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Throughout this page, technical notes will define what steps were taken to record individual songs as the band learned specific ways to use their primitive skill set and recording equipment and employ musical intricacies that were both rock and jazz-based. They really did amazing things with very little and, in the process, learned the basics of good rock ‘n’ roll that would make their later recordings in sophisticated studios much richer. Indeed, while these recordingss are primitive in some ways, and the performance skills are sometimes lacking, it is hard to appreciate that these songs were recorded in a small basement with a single two-track recorder, a primitive reverb unit, and NO other techically-advanced equipment. Recording the songs took several months. Several of them were re-recorded six months later, after Steve Yates got his Hammond organ and the band made a few personnel changes.
(click title for lyrics and tech notes. Click speaker icon to hear a sample!)
Sets up the album and the home for all the characters with the title song, then visits Mrs. Murphy, Zeke, an old bag, stops for some pool and ends in an instrumental.
1. Cherry Town, the song 
Describes the mystical place in the clouds where life is easy as citizens stay perpetually high (young) from the lime-green mist given off by Lilly Lime Lagoon and live beneath a sky bedecked with dot-dot-polka dots. The songs of Cherry Town were written by Jack Eadon: with great naivete' but significant insight, about impending adult life. He wrote all of the songs of Cherry Town in four days in 1967, while he was ill at home with bronchitis. It is indeed a concept album, not just in name, but in content. The title song sets up the place that is home for all of the characters and places that make up the Cherry Town collection.
2. Mrs. Murphy's Purple Grocery Store
Mrs. Murphy is the happiest woman in Cherry Town. She represents unending happiness that youth sees as its birthright. So her store represents all those things that kids love and perceive will always be there. Her struggle is to perpetuate that happiness despite more adult ways of viewing things. She is friends with Zany Zeke the Blacksmith but disagrees with his realistic perspective on life: it should not be dour or dreary, but fun and alive. In the perfect world that is Cherry Town, Mrs. Murphy and Zany Zeke will find each other and live happily ever after.
3. Zany Zeke the Blacksmith
Zany Zeke is the saddest man in Cherry Town. He represents a child’s view of adult hood—that constant work and responsibility is some how unfair because the freedom that is a child’s right is taken away and replaced with the drudgery of a nine-to-five job. Zany Zeke was very much based on Jack Eadon’s father, who seemed sad and happy at the same time as a grown-up did to mid-teens. Zeke is friends with Mrs. Murphy and deserves her and a world that is happy all the time, like she is. At some point, they find that they can solve each others woes: that Mrs. Murphy can put into Zany Zeke’s life a sense of happiness; that Zany Zeke can instill in her a sense of adult balance.
4. Miss Crankhouse (The Old Bag)
For many years Miss Crankhouse taught at Cherry Town High School, referred to in the song as Cherry Town H. S. From all the stress of her job, she finally died at 105 years old. After that, she reappeared in Cherry Town to all the teens out on dates as a spirit, wandering the streets with her “cool, cranberry eyes.”
Miss Crankhouse is a symbol for Miss Blanche Borg, who taught Jack much of what he knows about English and who left a school named for her behind after she died. This song and the entire CHERRY TOWN album is dedicated to her!
5. Happy-Go-Lucky's Pool Hall Gang
Happy-Go-Lucky’s Pool Hall Gang is, in many ways, the most important song in the CHERRY TOWN collection. It cynically talks about the negative value of comformity for conformity sake. It makes a point that “Even after Happy fades away, the whole idea of his gang will stay.” It further says sarcastically, “That’s the way you want it, that’s the way it is.” The applause tracks added underline the “approval”
mentality that is at the base of mindless conformity.
It is quite a social statement and deep thinking for band members in their young-mid teens!
6. Lucky Lilah Lucky (instrumental)
Lucky Lilah Lucky is the only prostitute in Cherry Town. She has no friends, but receives love only for money. She eventually meets Banker Beegee, who is quite materialistic. Together they find that love can be a meaningful replacement for money. Just maybe they’ll get together. They can learn from each other.
Technical Notes
Lucky Lilah Lucky is an instrumental comprised of multiple riffs on the lead guitar, bass guitar, organ, and rthymn guitar. It celebrated some of the band’s love of intracy of arrangemtnt that is seen in other CHERRY TOWN songs like Happy High Day and Lilly Lime lagoon. The same intricacy can be seen in later recordings of Khazad Doom.
(click song for lyrics and technical notes)
The concept album digs deeper into Cherry Town and discovers treasure of memorable characters. The albums epilogue will make you want to return to Cherry Town again and again.
1. Luvva is a Beautiful Thing
Luvva is all about love as perceived by a young teen—a first-time, innocent love. The lyrics focus on the variables that are of most importance to young teens: proving loyalty as a sign of love, always being happy together, kissing a lot, going to favorite places to make-out, and having an idealistic view of love—that “being close” in any kind of weather should be the goal of an emerging relationship. It ends, having changed “I like you” to “I love you, ” by no accident. That’s sort of the point of the song. Recognizing there is a difference between liking
someone and loving them—the kids of Cherry Town High learn that lesson.
2. Happy High Day's Here
Lilly Lime Lagoon emits a perpetual lime green mist that circulates throughout Cherry Town and keeps the citizenry perpetually high, a symbol for NOT growing up and facings the eventual realities of adulthood. A visit to the lagoon to get high is captured in Happy High Day, when a citizen goes there and experiences getting high for the first time.
3. Chilly Penguin's Bar
Chilly Penguin is the smallest man in Cherry Town. He has a reputation for being a real non-conformist. He has a bar(Cherry Town’s only) that caters to all the citizens who are eager to avail themselves of his nonconformist ways. That happened to be a “style” that was very popular in the sixties, when Cherry Town was written. The fact that Chilly Penguin said “he was really me,” the author, happened long before John Lennon procleaimed himself the Walrus in that song.
4. Banker BeeGee's Barracuda
Like many people in this world, Banker Beegee is a materialistic fellow. His life revolves around his car, which is a symbol of his quest for material things. His single-minded vision has made love an unreachable goal. But, one night he meets Lucky Lilah Lucky, Cherry Town’s only prostitute, and someone who is also missing love in her life too. Together they see that they can be happier if they focus on getting love, maybe from each other, in their lives.
5. Lilly Lime Lagoon
Lilly Lime Lagoon is in and around Cherry Town. It emits a lime green mist that drifts through the town and keeps all the citizens perpetually high and prevents them from dealing with the intricacies of adulthood. It is this lagoon that citizens go to in order to “ease back” as they get high. Happy High Day discusses such a trip to highness, all its good and bad aspects.
Lilly Lime Lagoon is described as a beautiful destination
for citizens of Cherry Town. It is the way young adults want to perceive their future, but “the mysterious man named Moon” allows them to believe
that there is a lot they don’t know—endless, magical possibilities.
6. Cherry Town Epilogue
The characters at the end of the Cherry Town “story.” It’s basically an idealized view of the world: every thing turns out just perfect. Take a read of the lyrics
to the right and see what happens. Read the lyrics
closely because they were never recorded. Cherry Town Epilogue was recorded only as a jazzy instrumental! It’s clearly the way a mid-teen would like to see things turn out.
Cherry Town, the song
Luvva is a beautiful thing-a
Makes me feel like a King-a
When I’m near you.
Happy when we are together ,
Any kind of weather,
When I’m with you.
Hold me tight, kiss me a lot
Please let me know that you’re near me.
Give me a chance to prove my luvva.
I won’t let a single blue tear be,
In your eyes.
Horn cut
Refrain
We’ll have fun wherever we go,
The park, the beach, a dance, or a movie.
I’ll bring you home early; kiss you good night,
I’m gonna make you feel real groovy I like you.
Luvva is a beauteous thing
I feel like a king,
When I’m near you.
You make me feel happy,
When we’re close together
Any kind of weather (even sleet or snow)
When I’m near you.
Refrain
I love you. Wahoo!
Technical Notes---
Luvva was the most technically diffcult songs in the Cherry Town collection. It was also the most sophisticated in that it truly made “the medium the message.” Even with their simple 2-track recorder, the band was able to create a spacious instrumental track. Most impressive
they were able to create a convincing “Chipmunk” type vocal by recording the vocal while listening to a slower-than-normal instrumental track, then speeding both up.
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Mrs. Murphy's Purple Grocery Store
There is a store in Cherry Town,
Mrs. Murphy’s Purple Grocery Store.
Anyone can find just what he needs.
Mrs. Murphy’s Purple Grocery Store.
refrain
Ever seen popcorn floatin’ through the air?
Hot, pink pork that’s not near rare?
Albino oranges; candy on a stick?
Gumdrops and rainbow suckers to lick?
Mrs. Murphy has them there,
Even though it seems quite rare.
Mrs. Murphy’s sacred ever-lovin’ Purple Grocery Store.
Day after day her stock improves.
Candy-coated spinach happily proves.
That every Cherry Town kid at CT High
Will all flip their lids and start to fly:
High, Fly, Why, Sigh. High, Fly, Why, Sigh.
Refrain
Mrs. Murphy has them there,
Even though it seems quite rare.
Mrs. Murphy’s sacred ever-lovin’ Purple Grocery Store.
Mrs. Murphy’s sacred ever-lovin’ Purple Grocery Store.
Mrs. Murphy’s sacred ever-lovin’ Purple Grocery Store.
Technical Notes---
In the 1967-8 period, when Mrs. Murphy’s Purple Grocery Store was written and recorded by a single recorder in a basement, the Laymen, later to become Khazad Doom, tried to utilize the song structure made popular by Buddy Holly and later the Beatles. The so-called “nonsense” lyrics
of the song followed popular culture of the time. After all, who ever heard of “flying popcorn?” The melodic bass part, contributed by Tom Sievers, gave each of the CHERRY TOWN songs a distinct personality.
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Zany Zeke the Blacksmith
Zany Zeke the Blacksmith is certainly that kind.
Has his shop in the middle of happy Cherry Town.
He’s been working all his life for pennies. Oh.
And he’s sad, but he’s happy.
Yes, he’s happy, but he’s sad.
All day long he shoes his horses even though they might object.
Has a drink at Chilly’s bar ‘cause Chilly gives him respect.
He knows that some day Chilly won’t be waitin’.
And he’s sad, but he’s happy.
I think he’s happy, but he’s sad.
Zany Zeke, won’t you stop that runnin’ around.
It’ll be sure to catch up to you some day.
This way you’ll really catch your mind on fi-re.
But if it’s really the way you want it to stay!
A worker like you should save his money
And give his love to all.
Work all week; stay awake all night
And Saturdays have a ball.
That’s the way a man like you should live it.
Oh. Don’t be sad, just be happy.
A worker like you shouldn’t be that sad at all.
Please, don’t be sad, just be happy.
Is all that sadness really worth it all.
Zany Zeke the Blacksmith, don’t you be sad any more.
Zany Zeke the Blacksmith, oh please don’t be sad any more . . .
Technical Notes---
Zany Zeke the Blacksmith was probably the most mature of the Cherry Town songs. Lyrically it tackled issues about adulthood, like its seriousness and happiness and tried to resolve them. The song even tackles issues like death, new to young teens: “He knows that some day Chilly won’t be waitin’ ” is a clear reference. The song tried to utilize the song structure made popular by Buddy Holly and later the Beatles. The so-called “nonsense” lyrics of the song followed popular culture of the time.
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Miss Crankhouse (The Old Bag)
Intro: Taps
The old Bag is Gone! The old bag is gone!
Miss Crankhouse is a very special gal.
105 years old and you can tell
Where she’s been and what she’s done, oh swell.
Miss Crankhouse is a very special gal.
Chorus
The old bag is gone! Gone! Gone!
She taught school at Cherry Town HS
And died at 105 from all the stress.
Guys and gals of different types and shades
Killed her dead and made a super trade.
The old bag is certainly dead. Dead.
Horn Cut
Chorus
Days have come and gone since she’s been ‘round.
She still lingers all around the town.
People look at her to no surprise
And see those cool, gazin’ cranberry eyes.
Chorus . . . chorus and fade.
Technical Notes---
Miss Crankhouse was not only breakthrough because of its horn usage and roving bass parts, but because it starts with TAPS, consistent with the funeral/after death theme. Its catchy melody is joined by a sudden change in time signature and choral vocal parts which, while less than pristine, were inspired and different in 1967. The Beachboys could have done wonders with these parts!
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Happy-Go-Lucky's Pool Hall Gang
Happy-Go-Lucky’s got a pool hall gang.
Everywhere they go it’s a royal riot.
Kissin’ all the girls; they say what fun.
Happy-Go-Lucky is the seventh son.
Wear the same clothes every day of the week, that’s fine.
Talk just the, walk just the same, what a funny kind.
That’s the way you want it; that’s the way it is.
Even after Happy fades away.
The whole idea of his gang will stay.
Some think it’s fun to be the same.
But those people never grab that fame.
Ya gotta be different to be noticed in a world like ours.
And if you’re good and different, open up the doors.
That’s the way you want it; that’s the way it is.
Happy-Go-Lucky’s Pool Hall Gang.
Instrumental Cut
Happy-Go-Lucky’s got a pool hall gang.
Everywhere they go it’s a royal riot.
Kissin’ all the girls, they say what fun.
Happy-Go-Lucky is the seventh son.
Wear the same clothes every day of the week, that’s fine.
Talk just the, walk just the same, what a funny kind.
That’s the way you want it; that’s the way it is.
Happy-Go-Lucky’s Pool Hall Gang.
Technical Notes---
Happy-Go-Lucky’s Pool Hall Gang employs a repetitive riff, clapping, and applause added in re-mastering, to enhance the anti-conformist message.
Luvva
Luvva is a beautiful thing-a
Makes me feel like a King-a
When I’m near you.
Happy when we are together ,
Any kind of weather,
When I’m with you.
Hold me tight, kiss me a lot
Please let me know that you’re near me.
Give me a chance to prove my luvva.
I won’t let a single blue tear be,
In your eyes.
Horn cut
Refrain
We’ll have fun wherever we go,
The park, the beach, a dance, or a movie.
I’ll bring you home early; kiss you good night,
I’m gonna make you feel real groovy I like you.
Luvva is a beauteous thing
I feel like a king,
When I’m near you.
You make me feel happy,
When we’re close together
Any kind of weather (even sleet or snow)
When I’m near you.
Refrain
I love you. Wahoo!
Technical Notes---
Luvva was the most technically diffcult songs in the Cherry Town collection. It was also the most sophisticated in that it truly made “the medium the message.” Even with their simple 2-track recorder, the band was able to create a spacious instrumental track. Most impressive, they were able to create a convincing “Chipmunk” type vocal by recording the vocal while listening to a slower-than-normal instrumental track, then speeding both up.
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Happy High Day's Here
Sunny bright day and you feel real good
And you want to get happy high.
Your mother died and your daddy’s sick,
And you feel like you want to cry.
Refrain
You go to Lime Lagoon.
They say it will happen soon.
You take-a the stuff; it’s rough.
And you’re really happy high by noon.
Chorus
Happy high day’s here.
You look into the Lilly Lime mirror.
The God, the sun, the stars are near.
You’re happy high; you’re out of gear.
The day wears on and you’re comin’ down,
But you want to stay wear things are sound.
You’re all alone except for God’s love,
And the flowers sing to you all around.
Gimme a chance , you say to them.
Make them try to understand.
Oh, I don’t want down, keep me up where I am.
The sky is miles from the ground.
Chorus
Intro
Organ cut
Refrain
Chorus
Intro
Technical Notes---
There are three versions of Happy High Day, but the album includes only the most advanced one after Steve Yates got his Hammond organ and Steve Hilkin was added as drummer. The orchestra bells were added during re-mastering.
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Chilly Penguin's Bar
Chilly Penguin’s Bar serves the best booze around.
The owner is a little penguin man;
The smallest man in Cherry Town.
He’s nice to all the people; especially the ones he knows.
If anybody gives him trouble, he shows ‘em right where to go.
Chilly Penguin’s Bar: the swingin’-est place in town.
Purple, red, and blue swirls on the wall
And Chilly Penguin wears a crown.
The go-go dancers run around havin’ a groovy time
Chilly just sits there laughin’; guys like him are hard to find.
Chilly, Chilly ah . . . instrumental cut
Chilly Penguin’s crazy bar; the people come to sit and stare.
They see him wearin’ clothes of pink and green
And a golden crown in his hair.
Some people think he’s funny; especially what they see.
But I don’t think it’s funny
‘Cause Chilly Penguin’s really me.
Chilly, chilly ah . . . instrumental cut
Technical Notes---
The melodic, rythymic bass part gave Chilly Penguin’s Bar” a real personality, while the psychedelic “cut” showed off the band’s ability to change time signatures and create unusual sounds, despite their primitive recording set-up and instrumentation.
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Banker BeeGee's Barracuda
Oh-oh . . .
All his life he’s been runnin’ wild.
Oh-oh , but his car is personally styled.
That’s bad.
His car is his life and his life is his car.
That’s all he cares about.
His first impression is his only concession
To impress the babes and take them out.
Dream . . .
Banker BeeGee, oh, face the facts.
You can’t love a car that doesn’t mean half as much.
Mmm, get a girl, and love her with all of your heart.
Get a car that doesn’t mean half as much.
Oh no, is that the only way to do it?
Oh-oh . . . money isn’t all.
Yeah, yeah. Love is something special.
That’s good.
Technical Notes---
Banker Beegee is rich because of its anti-materialistic lyrics, but also because of its Christmas Caeol-esqe dream sequence that tells Banker Beegee that his should put aside his quest in exchange for love. The primitive reverb system and dream-like sound effects are convincing and a counterpoint to the traditional style of the song.
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Lilly Lime Lagoon
Dawn is breaking on the shores of Lilly Lime Lagoon.
No one’s there to see the mist except a man named moon.
The dew is hanging on the sacred poppies in the sky.
The sun is on its daily trip; it’s always happy high.
Chorus
Lilly Lime Lagoon: Its cool, lime waters draw me there.
I hope to get there soon. Its mistiness is everywhere.
The golden reeds keep singing songs of mysteries past and gone.
The gentle waves keep lapping on the effervescent shore.
Darkness comes and shadows fall; the dew will be here soon.
In the misty nightlife of the mysterious man named moon.
Chorus
Instrumental cut
The day has gone from a rosy dawn to an amber golden end.
The reeds are sparkling in the light; the cool breeze makes them bend.
Darkness comes and shadows fall; the dew will be here soon.
In the misty nightlife of the mysterious man named moon.
Chorus
Lilly Lime Lagoon. Lilly Lime Lagoon (repeat.)
Instrumental cut
Technical Notes---
There are several versions of Lilly Lime Lagoon, but this is the last and best.. It includes Steve Hilkin on drums and Steve Yates’ on his new Hammond organ. In just one extraordinary year the band had gone from executing a primitive interpretation of Jack Eadon’s vision to a sophisticated, quite jazz-based arrangement. Just listen to the intricate interplay of guitar, organ, bass guitar and drums in the instrumental sections!
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Cherry Town Epilogue
The cool wind blows, the time is right.
Heat waves roll, no need for fright.
Easy time is here and gay.
There’s no better cloud to stay than . . .
Cherry Town, Zeke is happy; no more woes.
And Luvva is the way to go; Happy High Day, sleet or snow.
And Baker Beegee made Lucky Lilah Lucky;
Man and wife together what a show, and they call it . . .
Cherry Town, where Chilly Penguin wears his crown.
Miss Crankhouse walks the streets to astound,
And at Lime Lagoon, the sun goes down,
And Happy-go-lucky’s Pool Hall Gang is dressing in variety.
The world will be . . .
Cherry Town, things are sound.
Cherry Town, things are sound.
“Hey didn’t we forget somebody?”
Mrs. Murphy’s Sacred Ever lovin’ Purple grocery store.
Mrs. Murphy’s Sacred Ever lovin’ Purple grocery store.
Dot-dot-polka dot, dot-dot-polka dot, dot-dot-polka dot.
“CHERRY TOWN!”
Technical Notes---
Cherry Town Epilogue reprises Cherry Town, but tells a nice ending story. The jazzy bass is fundamental and the swishing drums set a mood. It is a nice end to the Cherry Town songs and story.
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