Camper Van Beethoven — 51-7
Album: New Roman TimesAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 636
Length: 4:26
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I've been through all kinds of changes
Cut my hair, dyed it black in stages
Been in trouble with the law,
but that's all
over now
ready for the big time, 51-7.
Left home, don't think my father or brothers ever noticed
Mom, half-baked on weed and Scientology
My father ?
well, don't you never mind
I'm ready for the big time, 51-7.
You think you're strong enough
You think you're tough enough
You think you got what it's take
until you're 51-7
You think you're smart enough
You think you know everything
but you don't know anything
until you're 51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
Nothing to believe in except for god and country
Can't stand to see them pushed around, messed with, or fucked up
It'll give me a chance to show the world what I'm made of
Come on, come on, 51-7
You think you're tough enough
You think you've seen everything
But you ain't seen anything
Until you're 51-7
You think you're smart enough
You think you know everything
But you don't know anything
Until you're 51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
You think you're strong enough
You think you're tough enough
You think you've got what it takes
to be 51-7
You think you're smart enough
You think you know everything
But you don't know shit...for brains
Until you're 51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
Cut my hair, dyed it black in stages
Been in trouble with the law,
but that's all
over now
ready for the big time, 51-7.
Left home, don't think my father or brothers ever noticed
Mom, half-baked on weed and Scientology
My father ?
well, don't you never mind
I'm ready for the big time, 51-7.
You think you're strong enough
You think you're tough enough
You think you got what it's take
until you're 51-7
You think you're smart enough
You think you know everything
but you don't know anything
until you're 51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
Nothing to believe in except for god and country
Can't stand to see them pushed around, messed with, or fucked up
It'll give me a chance to show the world what I'm made of
Come on, come on, 51-7
You think you're tough enough
You think you've seen everything
But you ain't seen anything
Until you're 51-7
You think you're smart enough
You think you know everything
But you don't know anything
Until you're 51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
You think you're strong enough
You think you're tough enough
You think you've got what it takes
to be 51-7
You think you're smart enough
You think you know everything
But you don't know shit...for brains
Until you're 51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
51-7
Comments (70)add comment
Excellent!
lookup from my work expecting this was the Wallflowers. 
harmaton wrote:
44, obviously.
what the hell is 51-7?
44, obviously.
harmaton wrote:
could be this:
https://www.bibleref.com/Psalms/51/Psalm-51-7.html#:~:text=Psalm%2051%3A7%2C%20NLT%3A,will%20be%20whiter%20than%20snow.%22
what the hell is 51-7?
could be this:
https://www.bibleref.com/Psalms/51/Psalm-51-7.html#:~:text=Psalm%2051%3A7%2C%20NLT%3A,will%20be%20whiter%20than%20snow.%22
I was so sure this song would be from the 90s. It definitely has that sound...
floydoftherocks wrote:
As a 'Euro-Leftie' can I state how very much I like this album and the band!
Great song from a great band.. part of a theme album written in revulsion to the invasion of Vietnam.. err Iraq. Surprising the euro-lefties seem to hate it so much.
As a 'Euro-Leftie' can I state how very much I like this album and the band!
Proclivities wrote:
This album was essentially a sci-fi concept album about some fictional/parallel universe war between factions from Texas and California. 51-7 is apparently some elite Texan military unit in that dimension.
Conceptual songs 'n LPs (and really awful CVB ones at that) aside, Texas "military units" are nothing fictional nor conceptual. At all. Talk to pretty much anyone in Texas law enforcement about what keeps them up at night and it's not Mexican drug lords or border walls or lack thereof or the more stereotypical crime & disorder stuff; rather, it's the completely insane and self-described "posse comitatus" types running rampant throughout TX. Elsewhere too.
This album was essentially a sci-fi concept album about some fictional/parallel universe war between factions from Texas and California. 51-7 is apparently some elite Texan military unit in that dimension.
Conceptual songs 'n LPs (and really awful CVB ones at that) aside, Texas "military units" are nothing fictional nor conceptual. At all. Talk to pretty much anyone in Texas law enforcement about what keeps them up at night and it's not Mexican drug lords or border walls or lack thereof or the more stereotypical crime & disorder stuff; rather, it's the completely insane and self-described "posse comitatus" types running rampant throughout TX. Elsewhere too.
harmaton wrote:
This album was essentially a sci-fi concept album about some fictional/parallel universe war between factions from Texas and California. 51-7 is apparently some elite Texan military unit in that dimension.
what the hell is 51-7?
This album was essentially a sci-fi concept album about some fictional/parallel universe war between factions from Texas and California. 51-7 is apparently some elite Texan military unit in that dimension.
Dear gawd could there be a more ridiculous song? I think not. ASTS.
Waste of air-time Bill! To play this repetitive crap instead of something more creative and engaging doesn't make good RP sense! (IMHO)
This has a similar vibe than the Wedding Present has to me, anyone else feels like that?
scraig wrote:
Or "25 or 6 to 4"
Secretly I was hoping Bill would follow this up with Toot's "54-46 Was My Number."
Or "25 or 6 to 4"
floydoftherocks wrote:
speaking of war, that guys annoying voice may be worth an invasion to shut it up...
Great song from a great band.. part of a theme album written in revulsion to the invasion of Vietnam.. err Iraq. Surprising the euro-lefties seem to hate it so much.
speaking of war, that guys annoying voice may be worth an invasion to shut it up...
Poacher wrote:
The David Lowery connection.
Cracker Van Beethoven?
The David Lowery connection.
Great song from a great band.. part of a theme album written in revulsion to the invasion of Vietnam.. err Iraq. Surprising the euro-lefties seem to hate it so much.
Utterly forgettable.
Secretly I was hoping Bill would follow this up with Toot's "54-46 Was My Number."
Is it really supposed to sound like that?
Cracker Van Beethoven?
I guess I have s**t for brains because I like this song.... Maybe it's because I live in a military town. 
btw: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/517th_Parachute_Regimental_Combat_Team
btw: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/517th_Parachute_Regimental_Combat_Team
Is this a really solid commitment to having one week off a year? I don't get it and if i did i think i'd use some sort of topical cream to remove it.
pushkinjim wrote:
Don't try to foist that kind of stuff on us poor New Worlders.
C'mon Bill! This is getting bad! We're suffering here in Europe while you are sleeping. Play this stuff when we're asleep instead, if you like it enough to play it.
Don't try to foist that kind of stuff on us poor New Worlders.
51-7,
51-7,
51-7,
51-7,
51-7...
Yeah, we get it already.
pushkinjim wrote:
C'mon Bill! This is getting bad! We're suffering here in Europe while you are sleeping. Play this stuff when we're asleep instead, if you like it enough to play it.
I'd much rather the Swedes and the rest of you Europeans suffer while we Americans bask in the glory of good music.
And we pay for less for gas.
Ha Ha.
What's 51-7? The score of the last Patriots game?
I love Camper Van, but this is a bit lackluster. Happy Halloween Bill!!
banal.
I'll be 51-7 in 5 years.
C'mon Bill! This is getting bad! We're suffering here in Europe while you are sleeping. Play this stuff when we're asleep instead, if you like it enough to play it.
It would seem i have a picked a god morning today.Seems to be playing many of my fave bands.So far echo and the bunnymen,cowboy junkies,Tim Buckley and now these.
Can't wait for the next hour,keep it up Bill sir.
7/10
themotion wrote:
i don't know ... and i don't like it.
517th paratroop infantry regiment.
They go by 51-7 as an inside name.
harmaton wrote:
what the hell is 51-7?
i don't know ... and i don't like it.
highwindows wrote:
Sounds like this is where the Silversun Pickups got their "Lazy eye" inspiration from?
I do hear that similarity.
Comparing them, this is so bland.
Sounds like this is where the Silversun Pickups got their "Lazy eye" inspiration from?
Maybe 51-50
sigs song
horstman wrote:
This is a lot stronger than Greenland. IMHO
I may like Greenland better, but I am a fan of both.
PetriWessman wrote:
Well, I don't know but I can guess.
First, the name's a small pun on "Times New Roman", the popular font.
Second (and more important), the whole CD is a theme album with a very critical view towards the Bush administration, the Iraq war etc. Taking that into account, the title is pretty obvious: it's a comment on the new "empire buiding" mentality in the current U.S. administration, mirroring the old Romans. Probably with an "all empires also fall" subtext.
Just an educated guess.
Spot on. I saw David L. play this acoustic in a record store ("Shake It" in Cincinnati!! Best in the land you need no other reason to come to Cinci) and that was exactly what David said it was about. I've liked this band for years. I'm so glad they are back together.
harmaton wrote:
what the hell is 51-7?
From 6 posts below your question, "yowza_bean on 02-05-2005 @ 11:54:01 PM writes:
"Formerly troubled kid cleans up his act and joins the military, aspiring for the elite unit known as 51-7. This one's much easier to figure out than the earlier Camper songs."
Did Wallflowers subcontract the chorus harmonies? 
what the hell is 51-7?
This is a lot stronger than Greenland. IMHO
Gotta love that fiddle!
yeah. I didn't buy this when it came out. maybe it will make it into the cart sometime soon...
Saw the pre-release reunion tour. Their version of "Tusk" totally kicks A. But half the audience hated it...
Death_to_Clear_Channel wrote:
Sounds a tad like Cracker...
It ought to.
Sounds a tad like Cracker. Not bad.
"Song Meanings" link abve seems to offer most logical info. Please forgive the redundant indulgence in cut&paste.
"I've been through all kind of changes
Cut my hair dyed it black in stages
Been in trouble with the law, but that's all over now
I'm ready for the big time: 51-7
Left home don't think my five brothers ever noticed
Mom half-baked on weed and scientology
My father if I ever find, well don't you never mind
I'm ready for the big time: 51-7
CHORUS:
You think you're strong enough
You think you're tough enough
You think you've got what it takes to be 51-7
You think you're smart enough
You think you know everything
But you don't know anything 'til you're 51-7
51-7 51-7 51-7 51-7
Nothing to believe in except God and country
Can't stand to see ourselves pushed around or fucked with (clean alternative = or disrespected)
Well give me a chance to show the world what I'm made of
Come on, come on, 51-7
CHORUS (x2):
You think you're tough enough
You think you've seen everything
But you ain't seen anything 'til you're 51-7
You think you're smart enough
You think you know it all
But you don't know anything 'til you're 51-7
51-7 51-7 51-7 51-7"
yowza_bean on 02-05-2005 @ 11:54:01 PM writes:
"Formerly troubled kid cleans up his act and joins the military, aspiring for the elite unit known as 51-7. This one's much easier to figure out than the earlier Camper songs.
Roverfish wrote:
If the album's called New Roman Times shouldn't this song be titled "LI-VII"? ;-)
Anyone know the real reason for the title? Decent tune.
Well, I don't know but I can guess.
First, the name's a small pun on "Times New Roman", the popular font.
Second (and more important), the whole CD is a theme album with a very critical view towards the Bush administration, the Iraq war etc. Taking that into account, the title is pretty obvious: it's a comment on the new "empire buiding" mentality in the current U.S. administration, mirroring the old Romans. Probably with an "all empires also fall" subtext.
Just an educated guess.
If the album's called New Roman Times shouldn't this song be titled "LI-VII"? ;-)
Anyone know the real reason for the title? Decent tune.
i guess it's somewhat decent, but...
RP still plays nothing from their self-titled album? CVB simply don't get any better than that.
This band is opening for Modest Mouse tommorow in NYC. Should be a great concert.
I liked the weed/scientology reference...
S.
oh lets just Take The Skinheads Bowling
Townes Van Zandt
Eddie Van Halen
Hertz Van Hire
Little Ste Van & the Disciples of Soul
etc ad nauseam
ah, thank goodness for boring music, how else would you get the time and inclination to make up a useless list
sucks about the gear getting stolen
Mozart wrote:
51-7 is the score in the cricket match between NZ and Australia at the moment... 
It is also the score of most Chicago Bears games, the Bears having the "7"
Just saw CVB in Orlando on Sunday the 23rd. Great show! The played an unbelieveably small venue downtown here. There were maybe 150 people there and everyone was into it.
Dave talked a lot about some of the songs on the new album. When he referred to it as a "rock opera", someone yelled out "prog rock!" Dave said he wouldn't call it that , but conceded that he wouldn't argue the point because "you can't argue with a 50-year-old guy that smokes bongs".
Kinda Outfield in its chorus. Very Camper in its lyrics. Pretty good.
What an odd album. Just check out the song titles. Especially "That Gum You Like Is Back in Style" - a line from a dream sequence in "Twin Peaks". Plus several titles of older songs, even though the songs themselves are original.
The 517 is an Army unit. The CD is a rock opera, for lack of a better term, about a soldier going off to war. Soldiers in the 51-7 wouild know that someone is lying if they talked about serving in 5-17.
If you're looking for a totally obscure gem of a CD, check out the CVB song-for-song cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk."
It might be better if I knew what the hell he was talking about.... #-o
#-o 51-7 is the score in the cricket match between NZ and Australia at the moment...
What the hell is 51-7?
I like it - it's recognizably Camper but updated... Cracker Van Beethoven? The violins sound a little like "Pictures of Matchstick Men."
Wake me up when it is over, would you?
Camper is usually good, but this is a little...mellow.
Does Heinz 57 know about this?