Gus is another in that Josh Joplin category of artists who found their way into my CD player mysteriously and managed to earn a spot in my collection through solid songwriting and fine performance.
I really had no idea who this guy is or where he came from. Just now I looked him up and learned he’s based in Los Angeles and has released five albums, two as Gus and three under his full name, Gus Black. The most recent came out just last year. The album I own, Word of Mouth Parade, was released in 1999 and while it’s not something I listen to very often, every time I do I’m struck by how damn good it is.
I kind of wonder if the music industry would be better off if obscure but talented singer songwriters like Gus were employed by record studios as writers for bigger name talent. That’s how it used to be and what you got was a lot of top acts singing a lot of great songs. Then Carole King came along and blew the whole thing up by making the leap from hired hand to recording artist with Tapestry.
Of course that was a good thing, and Gus and his ilk have every right to fully realize their vision on records they perform themselves. But it might be nice to hear better material by the popular acts and fewer talented writers toiling away unheard.
As for this song, the lyrics are largely a mystery to me but I really like it.
Seem like underneath
But the cards she held in Mexico made it hard to think
She wore a mouth of gold in Israel
Always on her feet
When she laughs you know, god you know, there’s someone gettin’ on their knees again
Hey, it was a laugh that I could learn to love
Hey, she had a laugh that I could learn to love
All of the sharks of old went to float
Where she might soon bleed
Could it be stars that hold the chemicals
And murders own police
She wouldn’t drive a car to Michigan
Never learned to ski
When she has to go, the song she knows, love livin’ on the streets
Hey, it was a laugh that I could learn to love
Hey, she had a laugh that I could learn to love
Don’t believe with your eyes
Don’t believe with your eyes
How many times could I have learned to love
And still not learn to speak
If there’s a cause to go to Wichita
I’m joinin’ up for free
Cuz we we’re the kind of fools you never know
We somehow still agree, when she laughs you know, god you know
Someone gettin’ on their knees again
Hey, it was a laugh that I could learn to love
Hay, she had a laugh that I could learn to love
Hey, it was a laugh that I could learn to love
But now I’m coming home
But now I’m coming home
Said I don’t know when
But I’m coming home
Meet Me In Montauk 
As Gus Black, he has 300 fans on Facebook, so this time I agree with you that this guy is toiling in relative obscurity. I certainly think it makes sense that whichever label has bothered to release five of his albums would suggest that instead of a 6th, which will go straight to the bargain bin, he consider letting his songs be performed by somebody who might actually get heard.
Shouldn’t the free market system determine which singer songwriters “get to” release their own albums (because they sell enough records and concert tickets to suggest there is an audience for them) and which should be writing for “bigger acts”
I like this song, but it’s not immediately obvious to me which bigger act should perform it. Since Gus does have a singer songwriter vibe, his music won’t necessarily just fit any performer. Still, I’d be willing to hear David Cook give it a try 🙂
(not to suggest Cook is a bigger act, which he clearly isn’t.- though he does have 201,671 fans on FB. Just the first singer whose voice seemed compatible with the song that popped into my head)
There are still song songwriters out there who do both, i.e. release their own work and write for others. Randy Newman comes to mind as one of them. Elvis Costello is another. Others from the past, but post Carol King, include Barry Gibb, Kris Kristofferson, and Neil Diamond, Now, I admit all of these writers are bigger names than Gus, but my point is that there are still writers out there who are willing to serve up their songs to be released by bigger named artists.
Anyway, I suppose Amy is right that the free market ultimately dictates who survives and who fails. However, I feel much better saying that in the age of YouTube, ITunes and the Internet generally. Until recently, I suspect there were a lot more very good artists who never reached a larger audience because of the knuckle headed gatekeepers at record companies who may not have seen some of these artists as sufficiently commercial to justify a contract.
Oh, and, is it just me, or does Gus look like a serial killer suspect on this album cover? Not sure his look helped sell his music:)
I haven’t heard this song in YEARS! I love this song.. wouldn’t mind an mp3 being emailed my way… just sayin’ 😉
OMG!!! I was looking for this song for about 15 years!!! the first and last time that I listen to this was inside a JCPenny store in Calexico CA. on 2002 and it was magic in my ears and it was locked in my head all this time!!! The only word that I remember was “Wichita”, then I found a site call it songsearch.ch and Wuala!!!! then were chills and memories!!!!
Thank´s so much for this, I appreciate a lot!!!!
Thank you so much for this entry. I have been looking for this song by Gus for years. I could only remember the line about the shark but not the specific lyric. Brought back a flood of great memories from summer of 2000.