs rather than cover versions. The record included Tim Curry's only US charting songs: "I Do the Rock" and "Paradise Garage".
Curry's third and final album, Simplicity, was released in 1981, again by A&M Records. This record did not sell as well as the previous offerings, due in part to a less appealing, more maudlin sound. This record combined both original songs and cover versions, and is commonly held to be the weakest of the three albums.
In 1989, A&M released The Best of Tim Curry on CD and cassette, featuring songs from his albums (including a live version of "Alan") and a previously-unreleased song, a live cover version of "Simple Twist of Fate".
Curry toured America with his band through the late 1970s and the first half of the 1980s.
Curry's first full-time role was as part of the original London cast of the musical Hair in 1968. Here he first met Richard O'Brien, who went on to create his next full-time and perhaps still most famous role, that of Frank N. Furter in the Rocky Horror Show.
Originally Curry rehearsed the character with a German accent and peroxide blonde hair, but the character evolved into the sly, very upper-class English (He says 'dine' instead of down, 'brine' instead of brown etc) drag-wearing mad scientist incarnation that carried over to the movie version and made Curry both a star and a cult figure. He continued to play the character in London, Los Angeles and New York until 1975.
For many years, Curry was reluctant to talk about Rocky Horror, feeling that it was a trend that had gone too far and had distracted attention away from his later roles. However, in recent years he has been much more open about discussing the show and now recognises it as a "rite of passage" for many young people.
Spaceship Races
Tim Curry Lyrics
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Spinning around in a busby swirl
With all that razzle-dazzle
I know at heart you want a down-home girl
Oh, you know I want to take you to the spaceship races
Watch them do a few laps around the sun
But if you don't go in for far-off places
When the day is done
Baby, you're so scattered
Your span of attention is shrinking fast
Your brain's been battered
By all the disappointments of the recent past
Oh, you know I want to take you to the spaceship races
Watch them do a few laps around the sun
But if you don't go in for far-off places
I'll take you home with me
Didn't I see you walking on Main Street
Looking in windows, waiting by turnstiles
Thinking of things
You thought you'd like to buy
Living off dreams stored up in film cans
Looking at screens just waiting your turn while
You looked up and saw a rocket in the sky
Oh, you know I want to take you to the spaceship races
Watch them do a few laps around the sun
But if you don't go in for far-off places
I'll take you home with me
When the day is done
When the day is done
The lyrics of Tim Curry's "Spaceship Races" speaks of the singer's admiration for a girl who seems to be exhausted and scattered from the hustle and bustle of the fast-paced world. He sees through her façade, realizing that she desires a more peaceful and grounded life, away from all the flashiness and razzmatazz. The singer expresses his desire to take her to the "spaceship races" with him, a metaphorical depiction of the exciting, endless possibilities that life has to offer. However, he also acknowledges that not everyone wishes to travel off into far-off places and galaxies. He tells her that if she prefers something simpler, he'll be willing to take her home with him when the day is done.
The lyrics emphasize the stark contrast between the glamorous, high-energy outward display of the world with the inner desire for something that feels real and grounded. The singer recognizes the overwhelming weight of disappointments and chaos hanging over the girl and attempts to help her find a way out of it, whether by joining him in the thrilling adventure of exploring new horizons or by finding solace in something simpler and homely.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, you're so frazzled
You're feeling agitated and confused.
Spinning around in a busby swirl
Your life is fast-paced and full of chaos.
With all that razzle-dazzle
You're trying to keep up with the glitz and glamour of life.
I know at heart you want a down-home girl
Deep down, you desire a simple and uncomplicated life.
Oh, you know I want to take you to the spaceship races
I want to show you the excitement and wonder of exploring the unknown.
Watch them do a few laps around the sun
Experience the thrill of space travel and adventure.
But if you don't go in for far-off places
If venturing into the unknown does not excite you,
I'll take you home with me
I'll show you the beauty and comfort of a simple life.
Baby, you're so scattered
You're disorganized and unfocused.
Your span of attention is shrinking fast
Your ability to concentrate is decreasing rapidly.
Your brain's been battered
You've been mentally exhausted by life's challenges.
By all the disappointments of the recent past
Your recent experiences have left you feeling let down and disheartened.
Didn't I see you walking on Main Street
I saw you wandering the busy, chaotic streets of the city.
Looking in windows, waiting by turnstiles
You're window shopping and waiting for something exciting to happen.
Thinking of things
You're contemplating what you could have or achieve.
You thought you'd like to buy
You're imagining what you might acquire to make you happy.
Living off dreams stored up in film cans
You're holding onto dreams and memories, hoping they will sustain you.
Looking at screens just waiting your turn while
You're idly watching and waiting for an opportunity to arise.
You looked up and saw a rocket in the sky
Suddenly, you're presented with an unexpected opportunity for adventure.
When the day is done
At the end of the day when all is said and done.
Contributed by Scarlett H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.