chapter six.
"SIR ARMY SUIT".
( The English ARMY had just won the war )
In September 1978 Klaatu released their most commercial sounding album to date, which came as a nice surprise after the 2nd album failed to achieve much media attention. After the mysterious band members refused to disclose their identities after the huge success of their debut album, most of the worlds media refused to having anything to do with Klaatu; so their 2nd album was ignored.
The rumour that "Klaatu were The Beatles" began to work against the band and they needed to befriend the media with a more commercial sounding product; hence the contents of "Sir Army Suit".
The rumour that "Klaatu were The Beatles" began to work against the band and they needed to befriend the media with a more commercial sounding product; hence the contents of "Sir Army Suit".
The album is superbly produced and contains a nice balance of Pop ballads and Rock songs; bright musical landscapes are textured throughout each song and its a smorgasboard of tastey sound bites and delicasies. A feast of musical tastes can be consummed throughout ones listening and a good time is garranteed for all.
This album found the group "returning to Earth and penning tunes about
"Charles Manson", "Timothy Leary",
"Charles Manson", "Timothy Leary",
and "Perpetual Motion Machines".
In July 1979, Future-Life magazine published an article on Klaatu which contains the following;
"The band took the concept of Klaatu from the film "The day the earth stood still", says a Klaatu member identified over the phone line as "John".
"We felt the movie carried a strong message and we identified with the central character, Klaatu. He was an individual who brought a message of intelligence to the people of Earth. He held up a mirror for them to gaze in and asked them "Hey, look what you are doing, does this really make any sense to you?"
. John continued on " In a sense, thats what we have tried to do with our albums. The anonymity has helped us. You tend to listen to an album more if you dont imagine them in disco outfits and fizzy hair".
. John continued on " In a sense, thats what we have tried to do with our albums. The anonymity has helped us. You tend to listen to an album more if you dont imagine them in disco outfits and fizzy hair".
The article continues with " Three years after the release of their 1st album in 1976, all thats KNOWN about Klaatu in 1979 is that they are a "Four-member " band based in Canada.
John goes on to state " We are not a science fiction oriented band, although we have used SF and futuristic fantasy in our last 3 albums. We have also included songs about historical fiction, rock and romance, too". "At this point in time, Klaatu is so pleased with its faceless brand of futuristic rock that; with the release of their 4th album they will "come out of the closet" and reveal their faces for the first time. "It will be a gradual thing" John laughs. "This year we will do a few tv shows and next year we will tour".
John goes on to state " We are not a science fiction oriented band, although we have used SF and futuristic fantasy in our last 3 albums. We have also included songs about historical fiction, rock and romance, too". "At this point in time, Klaatu is so pleased with its faceless brand of futuristic rock that; with the release of their 4th album they will "come out of the closet" and reveal their faces for the first time. "It will be a gradual thing" John laughs. "This year we will do a few tv shows and next year we will tour".
The article finally identifies that Klaatu are a FOUR PIECE BAND with one member identified as JOHN.
The Beatles were a FOUR PIECE BAND and had one member called JOHN.
The album was recorded in Canada during early 1978, which is where Ringo was busy recording his " Bad Boy" album and perhaps a reference to a song on the Klaatu album? Remember that Ringo portrayed the character Klaatu on his "Goodnight Vienna" album.
Canada has strong links to John Lennon and McCartney during a concert in Toronto in the 70s left the stage with the statement " I will see you when the Earth stands still"; a direct reference to Klaatu and the movie "The day the Earth stood still".
Canada has strong links to John Lennon and McCartney during a concert in Toronto in the 70s left the stage with the statement " I will see you when the Earth stands still"; a direct reference to Klaatu and the movie "The day the Earth stood still".
Perhaps its time to explore some of the fine tunes on this excellent album "Sir Army Suit".
" Routine Day".
The titles bares a similarity to two McCartney songs being "Another Day" and "Valentines Day" off his Wings Greatest Hits and McCartney 1 albums.
The first verse states;
"I caught the bus on time" which also can be found in the middle of the Beatles song " A DAY in the life" from their Sgt Pepper album.
"I caught the bus on time" which also can be found in the middle of the Beatles song " A DAY in the life" from their Sgt Pepper album.
The 2nd lyric line goes
" Good morning, Mr Driver, drive" which can found echoed in the Beatles song "Drive my car" from their "Rubber Soul" album. Also on the Sgt Peppers album can be found a song titled "Good morning, good morning".
" Good morning, Mr Driver, drive" which can found echoed in the Beatles song "Drive my car" from their "Rubber Soul" album. Also on the Sgt Peppers album can be found a song titled "Good morning, good morning".
Verse Two begins with the line
"As I sat inside my raincoat" which has similarities with the lyric lines found in The Beatles song "Two of Us" from the "let it be" album where we find the lyric line "Two of us wearing Raincoats, standing solo in the Sun".
Meanwhile in the McCartney song "Another Day" we find a similar reference in the lyric line " In the pocket of her raincoat".
"As I sat inside my raincoat" which has similarities with the lyric lines found in The Beatles song "Two of Us" from the "let it be" album where we find the lyric line "Two of us wearing Raincoats, standing solo in the Sun".
Meanwhile in the McCartney song "Another Day" we find a similar reference in the lyric line " In the pocket of her raincoat".
The chorus features 2 lyric lines that contains Beatle connections, the first being "whats the bloody point of playing the game" which are simliar to lyrics found in the Lennon song "Mind Games" released in 1973.
The 2nd Klaatu lyric " why cant you see, youre just a cog working like a dog" is strangely similair to hearing The Beatles sing "Its been a hard days night and ive been working like a dog" from the song and album "A Hard Days Night".
The final verse of Routine Day contains the lyric line " my face descretely buried in a book on Mars" which could be interpretated as a reference to Paul McCartney. With his Wings band , he released an album titled "Venus and Mars" and as a solo artist he released a Single and Album titled "My brave Face".
The last lyric line states "and Im waiting on a PIER till Charon comes" which has two interpretations. The first being " In Greek mythology Charon was the ferryman who took the souls of the dead across the river Styx to Hades".
Sound amazing similar to Egyptian mythology (Anubis ) and The Tibetian Book of the Dead which both Lennon and McCartney had an interest in.
The lyric line sounds like the singer is singing "And Im waiting on a pier to Karum Kum", which is a real place not far from Venice near the Caspian Sea. If my interpretation is correct, then it presents two pieces of photographic evidence linking McCartney and Klaatu.
The photo below was taken in Sept 1976 and features the band members of Wings (including Paul and Linda McCartney riding in a gondola before their Venice Charity concert. In the background of this photo can be seen a "large building and a Pier with steps leading down to the water. Inside the gondola we find "Five Individuals plus the captain".
In July 1979 Future-Life magazine published the FIRST animated picture of the mysterious Klaatu members, whom were strangely waiting to board a Gondola in Venice and perhaps "waiting on a Peir to Karum Kum".
The Klaatu picture shows "Five Indivuals" outside the boat and about to climb aboard, whilst a masked captain stands at the rear of the gondola.
The Klaatu members can be seen standing in front of a similar looking Venician building seen in the Wings pic. Steps can be seen leading down to the water and to the Gondola.
The Klaatu members can be seen standing in front of a similar looking Venician building seen in the Wings pic. Steps can be seen leading down to the water and to the Gondola.
In the Wings photo there are ALSO Five Individuals who have now entered the gondola and are sailing away from the Pier. At the rear of the gondola now stands an "unmasked" captain.
With these two pictures we are reminded of the "Routine Day" lyric line " and Im waiting on a pier to Karum Kum", which may suggest that both parties are "about to sail to Karum Kum", which is located nearby in the Caspian Sea.
If we look at an Atlas, we discover that Venice is located on the northern coast of Italy and on the shores of the Adriatic Sea.
Perhaps Wings decided to hire a sizeable Cruiser and set sail for Karum Kum? . The journey would take perhaps 1 month, sailing on the Adriatic Sea; into the MEDITERANIAN Sea and then the Aegean Sea. From there, they sailed their ship into the Black Sea and head for the port of Batam, located on the Turkish and Russian border. They would then cruise down the "Atlas River", which flows into the Caspian Sea; sailing onto the southern eastern shores where the mountains of "Karum Kum" lie.
If we look at an Atlas, we discover that Venice is located on the northern coast of Italy and on the shores of the Adriatic Sea.
Perhaps Wings decided to hire a sizeable Cruiser and set sail for Karum Kum? . The journey would take perhaps 1 month, sailing on the Adriatic Sea; into the MEDITERANIAN Sea and then the Aegean Sea. From there, they sailed their ship into the Black Sea and head for the port of Batam, located on the Turkish and Russian border. They would then cruise down the "Atlas River", which flows into the Caspian Sea; sailing onto the southern eastern shores where the mountains of "Karum Kum" lie.
We now find that in 1978 "WINGS" released their album "London Town" which was recorded during 76/77 partly aboard a yacht called "The Fair Carol" whilst cruising the MEDITERANIAN Sea.
The Klaatu pic features "Five Indivuals", which is odd considering earlier on we learnt that Klaatu we a "Four Piece Band". Perhaps the guy on the extreme left is actually Klaatus manager, Mr Frank Davies? If the remaining 4 indivuals ARE THE BEATLES , then from left to right they are "Paul, Ringo, John and George?".
To support this theory, i am presenting 2 more pics to help establish that all Four ex-Beatles are well known for "wearing disguises".
Pic One of John was taken during the late 70s. Compare this photo of John with the Klaatu member directly in the centre of the doorway (4th on the left) and you will discover that "both" are wearing "identical sunglasses". Also the "facial features of both are similiar, plus their hair lengths and beards are of an identical style."
Picture 2 shows all four Beatles wearing "disguises" during the making of the film "Help" in 1965. The clothing worn by everyone is very similair in style to the clothing worn by the Klaatu members in their animated Venice pic. The 2nd Klaatu member from the left, whom resembles Paul is wearing an almost "identical style hat" as he is seen wearing in the Beatles pic.
"Could there really be some Truth to the rumour that "Klaatu are The Beatles"?,
Im certainly keen to keep digging before i can draw a final conclusion.
Getting back to the songs on "Sir Army Suit", their song "Juicy Lucy"could be taken as a reference to the Lennon songs "Lucy in the sky with diamonds" off Sgt Peppers and the song "Bring on the Lucy" from his 1973 "Mind Games" album.
. The lyric line "you Jet around in your chromatonic platform shoes" could be a reference to the Wings song "Jet" off their "Band on the run" album.
Verse 2 begins with "You spend your evening with Alexandria" which could be a link to the photgrapher David Alexandria who shot the cover for Ringos 1976 "Rotogravure" album.
The next line "that fire breathing Salamander" could be taken as a reference to the Wings song "Getting Closer" off the "Back to the Egg" album where Paul makes repeated references to "Salamanders". Strangely, both Sir Army Suit and Back to the Egg were recorded during the same year 1978.
There exists a number of other lyrical connections but space here doesnt permit me to present all of them.
Musically, the heavy metal guitar on this song is very much in the raunchy, grungy style of John Lennon whilst the vocals sound similar to those of both Paul McCartney and George Harrison. The reader must not forget that with such gadgets as "voice boxes" the singers can make their vocals sound any way they wish.
"Everybody took a holiday".
This fine little tune is a treasure trove for Beatle connections, a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It might be best if i first quote the first 3 lyric lines;
"It happened back in ancient times"
"When people worked overtime, overtime"
"In fact I think in 1985".
The fact that Klaatu are singing the words " back in ancient times" suggests that they are singing in our future, for the year 1985 is in the past".
Remember the song was recorded in 1978.
Strangely on the Wings 1978 album "London Town" we can find a song titled "Backwards Traveller" where Paul sings about "travelling back in time".
Remember the song was recorded in 1978.
Strangely on the Wings 1978 album "London Town" we can find a song titled "Backwards Traveller" where Paul sings about "travelling back in time".
Meanwhile on the Wings album "Band on the Run" can be found a song titled "1985".
The song " everybody took a holiday" itself appears to be about people leaving the city and moving to the country, back to nature and the Garden of Eden.
The theme bears a similarity to the theme of the McCartney song "Heart of the Country" from his 1971 album "Ram".
"Everybody took a holiday" seems to identify more with the albums Front and Back covers where the Klaatu members can be seen heading west into the country.
The theme bears a similarity to the theme of the McCartney song "Heart of the Country" from his 1971 album "Ram".
"Everybody took a holiday" seems to identify more with the albums Front and Back covers where the Klaatu members can be seen heading west into the country.
Strangely, on the Beatles bootleg album titled "20 x 4 " can be found a song titled "Everybody comes to town" .
The lyric line " and the Union was sitting pretty" could be a reference to the British flag " The Union Jack"; remember The Beatles originate from Britian.
After listening to this song hundreds of times, I find it similar to Pauls "Backwards Traveller" song and also reminds me of the Beatle songs "We can work it Out" and "For the benefit of Mr Kite".
Verse 2 reads;
"On a sunday in July, everybody made up their minds"
"and when monday rollled by no-one came home"
"all the cities and streets were bare"
"Everybody was having fun elsewhere"
I suspect that these 4 lyric lines are likely to be a direct reference to the Beatles "Magical Mystery Tour" film which was made in July 1967.
Everyone took a MMT holiday in the country and a "goodtime" was garranteed for all. Roll up, roll up.
Everyone took a MMT holiday in the country and a "goodtime" was garranteed for all. Roll up, roll up.
"OLDER".
Verse 1 opens with;
"Older, it seems like each day you get older"
"Im reaching a world that gets colder"
"In a cynical way".
During his short but full life, John Lennon was often referred to as " being cynical" and stated that he believed "that the people of the world were growing colder", which clearly identifies with the sentiments expressed in these Klaatu lyrics.
Verse 3 contains the line " I keep looking over my shoulder" which John Lennon can be seen doing on the cover of Jann Werners book "Lennon Remembers". Two Klaatu members can be seen "looking back over their shoulders" on the front cover of "Sir Army Suit".
Co-incidence after co-incidence. Note the similar "background artwork" on both "Lennon Remembers" and the front cover of "Sir Army Suit".
Co-incidence after co-incidence. Note the similar "background artwork" on both "Lennon Remembers" and the front cover of "Sir Army Suit".
"DEAR CHRISTINE".
This song has a strange connection between myself and Klaatu, for a number of months prior to the release of SAS, in an article published in the Australian Music magazine I predicted what the the Cover of SAS may look like and stated that what I had written and predicted would be verified by a "couple" of Personal connections to me on the coming album.
Strangely, "Christine" happens to be the name of one of my sisters, whilst the name "Cherie" was the name of my wife . "Could this fact just be another of the zillions of co-incidences expressed in this book?".
The title of the song could be a reference to the book " One day at a time" which contains the statement "Dedicated to Chrissy".?
Verse 1 begins with;
"Twas one more year today, I left one month"
"and new adventure, salt and spray"
"Kings service I must do".
These lyrics are a direct reference to " sailing the bluze, being at sea" and when we check this theme out, many Beatle connections are to be found.
Although I cant supply an exact date, I can truely state that sometime between "July 1976 and Jan 1978 John Lennon chartered a sloop called "Strawberry Fields" and sailed from Newport, Long Island to Bermuda."
Although I cant supply an exact date, I can truely state that sometime between "July 1976 and Jan 1978 John Lennon chartered a sloop called "Strawberry Fields" and sailed from Newport, Long Island to Bermuda."
Ex-Beatle Paul also enjoys the pleasures of "sailing the bluze" and recorded parts of his "London Town" album aboard the "Fair Carol" whilst cruising the Mediteranian Sea.
Most of the month of May 1978, McCartney was in the Virgin Islands, sailing around the numerous tropical islands.
Most of the month of May 1978, McCartney was in the Virgin Islands, sailing around the numerous tropical islands.
In 1977 George Harrison was asked "where does he like to spend his holiday?" to which he replied " I like taking holidays every year by the sea and do a little sailing".
If the reader care to check out the themes of songs found on many of Ringo Starr"s solo albums, they will discover that many of his songs are about " being at sea; sailing and the ocean in general". Who can even forget the aquatic songs "Yellow Submarine" and "Octapussys Garden" .
Its time to take a look at the musical interpretations of "Dear Christine"; its basically a beautiful ballad and one of my favourites on the album. The vocals and lead guitar work are in the very sensetive George Harrison style and similair to some of his work on the Beatles "Abbey Road" album. Comparisons can be found on the songs "Something" and "Here comes the sun". Do a comparison test yourself and you may come to the same conclusions as myself?
So this concludes This Chapter and the songs featured on SIDE ONE of "Sir Army Suit".
The next Chapter will Review all the songs featured on Side Two of "Sir Army Suit" and take a revealling look at the Artwork featured on the Front and Back Covers.
The next Chapter will Review all the songs featured on Side Two of "Sir Army Suit" and take a revealling look at the Artwork featured on the Front and Back Covers.
Up to this point the mysterious Klaatu members are still refusing to come out of the closet and reveal their true identities.
From day one, the fans have been told that "clues to the identities of the Klaatu members" can be found within the Artwork of the albums and within their lyrics and musical arrangements.
So far I have presented a fraction of these "possible mystery clues" uncovered during my many of years of research and simply ask the reader to draw their own conclusions from what i have presented.
From day one, the fans have been told that "clues to the identities of the Klaatu members" can be found within the Artwork of the albums and within their lyrics and musical arrangements.
So far I have presented a fraction of these "possible mystery clues" uncovered during my many of years of research and simply ask the reader to draw their own conclusions from what i have presented.
Stay tuned for Chapter Seven.
Email: utaalkback@hotmail.com
