In a Broken Dream by Python Lee Jackson

The cover of this single (a rare Spanish pressing) gives no clue that the vocalist here is one Rod Stewart. I  first came across this song in 2004 while listening to one of Rod’s live sessions albums. I then played it every evening for about three months. The opening verse kind of summed up my situation back then –

Everyday I spend my time
Drinking wine, feeling fine
Waiting here to find a sign
That I can understand

In time, I moved on, still without  receiving a sign (I  think Prozac got me out of this particular funk), but I’ve never forgotten this song. It’s got a fascinating history. I’d always hoped Python Lee Jackson was an actual person, but it was really the name of an Australian band which included lyricist David Bentley. One day, the guitarist in the band – Mick Liber – called Bentley, who was by this time working in Fleet Street. Liber needed a hit, and fast, as he had a studio session the next day. Bentley wrote the lyrics in an afternoon and decided that Rod Stewart would be the right person to sing them. Rumour has it that Rod was paid for his work in car seat covers. You can read the full backstory to this superb song here.

In a Broken Dream took five years to become a hit, spending twelve weeks in the UK charts in 1972, peaking at Number Three. It’s quite possible, then, that  I did hear it the first time around, while I was busy being six.

There are quite a few versions of this song out there (more than I’d imagined). Renderings by Thunder (1975), Kathryn Williams (2005) and ASAP Rocky (2015). But I I’m not keen on any of these. What I do love is Simon Le Bon, live in Italy, with a full orchestra. Have a listen.