hey kids, i've been wondering for a long time what the surreal and haunting background singers were singing for a whole chorus in TIYS. one of my fave gordie tracks. any ideas?

I always thought they were saying "Gimme a name, now, gimme a name".

Guess I should go back and take another listen to be sure.

Yes well the dear old Newsgroup alt.music.lightfoot may be in a fairly benign period of late but in times past topics such as this have been satisfyingly discussed I heartily recommend looking at a 40 message thread from 2001 started by Cathy starting at:-
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.m...6fcc8cb?hl=en&
once there click on "show options" then select"view thread" to see the complete 40 message listing and in particular read number 8 by the ex entourage member Richrd Harrison who opined:-
"Pick a Potata - Honest!
but later in message number 36
revealed what must be the definitive answer:-
"Actually there was some minor bar room discussion wherein Gord presented
"taka potata' as an alternative. He ended up choosing "pick" but he mighta
slipped in one "taka" while the rest of us weren't looking!"
there is at least one other NG thread on this subject
John Fowles
Misheard Lyrics: "The List"
Thick and thin
You throw the potato in the candlelight.
Original Lyrics:
Thick and thin
You don't have to play to win
But then you might.

from Am I Right Misheard Lyrics, Gordon Lightfoot at:-
http://www.amiright.com/misheard/art...ightfoot.shtml
and from the "Favo(u)rites" topic
""The Watchman's Gone" is another favorite. (Trying to pick just one is like trying to eat one potato chip.)"
from a topic right here at:-
http://www.corfid.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ul...c;f=1;t=000055

Yes well the dear old Newsgroup alt.music.lightfoot may be in a fairly benign period of late but in times past topics such as this have been satisfyingly discussed I heartily recommend looking at a 40 message thread from 2001 started by Cathy starting at:-
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.m...6fcc8cb?hl=en&
once there click on "show options" then select"view thread" to see the complete 40 message listing and in particular read number 8 by the ex entourage member Richrd Harrison who opined:-
"Pick a Potata - Honest!
but later in message number 36
revealed what must be the definitive answer:-
"Actually there was some minor bar room discussion wherein Gord presented
"taka potata' as an alternative. He ended up choosing "pick" but he mighta
slipped in one "taka" while the rest of us weren't looking!"
there is at least one other NG thread on this subject
John Fowles
Misheard Lyrics: "The List"
Thick and thin
You throw the potato in the candlelight.
Original Lyrics:
Thick and thin
You don't have to play to win
But then you might.

from Am I Right Misheard Lyrics, Gordon Lightfoot at:-
http://www.amiright.com/misheard/art...ightfoot.shtml
and from the "Favo(u)rites" topic
""The Watchman's Gone" is another favorite. (Trying to pick just one is like trying to eat one potato chip.)"
from a topic right here at:-
http://www.corfid.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ul...c;f=1;t=000055

yo, mr. fowles. thanks for the tip. its trippy that you're aware of such an appropriate thread from 4 years ago. gordie doesn't seem the sort to put such a goofball lyric as "pick a potato", but the richard harrison reply seems to confirm it. go figure.

well, cheers

"and still i'd like to tell her that i miss her so: north ontari-o"

I asked Rick Haynes that very question a few years back, and he says they're singing, "Take a potato, take a potato, take a potato." I said, "No, that can't be. It doesn't make any sense," but he said it served the purpose to fill up empty spots in the song. Listen closely. I bet you'll hear "take a potato, take a potato, take a potato."

Cathy

i guess the question now is summertime dream...counter chorus: time for a summer cha-----? go for it. gibberish syllables or actual words? something on the brain for 30 years (better late than never :)

btw i refuse the "take a potato" angle on tiys....