ECLECTICA #19: In Motion
compiled August 1999 by Paul Estin
http://home.intranet.org/~estin/cd/

This is a collection of songs about modes of transportation.  As a related 
project, I also made a series of “Via” CD mixes, longer and less exclusive.  
The most eclectic songs of the bunch, though, are included here.

[1-2] Introduction: Fastball, HonnaYouko (see further notes below *)
[3-10] Driving: Depeche Mode, Johnny Depp as Hunter Thompson, Alpha 
Team, Bobby McFerrin, the Arrogant Worms, Thomas Dolby, They Might Be 
Giants, and Trio.  The last of these, the German group Trio’s “Da Da Da I 
Don’t Love You You Don’t Love Me Aha Aha Aha,” was not originally about 
driving at all, but after the memorable Volkswagen advertisements of ’97, I 
associate it with driving now and forevermore.
[11-13] Other road transport: by bus (Violent Femmes), by foot (the 
Proclaimers), and by bicycle (Queen).
[14-18] Trains of various types, by The Simpsons, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, 
Quad City DJs, and Little Richard with Fishbone.
[19] An eclectic air travel song by Bob Rivers’ Twisted Tunes.
[20-25] Into outer space with filkers Julia Ecklar and Doug Olsen, followed 
by Moxy Früvous, Shonen Knife, and They Might Be Giants.  The last song 
also recaps other modes of transport.

Some transportation-related songs from previous Eclectica mixes:
2-19 Entering Marion
2-20 Massachusetts (Greg Greenway)
2-21 I Hate To Wake Up Sober In Nebraska (Free Hot Lunch)
2-22 Hymn #694 (Free Hot Lunch)
2-23 Follow That Road (Anne Hills)
3-12 Motorcycle Mama (The Sugarcubes)
4-3 The Speculator (Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer)
4-4 Can’t Get There From Here (R.E.M.)
7-24 Isaac’s Lament (Uncle Bonsai)
13-9 Magic Comet Ride (Bob Rivers’ Twisted Tunes)
13-10 Mothership Connection (Star Child) (Parliament)
14-12 Sex On Wheels (My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult)
16-45 How Rapid? (Art of Noise)
16-71 Red Rider (The Residents)
16-73 Roundabout 727 (Art of Noise)
16-90 Toddler Hiway (They Might Be Giants)
16-91 Token Back To Brooklyn (They Might Be Giants)
18-1 Drive-By Love (The Bobs)
18-24 Passing Trains (Andy Breckman)

About the cover:
This is a view in Chicago, looking south  from the lakefront bicycle path 
towards downtown, about three miles away.  Digitized from videotape.


* About track #2, Honna Youko’s “Country Road” Japanese cover:
(Information courtesy Mike Webster)

This song comes from the Hayao Miyazki anime:
Mimi wo sumaseba
("If you listen closely")
Whisper of the Heart

The funny portion is from early in the film:
       Yuuko:
Konkuriito roodo, doko made mo
Mori wo kiri, tani wo ume
Concrete Roads, to everywhere
Cutting forests, burying valleys
Uesto Toukyou, Maunto Tama
West Tokyo, Mount Tama
Yuuko and Shizuku:
Furusato ha, konkuriito roodo
My home town is a concrete road

The version I have seems to be the closing song

*Kantorii Roodo, kono michi
Zutto yukeba
Ano machi ni tsuduite ru
Ki ga suru Kantorii Roodo
Country Road, If you follow
this road all the way, I have a feeling
it's the Country Road to my home town
Hitori botchi, osorezu ni
Ikiyou to yume mite ta
Samishisa oshikomete
Tsuyoi jibun wo mamotte ikou
I dreamed of living
without fear of being alone
Bottling up loneliness
I'll go, preserving my strong self
*Refrain
Arukidukare tatazumu to
Ukande kuru furusatou no machi
Oka wo maku saka no michi
Sonna boku wo shikatte iru
When I stand still, tired from walking
My old home town comes to mind.
The steep road that winds the hill
Scolds me for being that way.
*Refrain
Donna kujikesou na toki datte
Kesshite namida ha misenaide
Kokoro nashi ka hochou ga hayaku natte iku
omoide kesu tame
No matter when I feel downhearted
I never cry
Without meaning to, my pace quickens
To erase the memories
Kantorii Roodo, kono michi
Furusato he tsuduite mo
Boku ha, ikanai sa
Ikenai Kantorii Roodo
Country Road, even if this road
continues to my home town
I won't go, you know
The Country Road I can't take
Kantorii Roodo, ashita ha
Itsu mo no boku sa
Kaeritai, kaerenai
Sayonara, Kantorii Roodo
Country Road, tomorrow
I'll be the same, you know
I want to go home but I can't
Farewell, Country Road

And wow, lots of real credit info:

Theme song    Country Road
   Original Title   "Take Me Home, Country Roads"
   Lyrics and Composition   Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert, and John Denver
   Japanese Translation   Suzuki Mamiko
   Supplemental Lyrics   Miyazaki Hayao
   Arrangement   Nomi Yuuji
   Singer   Honna Youko (Tokuma Japan Communications)
Insert song    Country Road
   "Take Me Home, Country Roads"
   Lyrics and Composition   Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert, and John Denver
   Sung by   Olivia Newton-John (Toshiba EMI)