Song of the night: “B.J. Don’t Cry” by Moxy Früvous

Yeah, I’m a Frühead. I’ve featured Moxy here, and here, and here.

That these guys remain a “cult favorite” while Barenaked Ladies became international stars is something I will never, ever comprehend.

From their 1992 DIY cassette comes this, a tale of heartbreak and resolve and resiliency and renewal.

Never had a girl to call his own…

From the Früvous quill comes a sorry tale of love and illin’
Romeo found the balcony too high, ended up with second billin’
She loved in triplicate, left his heart a blank to fill in
Lost his faith immaculate when Cupid became a villain

B.J. don’t cry no more
Wonders what his heart is beating for
Says he takes it much too hard
Give my regards to B.J.

In a fit of rage he tore down all her gifts and promises
Sick and tired of hearing ’bout those Harry, Dick, and Thomases
Banished her for life he did, right then and there, from the premises
Once Holy Virgin Queen, now on the scene, his nemesis

B.J. don’t cry no more
Wondered what his heart is beating for
Said he takes it much too hard
Give my regards to B.J.

He thought about his life, his heart began to rush
He buried the crown, found a bucket and a brush
B.J. paints town..

Now on the street, our wounded soul is looking quite gregarial
Heart of tin has shed his skin, given it a hefty burial
As with logic, as with reason, as with science actuarial
Rallied ’round the Früvous flag, burnt the kitchen, raised the aerial

B.J. don’t cry no more
Found out what his heart was beating for
Used to take it much too hard
Give my regards to B.J.

Turn it over, little man
He took a trip, B.J.’s on a train
Far far away, but he’ll be back again one rainy day

B.J. don’t cry no more
B.J. don’t cry no more

So there we have a story lived in person, told by proxy
‘Bout a mild-mannered mannequin, every Wednesday hit the Roxy
Till there, his own reflection showed him his orthodoxy
Now he hikes the Himalayas, stuffs his letters full of Moxy!

B.J. don’t cry no more
Found out what his heart was beating for
Used to take it much too hard
Give my regards to B.J.
Said he takes it much too hard
Give my regards to B.J.

And now he’s swinging in the yard,
He’s the junior bard from the Julliard…
B.J.!