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The Ballad of Normie Rowe

from Year of Wonders by Bruce Watson

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about

We need songs about our Australian contemporary heroes, and Normie Rowe is one of them. A pop star, a brave soldier, a trooper in every sense of the word, his life has seen great highs and lows. And he has come out of it all as a strong and compassionate person. I am very grateful for his kind words to me about this song.

lyrics

He was born on the first of February, 1947
A Northcote boy, back in different times
The old pianola was the family’s prized possession
Dad drove trucks and mum sang Patsy Cline
He sang tenor in the church choir, till he discovered rock and roll
By 13 he hit the stage at the Preston Town Hall
And when this mop-top kid belted out his songs, his voice was pure gold
And those teeny-bopper girls would scream for more

He sang Shakin’ All Over, and Que Sera
And It Ain’t Necessarily So
He was the King of Pop, the top of the charts
He was a hero — Normie Rowe

Now over in the USA, Elvis was the King
He’d been drafted as a soldier for Uncle Sam
And a struggling Harold Holt was looking for a win
To justify why we were fighting in Vietnam
So when they drew the marbles out with each young man’s date of birth
Normie’s number came up, and he served his country well
From Pukapunyal to Vietnam the King of Pop was sent
He saw things you shouldn’t see, and mates who fell

He was shakin’ all over, que sera
It ain’t necessarily so
He was the King of Pop, the top of the charts
He was a hero — Normie Rowe

Back home he faced protesters and post-traumatic stress
The King of Pop no more, never had a hit again
And to this day the question hangs: Was that ballot rigged?
Was he sacrificed for politicians’ gain?
But Normie, he was valiant, he soldiered on and made the best
Playing Leagues Clubs and acting on TV
And he’s fought long and hard for the cause of Vietnam vets
And he’s accepted: What will be will be

He sang Shakin’ All Over, and Que Sera
And It Ain’t Necessarily So
He was the King of Pop, the top of the charts
He was a hero — Normie Rowe
He is a hero — Normie Rowe

credits

from Year of Wonders, released November 9, 2022

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Bruce Watson Melbourne, Australia

Joyful, hilarious, thought provoking and totally engaging original songs from one of Australia's foremost songwriters and performers in the folk style.

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