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Czar Lyrics
Time
If he could travel time
He would have been on time
Instead of making rhyme
He didnt need a band
He was a moutain man
Oil
The national turmoil
They hide it in the soil
A singer and his spoil
Just singing thanks
Ive got my own gas tanks
And theres no time for the man
Who has sung his bars
And theres no time
And theres no time for the man called Czar
Blue
Extraodinary blue
Ten million porthole views
Theyre saying on the news
The russians just said no,
You cant go
[chorus]
If he could travel time
He would have been on time
Instead of making rhyme
He didnt need a band
He was a moutain man
The national turmoil
They hide it in the soil
A singer and his spoil
Just singing thanks
Ive got my own gas tanks
Who has sung his bars
And theres no time
And theres no time for the man called Czar
Extraodinary blue
Ten million porthole views
Theyre saying on the news
The russians just said no,
You cant go
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This is a song about John Denver and some weird facts that Frank Black seemed to amass/retain about him over the years.
1st verse - can someone fill in the blanks?
2nd verse - During the oil shortage crisis in the 1970's, long lines would form when gas stations would refill their often empty tanks. Because he had the means to avoid this crisis, John Denver had his own gas tanks installed at his home.
Chorus - not sure if the Czar reference means anything more than Denver being extremely successful and powerful at the peak of his popularity.
Verse 3 - John Denver was an avid pilot (you know) and space enthusiast. He reportedly was rejected by NASA upon requesting a trip into space on one of their missions. He then nearly succeeded in flying up with the Soviet Space Agency (long before any non-Astronauts were doing so) after offering them ten million dollars for the opportunity.
If it is about John Denver, then the first verse makes sense. He could be doing whatever he is talking about rather than being a singer/songwriter (making rhyme). He didn't need a band, since he could probably perform all his songs solo with an acoustic guitar. He was a mountain man would refer to some of his songs like "Rocky Mountain High" and "Take Me Home Country Roads."
If it is about John Denver, then the first verse makes sense. He could be doing whatever he is talking about rather than being a singer/songwriter (making rhyme). He didn't need a band, since he could probably perform all his songs solo with an acoustic guitar. He was a mountain man would refer to some of his songs like "Rocky Mountain High" and "Take Me Home Country Roads."
For years, I've thought this song was about John Denver, particularly because of the "Russians just said no, you can't go" line. This is the first time I've read someone sharing the opinion.
For years, I've thought this song was about John Denver, particularly because of the "Russians just said no, you can't go" line. This is the first time I've read someone sharing the opinion.
Thanks! This song was complete mystery before I read your analysis