Jonathan Richman – The New Teller (1975)

What better way to liven up a quiet Tuesday night than to consider one of Jonathan Richman’s most obscure recordings….?

You don’t need me to tell you that the Jonathan Richman helmed “Modern Lovers” LP is one of the best 5 records ever made.

You don’t need to tell me that “That Summer Feeling” (posted here) is quite simply one of the most affecting records of the last 30 years.

And so you won’t need me to tell you that “The New Teller” is a work of pop genius. Originally appearing on the optimistically titled “Beserkley Chartbusters, Vol 1″ LP in 1975, this track tells the tale of an (inevitably) unrequited crush on the new woman behind the counter at the local bank.

Well everybody in the bank line notes

That I got a crush on the new teller ….  

 

There’s only three in the other lines

In my line, well I count eleven ….

 

I got a crush on the new bank teller, oh yeah

She looks at me and she knows

Simple and affecting lyrics, classic twangy guitar, handclaps throughout and a vocal that gets more and more strained …. One of my favourite records of all time!