“Red Rubber Ball” (1977 – original from 1966)

This folk-rock song was co-written by Paul Simon and the Australian singer-songwriter Bruce Woodley. It was originally recorded by the US band The Cyrkle. In 1966, that version reached Number 2 on the charts in the US and a few other countries. Interestingly, the only country on whose charts it reached Number 1 was Canada.

Storming the Globe

Then in 1977, punk was storming the music world. Paul Simon, on the other hand was rather quiet – except when he proclaimed that he did not approve of any punk bands or their music.

The Toronto band The Diodes saw that as a challenge of sorts, and in response, recorded this excellent, energetic rendition of one of Simon’s lesser-known songs. Simon musta been pleased … albeit secretly.

Sedating the World

Way back in the 1960s, “Red Rubber Ball” had been covered by Woodley’s band The Seekers, as well as by Mel Torme, Neil Diamond, and Cliff Richard. Zzzzzzzzzzzz.

(note – This song ends at 2:35 of the vid.) _{(Image source)}

The Diodes

Formed in 1976, The Diodes were one of Toronto’s seminal punk bands.

Crashing Thru

Within a year of starting out, The Diodes had opened for Talking Heads, in January of 1977.

A few months later, they and their manager established Toronto’s first punk club, the “Crash ‘n Burn.” Over the next few years, The Diodes opened for such great bands as The Cramps, The Ramones, and The Runaways. _{(Image source)}

Shut Up and Listen

In the January 9, 1978 issue of Canada’s news magazine “Maclean’s,” The Diodes were included among the “New Elite,” and were introduced as Canadians whom we would “soon be talking about.”

Indeed, my friends and I sometimes talked about them, but more often, we just went to listen to them play live. They were neither elite nor elitist, but they could sure play great music.

In 2011, in a contest run by the Toronto Star newspaper, The Diodes were selected as the “Best Toronto Band. Ever.”

I should have known
You'd bid me farewell
There's a lesson to be learned from this
And I learned it very well
Now I know you're not the only starfish in the sea
If I never hear your name again
It's all the same to me
And I think, it's gonna be alright
Yeah, the worst is over now
The mornin' sun is shining
Like a red rubber ball
You never care
For secrets I confide
For you I'm just an ornament
Something for your pride
Always running, never caring
That's the life you live
Stolen minutes of your time
Were all you had to give

And I think it's gonna be alright
Yeah, the worst is over now
The mornin' sun is shining
Like a red rubber ball
The story's in the past
With nothing to recall
I've got my life to live
And I don't need you at all
The rollercoaster ride we took
Is nearly at an end
I bought my ticket with my tears
That's all I'm gonna spend
And I think it's gonna be alright
Yeah, the worst is over now
The mornin' sun is shining
Like a red rubber ball
I think it's gonna be alright
Yeah, the worst is over now
The mornin' sun is shining
Like a red rubber ball. _{(Image source)}

The Cyrkle – “Red Rubber Ball”
_{(Right-click to hear on YouTube)}

        Simon & Garfunkel – “Red Rubber Ball”
          _{_{(Right-click to hear on YouTube)}

_{Lyrics by Paul Simon, Bruce Woodley, courtesy of – AZLyrics.com

Reference – Wikipedia

Reference – Wikipedia

Into your ears … through 5 channels
The various posts are categorized into 5 channels _{(Right-Click to see details)}

         1 – “Music to Your Ears” (MTYE)

         2 – “Cover Versions”

         3 – “Honor Roll”

         4 – “Documentaries”

         5 – “Mock’n’Roll”

More “Cover Versions – Music to Your Ears” ...
          Previous posts in this series – "Cover Versions 1–20"

Links to my other series ...

          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"

          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"

          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part One – My Lyrics Posts 3~30”

          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part Two – My Lyrics Posts 31~60”

          Vocab-Ability – "Introduction to Vocab-Ability"

          Vocab-Ability – "Index" to all Chapters and Sections

          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part One – Notes 1~50"

          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part Two – Notes 51~87"}}