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Rodriguez — Crucify Your Mind
Album: Cold Fact
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 317









Released: 1970
Length: 2:28
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Was it a huntsman or a player
That made you pay the cost
That now assumes relaxed positions
And prostitutes your loss?
Were you tortured by your own thirst
In those pleasures that you seek
That made you Tom the curious
That makes you James the weak?

And you claim you got something going
Something you call unique
But I've seen your self-pity showing
As the tears roll down your cheek

Soon you know I'll leave you
And I'll never look behind
'Cos I was born for the purpose
That crucifies your mind.
So con, convince your mirror
As you've always done before
Giving substance to shadows
Giving substance ever more.

And you assume you got something to offer
Secrets shiny and new
But how much of you is repetition
That you didn't whisper to him too.
Comments (40)add comment
 bmckim wrote:
Am I the only one listening who thought this song was excruciatingly bad?  Pretentious?  Dated?  Preachy?  Simplistic?  Ghastly? Condescending? Juvenile? 

 
Probably yes.
 trailhead wrote:

Google Joey Arkenstat

Not science fiction. 

 
Sixto Rodriguez is a musical oddity, an American musician who was revered by white South African liberals, like myself, under apartheid as being a voice of rebellion against the government of the day (in the 60s/70s). His music was anthemic to us as teenagers growing up to hate the system. The story of Rodriguez is an amazing one... see the movie Searching for Sugarman!
Very nice song and very nice story.
 Nerubo wrote:
I read a science fiction story a while back about a fake classic rock artist that was invented, and everyone plays along because they don't want admit they have never heard of them. I'm pretty sure this song is by that guy.

I've literally never heard of this guy, and I've been listening to Radio Paradise for years now.
 

 
Google Joey Arkenstat

Not science fiction. 
I read a science fiction story a while back about a fake classic rock artist that was invented, and everyone plays along because they don't want admit they have never heard of them. I'm pretty sure this song is by that guy.

I've literally never heard of this guy, and I've been listening to Radio Paradise for years now.


 
 the_jake wrote:
Is this the guy who famous and commercially successful in Africa, but not here in the US?
 

 
yes.  everyone thought he was dead and some how he didn't know about it until decades later.
Mel Brooks did it better  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4ht5we3qzY 
Is this the guy who famous and commercially successful in Africa, but not here in the US?
 
A silly little historic nugget. A tribute to Donovan without any of his talent
I just can't rate this yet...  Sounds like a Donovan copy band.
One of the Greatest stories in Rock History - check out the movie SugerMan
Seriously, why is this song so short? I always want more!
Rodriguez - The STRANGEST  Story in all of Rock - Hollywood couldn't write a movie that good.
Awesome song! 
You may play this again, and again, and again.
Godlike song! As everything he has ever written!
Excellent! I was just thinking of this dude — and that amazing movie about his life and cult status in S.A. — today! Thanks for this gem!
{#Crown}
 bmckim wrote:
Am I the only one listening who thought this song was excruciatingly bad?  Pretentious?  Dated?  Preachy?  Simplistic?  Ghastly? Condescending? Juvenile? 

 
For a 50 year old tune, it is not half bad, just like Vesper.
Love that you're playing him. 
Just saw his movie.
I wonder whatever happened to his cheating manager.  
Wow. Been 25 years since I last heard this. Still sounds great, although the stereo mix doesn't work too well with headphones!
Thank youBilly Boy!
 inozjeff wrote:
This album is fantastic and oh, so ahead of its time. 

 
Ahead of its time? You must never have heard of a time called "The Sixties".
 bmckim wrote:
Am I the only one listening who thought this song was excruciatingly bad?  Pretentious?  Dated?  Preachy?  Simplistic?  Ghastly? Condescending? Juvenile? 

 
Nope
Am I the only one listening who thought this song was excruciatingly bad?  Pretentious?  Dated?  Preachy?  Simplistic?  Ghastly? Condescending? Juvenile? 
This album is fantastic and oh, so ahead of its time. 
Thank you for playing Rodriguez!
The story behind his career and music is tragic. Anyone who hasn't watched the documentary on him is missing out.


 kingart wrote:
Goodness gracious. Dylan, Donovan and Cohen all in one. And a good song at that...  Very '70s but timeless too.
 
 
My impressions too! Never heard of Rodriguez before now. Pretty cool! {#Music} {#Cool}
If you haven't already, go and watch the documentary "Searching For Sugar Man", the amazing story of this cult hero!
 
 Limpopoking wrote:
Awesome... I grew up on a diet of Rodriguez. He was, and still is HUGE in S.Africa.

 
The story of my young adulthood. How many tapes did I destroy listening to him, I wonder? It amazes me that listeners in the US didn't and don't appreciate him.
Thank you for playing Rodriguez!  RP is audio education in all the right ways  : )
 greig wrote:
Outstanding. He was, and is, quite a phenomenon in South Africa. Interesting story, documented in 'Searching for Sugarman'. Now. how about 'I Wonder' and 'Inner City Blues'. Thanks Bill!

 

Yes,  Great Documentary!


10. {#Guitarist}
Finally! RP playing Rodriguez. Actually thought Bill was passing on him for some unknown reason.
sometimes it just takes along time to break an artist
Outstanding. He was, and is, quite a phenomenon in South Africa. Interesting story, documented in 'Searching for Sugarman'. Now. how about 'I Wonder' and 'Inner City Blues'. Thanks Bill!

looking forward to seeing rodriguez in lausanne in two weeks. the spirit of the sixties hasn't been entirely extinguished.

 


Awesome... I grew up on a diet of Rodriguez. He was, and still is HUGE in S.Africa.
Goodness gracious. Dylan, Donovan and Cohen all in one. And a good song at that. I ought to send it to an old girlfriend like a message in a bottle. 
Very '70s but timeless too.
 
loving the descending diminished melody