The Jim Carroll Band — People Who Died
Album: Catholic Boy
Avg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 1679
Released: 1980
Length: 3:08
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Avg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 1679
Length: 3:08
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Teddy sniffing glue, he was 12 years old
Fell from the roof on East Two-nine
Cathy was 11 when she pulled the plug
On 26 reds and a bottle of wine
Bobby got leukemia, 14 years old
He looked like 65 when he died
He was a friend of mine
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, and just died
G-berg and Georgie let their gimmicks go rotten
So they died of hepatitis in upper Manhattan
Sly in Vietnam took a bullet in the head
Bobby OD'd on Drano on the night that he was wed
They were two more friends of mine
Two more friends that died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, and they died
Mary took a dry dive from a hotel room
Bobby hung himself from a cell in the tombs
Judy jumped in front of a subway train
Eddie got slit in the jugular vein
And Eddie, I miss you more than all the others
And I salute you brother
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, and they died
Herbie pushed Tony from the Boys' Club roof
Tony thought that his rage was just some goof
But Herbie sure gave Tony some bitchen proof
"Hey," Herbie said, "Tony, can you fly?"
But Tony couldn't fly, Tony died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, and they died
Brian got busted on a narco rap
He beat the rap by rattin' on some bikers
He said, "Hey, I know it's dangerous, but it sure beats Riker's"
But the next day he got offed by the very same bikers
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, and they died
Teddy sniffing glue, he was 12 years old
Fell from the roof on East Two-nine
Cathy was 11 when she pulled the plug
On 26 reds and a bottle of wine
Bobby got leukemia, 14 years old
He looked like 65 when he died
He was a friend of mine
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, and they died
G-berg and Georgie let their gimmicks go rotten
So they died of hepatitis in upper Manhattan
Sly in Vietnam took a bullet in the head
Bobby OD'd on Drano on the night that he was wed
They were two more friends of mine
I miss 'em -- they died.
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, they just died
Mary took a dry dive from a hotel room
Bobby hung himself from a cell in the tombs
Judy jumped in front of a subway train
Eddie got slit in the jugular vein
And Eddie, I miss you more than all the others
This song is for you, my brother.
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, and they died
Fell from the roof on East Two-nine
Cathy was 11 when she pulled the plug
On 26 reds and a bottle of wine
Bobby got leukemia, 14 years old
He looked like 65 when he died
He was a friend of mine
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, and just died
G-berg and Georgie let their gimmicks go rotten
So they died of hepatitis in upper Manhattan
Sly in Vietnam took a bullet in the head
Bobby OD'd on Drano on the night that he was wed
They were two more friends of mine
Two more friends that died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, and they died
Mary took a dry dive from a hotel room
Bobby hung himself from a cell in the tombs
Judy jumped in front of a subway train
Eddie got slit in the jugular vein
And Eddie, I miss you more than all the others
And I salute you brother
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, and they died
Herbie pushed Tony from the Boys' Club roof
Tony thought that his rage was just some goof
But Herbie sure gave Tony some bitchen proof
"Hey," Herbie said, "Tony, can you fly?"
But Tony couldn't fly, Tony died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, and they died
Brian got busted on a narco rap
He beat the rap by rattin' on some bikers
He said, "Hey, I know it's dangerous, but it sure beats Riker's"
But the next day he got offed by the very same bikers
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, and they died
Teddy sniffing glue, he was 12 years old
Fell from the roof on East Two-nine
Cathy was 11 when she pulled the plug
On 26 reds and a bottle of wine
Bobby got leukemia, 14 years old
He looked like 65 when he died
He was a friend of mine
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, and they died
G-berg and Georgie let their gimmicks go rotten
So they died of hepatitis in upper Manhattan
Sly in Vietnam took a bullet in the head
Bobby OD'd on Drano on the night that he was wed
They were two more friends of mine
I miss 'em -- they died.
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, they just died
Mary took a dry dive from a hotel room
Bobby hung himself from a cell in the tombs
Judy jumped in front of a subway train
Eddie got slit in the jugular vein
And Eddie, I miss you more than all the others
This song is for you, my brother.
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, and they died
Comments (198)add comment
I had 5 friends who committed suicide before I graduated high school. This song resonates deeply with me deeply.
First Heard Today!
Thank You William!
Thank You William!
This, following Slave to the Wage. Oh Bill, you are freaking so brilliant. Donation coming soon. Times are a little bad for me now, but it's coming. Consider this a pledge for my salvation. Radio Paradise, I love you!
Namaste
Namaste
Add my buddy jwilly to the list.
Tune from youth! I can smell the Chevelle vinyl in the Sun
Last time and the first time I heard this was here with RP.
Hits closer every year but what a great little bit of word-smithing.
Hits closer every year but what a great little bit of word-smithing.
Everybody sing along! ...............
Bill: If possible could you play Beasley Street for John Cooper Clarke?
Uplifting! Don't hear enough of Jim
Thank you Bill!
Thank you Bill!
Tuff Turf was a great movie, which featured this tune & one by Jack Mack and The Heat attack! PLEASE PLAY SOME JACK MACK!!!! THANK YOU!
Great! Morning wake-up music!
SmackDaddy wrote:
Haven't yet.
Bill:
Dead Kennedys Please!
Haven't yet.
Bill:
Dead Kennedys Please!
I love it!
GRVMPY wrote:
Haven't yet.
Wow! It's been a very long time since I've heard this. Next thing you know we'll be hearing Dead Kennedys.
Haven't yet.
Bobert_ParkCity wrote:
I can relate. When I was a teen 4 people on my side of the block committed suicide. Lots of mental health issues beside those 4. I can relate. Lucky it was only 4.
we all get a chance to relate - sooner or later....
I can relate. When I was a teen 4 people on my side of the block committed suicide. Lots of mental health issues beside those 4. I can relate. Lucky it was only 4.
Lively tune.
garyalex wrote:
If you can survive with a small amount of Draino injected in you, then you can OD on it.
You can OD on water, it's called drowning.
"Bobby OD'd on Drano on the night that he was wed". You don't OD on Drano. You OD on smack. Injecting yourself with Drano is different. Ask me how I know.
If you can survive with a small amount of Draino injected in you, then you can OD on it.
You can OD on water, it's called drowning.
MassivRuss wrote:
A bit on the poppy side of punk, but up there in the top 10
Is this a perfect punk song? Discuss.
I'll start: yes.
I'll start: yes.
A bit on the poppy side of punk, but up there in the top 10
He died, DIED!
MassivRuss wrote:
No
Is this a perfect punk song? Discuss.
I'll start: yes.
I'll start: yes.
No
MassivRuss wrote:
It was in the movie "Tuff Turf". I like that movie and this song.
Is this a perfect punk song? Discuss.
I'll start: yes.
I'll start: yes.
It was in the movie "Tuff Turf". I like that movie and this song.
Is this a perfect punk song? Discuss.
I'll start: yes.
I'll start: yes.
Growing up in the NYC area, I've always liked the rhyme of "Rikers" with "bikers". I've always had a soft spot for this song, especially the longer album version (SPOILER: it contains more people who died).
"This song is for you, my brother." 'Nuff said!
Died:
September 11, 2009 (aged 60)
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Jim Carroll too.
September 11, 2009 (aged 60)
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Jim Carroll too.
kazoo wrote:
Thankfully, I am not this guy's friend.
kazoo wrote:
The last para of the Wiki column (below left) says it all.
Thankfully, I am not this guy's friend.
The last para of the Wiki column (below left) says it all.
"Bobby OD'd on Drano on the night that he was wed". You don't OD on Drano. You OD on smack. Injecting yourself with Drano is different. Ask me how I know.
According to Wiki, he died died of a heart attack while sitting at his desk. He was sick with hepatitis and pneumonia at the time. I probably haven't heard this since high school.
I remember hearing this on WNEWFM back when I was in freshman in high school
Answers the question, "What would a Dead Kennedys cover of The Gashlycrumb Tinies sound like?"
Blast from the Past! Thank you!!!!
Music fine but not the point. The lyrics and vocal delivery are amazing. Especially for someone who wasn't really a musician.
RP on a MAJOR memory prod this evening for myself. Thanks!
GRVMPY wrote:
I heard California Uber Alles on KEXP yesterday and I was struck by how normal it sounds now. Could absolutely float that on RP and it would slide by unnoticed by most listeners.
Wow! It's been a very long time since I've heard this. Next thing you know we'll be hearing Dead Kennedys.
I heard California Uber Alles on KEXP yesterday and I was struck by how normal it sounds now. Could absolutely float that on RP and it would slide by unnoticed by most listeners.
17 year old kid pays his older friend $5 (1980 dollars) to make him a mixed tape. So many new pieces of music including this one! Music shapes you...especially during those younger days!
playing a string of 1's today
Tuff Turf...Robert Downey shirtless and sweaty on the drums. Ahhhhh!
Tempted to make this Song Du Jour. But even I ain't going there! The phone will ring. And it won't be good news.
Thankfully, I am not this guy's friend.
GRVMPY wrote:
I can dream...
Wow! It's been a very long time since I've heard this. Next thing you know we'll be hearing Dead Kennedys.
I can dream...
Classic in its day. Whole album is good
BRILL
Song always seemed a little gimmicky to me. It is punk so of course it sucks musically, but I like some songs that suck musically so that is not a non starter. Just not this one.
I've been dying to hear this one. What a hoot!
This song was released on this day in 1980.
I hate this song with the passion of a million white hot suns.
I remember this song from the last century. It's not the kind of song you forget. (at least the lyrics)
Wow! It's been a very long time since I've heard this. Next thing you know we'll be hearing Dead Kennedys.
Yes, rockin' today!!!!! One of my all time favorite tracks.
Reminds me of the time I had Jim Carroll and the band on my radio show in the 80's.
Reminds me of the time I had Jim Carroll and the band on my radio show in the 80's.
Kaisersosay wrote:
Where'd you get that crazy idea?
Hey did somebody Die?
Where'd you get that crazy idea?
One of my favorite Summer of 1980 songs...I lost track of it all those years since, and then, poof...here it is on RP!
Of course it would be. :)
Of course it would be. :)
Cheery. Apocalypse in his head. Dance happy macabre. But great fun rock and roll.
So they died of hepatitis in upper Manhattan.
So they died of hepatitis in upper Manhattan.
Morbid....harsh...too real for many, most. This song is a modern masterpiece. He walked the walk, talked the talk, wrote the song, sang the song. Tough subject but it brings light to one of the worst swept under the rug issues of our modern culture. RIP Jim.
we all get a chance to relate - sooner or later....
In my experience, just about every song that Lazarus likes, I like too.
I can see how this would get a bunch of people in a hotel room grooving. Readily.
I can see how this would get a bunch of people in a hotel room grooving. Readily.
"Out the Window" next?
Headbanging in the office!!!
DIED DIED
They were all my friends
and they DIED
DIED DIED
They were all my friends
and they DIED
Hey did somebody Die?
Ironic, to say the least.
R.I.P., Jim.
R.I.P., Jim.
Not too keen on this song...
Perhaps a better ballplayer than poet. All of Jim's artistry sprung from genuine feeling.
The basketball diaries remains essential for any "little punk", like myself, who grew up in New York.
big stud Romeo Tuma wrote:
I be the holy ghost of big stud Romeo Tuma...
everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked all over the world like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners... love this song soooo much... love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...
This song just gets more and more profound as the years go by...
I be the holy ghost of big stud Romeo Tuma...
everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked all over the world like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners... love this song soooo much... love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...
man, it was dangerous to know this guy!
rp1125 wrote:
yeah, let's get real!
let's get over the dead thing, bill.,
yeah, let's get real!
Now a 10 because Jim is dead and the song is that much more important in the landscape of pop music and culture. :))
Crank it up! So nice when followed by Day and Night
Now all we need is "88 Lines About 44 Women" by the Nails.
rp1125 wrote:
apparently, here comes another one
what's the alternative?
apparently, here comes another one
what's the alternative?
robco1 wrote:
That's easier said than done, my friend....
apparently, here comes another one
That's easier said than done, my friend....
apparently, here comes another one
rp1125 wrote:
That's easier said than done, my friend....
let's get over the dead thing, bill.,
That's easier said than done, my friend....
Brings back memories, that's for sure.
let's get over the dead thing, bill.,
rednred wrote:
Oh, I knew about it. I read it when it first came out, years ago. And I bought this album (yes, album) when it first came out.
Knowing the history of Mr. Carroll provides quite a bit of legitimacy — and poignancy — to this particular song.
I scrolled way down and was glad to finally see someone knew who Jim Carroll was beyond this song. His book "Basketball Diaries" was highly praised when it was first released and Leonardo DiCaprio did a great job playing him in the film. I saw The Jim Carroll Band perform live in San Francisco during the height of the punk movement when this album was first released and they put on a great show.
Oh, I knew about it. I read it when it first came out, years ago. And I bought this album (yes, album) when it first came out.
Knowing the history of Mr. Carroll provides quite a bit of legitimacy — and poignancy — to this particular song.
I scrolled way down and was glad to finally see someone knew who Jim Carroll was beyond this song. His book "Basketball Diaries" was highly praised when it was first released and Leonardo DiCaprio did a great job playing him in the film. I saw The Jim Carroll Band perform live in San Francisco during the height of the punk movement when this album was first released and they put on a great show.
Somehow I missed that Jim died. Very sorry to hear it.
Loved this song when it came out, bought the album and still have it. I will have to listen to it again.
love. jim. carroll.
Not one that I like at all
So upbeat
but you can dance to it
but you can dance to it
This is just a flat out rock solid song.
still sounds good to me
Yeah, it's rough and repetitive, but, somehow, this one epitomizes the undercurrents of rock. And urban life.
Plus, I love the cover.
Plus, I love the cover.
Sorry — just sounds too depressing...
NeilBlanchard wrote:
agreed
Somehow, I guessed that this song would follow the Butthole Surfers "Pepper" — the latter's lyrics sound like they are lifted from this song...
Neil
Neil
agreed
R.I.P. Jim
Somehow, I guessed that this song would follow the Butthole Surfers "Pepper" — the latter's lyrics sound like they are lifted from this song...
Neil
Neil
Todd drove his bike into overpass. He didn't mean to do it, just goin' too fast. He was my friend, and he died.
So done with this song....this song needs to die!
Haven't we had enough of the "Two stupid lines about random people"-type songs?
macadavy wrote:
"I talked to God earlier today, and "s/he" said "s/he" liked this song a lot. "His/Her" favorite sense of humor is irony, and situational comedy. "S/He" also said nothing beats a good fart joke."
See the majestic platypus:
"I talked to God earlier today, and "s/he" said "s/he" liked this song a lot. "His/Her" favorite sense of humor is irony, and situational comedy. "S/He" also said nothing beats a good fart joke."
See the majestic platypus:
Jared wrote:
Yes; R.I.P. Jim.
Throw his name on the list now.
Yes; R.I.P. Jim.
Throw his name on the list now.
jmsmy wrote:
Absolutely in agreement, two of my old-time-guilty-pleasure songs. Thanks Bill.
Bill - Great follow up after the BHS- Pepper
Absolutely in agreement, two of my old-time-guilty-pleasure songs. Thanks Bill.
Bill - Great follow up after the BHS- Pepper
YEAH!!! ROCK ON!!!
Poor Tony ...
"Die! Die! Die!
...I can't"
...I can't"
Walt, Craig, Debbie, Terry, Phyllis, Claudia, Mari, Patty they were all my friends and they died. I miss them all.
manbirdexperiment wrote:
"I talked to God earlier today, and "s/he" said "s/he" liked this song a lot. "His/Her" favorite sense of humor is irony, and situational comedy. "S/He" also said nothing beats a good fart joke."
H/T to GChevy410 from the Emerald City.
Bill, please see to it this failed experimental 'mbe' pterodactyl trolls no more.
Biliously vile green & yellow image removed for upchuck prevention purposes...
"I talked to God earlier today, and "s/he" said "s/he" liked this song a lot. "His/Her" favorite sense of humor is irony, and situational comedy. "S/He" also said nothing beats a good fart joke."
H/T to GChevy410 from the Emerald City.
Bill, please see to it this failed experimental 'mbe' pterodactyl trolls no more.
This whole album / cd is good. Great guitar. The lyrics are a bit harsh but so is life at times.
If you can't handle this song, you probably won't like It's Too Late off this same offering.
It was also played on some offbeat ( dare I say eclectic?) radio stations at the time.
The first line
"It's too late, to fall in love with Sharon Tate"
would probably have all the hate flowing right up front and you wouldn't even hear the really cool bass line.
but then, the next line,
"and it's too soon, to ask for the words someone carved on my tomb."
brings it back and is a pretty cheery thought. Ya know ? Hey, I'm still alive.
Cheers.
If you can't handle this song, you probably won't like It's Too Late off this same offering.
It was also played on some offbeat ( dare I say eclectic?) radio stations at the time.
The first line
"It's too late, to fall in love with Sharon Tate"
would probably have all the hate flowing right up front and you wouldn't even hear the really cool bass line.
but then, the next line,
"and it's too soon, to ask for the words someone carved on my tomb."
brings it back and is a pretty cheery thought. Ya know ? Hey, I'm still alive.
Cheers.
arcas2000 wrote:
Older songs are always so dated.... as opposed to songs from the future.
I heard the back-up band was the guys from Blue Oyster Cult.
Wish someone would upload "It's too late"
Mindlessly repetitious and very dated. For a minute I thought I was hearing something from the Rocky Horror soundtrack. A solid 3.
Older songs are always so dated.... as opposed to songs from the future.
I heard the back-up band was the guys from Blue Oyster Cult.
Wish someone would upload "It's too late"
anniebear wrote:
I hate it because it has an ugly sound to it and the lyrics are just horrible. If that guy really had that many people die on him (especially at such young ages! 12 year old girl od'ing?) I doubt seriously he would make such a "pop" song about it. It just is extremely disrespectful and horrid. Besides, God does not like it either so there.
Hmm, you need to get out more often. The song is an inside joke reference to his book, "The Basketball Diaries."
From Wikipedia:
"The Basketball Diaries is a 1978 memoir written by author and musician Jim Carroll. It is an edited collection of the diaries he kept between the ages of twelve and sixteen. Set in New York City, they detail his daily life, sexual experiences, high school basketball career, Cold War paranoia, the counter-culture movement, and, especially, his addiction to heroin, which began when he was 13."
I hate it because it has an ugly sound to it and the lyrics are just horrible. If that guy really had that many people die on him (especially at such young ages! 12 year old girl od'ing?) I doubt seriously he would make such a "pop" song about it. It just is extremely disrespectful and horrid. Besides, God does not like it either so there.
Hmm, you need to get out more often. The song is an inside joke reference to his book, "The Basketball Diaries."
From Wikipedia:
"The Basketball Diaries is a 1978 memoir written by author and musician Jim Carroll. It is an edited collection of the diaries he kept between the ages of twelve and sixteen. Set in New York City, they detail his daily life, sexual experiences, high school basketball career, Cold War paranoia, the counter-culture movement, and, especially, his addiction to heroin, which began when he was 13."
I talked to God earlier today, and "he" said "he" liked this song a lot. His favorite sense of humor is irony, and situational comedy. "He" also said nothing beats a good fart joke.
catsoup wrote:
Most death metal guys didn't have a childhood like he did.
I'd be more interested in listening to death metal if it was more like this.
Most death metal guys didn't have a childhood like he did.
FrankMc wrote:
I hate it because it has an ugly sound to it and the lyrics are just horrible. If that guy really had that many people die on him (especially at such young ages! 12 year old girl od'ing?) I doubt seriously he would make such a "pop" song about it. It just is extremely disrespectful and horrid. Besides, God does not like it either so there.
musically, philosophically, ethically?
simply hating something seems a little vague.
anniebear wrote:
simply hating something seems a little vague.
anniebear wrote:
I really hate this song.
I hate it because it has an ugly sound to it and the lyrics are just horrible. If that guy really had that many people die on him (especially at such young ages! 12 year old girl od'ing?) I doubt seriously he would make such a "pop" song about it. It just is extremely disrespectful and horrid. Besides, God does not like it either so there.
anniebear wrote:
I really love this song.
I really hate this song.
I really love this song.
musically, philosophically, ethically?
simply hating something seems a little vague.
anniebear wrote:
simply hating something seems a little vague.
anniebear wrote:
I really hate this song.
Mandible wrote:
edit: LOL...well I guess that answers that question...
Is this the same guy who's the author Jim Carroll who wrote basketball diaries?
Yup.edit: LOL...well I guess that answers that question...
I really hate this song.
Amazing. We were just talking about this song last weekend while out in howling gale in a sailboat race. The age range was from late 20s to perilously close to 60, and we were all doing a little "died, died" chant thing while hanging on for dear life.
Great song in its own bizarre way.
Great song in its own bizarre way.
Mandible wrote:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Carroll
Is this the same guy who's the author Jim Carroll who wrote basketball diaries?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Carroll
Mandible wrote:
Yes it is.
Is this the same guy who's the author Jim Carroll who wrote basketball diaries?
Yes it is.
I'd be more interested in listening to death metal if it was more like this.
Is this the same guy who's the author Jim Carroll who wrote basketball diaries?
Alright Bill. Been going back to some really varied, good (and not necessarily that widely known) stuff tonight
Hannio wrote:
Do you even know what eclectic means?
Origin:
1675–85; Gk eklektikós selective, equiv. to eklekt(ós) chosen, select (eklég(ein) to pick out + -tos ptp. suffix; see ec- ) + -ikos
Just to clarify things...
Do you even know what eclectic means?
ec⋅lec⋅tic
<i-klek-tik>–adjective
–noun
1. | selecting or choosing from various sources. |
2. | made up of what is selected from different sources. |
3. | not following any one system, as of philosophy, medicine, etc., but selecting and using what are considered the best elements of all systems. |
4. | noting or pertaining to works of architecture, decoration, landscaping, etc., produced by a certain person or during a certain period, that derive from a wide range of historic styles, the style in each instance often being chosen for its fancied appropriateness to local tradition, local geography, the purpose to be served, or the cultural background of the client. |
Origin:
1675–85; Gk eklektikós selective, equiv. to eklekt(ós) chosen, select (eklég(ein) to pick out + -tos ptp. suffix; see ec- ) + -ikos
Just to clarify things...
My theme song....
Ollerich wrote:
Do you even know what eclectic means?
noisy and annoying.. doesn't fit into the eclectic theme, if you ask me.
Do you even know what eclectic means?
lily34 wrote:
Me too!
always surprised to hear this on RP. love it though! takes me back in time...
Me too!
Bill - you read my mind by playing this after Pepper. Death, death, and more death!