It’s fascinating to see how and where this subject appears in the lyrics of so many different songs. I also discovered lots of great songs. The songs are not in any particular order and are divided into two lists. Part 1 can be found here. And this is part 2!
11. Billy Bragg - Handyman Blues
We kick off part two of our top 20 with this rather amusing song about someone who is more interested in ‘poetry’ than ‘pottery’. The music video also features quite a few familiar faces.
“Don’t be expecting me to put ip shelves or build a garden shed.
But I can write a song that tells the world how much I love you instead
I’m not any good at pottery so let’s lose the T and just shift back the E
And I’ll find a way to make my poetry a roof over our heads”
12. Alan Menken - When Will My Life Begin (from 'Tangled').
Disney princesses do pottery too. In this song, Rapunzel from ‘Tangled’ lists all her activities.
“Then after lunch it’s puzzles and darts and baking
Paper mache, a bit of ballet and chess
Pottery and ventriloquy, candle making
Then I’ll stretch, maybe sketch, take a climb, sew a dress!”
13. John Tartaglia - Find my purpose (from 'Avenue Q')
This time, it’s a song from a Broadway musical, namely ‘Avenue Q’, which is based on the children’s programme Sesame Street. A recurring theme is the main character, Princeton, searching for meaning in his life.
“I’m gonna find my purpose, could be far, could be near
Could take a week, a month, a year.
At a job, or smoking grass, maybe at a pottery class!”
Not a bad idea, that last one, right?
14. Kerry Butler - Ready Set, Not Yet (from 'Beetlejuice')
This song also comes from a Broadway musical called ‘Beetlejuice’, in which ceramic throwing is used as a rather strange metaphor for raising children.
“Why can’t you see that ceramics is
simply a manifestation of motherly panic
By making a baby that’s breakable
aren’t you creating a way of translating the terror of making maternal mistakes into clay?”
Hm…
15. John Fogerty - Have thine own way, lord
This is a very different kind of song, with religious overtones. Religion has used clay metaphors for decades. When it comes to the Creator and his creations, how could it be otherwise? A soothing song!
“Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.”
16. Echo & The Bunnymen - Clay
This song has a bit more rhythm and swing.
“Are you the heavy half
Of the lighter me
Are you the ready part
Of the lighter me
When I came apart
I wasn’t made of sand
When you fell apart
Clay crumbled in my hands”
17. Dwight Yoakam - Dreams of Clay
This one from Dwight Yoakam is more of a ballad. A beautiful lament about a love gone bad to dream away…
“‘Cause in sorrow’s blinding light today
Baby, it looks like my dreams were made of clay”
18. Al Stewart - Songs Out of Clay
I really like the lyrics of this song, and I also really like Al Stewart’s voice. The image of clay is used to represent the creative process.
“Oh I know that you are an artist she said
For you make your songs out of clay
You carry the dust on your hands and your face
You never quite brushed it away
You were trying to chisel a perfect truth
When the instrument broke in your hand”
Unit 4 + 2 - Concrete and Clay 19.
The penultimate spot on this list is reserved for a swinging golden oldie. It’s hard not to be cheered up by this cheeky tune, and bonus points to the whole group for looking delightfully chic in their suits.
“You to me
Are sweet as roses in the morning
And you to me
Are soft as summer rain at dawn, in love we share
That something rare
The sidewalks in the street
The concrete and the clay beneath my feet
Begins to crumble
But love will never die
Because we’ll see the mountains tumble
Before we say goodbye”
20. Jan De Wilde - Walter. Ballad of a goldfish
This wonderful record by Jan De Wilde takes the last place of honour. It is a nostalgic and sad Flemish song about Walter, who works with clay to forget his lost love.
“He lives off his sculpture now, makes Saskia’s out of clay
They all seem quite content
I am alpha and omega” he hums softly to himself
I have the keys to the future and the past”
Bonus track: With my hands - Willem Vermandere
This one did not make the ‘official’ selection for the top 20 because it is not literally about clay or ceramics.
However, I would still like to give an honourable mention to this song by Willem Vermandere.
It is sung in my native West Flemish, and there can never be enough Willem Vermandere. It is also a beautiful ode to, well yes, hands.
And that concludes Part 2! Any suggestions for other songs mentioning potters, clay or ceramics are very welcome! Please leave a comment if you can think of another song that fits the bill. Enjoy the clay and the music – and this clay music!
