The Ballad of Gordon

Infobox Song
Name = The Ballad of Gordon


Artist = Barenaked Ladies
from Album =
B-side =
Released = 1992
Format = Music video
Recorded = Spring 1992
Genre = Folk rock
Length = 1:30
Label = Sire/Reprise
Writer = Barenaked Ladies
Producer =
Certification =
Chart position =
Last single =
This single =
Next single =

"The Ballad of Gordon" (sometimes referred to as "And Then There Was Me") is a song by Canadian alternative rock band Barenaked Ladies. While never officially released on any Barenaked Ladies album, the song was used for a public service announcement in the form of a short music video. It aired during the Fox Kids block in the early 1990s, particularly around the release of the band's major label debut, similarly titled "Gordon".

Interestingly, while the video aired in the United States, Barenaked Ladies were virtually still unknown in that region. On the other hand, they were finding great success in their home country of Canada, having sold over a million copies of their aforementioned debut album and topped the "Record" charts for eight weeks in 1992.

Music video

The song focuses on discrimination, particularly racism. Running approximately 1:30, it has a fast, upbeat tempo. The video features lead vocalist Ed Robertson comically depicted as an armless, green alien from outer space, dressed in a shiny gold gown and crown with green make-up covering his head. He sings about coming to Earth only to be ridiculed and imprisoned by humans, explaining that they tried to take his "special suit" and said his head "looks like fruit." The rest of the band, in regular clothes, perform with Robertson, and theatrically play the parts of discriminating humans. Robertson is, in fact, shown in his alien costume in the liner notes of "Gordon", making it clear that the "Ballad of Gordon" video was shot during the production of the album.

Toward the end of the song, the lyrics lead into acceptance and friendship between alien and human. It comes to a climax with the phrase "if you're thinking 'bout being a spaceman, it don't matter if you're black or white." This is a direct reference to Michael Jackson's hit single, "Black or White," which similarly debuted on the Fox network one year prior. Other colors and textures are then humorously listed as "The Ballad of Gordon" fades out, at which point the video closes with the words "RACIAL HARMONY" across the screen.

External links

* [http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/1333/ Retro Junk - The Ballad of Gordon]