Todd Rundgren Useless Begging HQ with Lyrics in Description

Track 11 from his fifth album “Todd” released in 1974 copyright Bearsville Records. The double album was recorded at his own Secret Sound Studio in Manhattan and live performances of the song “Sons of 1984” were recorded at Wollman Rink in Central Park and Griffith Park in Los Angeles, where the audiences were taught the song before it was recorded, likely another first for Todd. This album’s considered a continuation of his previous album, which was influenced significantly by his hallucinogenic drug use in his search for true spirituality. He again played all the instruments for half of the recordings and was joined by numerous guest musicians for the rest. Some felt he had begun to take himself too seriously but I think he was just having fun and enjoying his freedom to create, while thumbing his nose at the music industry bigshots. He was already making more than enough money as one of the most in-demand producers of the time and didn’t need to release hit songs to survive. The guy simply had integrity to his craft, something lacking in today’s modern society. He also formed his live band Utopia shortly after this album was released. It received only average reviews, reaching No. 54 on the Billboard chart and No. 33 in Canada. Written and produced by Todd Rundgren. Featuring:

Todd Rundgren - Lead vocals, lead & rhythm guitars, acoustic & electric pianos, organ, harpsichord, synthesizers, bass, drums, drum machine, percussion & background vocals
Special Guests:
Mark “Moogy” Klingman – Organ, grand piano, electric piano & harpsichord
Ralph Schuckett – Clavinet & organ
John Miller – Bass
Kevin Ellman – Drums
Peter Ponzel – Soprano sax on “The Last Ride”
Michael Brecker – Tenor sax on “Sons of 1984”
Randy Brecker – Trumpet on “Sons of 1984”
Barry Rogers – Trombone on “Sons of 1984”
John Siegler – Bass on “No. 1 Lowest Common Denominator” & “Sons of 1984”
“Buffalo” Bill Gelber – Bass on “The Last Ride”
Wells Kelly – Drums on “The Last Ride”
First United Church of the Cosmic Smorgasbord, New York & San Francisco Chapters – Voices on “Sons of 1984”

Is that you?
Look who's on the skids this time
Bitchin' 'bout her place in line
And all you really (want is attention)

But you're like every other girl uptown
Who wants to ride her face around
And wave about that power you have to put me down
(And so I'll tell ya)

To see you like this is nearly tragic
It's like Ruby says, our dreams have magic
But I know useless (begging won't help me)
(Useless begging won't help me)

(Yes it's you)
You leave me nothing left to say
'Cause I thought that we'd return one day
Together to the (great sphere of knowledge)

But that would never do for you
'Cause you thought you knew a thing or two
But you don't even know what is and isn't true
(And so I'll tell ya)

That I was a fool, that's why I got burned
But in all that time there's one thing I learned
And that is useless (begging won't help me)
(Useless begging won't help me)

To see you like this is nearly tragic
But it's just like Ruby says, our dreams have magic
But I know useless (begging won't help me)
(Useless begging won't help me)
(Won't help me)