"Song to Bobby" Cat Power won me over last Saturday night

[TimmyB]

I saw Cat Power perform at the Kool Haus in Toronto on Saturday February 9, 2007. I was there with the hope to hear one of the many Bob Dylan songs that she covers, either "Paths of Victory," "Knockin' On Heaven's Door," "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again" or her latest Dylan cover "I Believe in You."

I picked up her newest covers album 'Jukebox' which has 'I Believe in You" on it and I took a double take after my first listen of the Chan Marshall (who is Cat Power) original "Song to Bobby" which the title reminded me immediately of Dylan's tribute "Song to Woody" back on his debut on Columbia Records. "Song to Bobby" is a passionate song of Chan Marshall's love for Bob Dylan.

I unfortunately did not get a cover of Dylan at the Kool Haus gig, though I did get a powerful performance of "Song to Bobby." The gig completely won me over and I look forward to Cat Power's future efforts and who knows maybe next time I will get a Dylan cover, if not I'll still be happy to see her perform live again.

Peace,

Tim

Here's the lyrics to:

Song to Bobby (by Chan Marshall):

I wanna tell you

I’ve always wanted to tell you

What I never had the chance to say

What I feel in my heart from the beginning to my time today

I was fifteen, sixteen maybe

In the park I was waving my arms

You were there I could swear

And you sang the song that I was screaming

I wanted to

Another time was in South Carolina

It’s always been the third encore

And this wind came blowin’ in

Can you tell me who were you singing for?

Oh my God, can you tell me who you were singin’ to?

Phone call from in New York city office

You were supposedly asking to see me

Oh how I wanted to tell you

That I was only just 400 miles away

Who could believe that you were calling?

I was in deceit, I was 400 miles behind

Backstage pass in my hand

Givin’ you my heart was my plan

I wish I could tell you

My chance

In the middle of the stadium in Paris, France

Can I finally tell you

Can I finally tell you

To be my man

April, Paris, can I see you?

Can you please be my man?

Edited February 16, 2008 by Guest