Give Me The Good News – Crocodile Harris

With the help of Tully McCully, Crocodile Harris constructed ‘Give Me The Good News’ around a beautiful piano lullaby tune. Some lush orchestral sounds are added while Crocodile’s emotive vocals build into the crescendo of the brassy chorus that fairly soars. However, unlike some other anti-war songs, (Dylan’s ‘Masters of War’ for example), this is not an angry song. It is almost like a father telling a child not to grow up going to war. This feeling is perhaps brought on by the lullaby lilt to the piano and, as the song draws to a close, a child-like xylophone accompanies the piano.

Harris, (real name Robin Graham), scored it big with this anti-war song. Not only did the song spent 8 weeks on the Springbok Top 20 , peaking at number 14 in 1982, but also went on to shift 650 000 units in France. Who says good news doesn’t sell?

Where to find it:

• Give Me The Good News – Crocodile Harris (1983, WEA Records, 24-0212-1)
• The Best Of Crocodile Harris – Crocodile Harris (2007)
• SA Party – South Africa’s Greatest Hits – Various Artists (2009, Gallo, CTS 5028)

Video:

Lyrics:

If we accept the word forever
Maybe we should live together
And not be scared to watch
The late night news
You can’t use guns to build a nation
A bullet never was creation

Give, give me the good news
War’s the one game where we all lose
Give me the good news

If I accept the word tomorrow
Can I file away my sorrow
And not be scared to watch
The late night news
You can’t use force to sell a promise
Dictatorship was never honest

Give, give me the good news
War’s the one game where we all lose
Give me the good news

Give, please give me the good news
War’s the one game where we all lose
Give me the good news

If I accept the word forever
Maybe we should live together
And not be scared to watch
The late night news
You can’t use guns to build a nation
A bullet never was creation

Give, give me the good news
War’s the one game where we all lose
Give me the good news

Give, please give me the good news
War’s the one game where we all lose
Give me the good news

Give, give me the good news
War’s the one game where we all lose
Give me the good news

Written by Tully McCully and Geoff Coxall

via Give Me The Good News – Crocodile Harris | 1001 South African Songs You Must Hear Before You Go Deaf.