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The Music of Scott Walker

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The Music of Scott Walker

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The music of Scott Walker is a blend of American and British influences. Born in Ohio, he eventually made Britain his adopted country. Walker’s records capture the mood of the sixties – not swinging London but the grey post-war Britain that dominated his generation. His music is richly orchestrated, out of sync with musical trends, and sung in his sonorous American accent. It sounds like soundtracks from a kitchen sink film or a Jonny Dankworth song.

While his first solo album featured mostly covers of songs he admired, he also wrote some of the lyrics himself. The evocative lyrics describe a shabby apartment filled with odd characters, including a bloated, belching man and a forlorn prostitute. The album’s cover art evokes Belgian composer Jacques Brel, whom Walker had met during his tenure at the Playboy Club on Park Lane.

One of Walker’s best known songs is « Time Operator, » which features the canned voice of a telephone operator. The song marks Walker’s first use of outright noise on a recording, but his style gradually evolves into more sophisticated territory. Later, a jazzy bongo combo backs a syrupy crooned chorus. This song tells the story of a lower-class man who is struggling to make ends meet.

While the songs on Walker’s last album hint at what is to come, ‘The Bad Cover Version’ reveals the depth and breadth of his work. Its title, « The Worst of Times », is an apt metaphor for the state of the world at the time the album was recorded. The lyric is an attempt to capture the underlying unease in a time where the world has reached the breaking point.

Although the singer/songwriter’s early solo career spanned the sixties, the late 60s saw Walker’s early career as a pop idol. But he was at a different creative point in his life and career than his fans were. During this time, The Beatles were reading the Tibetan Book of the Dead and visiting modern art galleries. They were taking LSD and experimenting with sound. The new direction that Walker chose for his career has only recently come to light, and its reverberations are still being felt.

After the Walker Brothers split up in 1967, Walker was ready to fade into the background. He was tired of the bandleader life and fame. He was ready to take a break from the limelight and start afresh. Then he went to a new club in London called Playboy and spent the night listening to music by the legendary French chansonist Jacques Brel. While he was there, Walker also spent time in the apartment of a German « bunny » who played Brel records and translated his lyrics.

The music of Scott Walker is eclectic. His music spans bubblegum, new wave, folk, country, avant-garde, and art rock. Whether you prefer his music in these genres or want to listen to his older work, he is an incredibly talented songwriter who can inspire and motivate you to write your own music. So, if you’re a fan of Scott Walker, consider purchasing his album and listening to his new material.