By now, I'm sure everybody's heard tracks from Shatner's notorious The Transformed Man album released in 1968. Today, we're going to focus on the song "Spleen/Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and search for some much needed answers and closure to this vinyl enigma. Before we take off, take another listen.
 | William Shatner - Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds .mp3 |  |
 | ||
 | Found at bee mp3 search engine |  |
Question #1: Is he serious?
The album is so over-the top, that many think Shatner is merely having a good time and goofing around. Sorry. Shat is dead freaking serious. Shatner's liner notes which were originally penned when the album came out, make it clear that he was legitimately proud of his accomplishment. Go here to read the full text. Here's a taste.
The birth of this album grew out of the chance meeting of a handful of people - like different roads winding about for miles and then all coming together at one place - with each of us bringing a wealth of experience and know-how to the converging point...
I mean, c'mon, this Shatner we're talking about.... in his prime! He was incapable of creating anything but an overly indulgent piece of work. He gave new meaning the word "overacting"; this exactly the type of guy who's going to try to turn a Beatles song into a Shakespearean tragedy. Look up "histrionic personality disorder" and you're liable to find a picture of Shat.
Question #2: Spleen?
The song is not just called "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". No, that would be too base and simpleminded for a man of such rich talents as Shatner. He had to have a impressionistic thought poetry before each track. The meaning is explained in the original liner notes:
The idea of grouping the numbers together in pairs is to unfold multiple perspectives of the same subject, like the two sides of a coin, tension and resolution.
In the case of "Spleen/Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", the two sides of the coin are: "utter dejection - super elation". But why use the word "spleen"? The spleen is an organ once conceived as the seat of emotions or passions. Thus the phrase to denote an ill temper is to "vent one's spleen".
Question #3: What kind of sicko would produce an album like this?
Don Ralke - the same guy who produced the infamous Murray Wilson album, The Many Moods of Murray Wilson. Murray was the alcoholic abusive dad of The Beach Boys. His horrific treatment of Brian and two brothers is legendary. For instance, he reportedly removed his glass eye and made Brian stare into his empty eye socket during the "Help Me Rhonda" sessions. In the early days, he made Brian shit on a paper plate in front of the whole family. Somehow, these "moods" never got captured on the Many Moods LP.
Question #4: What does Shatner have to say about his checkered musical past? Does he exhibit shame, humiliation, embarrassment?
Hell, no - this is Shatner we're talkin' about!
I'll leave you with a brilliant piece of fan art. This video is a wonderful home-made homage to this '68 Shat classic. Enjoy.
Legal Bit: 'Star Trek' is a registered trademark of Paramount Pictures. The 'Star Trek' logo and all images from the television series are copyright Paramount Pictures unless otherwise stated; music is copyright the original composers and producers; no copyright infringement is intended. Who loves ya, baby?
