Harry Nilsson and John Lennon wrasslin’ on the lawn

After wrestling with some server issues for about three hours, I thought I’d unwind before bed by posting a song I love, which I’ve only recently acquired.

It’s no secret that if I were to make a list of my top five favorite musicians, Harry Nilsson would make the list without breaking a sweat (as would David Bowie, Paul McCartney — just realized all three have recorded songs with John Lennon. Odd.) And though I’ve spent years enjoying Nilsson Sings Newman, I had never bumped into this cover by Nilsson of my favorite Randy Newman song until this year when we got a copy of Personal Best used at the record store. I was absolutely bowled over by one of my all-time favorite voices taking on what is undeniably a genius song.

MP3: Harry Nilsson – Sail Away (Randy Newman)
“Sail Away” is from the point of view of a slave trader trying to convince Africans to board his boat and set sail for America, where they will eventually be enslaved. Randy Newman’s performance on the album of the same name is fantastic; you can almost read his mind through his delivery: “America’s great, but we’ve done our share of cruelty.” In fact, you get the sense that he’s secretly enjoying knowing that most people might just take it as a ra-ra America tune, rather than a cynical, sobering composition. Lies made those slaves get on the boat, and the lying in America hasn’t stopped to this day.

Now, knowing all that, Nilsson still convinces me to get on that boat every time. I’m happy to swallow even the blatant lies (“Every man is as happy as a man can be”) when Harry is the one belting them out. And by the time he gets to the last minute and a half of the song — singing the chorus with more and more conviction until his rich voice barely cracks — I’ve completely signed on board just like those slaves. And much like those tricked Africans, the lies in these lyrics don’t hit me until the song is over and I’m on board.

Randy Newman’s “Sail Away,” no matter who is performing it, is very much a song in the spirit of Mark Twain. Follow the narrative, but follow it with the understanding that a different story and different message are meant to be conveyed.

Buy Personal Best on Amazon

I’ve been a Nilsson fan for a while, but have spent the past year reading everything I can find on him. Anyone know if the movie Who Is Harry Nilsson (and Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him?) is worth the money? Seems pretty fantastic. And if I’m not the target audience for such a movie, I’m not sure who is!