Timothy James Curry (born April 19, 1946 in Grappenhall, a district of Warr… Read Full Bio ↴Timothy James Curry (born April 19, 1946 in Grappenhall, a district of Warrington, England) is an English actor, vocalist and composer perhaps best known for his role as mad scientist Dr. Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975). He also had a later career as a rock musician. He studied Drama and English at Birmingham and then at Cambridge. His list of roles is extremely extensive, in both TV and movies, live-action and voice-acting for animated features, and it is notable that he almost always plays a villain of one kind or another. He currently resides in Los Angeles, though for the past year or so has been in Chicago and New York with the current Broadway hit Monty Python's Spamalot.

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.

White Cadillac
Tim Curry Lyrics

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I′d be so ashamed,
If I ever lost your llove.
You would not be blamed, They said you had me long enough.
I'd be so afraid, To face the promenade
Without your arm, Alone with just my charm.
You were born rich,
But not so smart, Baby.
I was born poor, And with a great big beautiful heart.

Even in your white cadillac,
With my baby in the back, you will seem very stiff to them, I know.
When you′re with those girls, and all your friends ain't girls
You will seem, very stiff to them I know.
I'd be so appalled, if you found a new affair.
Everyday I′d call, and you just wasn′t there.
You were born rich,
But not so smart, Baby.
I was born poor, and with a great big beautiful heart
Even in your white cadillac
With my baby in the back,
You will seem, very stiff to them
I know
When you're with those girls,
And all your friends ain′t girls,
You will seem, very stiff to them I know.
I know

I know
I know'...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tim Curry's song "White Cadillac" depict a complex and somewhat bittersweet relationship. The singer expresses a fear of losing the love of their partner and feeling ashamed if that were to happen. They acknowledge that others may blame the partner for holding onto them for so long. The singer also admits to being afraid of facing public scrutiny without their partner's support, feeling alone and relying solely on their charm.

The second verse highlights the differences between the singer and their partner. The partner is described as being born into wealth but lacking intelligence, while the singer was born poor but possesses a big and beautiful heart. The image of the partner driving a white Cadillac symbolizes their opulence and status.

The chorus reflects the singer's insecurity and jealousy. They believe that when their partner is in the white Cadillac with them in the backseat, they may come across as stiff and distant to others. The mention of the partner being surrounded by other girls and their friends not being just girls further fuels the singer's insecurities, implying a potential infidelity or flirtatious behavior.

The bridge portrays the singer's increasing distress at the thought of their partner finding a new love interest. They express their desperation by calling out for their partner every day, but receiving no response. The contrast between the partner's wealth and the singer's big heart suggests that love and emotional connection are more important than material possessions.

Overall, "White Cadillac" explores themes of love, insecurity, and social dynamics within a relationship. The song reveals the singer's fear of losing their partner, their struggle with self-esteem, and their vulnerability to jealousy and a sense of being replaced.

Line by Line Meaning

I'd be so ashamed
I would feel intense embarrassment

If I ever lost your love
If our relationship ended

You would not be blamed
You wouldn't be held responsible

They said you had me long enough
People think you've been with me for a sufficient amount of time

I'd be so afraid
I would feel immense fear

To face the promenade
To go out in public

Without your arm
Without your physical presence and support

Alone with just my charm
Relying solely on my charisma

You were born rich
You come from a wealthy background

But not so smart, Baby
But you may not possess great intelligence

I was born poor
I come from a humble upbringing