I think I first saw Rickie Lee Jones perform this song on Saturday Night Live in 1978 or 1979. Over the next five years I bought each album as it came out, the first one with Chuck E, Coolsville, and Youngblood, and a good many others besides. But the best song off the first album is probably On Saturday Afternoons in 1963, which Rufus will probably like because it was featured on an episode of House. This video is one of the homemade jobs and is weirdly synced to a series of scenes from old Starsky and Hutch episodes. I couldn’t find any videos from her second album, Pirates (yes, I think you should buy it), which might be her best, but here also is a performance of Magazine, her third album, with a goofy interview following. Loveably goofy.
How come he don’t come and p.i.p. with me / Down at the meter no more? / How come he turn off the t.v. / And he hang that sign on the door? / We call and we call ‘How come?’ we say / What could make a boy behave this way? / He learn all of the lines, and every time he / don’t stutter when he talk / And it’s true! It’s true! He sure has aquired a / cool and inspired sorta jazz when he walk / Where’s his jacket and his old blue jeans? / If this ain’t healthy it is some kinda clean / I think Chuck E’s in love / I don’t believe what you’re saying to me / This is something I gotta see Is he here? / Look in the poolhall Is he here? / Look in the drugstore Is he here? / No, he don’t come here no more / I’ll tell you what I saw him / He was sittin’ us down at the Pantages / And whatever is that he got up his sleeve / I hope it isn’t contagious / What’s her name? Is that her there? / Christ, I think he’s even combed his hair! / Is that her? What’s her name? / Oh, it’s never going to be same. / But that’s not her / I know what’s wrong – / Chuck E’s in love with the little girl who’s singing this song / Chuck E’s in love with me
The bearded fellow in the still shots (Chuck E., presumably) looks a bit like Quin Finnegan.