[podcast]http://www.knotoryus.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/june/Claudine.mp3[/podcast]

Claudine Longet - Jealous Guy/ Don't Let Me Down

Transfered directly from vinyl.

There are certain things my family has to live with.

One of those things that I imagine are included in the 'or for worse' clause of our (as yet unspoken) vows is my fascination for Claudine Longet.

Who?

Claudine is a French singer who was on the edge of international stardom in the seventies, after rising to European fame in the sixties. He most famous peformances are in 'The Party' with Peter Sellers and on the soundtrack of 'Rosemary's Baby', the horror epic by Roman Polanski.

[youtube VQFwW8eAy4U nolink]

Legend has it, Rosemary's Baby was cursed. The director's pregnant wife was killed by Charles Manson, the score composer Komeda fell and died shortly after the film was finished, and the building where the movie was shot, the Dakota building, was later to become famous as the scene of John Lennon's murder. So what happened to Claudine? She was convicted after accidentally shooting her husband (Olympic skier "Spider" Sabich) to death in the shower. She retreated to Aspen, where she continues to live out of the spotlight. She has never spoken to the press since the incident in 1977 (whith is my birth year, coincidentally).

There is something so intensely haunting about the combination of the innocence of Claudine's voice and looks, her almost-famous-linked-with-legends status (she was a good friend of Bobby Kennedy) and her eventual, violent downfall that makes every Claudine Longet record a prize to be cherished for me. Whenever I'm in a record shop, I ask if they have any Longet in stock. Most of the shop owners look bewildered when I mention her name, but others, especially the Parisian diggers, nod slowly and say: "Ah, Claudine. Quelle tragédie!"

Over the years, I've collected a few Longet records and I'll share one song with you today. It's from the 'Let's Spend The Night Together' LP from 1972. The album was recorded to break the US market, rebranding Claudine as a more serious singer of her age, covering the likes of Neil Young, The Beatles and The Stones instead of her usual poppy brand names.

The Stones actually wrote a song about Claudine, which was never released officially.

[youtube w8IOKKG_PAQ nolink]

Lyrics:

Claudine's back in jail again Claudine's back in jail (again) Claudine's back in jail again Claudine

Claudine's back in jail again Claudine's back in jail (again) She only does it at weekends Claudine Oh, Claudine

Now only Spider knows for sure But he ain't talkin' about it any more Is he, Claudine?

There's blood in the chalet And blood in the snow (She)Washed her hands of the whole damn show The best thing you could do, Claudine

Shot him once right through the head Shot him twice right through the chest The judge says (ruled) it was an accident Claudine Accidents will happen (In the best homes)

And Claudine's back in jail again Claudine's back in jail again Claudine's back in jail again Claudine

(Claudine's back in jail again Claudine's back in jail again Claudine's back in jail again Claudine) [additional chorus]

I'll tell you something Now Claudine's back in jail again Claudine's back in jail again Claudine's back in jail again Claudine

Tell you one more Claudine's back in jail again Claudine's back in jail again Claudine's back in jail again Huh Claudine?

Oh Claudine...

Oooo ... What about the children, baby? Poor, poor children

Now I threaten my wife with a gun I always leave the safety on I recommend it Claudine

Now she pistol whipped me once or twice But she never tried to take my life (What do you think about that) Claudine

The prettiest girl I ever seen I saw you on the movie screen Hope you don't try to make a sacrifice of me Claudine (Don't get trigger happy with me) Don't wave a gun at me (Claudine)

I said Claudine's back in jail again Claudine's back in jail again Claudine's back in jail again Claudine

I said Claudine's back in jail again Claudine's back in jail again She only does it at weekends Claudine

Keith, will you put that weapon down?

Oh Claudine

Oh Claudine