My good friend Rob Wells has just had his first graphic novel published by Little Brown. It tells the uncomfortably hilarious story of his longtime fight with a variety of embarrassing ailments, and his struggle to find a member of the medical profession who would a) take him seriously and b) sort them out. It's a hugely entertaining read for anyone who's ever had an embarrassing illness and anyone who's ever tried in vain to find a sympathetic doctor. Or anyone who enjoys a witty tale about men's bits malfunctioning... and let's face it, who doesn't want to read that? (Squirm.) I'm really excited and pleased for Rob, having watched the project develop over a couple of years, seeing it accepted by a publisher, and finally getting my hands on a printed copy.
Here's the link to the book on Amazon. Other retailers will, I'm sure, be stocking it too.
In tribute, here are ten songs with balls...
10. Isaac Hayes (Chef) - Chocolate Salty Balls
Erm...
You had to be there.
9. W.A.S.P. - Dirty Balls
I'll play this one especially for Rob, since I know he's quite the metalhead. I, of course, couldn't ever approve of such things.
(I'm lying: this is in my record collection.)
8. Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys - Big Balls In Cowtown
Take your partner by the hand...
I said HAND! Jeez...
7. The Broken Family Band - The Booze & The Drugs
From the album Balls. How long you gonna be in the bathroom, baby?
6. AC/DC - Big Balls
See also She's Got Balls and Got You By The Balls. Notice any pattern here?
Will Oldham does a pretty cool tribute to all this nonsense too.
5. Love - Coloured Balls Falling
The shortest song on Love's eponymous debut album (but only one of them scraped past 3 minutes). As with most Arthur Lee songs, I have no idea what it's about. I suspect chemical assistance might be required...
I suspect this song might have also given its name to 70s Aussie rockers The Coloured Balls, but the interweb appears unable to confirm that for me.
4. Elizabeth Cook - Sometimes It Takes Balls To Be A Woman
Feminist country anthem. Dolly and Tammy would be proud.
3. Pulp - Can I Have My Balls Back, Please?
Poor old Jarvis. How can he be a man now...?
So I went to New York City to see a doctor thinking maybe that he..2. Amy Rigby - Balls
Would understand the state I was in.
He said: "I'd dearly love to help you son,
but you see the same thing's happened to me."
So now I'm home and I'm asking you just once more.
Please.
Oh can I have my balls back, please?
Can I have my balls back, please?
How am I gonna get through my life if you don't return them to me?
It appears that Amy Rigby can't help falling for bad boys. (Wonder if that's why she ended up with Wreckless Eric.)
You've got a lot of nerve to be calling here1. Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls Of Fire
But I love your nerve
You've got a lot of gall, you don't even care
About me at all
You've got a lot of balls, you don't even care
Wish I could grow a pair...
60 years old. Still as fresh and powerful as it ever was. Anyone who says the piano isn't a rock instrument hasn't ever listened to The Killer.
Next week: My Top Ten Enema Songs.
Or maybe not...
