We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Unicorns

from Virtually Alive EP by John Parkes

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £0.80 GBP  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Limited edition CD (not a CD-R - and limited by the number we got made - but hopefully we'll get some more made if we run out - having said that we might change something so yours will be provably one of the 'first pressing' if that's what you're into - and even if your're not...) In a nice matt finish recycled card sleeve just like your mother used to make (or not if your mum wasn't a CD manufacturer).

    Posted to you in an envelope. Plays in CD players and computers hopefully.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Virtually Alive EP via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      £4 GBP or more 

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    5
    releases

    Get all 5 John Parkes releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Virtually Alive EP, Bleeding Edge / Distant Past, Don't be Seventeen EP, Illegal Songs, and Faithlessnessless. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      £11.70 GBP or more (35% OFF)

     

about

URL for video of this song: youtu.be/5x51YghPEUY

I’ve played this song live a fair amount and it changed just a bit as it went on – this version felt like the final version. This is definitely recorded ‘live in the studio’. At gigs I usually try and explain what it’s about and a lot of people don’t seem to quite ‘get it’. Or perhaps I just ramble on. But that’s OK, I’m less inclined to take people with me as I go on and happier to play stuff at people whether they like it or not – though I also try to please on occasion.

This is a kind of attack on new-agey nonsense. The kind of stuff people choose to believe not because it’s true or even likely to be true but the stuff that they would perhaps like to be true - The people that pluck 19 different categories of angels out of other people’s nonsense and well, all the rest really.

This started off with me overhearing a parent telling a child that their goldfish had gone to heaven. Innocent enough I guess, though it did get me thinking that the way Heaven and Hell work according to most is that only the ‘saved’, or at least members of the faith go to Heaven and I don’t really understand how a goldfish can accept whoever / whatever and secure a place. Perhaps it’s just granted to them so they can be there because the other residents would want them there for some reason? This is the kind of stuff I think about when coming up with a song, clearly. I also, since you ask, generally have a problem with people who tell you that they’re ‘a spiritual person’. I’m not quite Richard Dawkins but I do think that people should at least be able to justify what they believe or say by some method or other.

lyrics

Unicorns

Do goldfish go to Heaven?
Like some parents say
When you believe in angels
Tell me, do unicorns eat hay?

Seems you feel when you find a feather
That they’re watching over you
Me, I only saw a pigeon
And a cat, red in claw and tooth

You’re such a spiritual person
‘Cause you wear hats made by tribes
You revere their ancient medicine and wisdom
Keeps them safe when clearing landmines

So if goldfish go to Heaven
Let the hamsters go to Hell
The parrots perch in Purgatory
Lice liven up Limbo

So let’s all go to Heaven
Be like a day out at the zoo
But me I’m pitching for Valhalla
If I’ve got to kill – yeah it could be you

And you’re such a spiritual person
Hey let’s all save our body hair
And as we float off to Atlantis
We can stuff magic cushions with it there

And you’ll never be alone
In your crystal Tarot home
With what you and Nostradamus know
As you chase after unicorns

credits

from Virtually Alive EP, released September 18, 2017

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

John Parkes image

John Parkes Leeds, UK

contact / help

Contact John Parkes

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Report this track or account

If you like John Parkes, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Beans joins the show to discuss his album release, "ZWAARD".

listen now