Wonderland Burlesque's The Twelve Days Before Xmas - Day Six: A Spaceman Came Travelling by Chris de Burgh

Wonderland Burlesque's

The Twelve Days Before Xmas

 Day Six: 

A Spaceman Came Travelling by Chris de Burgh

We're over half-way there, folks! Just five days to go until the big day.

Time to climb back into the Wonderland Burlesque time machine and countdown to the big day. This holiday season, the dial is set for the 1970's!

Oh, you are in for a treat, so grab a seat and buckle up.

The seventies was a decade of change, turbulence and sweetness. Nowhere is this more felt than in the breadth and depth of the music of the time. There were so many different genres being developed, evolving and seeking validation on the radio and the industry music charts, it was a virtual musical cornucopia.

So, get ready for another song of the season by one of our biggest (and not so big) stars, here, stateside, and across the pond, who made the seventies truly magical.

Next up... storyteller Chris de Burgh's other-worldly take on the nativity, A Spaceman Came Travelling.  

A Spaceman Came Travelling first appeared on Chris de Burgh's second studio album, Spanish Train and Other Stories, which was released in 1975. Since that time it has been released numerous times as a single. After its first release in 1975, the song saw minimal success in the UK. However, it eventually hit #1 in Ireland, staying on the charts for 15 total weeks and climbed to #22 on the Canadian AC charts in 1978. Following de Burgh's inescapable hit The Lady in Red in 1986, A Spaceman Came Travelling was reworked with a re-recorded vocal and reissued as a double A-side with the song The Ballroom of Romance. The new version charted for the first time in the UK, reaching #40 and staying on the British charts for five weeks.

Regarding the song's inception, De Burgh, who had just signed his first recording contract with A&M Records, was broke and "staying at a friend's flat" when he read Chariots of the Gods? by Erich von Däniken. The book made him think "what if the star of Bethlehem was a space craft and what if there is a benevolent being or entity in the universe keeping an eye on the world and our foolish things that we do to each other?" And though the song failed to chart when first released as a single, de Burgh says it's been "much better to have a regular recurring song than a hit for three weeks" - referring to the song's regular airplay on UK radio during the holiday season.

 

A Spaceman Came Travelling - Chris de Burgh

Weekend Onesie: The Saga Of Bigfoot (Tales from The World Weekly News)

Weekend Onesie:

The Saga Of Bigfoot

(Tales from The World Weekly News)

Ah, there was a time....

The demise of print media is just a shame.

We've been robbed of so many great publications.

I personally mourn the days of catching sight of the latest ridiculous inflammatory headline of The World Weekly News while standing in line at my local grocery store.

I actually had relatives who bought these type of periodicals - hook, line, and stinker! I'd peruse them while waiting for my parents to finish visiting. The audacity of the the claims made caused my eyebrows to rise, but those were the days when I still believed that if they print it... there must be some truth to it! There simply aren't enough exclamation points in the world to explain it all.

Today, let's take a brief look back at The World Weekly News and their stories about the phenom known as 'Bigfoot'. 

P.S. If you're out and about in the woods one summer day, do keep a look out!

In a world where "you never know"...

Isn't it comforting that there are some things

which remain ridiculous?

- uptonking from Wonderland Burlesque

A tale as old as time.

He was born...

At first glance I thought they were referring to Kenny Rogers.

He is captured.

He is touched by Valerie Bertinelli!

(I suppose after marrying Eddie Van Halen,

she got used to feral things.)

He takes a lover and procreates!

A bit of sexual experimentation....

Once you go lumberjack, you can't go back.

It appears she (his sister?) got cold feet.

Finally, he marries and settles down.

You know what they say about marriage.

He gained the honeymoon 100 (lbs.)

He now has a family to support!

And, as we all one day shall, he bites the big one!

--- ---

Weekend Onesie: Looking For Mr. Terrific!

Weekend Onesie:

Looking For Mr. Terrific!

In honor of PRIDE month, I've hobbled together a collection of images to illustrate what life used to be like for those who tried staying in the closet too long. It's a tale as old as time...

A cautionary tale, for certain... but don't worry!

It has a happy ending.

As you celebrate this month... recall your own journey, and remember those who came (out) before you! Keep in mind, too, those still struggling. After all... as a frog in a swamp once sang, it ain't easy being green!

Yes, all of our stories are important and we're all a part of gay history. 

And never forget... gay history is real history!

Here's hoping you've found your happy ending.

And if you have, remember to honor...

The struggles and stories of all those under the rainbow!

- uptonking from Wonderland Burlesque

Being Green -Kermit The Frog and Ray Charles

Oh, you know they talk about you.

Their little jokes. The snide comments.

And... you know the truth.

You live denying it everyday.

Perhaps you fear not only what others will say,

...but also issues in the workplace or with family.

You do your best  to 'fit in'...

And behave in the manner expected.

But you know...

And they know...

Then, one day, you've had enough!

And you come springing out, fully-formed, 

like Athena from Zeus' head.

The world immediately recognizes you...

...as your genuine self!

The 'Mister Right' you've been looking for all your life?

Why, he's been right there, in the mirror, all along.

So, okay... you're new to the life.

Maybe you get a bit carried away.

You're new to the scene, so...

 ...you play the field.

Looking for Mr. Terrific...

Soon becomes Looking for Mr. Goodbar!

Maybe you even gain a bit of a 'reputation'!

Perhaps you even become careless with people.

And then, the next thing you know...

You're attracting the 'wrong' kind of attention!

But never fear, you'll find your equilibrium.

And, who knows?

You may find that special someone, too!

Trust that everything will work out for the best.

And it does...

Once you accept your authentic self!

 Being Green -Kermit The Frog and Lena Horne

Weekend Onesie: The O.D.D. (Original Dynamic Duo)

Weekend Onesie: 

The O.D.D. 

(Original Dynamic Duo)

Today, we take a look at the little known story of The O.D.D.

Yes, long before SNL and Robert Smigel titillated viewers with the adventures of that other duo, Batman and Robin had, in fact, discovered their true selves.

Left on the cutting room floor of the D.C. Comics sweatshop, here, for the first time, learn of how Batman and Robin became The Original Dynamic Duo!

It's a true fairytale.

Live an authentic life.

Be your authentic self.

And you, too, will be happy ever-after.

- uptonking from Wonderland Burlesque

Happy Ever After - Julia Fordham

 Batman and Robin certainly had a way 

of getting to their archenemy The Joker.

And, while not shy, The Joker wanted to 

prove himself to the people of Gotham.

So he decided to turn the tables on The O.D.D.

...by setting a trap.

Of course, Batman and Robin were listening in.

Those two? A couple of real party-line Marys!

After doing a bit of research...

They tracked The Joker to his lair.

The Joker, of course, acted surprised...

But, ultimately, he had the upper hand.

And the perfect opportunity to enact his revenge.

Little did The Joker know...

He'd unleashed a monster!

Those closest to Batman didn't understand

the sudden change in the man they knew.

While others grew concerned

for the welfare of young Dick.

Dick wasn't sure what all the fuss was about.

But one day, after school...

Young Dick crept his way into the Bat Cave...

Where he listened and learned.

Some of the things confused young Dick.

And later, he had many questions for his pal Bruce.

Bruce did his best to address Dick's concerns.

But Dick couldn't understand why Bruce

didn't include him in his little reindeer games.

So, Dick, after completing an assignment, decided 

to get Bruce's attention once and for all.

He'd show the world!

Bruce was incensed. 

Not only had young Dick done a terrible job 

 landing the plane, he'd also managed to do the one thing 

one should never do to a fellow queen in drag... upstage him. 

Of course, Bruce immediately felt terrible afterwards, 

promising never to hit young Dick again. 

(He always did.)

By the next morning things seemed to have gotten

back to normal. And after a restful night...

Young Dick sprang into action!

He put Bruce in his place, once and for all.

Yes, two could play this game!

Now, who was top dog?

In the end (hee, hee), 

Bruce was mighty grateful.

However, a well-timed reminder 

was in order.

After promising to comply, The O.D.D. made their way

 to the Bat Cave and back to business as usual.

On the agenda today? 

Organizing things in the playroom!

--- ---

Opening and Closing Themes

from the 1966 television program Batman