A RECORD SHOP’S SACRED TO ME
Like a Temple of antiquity
A record shop's sacred to me
the gate-fold scrolls
the lost idols
on 45 and 33
the racks all laid with records made
begging to be picked up and played
from A to Zed
in genre beds
their sleeves seem to reach out to me
and say
come on
just take the risk
buy the vinyl
spin the disc
you know there's nothing
'more than this'
a euphonious discovery
Like a place that offers sanctuary
the record shop's sacred to me
I can browse for 40 days
in a place where others come to pray
protected by musicality
or some decree
that sets me free
on flights of fancy
and fights for rights
and bass lines
that keep me up
all night
and say
come here
with bedroom eyes
or promise danger
and surprise
fables, tales
and songs of love
or protest songs
tracks on the blood
like a face that reflects back to me
every life I wish happened to me
a record mirror
a picture disc
yellow Blondie vinyl 'Picture This'
there is something holy in these stores
relics stored across all floors
the faithful in rows
they bow their heads
Long haired headbangers, ska skinheads,
fanatic disciples
by music led
into this place
this sacred space
a record shop's sacred to me
there are no commandments
laid in stone
just advice from Dandy Livingstone
there's no pomposity
in posterity
what's special to you
may not be to me
but we both love 'A Message to You, Rudy'
it's a pilgrimage
it's an important mission
it a quest for Bowie's 'Sound and Vision'
Its a therapy, It's a weird regression
It's a kleptomaniacs obsession
each new release by my favourite band
or the one hit wonder I cannot stand
every obscure track
written just for you
or the chart topping
teeny bopping
massive tune
says come on handsome
take me home
i am much sexier
than a file on your phone
and you know they're right
crackling warm and bright
like an audible candle
through the night
spinning dreams that set us free
a record shop's sacred to me
the thrill of the search, the unexpected
the solo acts, the bands collected
Japanese imports, ten inch EP's
greatest hits and odd obscurities
I love the hunt for something new
for familiar and classic tunes
hidden down the back
the bonus track
some sections beg you to flick through
the chain, the indie left field shop
the gate-fold artwork opened up
single,double, triple LP
cassettes and singles on CD
a record shop's sacred to me
the aisles in which the congregation
gather one groove under a nation
we all come on quests
some in band vests
and criss crass across
'Station to Station'
like a Unitarian church for all
we heard their radio clarion call
you know the band your mate had played?
the record that refused to fade
I now have to collect them all
more releases than members in The Fall
We all turn up for Mark.E.Smith
The Smiths, Robert, for Bob and Cliff
Burton not Richards, Keith not cheggers
Banquet choosers can't be beggars
Stax of records,Def Jam, Epic
Atlantic, Island, labels
Blue note, Motown, Capitol
In crates on top of tables
Our hymn book pressed
Back in the day
Warner, Columbia,RCA
No fairy God
Up in the Sky
Virgin, Elektra,EMI
A record shop's sacred to me
This pilgrimage
This magic quest
the holy grail
a pressing test
White label,
rare find
special mission
original
limited edition
Know the blues
and you will see
that Rock and roll
will set you free
a record shop's sacred to me
be anyone you want to be
a record shop's sacred to me
take all the shops in the high street
but a record shop's sacred to me
there is nowhere else
i would rather be
a record shop's sacred to me
