What was the number one song in the UK on 20th March 1968?
British group Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich (rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?) were number one with The Legend of Xanadu for 1 week.
I first heard this song when it was covered by The Fall for the 1992 NME compilation album Ruby Trax. It didn’t make much sense to me then and the original version doesn’t make much sense to me now. It has a very distinctive intro and the song as a whole smacks of being a novelty record, especially when you hear the frankly annoying faux whip cracking sound throughout the track. Not one for me, but I guess it’s fun.
Lyrics
You’ll hear my voice
On the wind cross the sand
If you should return
To that black, barren land
That bears the name of Xanadu
On the wind cross the sand
If you should return
To that black, barren land
That bears the name of Xanadu
Cursed without hope
Was the love that I sought
Lost from the start
Was the duel that was fought
To win a heart in Xanadu
Was the love that I sought
Lost from the start
Was the duel that was fought
To win a heart in Xanadu
Now no footsteps leave their traces
Only shadows move in places where we used to go
And the buildings open to the sky
All echo with the vultures cry as if to show
Our love was for a day
And doomed to pass away
In Xanadu
In Xanadu
In Xanadu
Only shadows move in places where we used to go
And the buildings open to the sky
All echo with the vultures cry as if to show
Our love was for a day
And doomed to pass away
In Xanadu
In Xanadu
In Xanadu
What was it to you that a man lay down his life for your love?
Were those clear eyes of yours ever filled with the pain and tears of grief?
Did you ever give yourself to any one man in this whole wide world?
Or did you love me and will you find your way back one day to Xanadu?
Were those clear eyes of yours ever filled with the pain and tears of grief?
Did you ever give yourself to any one man in this whole wide world?
Or did you love me and will you find your way back one day to Xanadu?
You’ll hear my voice
On the wind cross the sand
If you should return
To that black, barren land
That bears the name of Xanadu
On the wind cross the sand
If you should return
To that black, barren land
That bears the name of Xanadu
In Xanadu
In Xanadu
In Xanadu
In Xanadu
In Xanadu
The Playlist
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