You’ll need a good scrub in the bath after listening to some of these tracks…
Probably long before Little Richard even though about hollering “Tutti Frutti, Oh Rudi“, pop music has been awash with sexual reference and innuendo. Island Records’ current celebration of their 50th birthday found me thinking about ‘Pull Up To The Bumper’, the Grace Jones hit from 1981.
The elastic band bassline (courtesy of Sly and Robbie’s Robbie), pattering percussion and honking horns can’t disguise the fact that this track is downright filthy. Taken at lyrical face value it would appear to be about driving through city streets at night, cruising the scene looking for action. So far, so very 80s. The fact that it’s sung by a woman might change your perception of it a wee bit, but if you know anything about Grace Jones you’ll be well aware of her appetite for life’s little pleasures.
It should therefore come as no surprise when you read between the lyrics and discover that Pull Up To The Bumper is really an open invitation to come and get it.
Driving down those city streets,
Waiting to get down,
Want to ditch your big machine,
Somewhere in this town?
You’ll find the proper place,
Just follow all the written rules,
You’ll fit into the space.
Now in the park and lock garage,
Pull up to my bumper baby,
In your long black limosine,
Pull up to my bumper baby,
And drive it in between.
Pull up, to it, don’t drive, through it,
Back it, up twice, now that, fit’s nice.
back up I’ll pump your tire baby
We operate around the clock,
So won’t you please come in?
There’s lot’s of space for everyone,
Plus one for you my friend?
The lines are short,
I’ll fix you up so won’t you please come on,
That shiny, sleek machine you wheel,
I’ve got to blow your horn.
Pull up to my bumper baby,
In your long black limosine,
Pull up to my bumper baby,
Drive it in between.
Pull up to it, don’t drive through it,
Back it, up twice, now that fits nice,
Grease it, spray it, let me luricate it,
Pull up to my bumper baby.
See what I mean? There’s a multitude of versions out there. In addition to the original version from the Nightclubbing album (see above), there’s a nice early version from the Compass Point studio sessions (I think). There’s also an extended 12″ (uh-huh) version, which is basically the unedited final version of the album track. Larry Levan, Paradise Garage house DJ supremo took that version and updated it to a sleeker, club-friendly version. This version reminds me a whole lot of..
…‘Lady Cab Driver’ by Prince. Shuffling percussion? Check! Rinky-dink funk guitar? Check! Honking horns? Check! Suggestive lyrics? Check, although Prince isn’t as suggestive as Grace Jones, he’s more straight ahead and right to the point. Of course, the purple headed perv is no stranger to such things. But you knew that already. But have you heard the alternate mix of ‘Erotic City‘?
The easily offended should cover their ears and look away now. The Clique are a mysterious band. The ying to Grace Jones yang, their track ‘Bareback Donkey Riding’ was recorded in 1995 by Mr Lo-fi himself, Liam ‘Friend of Jack White’ Watson at ToeRag Studios. But if you didn’t know that, you would be let off for thinking this track was recorded by some enthusiastic mid-western garage band in 1964. Heavy on the hammond, distortion and passionate vocals, it’s a Nugget-friendly no hit wonder. But have a listen to some of the lyrics…
Well here we are again
It’s you and me my friend
Let’s go throught he same routine
We’ll get there in the end
Last night she went away
Didn’t want to stay
Packed her bags and called a cab
I guess it’s not my day
If I could find a girl who’d like to hold the reigns
We could carry on our sordid lovers games
Bareback Donkey Riding! Bareback Donkey Riding!
Let’s go through the same routine? Beg beg beg! What d’you mean “not tonight?” Sounds like his girl left him because he wanted to do something that she didn’t. ‘Bareback‘? No protection? Another word for donkey? I’ll leave you to work out what it all means. I might be wrong…
*BONUS TRACK. Here‘s the Serge Santiago Special Edit of Grace Jones‘ ‘Slave To The Rhythm’.
Plain Or Pan 
Excellent post, great blog. From where did that 18 minute version of Erotic City come?
OOPS! Not 18 minutes. For some reason Winamp reads the time of the file as 18:16 and I was getting really, really excited. Still, great post.
Here in the NZ version of stars in their eyes (yes, we are still in the dark ages) we had a woman singing pull up to the bumper, strangely enough she didn’t win….
Nice to here that Clique track. I’ve a couple of 7″ singles by them, but have heard nothing of the band since I bought them back in the day.
strangely enough, me and the missus were talking about this Grace Jones track the other day. I was pointing out how filthy it was..and she thought it was all about lady drivers.
And I’ve always loved that version of Erotic City (very surprised the purple yin hasnt fied a dmca notice your way yet…)
Great post, cool versions of Grace Jones. Love her, especially the Nightclubbing sounds.
And that alternate take of Erotic City – ace. I am a big Prince fan, but that version had escaped me before… Thanks
the original pull up to the bumper 12 inch was also a vocal version of the album edit that released on 12 inch, the larry levan version u posted is considered the dub version and b-side of the vocal 12 inch that clock in at 6mins and 57 secs. U should post the vocal version. The larry levan dub version is allover the internet.