GARDEN PARTY

(Rick Nelson)

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Ricky Nelson, who covered several Dylan songs with his Stone Canyon Band, had a Top Ten hit in 1972 with "Garden Party" which mentions Dylan and quotes one of Dylan's songs.

Transcribed by Manfred Helfert.

Went to a garden party,
Reminisced with my old friends,
A chance to share old memories,
Play the songs again.

When I got to the garden party
They all knew my name,
No one recognized me,
I didn't look the same.

But it's all right, now,
I've learned my lesson well,
See, you can't please ev'ryone,
So you got to please yourself.

People came from miles around,
Ev'ryone was there;
Yoko brought a walrus,
There was magic in the air.

Over in the corner,
Much to my surprise,
Mr. Hughes hid in Dylan's shoes,
Wearin' his disguise.

But it's all right, now,
Learned my lesson well,
See, you can't please ev'ryone,
So you got to please yourself.

Played them all the old songs,
I thought that's why they came,
No one heard the music,
Didn't look the same.

I said hello to Mary Lou,
She belongs to me,
When I sang a song about a honky tonk
It was time to leave.

But it's all right, now,
I've learned my lesson well,
See, you can't please ev'ryone,
So you got to please yourself.

Someone opened up the closet door,
And out stepped Johnny B. Goode,
Playin' guitar like a-ringin' a bell,
And lookin' like he should.

Now if you got to play a garden party,
I wish you a lotta luck;
But if memories is all I sing
I'd rather drive a truck.

Gettin' all right, now,
I've learned my lesson well,
See, you can't please ev'ryone,
So you got to please yourself. [REPEAT]