It was supposed to be an Instant Cultural Touchstone.
When I quoted a line from the 1968 pop song “Master Jack” a while ago — “It’s a strange, strange world we live in, Master Jack” — I was convinced that anyone who read it would immediately have that song running through his head.
I was wrong.
I’ve talked to a few people — people old enough to remember 1968 pop songs — and it seems I can’t tell an Instant Cultural Touchstone from History’s Most Baffling Trivia. Darn.
Here is an old music video of the South African group Four Jacks and a Jill performing “Master Jack.” Pay no attention to the very poor lip sync.
B. Moore | 10-Jul-07 at 2:16 pm | Permalink
MY OLDE FRIEND: gratified to see that you still bitching about something after more than a month away from your screen… was getting worried.
nunowaypunso | 16-May-08 at 12:59 am | Permalink
oh, i remember this song, alright. i sang it in grade school, when the rest were singing those “it’s a beautiful world” kind of kiddie songs. it may not be a “cultural touchstone”, but it sure isn’t trivia, either. peace.
henry o | 29-Aug-08 at 2:01 am | Permalink
My friends interpretation of this song is seemingly pedifilish or perhaps a pimp selling her out!
John Scott | 29-Nov-08 at 3:10 pm | Permalink
I remember David Marks, who wrote this song, back in the days of the old Troubadour folk club in Noord Street, Joburg,he was a friend of mine, Des and Dawn Lyndberg, and the rest of the old gang…they were great times and I’ll never forget them I’d love to hear from anyone who was there and still share those memories…”the copper kettle” “the nightbeat”…up in Hillbrow, I sang for my supper many a time
keep the faith!
Nicole | 18-May-09 at 9:31 am | Permalink
Does anyone know if this song was referring to Jack Kerouac? I dont know the time lines but its a curious song and it would definitely be fitting to an american icon like Kerouac and how he taught so much to a generation, many of whom went their own way as they grew up.
Just a thought…
Ndlovu | 23-Jun-09 at 5:01 pm | Permalink
No! I don’t think Dave was thinking of Jack Kerouac when he wrote ‘Master Jack’.
I believe he was thinking of his underground foreman in the mine at Witbank, in South Africa. But you could ask him! Contact him through Third Ear Music, at thirdear@iafrica.com
Good luck! Ndlovu
Jes Beard | 18-Jan-11 at 5:57 pm | Permalink
“Master Jack: was a reference to the Union Jack, or Great Britain, which the young whites in South Africa who came to see the evil of Apartheid blamed for the blight on their nation. Only at that time in South Africa you could not openly criticize Apartheid, so the lyrics and meaning are veiled, a metaphor in which a young person sees that the world they live in is strange, and unacceptable, and one to which they are never going to go back.
Absolutely nothing to do with Jack Kerouac.
Ken | 04-Apr-11 at 4:29 pm | Permalink
Seems like I remember hearing this song, in English prior to 1968. When was the song written and does anyone know of another singer performing this song prior to 1968? Thank you.
Helen | 21-Nov-11 at 10:36 pm | Permalink
Trini Lopez recorded this song in South Africa on Reprise Records in about 1968 when he was performing there.
andreas Mathios | 28-Nov-11 at 3:37 am | Permalink
who wrote the lyrics to this song master jack and did the person attend Witbank High in Mpumalanga?