All language subtitles for Velvet.Goldmine.1998.1080p.BluRay.x265-RARBG.en

Histories,

like ancient ruins,

are the fictions of empires.

While everything forgotten

hangs in dark dreams of the past,

ever threatening to return.

Lord'n heaven!

Madame Wilde! Richard! Come quickly!

I want to be a tailor.

I want to be a farmer.

I want to be a barrister.

I want to be a truck-driver.

I want to be... a pop-idol.

Get him, get him!

Leave him!

Childhood,

adults always say,

is the happiest time in life.

But as long as he could remember,

Jack Fairy knew better.

Until one mysterious day,

when Jack would discover

that somewhere there were others

quite like him.

Singled out for a great gift.

And one day

the whole stinking world

would be theirs.

Those who know

They don't let it show

They just give you one long life

And you go, oh oh, oh oh

Goes to show

How winds blow

The weather's fine

And I feel so so so

Birds of prey

With too much to say

Oh what could be my destiny

Another rainy day

Why ask why

For by the by and by

All mysteries are just more

Needles in the camel's eye

Look! It's Jack Fairy.

Who's Jack Fairy?

Those who know

They don't let it show

They just give you one long life

And you go, oh oh, oh oh

Why ask why

For by the by and by

All mysteries are just more

Needles in the camel's eye

The streets of London are ablaze

in sparkle make-up and glittering frocks

as the boys and girls

of the current glam-rock craze

pay tribute to their patron saint

Pop-star Brian Slade

and his space-age rock persona

Maxwell Demon.

Yeah, Brian Slade,

he's just so different.

I mean, I've never seen anyone quite like him.

And 'Lipstick Traces', his last album was just...

it was just something special.

It's an album that's like,

appealing to so many people like that.

A palpable whirl of anticipation

can be felt outside London's Lyceum Theatre

as fans await

the final show on Slade's smash world tour.

Security around the performer is tightened

following a recent BBC interview

in which he admitted to

premonitions of being assassinated on stage.

Turn it off!

...hasn't detain any of

his enthusiastic and colorful followers,

some of whom have been queuing here since late last night.

Brian, the time!

Ladies and Gentlemen!

The Lyceum Theatre.

In cooperation with "Bijou Music"

is proud to present

straight back from their fantastically successful European tour

Maxwell Demon and The Venus in Furs!

Put out the torches!

Hide the moon!

Hide the stars!

For once, there was an unknown land

full of strange flowers

and subtle perfumes.

A land of which it is joy of all the joys to dream.

A land where all things are perfect.

And poisonous.

Well, you're the grand one

Have you noticed

When you walk in all the fairy boys are very nervous

Well, my starship doesn't want me

And neither does his world

I'm glad I caught you on my view screen, sailor

It appears today's youngsters

You're the grand one

have fashioned a whole new bent

on the so-called sexual liberation of the flower-power set.

'Cause this wooing is what I'm wanting

The long hair and the love-beads

have given way to glitter make-up, platform shoes

and a whole new taste for glamour, nostalgia

When my spacesuit comes to warm me

and just plain outrageousness.

Is London not shocked?

And hold me like a god

London is improving.

Well, I think it's a disgrace.

I am the captain of the gravity, Maxwell

Parading around all ponced-up

like a pack of bleeding woofters.

Bloody hell! What will they think of next?

Everywhere I see your faces

Hot one

And heading up this flash stampede

is none other that pop-giant Brian Slade

From a starship over Venus to the Sun

whose stylish escapades have paved the way

for a whole new breed of performing artists,

But it's a crime

You're mistaken

from Curt Wild and The Flaming Creatures

Momentary seizure of love, oh love

to Jack Fairy and Polly Small.

Thanks to Slade,

today's youngsters are singing a whole new tune.

So, you're saying you're bisexual?

Yeah. I like boys, I like girls.

They are all great. No difference, is there?

Mr. BBC

Rock music has always been a reaction to accepted standards.

And homosexuality has been going on for centuries, yeah.

But darling, I'm a mess

At the moment, having a gay image is an 'in' thing.

I've got human minds we can form

You know, just like a few years ago

But the boys are not impressed

it was trendy to wear

a long grey coat

When my spacesuit comes to warm me

with a Led Zeppelin record under your arm.

Everyone is into this scene,

because it is supposedly the thing to do right now.

I'll be the captain of the gravity, Maxwell

But you just can't fake being gay, you know.

If you're gonna claim that you're gay,

you're gonna have to make love in gay-style

I see your faces in the strangest places

most of these kids just aren't gonna make it.

Hot one

That line - 'Everyone's bisexual'

it's a very popular thing to say right now.

But personally I think it's meaningless.

But it's a crime

You're mistaken

Momentary seizure of love

Oh love

I knew I should create a sensation,

gasped the Rocket.

And he went out.

Ok, Lionel. That's it. Thanks.

I don't get it.

What don't you get?

It was a stunt.

The guy faked his own murder.

Yeah, but why?

Publicity.

Arthur, any recollection?

Of what?

Of this Slade fellow.

Well, he's an early 70s

glam-rock singer.

Told you we could count on

Mr. Old Time Rock'n'Roll.

Yeah.

Count on me for what?

I thought I was on the Reynolds' trip.

Well you are.

But the president isn't due until the 8th.

And I need a piece for the weekend now.

Great.

Look.

Next week is the 10th year anniversary

of the whole shooting stunt incident.

I'd like you to find out what happened,

where he is today.

What ever happened to Brian Slade?

Ok?

Yeah, and naturally you want me for this,

because I'm the resident Brit. Right?

Nah. No, no, no.

I want you, because you remember.

President Reynolds is urging young people everywhere

to sign up in their local government offices

and join the committee...

Because I remember.

Suddenly I was being paid to remember all the things

that money, the future and the serious life

had made so certain I'd forget.

And for what?

Some meaningless prank, a decade old.

Why was is suddenly up to me to figure it out?

Clearly there was something.

Something from the past,

spooking me back.

I didn't realise at the time...

It was you.

Thank you "Trans-Electric" and "CRA"

Micro Atlanta and "Dupree" for their generous support.

Thanks to president Reynolds' Committee for Cultural Renewal

for making this brodcast possible.

And thanks to you,

three billion viewers

tuning in right now on global satellite.

Yesterday upon the stair,

I saw a man who wasn't there.

He wasn't there again today.

How I wish he'd go away.

Ten years.

Ten years and the world had changed so completely

that the life I'd led in England

seemed like someone else's life.

Someone else's story.

Anyone's but mine.

There were times, when it appeared to Dorian Gray

that the whole of history was merely a record of his own life.

Not as he had lived it in act and circumstance

but as his imagination had created it for him

as it had been in his brain and in his passions.

He felt that he had known them all.

Those strange terrible figures

that had passed along the stage of life

and made sin so marvelous

and evil so full of subtlety.

It seemed that in some mysterious way

their lives had been his own.

I won't laugh at you

When you boo hoo hoo

Coz I luv you

I can't turn my back

On the things you like

Coz I luv you

I just like the things you do

Don't you change the things you do

You get me in a spot

That's all the smile you got

When I luv you

You make me out of cloud

And you put me down

I still luv you

Can you lend me a couple of quid? I've got money at home.

You must be mental.

Oh please, I swear I've got it.

Piss off!

Thanks!

- What's it for? - Nothing.

Give it here then. Let's have a look.

Bloody Nora!

Our kid's one of them pansy rockers.

- He's a fucking puff, that one. - No, he's not.

That's naff.

That's naff.

You're disgusting.

You know that?

Well, you're the grand one

Have you noticed

When you walk in all the fairy boys are very nervous

Well, my starship doesn't want me

And neither does his world

I'm glad I caught you on my view screen, sailor

You're the grand one

Come and court me

'Cause this wooing is what I'm wanting

When my spacesuit comes to warm me

And hold me like a god

I'm just going out for a bit.

I am the captain of the gravity, Maxwell

Everywhere I see your faces

Hot one

From a starship over Venus to the Sun

But it's a crime

You're mistaken

Momentary seizure of love

Oh love

Well, you're the grand one

Have you noticed

Today in London officials confirmed

that the shooting on the 5th of February of singer Brian Slade

at London's Lyceum Theatre

was a publicity stunt

mounted by the singer's company Bijou Music Limited.

Manager Jerry Devine announced today

that his company meant no harm in their escapades,

that it was intended solely as entertainment.

Very unfortunate,

very sad and unfortunate that

in this day and age

an artist's quest for artistic freedom

should cost him his career.

Warum, denken Sie?

Why do you think?

I dunno.

I dunno. It got too big, I guess.

Too... got too schizoid, you know.

I mean...

he thought he fucking was Maxwell Demon in the end,

you know?

And Maxwell Demon,

he thought he was God.

But if it all works out nicely

You'll get the bonus you deserve

From doctors we trust

The Fat Lady of Limbourg

Looked at the samples that we sent

And furrowed her brow

Brian Slade?

You would never believe that

Oh yes.

Quite well.

Once upon a time.

So...?

Yeah?

So, what was he...

what was he... like?

Who's that? Brian?

Yeah.

Like nothing I'd ever seen before.

And in the end...

like nothing he appeared.

He was... elegance,

walking arm in arm with lie.

His real name, in fact, was Thomas.

And his father owned a small tiling business

in suburban Birmingham.

But Brian never cared much for the suburbs.

And as a young boy,

he had the rare fortune

of spending a summer in London

with his aunt,

a figure of some ill repute in the Slade family,

after she married a cockney in the entertainment field

and followed him off to Deptford.

I never was a one to go and stint myself.

If I like a thing, I like it, that's enough.

But there's lots of people say,

that if you like a thing a lot, it'll grow on you

and all that sort of stuff

Oh, I always hold in having it if you fancy it

If you fancy it,

that's understood.

And suppose it makes you fat?

I don't worry over that.

'Cause a little of what you fancy does you good.

Brian's tender introduction

to the theatrical underworld,

would leave a dramatic impression.

Wop bop a loo bop a lop bam boom

Tutti Frutti

Oh Rutti

Tutti Frutti

Oh Rutti

Tutti Frutti, oh goo lop bam

Tutti Frutti

Oh Rutti

Tutti Frutti

Tutti Frutti

Wop bop a loo bop a lop bam boom

So what are you? A mod or a rocker?

Six of one, half a dozen of the other, really.

Taking their cue from Little Richard,

the swank London mods

short for modernists

were the first to wear mascara and lacquer their hair,

the first true dandies of pop

and known to just about any indiscretion,

where a good suit was involved.

Cry at night

No one in sight

An'we got so much to share

Talking's fine

If you got the time

All right, lads?

Do you wanna touch yeah

Do you wanna touch yeah

Do you wanna touch me there where

Do you wanna touch yeah

Do you wanna touch yeah

Do you wanna touch me there where

Style... always wins out in the end.

Cheers!

For Brian,

the mods were a glamorous call to arms.

Or at least to London, where three years later...

at the Sombrero Club in Kensington,

I would hear him sing for the very first time.

Everything, it seemed, started at the Sombrero.

No club in London had more notorious sway.

And there, at the centre of it

was Brian's American wife, Mandy...

who's dramatic transformation to London party girl

was a constant source of amusement to us all.

You all know me. Subtlety is my middle name.

It's as subtle as the piece of skin

between my vagina and my anus? Oh La La!

Now what's is that called,

does anyone remember what that's called?

No man's land! Oh gosh, my geesh, darling!

Now, ladies of and gentlemen, boys and girls.

And whomever else who may be in the house this evening.

It is my supreme pleasure

to introduce all you lovely little minxes here tonight

to the Sombrero Club's prettiest star

and my most shimmering hubby!

I give you Brian Slade!

Oh I was moved by your screen dream

Celluloid pictures living

Your death could not kill our love for you

Take two people romantic

Smoky nightclub situation

Your cigarette traces a ladder

Here's looking at you kid

Celebrate years

Here's looking at you kid

Wipe away tears

Long time

Since we're together

Now I hope it's forever

Fuck. The mistress boner.

Mmm, partly a lonely pervert.

Tart. My dear. He's a tarting guilty clubber.

#NAME?

- But not that scruffy, as I last recall. - Ooh, you're wicked.

He won't be back tonight.

So, I introduced myself,

told him I was developing my own management company

and on the look-out for new talent.

He introduced me to his wife, asked me what sign I was

and before the week was out, we were signing contracts.

You see, Brian believed in the future.

He despised the hypocrisy of the "Peace and love" Generation

and felt his music spoke

far more to its orphans and its outcasts.

His revolution, he used to say,

will be a sexual one.

But in 1970, rock audiences bred on

Credence Clearwater and the Beatles

were not entirely sure

what to make of this particular brand of revolt.

Radiate simply

The candle is burning

So low for me

Generate me limply

Somehow he got it into his head

that he had to perform in a frock.

Don't ask me why.

I mean, I thought it was a bit naughty,

a bit of a giggle, but...

Somebody called me Sebastian

Somebody called me Sebastian

Who's this geezer, then?

Some shirt-lifter from Birmingham.

Work out a rhyme

Toss me the time

Lay me you're mine

And we all know oh yeah

Get the fuck off! Cut the shite!

- Bugger off, you woofter! - Fuck off!

Your Persian eyes sparkle

Your lips ruby blue

- Darling? Darling, you were fabulous! - Well done.

Every bit! I was beaming, truly, like someone's mum.

God. They adored you! Honestly. The whole lot - transported!

Transported!? We went down like a fucking knackered lift!

Brian, I tell you, I think it's simply a matter of presentation.

#NAME?

What happened to Judy Garland!?

What happened to all your bloody torch song rubbish!?

I know, I know, in a cabaret,

but in the context of a rock show,

I can see now, it's just a little bit more dodgy.

But the act was there, wasn't it?

The act was there. Just a...

Brian!

Lead singer and founder

of the greatest garage band know to mankind

Curt Wild!

Curt Wild

See that cat

Yeah I do mean you

See that cat

Yeah I do mean you

She got T.V. Eye on me

She got T.V. Eye

She got T.V. Eye on me

Curt Wild,

founder of the influential garage band The Rats,

came from the aluminium trailer parks of Michigan

where rock folklore claims far more primitive origins.

She's out there

She got T.V. Eye on me

She got T.V. Eye

She got T.V. Eye on me

See that cat

Yeah I love her so

See that cat

Well I love her so

She got T.V. Eye on me

She got T.V. Eye

She got T.V. Eye on me

According to legend, when Curt was 13,

he was discovered by his mother in the family loo

servicing his older brother,

and promptly shipped off

for 18 months of electric shock treatment.

The doctors guaranteed

the treatment would fry the fairy clean out of him.

But all it did was make him bonkers

every time he heard electric guitar.

They despised him.

Yeah.

But when you're abused like that,

you know you've touched the stars.

I know. I just...

I just wish it'd been me.

Wish I'd thought of it.

You will, luv.

You will.

Got tired of wastin' gas

Living above the planets

Mister show me the way to earth

The boys of Quadrant 44

With their vicious metal hounds

Never come round here no more

Sometimes I wonder if I'm still alive

I'm six feet down at age 25

Maxwell's led the demon rock hand jive

I came down like water

For the age of solar love

And hail to the father

Kiss your sons and your daughters

Goodbye goodbye

Steam scared and roller

Ladytron controller

Ten feet tall better walk it back down

I came down like water

For the age of solar love

And hail to the father

Kiss your sons and your daughters

Goodbye goodbye

I came down like water

For the age of solar love

Ten feet tall better walk it back down

#NAME?

Devine. Jerry Devine.

Personal management. I'm interested.

Oh, well, thank you, but I already have management.

He's...

Not in my opinion.

The truth is you have talent. That's obvious.

But it doesn't really matter much what a man does in his life.

What matters is the legend that grows up around him.

Today, you're a talented singer.

That's all right.

I can make you a star.

And just how do you propose to do that?

I will tell you, sir,

when you pin me.

I've never in all my life...

May the best man win.

We'll take the whole shebang

All or nothing anything

Ecstasy's the birthright of our gang

We'll take the whole shebang

Earlier tonight,

on the popular chart show 'Top of the Pops',

newcomer Brian Slade

performed his hit single 'The Whole Shebang',

dressed in platform boots and wearing glitter eye make-up.

A spokesman for the show,

known for showcasing pop's brightest stars,

says they've been deluged with calls all evening.

The next day every schoolgirl in London

was wearing glitter eye make-up.

And I was out of a bleeding job.

And that, as they say, was that.

I would not hear another word from Brian,

or any of them for that matter, ever again.

Have you got any idea what ultimately happened to him?

I mean, where is he today?

Last I heard he'd returned to Birmingham, but...

this was three years ago? Four?

No, I'm sorry, I'm afraid I can't help you there.

- Looks as though it may be unavoidable. - What's that?

The ex, I'm afraid.

But then every story needs a contrary opinion,

and with Mandy

you're guaranteed excesses of both.

Miss Slade?

Yeah?

I'm Arthur Stuart, from the Herald.

We spoke on the phone.

Anyway, I've just got a few questions I wanted to ask.

It shouldn't take too long.

Do you mind if I sit down?

It's a free country. Sort of.

So, what are you having?

Scotch. Rocks.

Yeah, make that two.

Gee. You must be after some damn exclusive copy.

Well, it's a piece on Brian Slade.

You're not kidding.

#NAME?

Well it's been, ten years since the whole...

fake shooting incident.

Oh, and what a fake it was.

Tricking us all in the end with such an authentic demise.

His career, you mean?

I mean, have you got any idea

what happened to him or where he is today?

Can't you just, run him through the files? Punch in the name?

No, not exactly.

Because, honestly darling,

I haven't spoken with Mr Slade

in seven years, at least.

Seven years? Wow.

Wow. Yeah. At least. Smoke?

No thanks.

No, right after everything crashed, we... we split.

And Brian, he just became someone else.

But again, he always was.

That's 10 bob to you, mate.

It was New Year's Eve 1969, the start of a new decade,

and everywhere you went there was this sense of the future,

the feeling in the air that anything was possible.

See, Jack Fairy had also come to London

in the swinging sixties.

And in crowded clubs or hotel bars,

this shipwreck of the streets

rehearsed his future glory.

A cigarette tracing a ladder to the stars.

Maricon, bisexuelle, sexe douteux.

Le Vice Anglais.

I needn't mention

how essential dreaming is

to the character of the rock star.

Jack, darling!

Jack was truly the first of his kind.

A true original. Everybody stole from Jack.

But from the moment Brian Slade stepped into our lives,

nothing would ever be the same.

It was his nature.

You got me girl on the run around run around

You got me all around town

You got me girl on the run around

And it's getting me down getting me down

Lady

If you want to find a lover

Then you look no further

'Cause I'm gonna be your only

Searching

At the start of the season

And my only reason

Is that I'll get to you

Do you jive?

I'll find some

Way of connection

Hiding my intention

Then I'll move up close to you

I'll use you

And I'll confuse you

And the I'll lose you

But still you won't suspect me

So... I married him.

I was dancing when I was twelve

I was dancing when I was twelve

Times,

places, people...

They're all speeding up.

So to cope with this evolutionary paranoia,

strange people are chosen,

who, through their art,

can move progress more quickly.

It was the most stimulating

and reflective period of our marriage.

Is it strange to dance so late

Is it strange to dance so late

We are the boys and we are a class act

Thank you and welcome,

pop pickers, to 'Pick of the Pops'.

I'm Davy Rocket

and we have a very special show for you today,

dedicated to one of pop's blazing new talents,

and one who's been holding a virtual reign over

the British charts

for a startling record breaking 18-month span.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I give you the incomparable Brian Slade.

Or should I say... Maxwell Demon.

We are the boys

The bloke at the front.

Brian, why the make-up?

Why? Because rock and roll's a prostitute!

It should be tarted up! Performed!

The music is the mask, while I,

in my chiffon and taff, well, varda the message.

Brian, Brian!

Bloke in the suit there.

What about your fans?

Aren't they likely to get the... the wrong impression?

And which wrong impression is that?

Well, you're a blinking fruit!

Well thank you, sir,

and no, it doesn't concern me in the least.

I should think that

if people were to get that impression of me

the one to which you so eloquently refer,

it wouldn't be a wrong impression in the slightest.

That is me, that's me, dad, that's me!

I mean, everybody knows most people are bisexual.

Any more questions?

Yeah, woman with the beret.

I was under the impression

that you were married and living North London...

I am married. Quite happily, in fact.

I just happen to like boys as much as I like girls.

And seeing as my wife feels pretty much the same

about such things.

I should think

we've been able to make a fairly decent go of it so far.

Alright, any more questions? Okay, thank you very much.

For the first time in Brian's life,

he was simply telling it like it was.

Did he realize what he'd actually done?

How could he have?

I mean today, there'd be fighting in the streets.

But in 1972, it was more like dancing.

That man, sitting over there in the white suit

is the biggest thing

to come out of this country since sliced Beatles.

Outside this country, no one knows who the hell he is.

You people, you're gonna change all that.

You guys, you're the actors.

It's up to you to change Brian Slade, pop singer,

into Maxwell Demon,

space-age fucking superstar!

Nothing fantastic about it. Why?

Because the secret of becoming a star

is knowing how to behave like one.

- Hey kids, let's put on a show! - Precisely.

Action!

Cut! Cut! Cut! Cut! Sort him out!

Bijou Music Associates. Good afternoon.

#NAME?

Bijou. Hello.

Yes. You're through the reception. What can I help you?

Oh, darling, I'm the biggest thing to hit the rocket

since the pilgrim.

#NAME?

I know it's unprecedented, I know it's unorthodox, but sir,

if you want Brian Slade,

those are the terms.

You may take them or leave them.

- Yes? -I'm Shannon Hazelbourne.

#NAME?

#NAME?

Oh, the position. Fine. Brilliant. Follow me!

Hurray! Zounds!

Now, Shannon,

I realize of course your talents lie within the clerical art

but I was wondering by chance

if you had any experience with wardrobe?

No, never.

Fantastic. I think that's everything.

No, I said I didn't.

Everybody!

I'd like to introduce you

to our lovely new Wardrobe Mistress.

What's your name?

- Shannon. - Shannon. Welcome Shannon!

Excellent! Yes, Mr Weinberg!

Thank you very much indeed, sir. Cheers!

- Extraordinary! - What Jerry? What?

So tell me, Master Demon,

who would you most fancy meeting in America?

Ah, bravo! Jerry! Garbo, Brian, please!

#NAME?

- Very sorry chickee. He's dead. - Jerry said anyone.

Brian? Who?

Curt Wild. I want to meet Curt Wild.

And meet Curt Wild we did.

Well we can't take it this week

And her friends don't want another speech

Hoping for a better day

To hear what she's got to say

All about that

Personality crisis

You got it while it was hot

But now frustration

And heartache is what you got

That's why they talk about personality

But now your tryin to be some

No you got to do some

Wanna be someone

Who cow wow wows

But you think about the times you did

They took every ounce

When it sure got to be a shame

When you start to scream and shout

#NAME?

I'm Rodney from Electra.

I have Brian Slade here

from England who just wanted to pop over, say hello.

I just wanted to say

I think your music is tops.

Really, smashing. Best of the lot.

Smashing... top of...

jolly... shit.

Sorry, darling.

Now at that time,

Curt Wild was between management

and Brian knew this,

of course, and urged Devine to pursue the situation.

And so if, in that probability, an interest arose

in which Brian would serve on some projects,

possibly, though not exclusively,

as we're taking our lead from you here, Curt,

possibly as producer on that project.

How might that scenario, purely hypothetically...

how might that scenario appeal to you at this juncture?

What Jerry's trying to say is

do you want to come to London to cut a record?

Oh, yeah. Cool.

Very good!

But how can we help you?

You must tell us. What do you need?

Everything.

See, heroin was my mainman.

But now I'm on the methadone and I'm getting my act together.

You come here and say you wanna help

and I say, hey, far out.

You could be my mainman.

It was pretty clear what was happening. It happens every day.

But for the world to think it was happening, well,

that was Jerry's particular genius.

Right away he started promoting the two of them

like a pair of 40s starlets on the swoon.

A Tracy and Hepburn for the 70s.

Oh satellite of love

Ah satellite of love

Oo... satellite of love

Satellite

Satellites gone

Way up to Mars

Soon it will be filled

With parking cars

I watched it for a little while

I love to watch things on TV

Ooo... ahh... satellite of love

Ha... satellite of love

Satellite of love

Satellite

I've been told that you've been bold

With Harry, Mark, and John

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

With Harry, Mark, and John

If I could have grown

All upon my own

If I could have grown I grew

If I could have grew I do

If I had a throne

My career was on the skids, mate.

And you fished me out of the muck.

You got me back on my feet, you did.

It was nothing, chum.

I wanted to help you

make more of that far out sound.

I love your music, my son, and I love...

You don't have to say it, mate.

At last the crimson chord cascade

To shower dry cordials within

Too late to leap the chocolate gate

Pale fountains fizzing forth pink gin

While destiny begins to fly

The farmyard chorus sings it's wake

Upstanding anthem to the sky

Too soon to realise their fate

Every great century that produces art is,

so far, an artificial century.

And the work that seems

the most natural and simple of its time,

is always the result of the most self-conscious effort.

I am not really myself

except in the midst of elegant crowds

at the heart of rich districts

or amid the sumptuous ornamentation of palace hotels,

an army of servants and a plush carpet underfoot.

What is true about music is true about life

that beauty reveals everything

because it expresses nothing.

The first duty in life is to assume a post.

What the second duty is

no one has yet found out.

The Aesthete Gives Characteristically

Cynical Evidence

Replete with Pointed Epigram and Startling Paradox

while Explaining His Views on Morality in Art.

Brian, Brian!

Maxwell Demon is the story of a space creature,

who becomes a rock and roll messiah

only to be destroyed by his own success.

Are you saying this is your destiny?

Are you Maxwell Demon?

Man is least himself, when he talks in his own person!

Give him a mask and he'll tell you the truth!

Brian! Brian!

Is it your belief that all dandies are homosexual?

Ha! Nothing makes one so vain as being told one is a sinner!

Hey! Coming through! Coming through!

Hey guys. Watch out! Excuse me!

Coming through. Careful now! There you go.

Tell us Brian!

Are the rumours true that say you

and Curt Wild have some sort of plans up your sleeve?

Oh, yes! Quite soon we actually plan to take over the world.

Excuse me, fellas,

while I raise a glass to the loveliest man in Europe!

And they tell you it's not natural!

The world is changed because you are made of ivory and gold.

The curves of your lips rewrite history.

Baby's on fire

Better throw her in the water

Look at her laughing

Like a heifer to the slaughter

Baby's on fire

And all the laughing boys are bitching

Waiting for photos

Oh the plot is so bewitching

Rescuers row row

Do your best to change the subject

Blow the wind blow blow

Lend some assistance to the object

Photographers snip snap

Take your time she's only burning

This kind of experience

Is necessary for her learning

If you'll be my flotsam

I could be half the man I used to

They said you were hot stuff

And that's what baby's been reduced to

This is too much!

Jim! What are you gonna do? Jim!

Ah, my God.

Could you conceivably turn down that blasted...

Arthur! Arthur, open this door!

You bring shame to this house.

You bring shame to your mother and me.

It's a shameful, filthy thing you're doing.

Do you hear me?

Stand up!

It's funny how beautiful people look

when they're walking out the door.

Really Shannon, it's no problem, honestly.

I'm not fussed about it, I'm quite open about it.

I was having a fabulous time last night myself.

Really luv.

You shouldn't let it upset you so. Brian is a grown man

and fully capable of shagging whatever he fancies

and exceedingly partial to the practice.

Now, just because someone sees, you know,

two naked people asleep in bed together

it doesn't necessarily prove sex was involved.

It does, however, make for a very strong case.

But you're a sweet, sensitive darling

to be so broken up about it.

Brian would be absolutely chuffed

to know that you...

Don't you ever dare tell Brian!

Swear to me you'll never say a word. Ever.

I swear.

Jesus!

Sudden change in plans. Brief holiday, much needed.

Back by Hammersmith.

B.

That was it.

And I knew my time

with Brian, for a practical or perhaps is, was

up.

Look I'm sorry. I wish I could help you more.

You seem like a nice guy. I just...

don't think I have what you're looking for.

See... I think you do actually.

Oh yeah? And what makes you think so?

Well that smile, for one thing.

Well, smiles lie.

Exactly.

Listen. Once, of course,

it was a gorgeous gorgeous time.

We were all living our dreams.

But you see all that went away.

All of it.

With Curt.

And not even the real Curt.

I mean, it was this idea of Curt more than anything.

This image, which, of course,

nobody could ever possibly live up to.

I mean Maxwell Demon, Curt Wild.

They were fictions!

Somewhere along the way,

Brian seemed to get lost in the lie.

Won't you come with me

To a place that's real

Come and take my hand

And will find a thrill

Can't you see?

I wanna tear it down

Come with me

I wanna kick it all around

- Shit! - Cut it.

Should I stop it?

Tell me what you need

I wanna be your unclean

Give me anything

I wanna be your dream

He's gonna hit the bridge a half-verse early.

Now you're simply wasting tape.

Alright. Cut it.

And I'll set...

What? What? Is there a problem?

#NAME?

#NAME?

Curt, we only ask that when you decide to make a change

you simply inform us in advance,

so Eton here is properly prepared, otherwise...

What the fuck are you talking about man?

I didn't make any fucking changes!

Brian?

Fucking mother fucker! Mother fucker, you're a mother fucker!

Fuck you! Fuck you, mother fucker! Fuck you!!

Eton! Eton, please!

Brian, I'm sorry to be the one to have to tell you this,

but what started off as an interesting experiment

has quite frankly descended into

a demeaning waste of your time and mine.

I mean, you've already spent forty hours studio time...

Thirty-six.

Whatever!

Thirty-six hours studio time on two, three bloody cuts!

Brian, you seem to forget, you're a very big star now,

and I think your time is worth a great deal more than this...

Fucking space-queen on your fucking high horse!

And all your fucking henchmen!

Fuck you, fuck you!

Perhaps it's time for another little break. Hey fellas?

Give us a stretch.

Jerry?

I can't risk extending his contract, Brian.

I think it's quite clear why.

I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Piss off! Go on then!

Back to your wolves!

Your junkie twerps!

Your bloody shock treatment!

And fuck you too!

It all came crashing down.

I just stood on the sideline and watched,

just like everybody else.

Well, this is such a sad affair

I've opened up my heart so many times

But now it's closed

Out! O-U-T.

Well, Brian. I'm afraid that is completely out of the question.

You are contractually bound to

finish the Maxwell Demon tour

as Maxwell Demon.

Jerry, I'm telling you,

it's just getting far too out of hand...

Brian! I realize you're under tremendous strain,

but you've just gotta hang on in there

and finish the bloody tour.

You hang on in there. I'll hang on here. Right?

And then you can do what you want. OK?

Oh my dear

Every salted tear it wrings

Bitter-sweet applause

But when the show's in full swing

Every once in a while

High stepping chorus lines

Mean I'm forgetting

Mein lullaby - liebchen

Down with Slade!

How rich in contrast

Love can be

Sometimes I'm quite amused

To see it twist and turn

To taste - both sweet and dry

These vintage years

Lovers you consume, my friend

As others their wine

Nein - das ist nicht

Das ende der Welt

Gestrandet an Leben und Kunst

I don't believe that there is much of a future to speak of.

We're in a bit of a decadent spiral, aren't we?

Sinking fast.

Big Brother, baby. All the way.

Which is why we prefer impressions to ideas.

Situations to subjects.

Brief flights to sustained ones.

#NAME?

Well I'm... I'm just looking for a room at the moment.

And now, as you turn to leave

You try to force a smile

As if to compensate

Then you break down and cry

So for one entire day,

I actually think Brian's been shot.

That the whole thing is real.

All his paranoias proven horribly true.

#NAME?

Why?

Forgot.

Jesus!

I mean... I knew it was over. I just...

didn't know it was up to me to make it stop.

#NAME?

No, thanks.

These are the papers.

I believe they're in order.

All you need to do is sign.

So you won't forget.

- I already have. - Evidently!

Fuck you, Brian! Did you ever,

for one bloody second in your life,

want anything more... than this?

No.

Your problem is...

you get what you want and do what you will.

Worlds, Mandy, are built out of suffering.

There is suffering at the birth of a child

as at the birth of a star.

You live in terror of not being misunderstood.

Women defend themselves by attacking,

just as they attack

by sudden and strange surrenders.

I lost my girlhood, true.

But it was for you.

What in God's name is going on up here?

How the fuck did you get up here?

Brian, I'm really sorry about...

It's alright, Shannon.

Mandy was just leaving.

Mandy, if you'd be so kind as to follow me...

Let go of me. I'm perfectly capable of making my own...

I really don't want to have to call someone.

Call someone?

I am his wife, for fuck's sake!

Fuck the lot of you!

Was that the last time you saw him?

No.

That was the last time we actually... spoke.

I saw him again.

Briefly, a few weeks later, at a concert.

He was performing?

No. Curt was actually performing.

He and Jack Fairy had just finished

their Berlin record,

and Curt was in London playing some gigs.

And Brian was there, for a second.

I don't think anyone even saw him.

Which concert?

It was like a tribute.

Sort of a farewell concert to glam rock.

To save your wild, wild lives.

To ne'er your fans embitter.

To cease your sad demise.

Tonight, we toast!

Friends say it's fine, friends say it's good

Everybody says it's just like Robin Hood

I move like a rat, talk like a cat

Sting like a bee

Baby I'm gonna be your man

And it's great to see you're mad for me, yeah

I'm your toy, your 20th century boy

- Is this working? - You know it's working.

No. Cos I want it blue-er.

I don't think you should bother.

I think I should go on stage tonight, instead of you.

Arthur, come on, give us a hand with this.

Come on. Come on. My God, I'm stuck.

Stop moving about, I'm doing me eyeliner.

I've been entwined my body... pull off!

And it's great to see you're mad for me, yeah

I'm your toy, your 20th century boy

20th century boy, I wanna be your toy

20th century boy, I wanna be your toy

20th century boy, I wanna be your toy

20th century boy, I wanna be your toy

Friends say it's fine, friends say it's good

Everybody says it's just like Rock and Roll

I move like a cat, talk like a rat

Yeah, I'm try to reach Curt Wild.

I'm a journalist from the Herald.

#NAME?

Hi, yeah. My name is Arthur Stuart,

from the Herald.

I was... I was given this number

and told I could reach Curt Wild here.

Listen...

Yeah. Hello? Hello!?

Listen, I don't know who the hell gave you this number,

but Curt Wild is not available

and not interested in granting you

or anyone else an interview on this subject.

You got it?

I'm sorry. I was told...

Oh cheeky cheeky

Oh naughty sneaky

You're so perceptive, and I wonder how you knew

But these finks don't walk too well

A bad sense of direction

And so they stumble round in threes

The tour will be a tremendous success.

And due to the overwhelming demand,

there will be additional shows added

whenever and wherever possible.

Regretfully,

Mr. Stone only has left a few questions

as he has a plain to catch the train.

You're always so charming

As you make your way up here

Lou. Lou.

Lou! Lou!

Sorry guy, but I'm late.

I think I'm onto something.

#NAME?

I think I know who Brian Slade is.

Oh, that story's been dropped.

What? Why?

I need you on the Stone show.

That's it?

What they say to you?

Lou!

Gimme danger, little stranger

And I'll feel you bleed

Gimme danger, little stranger

And I'll heal your disease

There's nothing in my dreams

But some ugly memories

Kiss me like the ocean breeze

Now if you will be my lover

I will shiver and sing

But if you will be my master

Then I will do anything

There's nothing left alive

But a pair of dark glassy eyes

Raise my fears one more time

Come on little danger, die a little stranger

Swear you're gonna feel my hands

Right on little stranger, try a little danger

Swear you're gonna feel my hands

Swear you're gonna feel my hands

Swear you're gonna feel my hands

Danger

Stranger

Gimme danger

Little stranger

Gimme danger

Everyday

Can you feel it

Can you feel it

Can you feel it

Can you feel it

I got a feeling

Yeah, I got a feeling

I got a feeling, got a feeling

I got a feeling, I got a feeling

I wanna feel it

I wanna feel it

I wanna feel it

I wanna feel it, feel it

I wanna feel it, I wanna fucking feel it

I wanna feel it

I wanna feel it, feel it, feel it, feel it

#NAME?

#NAME?

- Did you see him? - No, I didn't see him.

It's only now, looking back that I see

how you patched through my walls

and entered my life in waves.

Come closer.

Don't be frightened.

What's your name?

Your favourite colour? Song? Movie?

- Don't be nervous. Are you high? - I'm on a button.

He was waiting for me.

I'd followed his signals

and slipped away and now, suddenly...

Hey!

Make a wish!

Hey!

Make a wish!

And see yourself, on-stage, inside-out.

A tangle of garlands in your hair.

Of course you were pleasantly surprised.

Softly, he said:

Gee, but it's hard

I will mangle your mind.

When one lowers one's guard to the vultures

Now, me I regard it

A torturous hardship that smolders

Like a peppermint eaten away

Will I fight? Will I swagger, or sway

Tee hee, milady

She cries like a baby, scold us

See her tumbling down

See her tumbling down

Heil to the monkey

We're having a funky reunion

Wasted and sunk

He can only have Sunday communion

He's got nicotine stains in his eyes

He's got nothing to protect but his pride

Oh smothered a kiss

Or be drowned in blissful confusion

See her tumbling down

See her tumbling down

See her tumbling down

Tumbling down

Tommy! Where did you get the idea

for such a spectacular stadium show?

To tell you the truth? It's a bloody pain in the ass!

The whole thing takes six full size rigs

or three chartered planes to transport.

What can I say? I think big!

Tommy! Over here!

Tommy! What's your opinion on the work

that President Reynolds has been doing?

Excellent. Excellent.

I think he's doing brilliant work.

He's a tremendous leader, a tremendous spokesperson

for the needs of the nation today.

Tommy!

What's your response to the recent allegations

connecting you with bisexual pop-singer Brian Slade

who staged his own assassination

ten years ago this week in London?

...that Mr Stone has time for this evening.

Thank you very much!

Out! Out! Get out!

Now! Out!

Stone is promoting his Grammy-winning release,

People Rockin' People,

to sold-out arenas worldwide.

Beer, please.

Excuse me? Sir?

Are you with the Tommy Stone Tour?

No. I'm just a journalist.

Perhaps you'd like my... press pass?

As a souvenir?

Thanks sir.

You're Curt Wild.

Yeah. Who the hell are you?

I'm a journalist. From the Herald.

You were at the concert?

It's just funny, cause...

I was trying to contact you, actually.

About a story I was doing,

about an old friend of yours.

Brian Slade?

I was trying to find out what actually happened to him.

#NAME?

such a mystery.

Look, man, I don't know who you've been talking to

or what you're after here.

What?

What?!

Listen! A real artist creates beautiful things

and puts nothing of his won life into them. Okay?

#NAME?

We set out to change the world.

Ended up just changing ourselves.

What's wrong with that?

Nothing.

If you don't look at the world.

Well, I guess in the end he got what he wanted.

- That's quite a pin you got there. - Oh yeah.

Is it old?

Possibly. It belonged to Oscar Wilde.

Or so I was told by the person who gave it to me.

A friend of mine. Kinda disappeared some years back.

I forget where we were. We were on a trip.

But he said to me,

Curt, A man's life is his image.

- Here. Why don't you hang on to it? - Me?

Sure. Why not?

I've had it too long anyway. Go ahead.

For your image.

Really. I couldn't.

But thanks.

God, I love this song.

#NAME?

- See ya around. - Cheers!

He called it a freedom.

A freedom you can allow yourself.

Or not.

Oh I was moved by your screen dream

Celluloid pictures of living

Your death could not kill our love for you

Take two people romantic

Smoky nightclub situation

Your cigarette traces a ladder

Here's looking at you kid

Celebrate years

Here's looking at you kid

Wipe away tears

Long time, since we're together

Now I hope it's forever

Here's looking at you kid, hard to forget

Here's looking at you kid,

At least not yet

Your memory stays, it lingers ever

Will fade away never

Fade away never

Fade away never

You've done it all

You've broken every code

And pulled the rebel to the floor

You spoilt the game, no matter what you say

For only metal - what a bore

Blue eyes, blue eyes

How come you tell so many lies

Come up and see me, make me smile

Or do what you want, running wild

There's nothing left

All gone and run away

Maybe you'll tarry for awhile

Maybe you'll tarry for awhile

Maybe you'll tarry for awhile

It's just a test, a game for us to play

It's just a test, a game for us to play

It's just a test, a game for us to play

Win or lose, it's hard to smile

Win or lose, it's hard to smile

Win or lose, it's hard to smile

Resist, resist

Resist, resist

Resist, resist

It's from yourself you have to hide

It's from yourself you have to hide

It's from yourself you have to hide

Come up and see me to make me smile

Come up and see me to make me smile

Come up and see me to make me smile

Oh, or do what you want, running wild

Oh, or do what you want, running wild

Oh, or do what you want, running wild

There ain't no more

There ain't no more

There ain't no more

You've taken everything

You've taken everything

You've taken everything

From my belief in Mother Earth

From my belief in Mother Earth

From my belief in Mother Earth

Can you ignore my faith in everything

Can you ignore my faith in everything

Can you ignore my faith in everything

'Cause I know what faith is and what it's worth

'Cause I know what faith is and what it's worth

'Cause I know what faith is and what it's worth

Away, away

Away, away

Away, away

And don't say maybe you'll try

And don't say maybe you'll try

And don't say maybe you'll try

And don't say maybe you'll try

Oh, to come up and see me to make me smile

Oh, to come up and see me to make me smile

Oh, to come up and see me to make me smile

Oh, to come up and see me to make me smile

Or do what you want, just running wild

Or do what you want, just running wild

Or do what you want, just running wild

Or do what you want, just running wild

Come up and see me, make me smile

Come up and see me, make me smile

Come up and see me, make me smile

Come up and see me, make me smile

Or do what you want, running wild

Or do what you want, running wild

Or do what you want, running wild

Or do what you want, running wild

Come up and see me, make me smile

Come up and see me, make me smile

Come up and see me, make me smile

Come up and see me, make me smile