Introduction:
'Wait another year', Todd promised on International Feel, 'Utopia is Here' and it was. Formed in 1974, Utopia (or as it was originally called 'Todd Rundgren's Utopia') went on to develop their style through the 70's and 80's working, fundamentally, as Todd's Rock and Roll band. Utopia was a band, and this is important to remember, it wasn't just a front for Todd's writing, and as the band slimmed down to it's standard 4 piece set up by 1976 each member took on their own important role as writer and performer. This first album, Todd Rundgrens' Utopia, was more of a jam than anything else. Continuing with the 'A Wizard' ideals of long experimental song structures and 30 minute sides, TRU's main focal point is the side long 'The Ikon', a song which would still be played in concert until Utopia's demise in 1985. Experimental yet very melodic, Utopia was a new sound for Todd, a sound that would influence Todd greatly in the years to come.


Credits:
Kevin Ellman - Purcussion
Moogy Klingman - Keyboards
M. Frog Labal - Synthesizers
Todd Rundgren - Guitar
Ralph Shuckett - Keyboards
John Siegler
Produced and Engineered by Todd Rundgren
Assistant engineer - David Le Sage
Recorded at The Secret Sound
Atlanta recording by Bearsville Location Recorders
Design and Illustrqation by Haruo Miyauchi,Push Pin Studios 'Utopia' recorded live at the Fox thatre in Atlanta, Georgia


Track Listing:

  1. Utopia Theme
  2. Freak Parade
  3. Freedom Fighters
  4. The Ikon


Discography

LABELCat. NoTracks/TitleFormatCoverCountry
BearsvilleK55501Todd Rundgren's UtopiaLPstandardUK
DiskyBRCD6954Todd Rundgren's UtopiaCD Re-issuestandardUK
BearsvillePRO597The Ikon/InterviewPromo Only 12"No PSUSA
BearsvilleBR6954Todd Rundgrens UtopiaLPstandardUSA


Lyrics:

Utopia Theme

City in my head
Utopia
Heaven in my body
Utopia
It's time for me
For me to go.
City in my head
Utopia
Heaven in my body
Utopia
Into the sky
It rises now.

Freak Parade

I never was bothered by bad dreams
They never made me afraid
But then I never did dream I'd wake up
And find me in the freak parade.
I guess I had to find out the hard way
I shouldn't have been so proud
'Cause here I'm the main attraction
Of every giggle in the crowd.
So I gotta
Take my place in the freak parade
See my face in the freak parade.
In a world full of freaks
You can creep, you can crawl
But the world's biggest freak
Is the one with no balls.
You know you shouldn't poke fun at strangers
Or pity their case at all
'Cause there are lots of friends and lovers
That take it kind of personal.
You might appreciate our position
Don't laugh at our freaky ways
You might find yourself tomorrow
Marching in the freak parade.
You better
Take your place in the freak parade
See your face in the freak parade
Get of the sidewalk!

Freedom Fighters

Tucked away in the darkest cupboard of your heart
There's a feeling you can't let out
In a way you are just a soldier of the mind
You are marching, what are you marching about?
On your mark, now get set
Get back on your feet
We ain't down yet
You know we will get it
So don't you forget
That the world rolls on.
Your reward will come
It's just a question of how and when
Look around, everyone is wondering where it's at
Do you wonder, or do you know?
Clap your hands! Raise your voice
Some people will hide
They can't stand the noise
But we're freedom fighters
And we've got no choice.
In a way you are just a soldier of the mind
But the world rolls on.
Your reward will come
And the truth will come and the change will come
It's just a question of how and when
I can't believe my eyes.

The Ikon

On a day like no other
In a time unique, in a place divine
Keep your eye on the Ikon
Shining in the light of eternal mind.
I went to sleep a blind man
But when I awoke I saw
The legions of the lonely
See their faces, hear them call.
See how they hang on
Each one in a world of his own design
Listen to the Ikon
Ringing in the sound of eternal mind.
And the music plays forever
And it captures every ear
And the sound of barriers crashing down
Is the sweet harmony you hear.
Still, be still
To strong, so be still
Much too long, come down
Be still, look around
Listen here, be still
Hear the sound, be still.
Still we are here
We are still
Will we sing sweet
Sing we will
Still we are here
We are still
Nil is a fear all is nil
Still we are here we are still
Spill it let go let it spill.
The question comes to mind
About what should be done
And how much of the old will die
That the new may be begun
But you don't have to be afraid
Of being alone with nowhere to run.
You don't have to be afraid
To look yourself in the eye
You don't have to be afraid not to lie.
Someone knows who you are
Someone watches over you
Someone knows how you feel
And someone feels the same.
So you don't have to be afraid
Never fear, for you are living in eternal mind
For those who still recoil
For those who fear the pain
Of peering o'er the edge of
A new and different plane.
You don't have to be afraid
Whenever you go you come back again
So you don't have to be afraid
We live and we die
You don't have to be afraid to know why.
You don't have to be afraid
Whenever you go you come back again
So you don't have to be afraid
We live and we die
You don't have to be afraid to know why.


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