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.
Pass That Stage
Van Dyke Parks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We don't hesitate to try and create
And then perpatuate fictious impressions
Courteous words like "thank you, I'm sorry
Please and world you forgive me"
Which we once knew
Have now become a forgotten thing
But "convict and condemn" in our minds
Our bosom pals, without a trial
But this wickedness, crookedness
Stupid and malicious gile is out of style
Can't people construct and try to engage
In something to alleviate this present shortage
Control the urge to damage
And as the people be less savage
In this day and age
Remember we pass that stage
We share disrespect and then we object
When people reject us and call us low class
Saturday night infideliy's a damn joke
We're cussing, we're whoring
We're smoking dope
Sunday morning we're holier than the pope
When we critisize we tend to dramatize
Thereby exercising ignorance and folly
Why can't we forget about the pride and scrimmage
Ignore the old talk and gossip in the village
Cease the damn wastage
And as the people be less savage
In this day and age
Remember we pass that stage
The lyrics of Van Dyke Parks's song Pass That Stage convey a powerful message about society's flaws and the need for change. The song describes the tendency of people to create and perpetuate false impressions through courteous words like "thank you," "I'm sorry," and "please." These once cherished values have now become forgotten, and people have become quick to "convict and condemn" others without trial. There is a deep-rooted wickedness, crookedness, and malicious guile that has become the norm, and it is out of style.
However, the song's message is not one of despair but optimism. Parks urges people to control the urge to damage, construct and engage in something to alleviate the present shortage, and be less savage. The need to respect others, avoid dramatizing criticism, ignoring talk and gossip, and ceasing the damn wastage is crucial for society's overall well-being. The need to pass the current stage and move forward towards a better and more harmonious future.
Pass That Stage is a social critique that resonates with the general human condition. Parks delivers this strong message through his lyrics, which are both thought-provoking and challenging. He challenges all people to examine their conduct as individuals and as a society and seek ways to be better. The song's lyrics can be interpreted in many ways and perhaps interpreted differently by each listener.
Line by Line Meaning
We don't hesitate to try and create
We are quick to attempt to create things, without much hesitation
And then perpatuate fictious impressions
We continue to spread and uphold false ideas and beliefs
Courteous words like "thank you, I'm sorry
Polite phrases such as expressing thanks or apologies
Please and world you forgive me"
Words used to ask for forgiveness
Which we once knew
These phrases were once commonly used
Have now become a forgotten thing
They are no longer used and have been forgotten
Of the past
They are no longer relevant in the present
But "convict and condemn" in our minds
We often judge and condemn others in our thoughts
Our bosom pals, without a trial
Even our closest friends are judged without a fair trial
But this wickedness, crookedness
Acts of deceit and evil
Stupid and malicious gile is out of style
Deceitful and harmful behavior is no longer acceptable
Can't people construct and try to engage
Why can't people work together and attempt to solve problems?
In something to alleviate this present shortage
Come together to alleviate the current shortage
Control the urge to damage
Stop acting out in destructive ways
And as the people be less savage
When people act less barbaric
In this day and age
In modern times
Remember we pass that stage
We have moved beyond that behavior
We share disrespect and then we object
We are disrespectful but then get upset when others treat us the same way
When people reject us and call us low class
When others criticize us and consider us lower than them
Saturday night infideliy's a damn joke
Cheating on a Saturday night is seen as a humorous occurrence
We're cussing, we're whoring
We use foul language and engage in promiscuous behavior
We're smoking dope
We are using drugs
Sunday morning we're holier than the pope
On Sundays we act as if we are very religious
When we critisize we tend to dramatize
When we criticize others we often exaggerate the situation
Thereby exercising ignorance and folly
We display stupidity and foolishness in this way
Why can't we forget about the pride and scrimmage
Why can't we let go of our pride and arguments?
Ignore the old talk and gossip in the village
Don't pay attention to rumors and gossip
Cease the damn wastage
Stop wasting time and resources
Contributed by Peyton E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.