Oliver Reed

Story Behind The Song

Lyrics written in 2006 by Graham Strachan for the band National Ghost. The music was composed by the band around the same time.

Song Description

Who do you want to be? Who did you want to be when you were young? This boy wanted to be Oliver Reed, an early twentieth century, brittish actor with an excessive taste for women,booze and adventure.

Song Length 5:06 Genre Rock - Roots/Rock n' Roll, Rock - Indie/Low-Fi
Tempo Medium (111 - 130) Lead Vocal Male Vocal
Mood Cheerful, Endearing Subject Actor, Famous People
Similar Artists The Talking Heads Language English
Era 2000 and later

Lyrics



I used to dream I was Oliver Reed
A swinging, hip Brit with flare
Bill Sikes with a gin up my sleeve
Pull my party trick out on a dare

A man's man and a ladies man
A girl on one arm and a pint in my other hand
Gerald Crich has gotten into me
I want to be Oliver Reed

Oliver Reed was a streetwise saint
The Errol Flynn of his day
A womanizer and a fearsome drunk
Who never succumbed to his fame

Self destructive with a cockeyed grin
Asked Richard Madley why he had orange skin
Shelly Winters might disagree, but
I want to be Oliver Reed

If I could recommend viewing "Women in Love" with a friend
Watch in awe while he's on the screen, the best damn musketeer you've seen
And if there's time I'll have a drink he liked the way it helped him think
And if there's time for another one I'll raise a glass to you

Glass to you, everybody dreams
How they want to be seen
There's nothing wrong with that
Your secret's safe with me
Everybody dreams
How they want to be seen
I'll tell you who I am
Who do you want to be?

Who are you?
John Wayne, Al Capone, Bruce Lee, Joey Ramone
James Dean, Cary Grant, Lou Reed, Robert Plant
Tom Waits, Jacques Cousteau, Johnie Ray, Vic Damone
Lenny Bruce, Michael Cain, Vincent Price, Ayn Rand

Lyrics Graham Strachan Music National Ghost
Producer National Ghost Performance National Ghost
Label Midwest Coast Records
This track is on 1 Member Playlists
Playlist Creator Playlist Name Date Added
Studiodawgs Productions London (Jim Ferrie) My Top Songs 5/17/2009
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