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Flash and the Pan — Hey St. Peter
Album: Flash and the Pan
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1276









Released: 1976
Length: 4:13
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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The morning was cold and lonely
City lights old and grey
The sun arose trying to smile
Gave it all away
The honky-tonk called a stranger
The stranger couldn't pay the bill
Made a stand, raised his hand
Sang a song, no time to kill

I said, Hey, hey, hey, St. Peter
I've got a tale to tell
I've just been down in New York town
It really feels like hell
It really feels like hell

Billy was out of fashion
Manhattan was years ago
Yesterday he wasted time
Money was kind of slow
Billy had friends of glory
Billy was a friend of fame
Took a chance, raised his hand
Sang a song, now he's back in the game

Hey, St. Peter
Before you ring your bell
Just been down in New York town
Done my time in hell
Done my time in hell

I said, Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, St. Peter
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, St. Peter
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, St. Peter
It really feels like hell
It really feels like hell
It really feels like hell
Comments (131)add comment
Funny that this Wikipedia info didn't mention that George Young was also the older brother of the AC/DC brothers, Angus and Malcom.  So they were a talented bunch. Why did they move from Scotland to Australia? 
Posted 2 weeks ago by tripp1    [ Reply ]
 dmiklitz wrote:

I remember this as a favorite on a tape I made of an WHFS broadcast when I was in college.  It was a great playlist amongst my cassette library. Ah, nostalgia.....



HFS rocked back in the late 80's. Weasel! 
Posted 2 weeks ago by tripp1    [ Reply ]
Great to hear this on here! 
Posted 2 months ago by dxnerd86    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

It's almost 2023 now, and I went +2 to 8 today because of the cool interlude and would be happy to hear this one annually even!  LLRP!!



Yeah, it's a jammer! From the first time I heard this, the power of the piano, with its almost rag-time style and odd syncopations, and the timing with which he delivers those KILLER dead-pan vocals, just blew me away...and still does! That was the summer when The Boomtown Rats' epic "I Don't Like Mondays" was a monster hit, and wow, talk about powerful piano... I've always thought that it's wildly entertaining and fun to party to! Long live Radio Paradise and Lizard King!
Posted 2 months ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

...and now you stream internet radio in your Chevy Colorado (lol...no idea what you actually drive now) while getting slightly better fuel economy, on your way to the Weed Dispensary and Liquor Store for a blissful weekend!

This is a pretty fun/silly once a decade type of track! Cya back in the 2020s! 



It's almost 2023 now, and I went +2 to 8 today because of the cool interlude and would be happy to hear this one annually even!  LLRP!!
Posted 1 year ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Very heavy synthesizer for a 1976 song.  I wonder if that's a brand new ARP String Ensemble we're hearing, same as what Gary Wright used in Dream Weaver.
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
March Madness related?
Posted 2 years ago by yofitofu    [ Reply ]
"Down Among the Dead Men" is fabulous as well. 
Posted 2 years ago by adelaide68    [ Reply ]
Great to hear an Aussie classic on Radio Paradise. 
Posted 2 years ago by adelaide68    [ Reply ]
The cover of this always reminded me of the Nevil Shute novel 'On the Beach'
Posted 2 years ago by rrowdies    [ Reply ]
Love this song! Gave it a solid 10. Brings back great memories, so different from other songs when it came out. Definitely one of those love-or-dislike songs that will generate RP comments. THIS is what makes Radio Paradise completely different from everything else out there.
Posted 2 years ago by Fergs    [ Reply ]
Still have the 8 Track! I know what your thinking!!
Posted 2 years ago by cweiss6955    [ Reply ]
 jkrue66358 wrote:

Love Flash & The Pan!!



Maybe add 'Make Your Own Cross!'
Posted 3 years ago by jkrue66358    [ Reply ]
Love Flash & The Pan!!
Posted 3 years ago by jkrue66358    [ Reply ]
 ExploitingChaos wrote:

1976?!
Really? Whoa dude



I remember it from 1979...
Posted 3 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
 Foot wrote:
Why don't you add Media Man to the mix?


Why don't you?
Posted 3 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this since the Beercentennial year
Posted 3 years ago by grhorn    [ Reply ]
8 > 9
Posted 3 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
1976?!
Really? Whoa dude
Posted 3 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
Aaawesome! Haven’t heard it for quite a long time.
Posted 3 years ago by m_ehm    [ Reply ]
Why don't you add Media Man to the mix?
Posted 3 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
First listen?   Annoying.  Will give it a few more listens.  
Posted 3 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
 mikegrinker wrote:
 
 
Well, I just gave it a 7 and it appears to have gone from a 5.9 to a 6...
Posted 4 years ago by MikeEm    [ Reply ]
I'm no musicologist. Like the sound and like the jam. Can we tug this one into the 6's?
Posted 4 years ago by mikegrinker    [ Reply ]
Pre-Buggles!
Posted 4 years ago by firefly6    [ Reply ]
(anonymous) wrote:
I've always liked these guys. They evolved from the Easybeats, who did some great late 60s stuff ("Friday on My Mind") and one of them - either Flash or Pan, not sure which - is the brother of the shorts-wearing guitarist in AC/DC.

That would also make him the brother of the pants wearing guitarist in AC/DC (Malcom).  George was also a co-producer on AC/DC's first six albums (High Voltage through Powerage so basically the Bon Scott era minus Highway To Hell) along with his songwriting, production partner, and former band mate from Flash And The Pan Harry Vanda.
Posted 4 years ago by opaceo    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by bseib    [ Reply ]
WTF?

Man I didn't like this back then and it sure hasn't grown on me...
Posted 4 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
 (anonymous) wrote:
I've always liked these guys. They evolved from the Easybeats, who did some great late 60s stuff ("Friday on My Mind") and one of them - either Flash or Pan, not sure which - is the brother of the shorts-wearing guitarist in AC/DC.
 
Only posted 18 years ago.... Time are like flies
Posted 4 years ago by fissmoll    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
This was on the radio the summer of '79. I drove a thirsty '70 Cutlass with massive G-60 racing slicks. Life was beer, weed, and bliss...
 

and some Jensen 6 x 9's?
Posted 4 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
Farewell George
Posted 4 years ago by janac13    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by MichaelPaynter    [ Reply ]
I remember this as a favorite on a tape I made of an WHFS broadcast when I was in college.  It was a great playlist amongst my cassette library. Ah, nostalgia.....
Posted 5 years ago by dmiklitz    [ Reply ]
Couldn't stand it then....definitely nothing has changed.
Posted 5 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Thank you for playing this.  Hadn't heard it in so long.  It's a great song, but the best part is what they do with the vocals.  
Posted 5 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]

I used to have this album.  Fun times back then, and I still like this song.
Posted 6 years ago by sheeelaaa    [ Reply ]
Sounds like a production from Glee.
Posted 6 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
 Grammarcop wrote:
Sorry, can't take it seriously. 
 
Somehow I doubt they intended this song to be taken seriously, though the two guys who wrote this number were in the business for a while.  The were both in The Easybeats and wrote the classic "Friday On My Mind", which I prefer to this number.
Posted 6 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 junebaby65 wrote:

This is mainstream?  Where is played on a regular basis?

 
The late 70s.
Posted 6 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
Me thinks they had been listening to Elton John "Where to now St Peter". Never mind - we can all get influences from everything.  This is just a bit of fun whereas the Elton John one is more serious...
Posted 6 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
Stylist wrote:
Great classic original piece of music! The current average rating is really to low for it

   

aelfheld wrote:

It's neither original nor, of greater import, good. 

The rating is much too high for this dreck.

 
Just goes to show that music is a personal thing.
It's a bit arrogant to pronounce something "bad" just because you say so!
For instance, I despise  the music of Talking Heads and, for the life of me, can't understand why ANYONE likes them. But, I say live and let live.

Personally, I really like this track and think it is indeed original. How many songs are sung through a megaphone?? (Well, OK, maybe 'Winchester Cathedral'....)
Posted 6 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
 joempie wrote:
A bit very mainstream for RP. Would be bearable, if I hadn't already heard it 1000 times everywhere else.

 
This is mainstream?  Where is played on a regular basis?
Posted 7 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
This was on the radio the summer of '79. I drove a thirsty '70 Cutlass with massive G-60 racing slicks. Life was beer, weed, and bliss...

 
...and now you stream internet radio in your Chevy Colorado (lol...no idea what you actually drive now) while getting slightly better fuel economy, on your way to the Weed Dispensary and Liquor Store for a blissful weekend!

This is a pretty fun/silly once a decade type of track! Cya back in the 2020s! 


Posted 7 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Some deep tracks are best left in obscurity. This is one.
Posted 7 years ago by wgsu_1978    [ Reply ]
It's a decent enough tune, haven't heard it it maybe 25 years and I haven't missed it particularly. I'm set for the next 25 on it too.

The voiceover shit makes me wanna hear Mexican Radio, so that's good. 
Posted 7 years ago by icemang    [ Reply ]
This was on the radio the summer of '79. I drove a thirsty '70 Cutlass with massive G-60 racing slicks. Life was beer, weed, and bliss...
Posted 7 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this in a long time......

 
Posted 7 years ago by grahamdillabough    [ Reply ]
 Stylist wrote:
Great classic original piece of music! The current average rating is really to low for it
 
It's neither original nor, of greater import, good. 

The rating is much too high for this dreck.
Posted 8 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
A bit very mainstream for RP. Would be bearable, if I hadn't already heard it 1000 times everywhere else.
Posted 8 years ago by joempie    [ Reply ]
Great classic original piece of music! The current average rating is really to low for it
Posted 8 years ago by Stylist    [ Reply ]
gruß an de Duxe oller Schlawiner und ans Kyalami
Posted 8 years ago by tonispizzeria    [ Reply ]
Sorry, can't take it seriously. 
Posted 8 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Flashback to.....mid teens Hell.
Posted 8 years ago by flyboy50    [ Reply ]
Very  70s Broadway sounding
Posted 8 years ago by frolic4rp    [ Reply ]
dull
Posted 8 years ago by baylees    [ Reply ]
Awesome 70's classic
Posted 8 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
Originally released in 1976. 
Posted 9 years ago by dingusbother    [ Reply ]
Surprised this song is played........not really pop, prog or ressive........kinda not good.......it is short.
Posted 9 years ago by dew34    [ Reply ]
Yes!  Where's Media Man?
Posted 9 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
These are my Gods.  Thank you RP!  F&TP was very popular back in the early 80's in the remote and beautiful beach town of Mar del Plata, Argentina.  How do I miss those days!
Posted 9 years ago by Mariano    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananapiano}{#Bananasplit}{#Drummer}{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 9 years ago by Derk_Decibel    [ Reply ]
Dizz Knee Land and Hey St. Peter — great couple of songs from the late 80s, early 90s.  How about "Me and Elvis" by Human Radio for a hat trick?
Posted 9 years ago by gberg59    [ Reply ]
Oh. My. F'ing. God - I haven't heard this song in forever! Thank you so much! Now I need to go find the flip slide, "Walking' In The Rain".
So much win for me! {#Good-vibes}
Posted 9 years ago by k1j2cat    [ Reply ]
 Kaisersosay wrote:
Hey is the guy MC 1000 foot Jesus singing

 
Two of these guys were from The Easybeats - they composed the classic "Friday On My Mind".
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
@ least its better than. . . .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4kZ_zfPB90
Posted 9 years ago by gregr79    [ Reply ]
This song sounds way better when you hear it only once every 10 years or so,
Posted 9 years ago by blotto    [ Reply ]
wow, so bad on so many different levels all at the same time!
Posted 9 years ago by thatslongformud    [ Reply ]
1989??—-WHAT??


>>>"Hey, St. Peter" (b/w "Walking in the Rain") (1976 Australia, 1978 worldwide) - Aus No. 5, US No. 76
Posted 9 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
Hey is the guy MC 1000 foot Jesus singing
Posted 9 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
A truly terrible song.  But I do appreciate a bit of facetious fun, Bill ~ thanks! {#Cool}
Posted 9 years ago by skimsey    [ Reply ]
Great Band, great music!
Posted 9 years ago by loopbitz    [ Reply ]
 radiojunkie wrote:
It was one of those songs that got a lot of airplay "back in the day," and I was never sure why. And I'm still not.
Ugh...next you'll be playing "I Don't Like Mondays."
 

This hasn't aged well....
Posted 10 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
I shall forever remember hearing this on the radio of my mean green '70 Cutlass 'S' Coupe...Party Summer '79; lots of cruising, beer, weed, Frisbee, and ROCK!
Posted 10 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
You guys are way to critical. You should just enjoy the tune or turn it off. Personally, I remember Flash and the Pan as a different style of music coming into a time of hard and acid rock. It was nice to get something different at that time and I still love the tune!
Posted 18 years ago by purehavoc    [ Reply ]
I happen to still like this song, but beyond that I'm surprised at how strong the memories are that this song brings back. Mmmm... 8)
Posted 19 years ago by dsmcd01    [ Reply ]
It was one of those songs that got a lot of airplay "back in the day," and I was never sure why. And I'm still not. Ugh...next you'll be playing "I Don't Like Mondays."
Posted 19 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
i don't normally rate songs badly on RP....but this is a prime example of why i do not listen to "normal" radio as songs of this ilk are quite common there. i concur with the many posters here who wish for this song to be removed permanently from the playlist.
Posted 19 years ago by greg6494    [ Reply ]
would be a decent pop song without the dreadful chorus...
Posted 19 years ago by federico    [ Reply ]
Sometimes it absolutely amazes me the dreck that makes it into rotation compared to some of the songs that get rejected; this being a prime example of the former.
Posted 19 years ago by drover    [ Reply ]
" Hey , Saint Peterrrrr..... It really feels like Hellllllll......"
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
coding_to_music wrote:
Ah, this band was just a flash in the pan...
Wonder how they knew in advance?
Posted 19 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]
What the hell is this song trying to be? Ugh!
Posted 19 years ago by joemama    [ Reply ]
Oh, my. I last heard this in July 1979, just before being posted to the American Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. I hated it then. Now I remember why.
Posted 19 years ago by mojoman    [ Reply ]
Ah, this band was just a flash in the pan...
Posted 19 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
I don't have to like this song and you can't make me.
Posted 19 years ago by madtowner11    [ Reply ]
WOW! I feel a flashback coming on. I like it. Thanks
Posted 20 years ago by Al_Koholic    [ Reply ]
KevDogRedux wrote:
I'm still lovin' it all these years later. Great stuff. Kinda Jim Carroll light!
Hmmm. . . Jim Carroll light -- the man who wrote Basketball Diaries and then recorded CAtholic Boy; interesting concept . . . not sure this fits in with his musical works; much too melodic , me thinks.
Posted 20 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]
"Done my time in Hell..." Could it be that Bill's not enjoying his visit to New York City?
Posted 20 years ago by beckdog    [ Reply ]
I'm still lovin' it all these years later. Great stuff. Kinda Jim Carroll light!
Posted 20 years ago by KevDogRedux    [ Reply ]
Good One, I like It
Posted 20 years ago by t66tah    [ Reply ]
MrMorgan wrote:
Common you guys, lighten up on Flash and the Pan. This is truly a classic song, whether you really like it or not. Remember when this came out, they were brave enough to tread on water and try to come up with something different..................great song! ! !
Truly a Classic!!!! This was a breath of fresh air when it came out.
Posted 20 years ago by samiyam    [ Reply ]
Common you guys, lighten up on Flash and the Pan. This is truly a classic song, whether you really like it or not. Remember when this came out, they were brave enough to tread on water and try to come up with something different..................great song! ! !
Posted 20 years ago by MrMorgan    [ Reply ]
Posted 20 years ago by Monkeysdad    [ Reply ]
ce wrote:
Oooohhh... Flash and the Pan! memories! They've made better, though, like "Waiting for a train"
I've always liked "Media Man," too. Oh, the MTV memories! When it was actually WATCHABLE!
Posted 21 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
Truly craptastic!
Posted 21 years ago by mksothrpeoplrich    [ Reply ]
DavidCarrico wrote:
I've begun to feel your nausea more and more each time I hear this.
Posted 21 years ago by Mot    [ Reply ]
Posted 21 years ago by DavidCarrico    [ Reply ]
I liked this the first time i heard it... but I liked it just a little bit less each subsequent hearing... untill the end, where I began to downright hate it. now... if this song was played in the waning days of progressive radio, it (and others like it) can probally be blamed for the downfall. You notice, most songs on corporate radio rocket to the top, stay there for a couple minutes, then slowly fade from public memory. Its sad... and The reason I originally stopped listening to anything cast out over the air.
Posted 21 years ago by Eul0gy    [ Reply ]
the_om wrote:
Sadly, my vinyl copy of this album disappeared one weekend in college. I still remember the cover with a gazillion frisbees in the air among a bunch of beachgoers in folding chairs. Wish I still had it...
...plus the mushroom cloud in the background. Yes, a memorable cover from a cd with a number of good cuts. This was released in '79 if I remember correctly and got a sizable amount of radio play in the waning days of progressive radio.
Posted 21 years ago by mperry    [ Reply ]
8O Is this a joke?
Posted 21 years ago by BigCalm    [ Reply ]
Alright RP...why are you punishing us..?
Posted 21 years ago by iggy33    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of "The Buggles", Video Killed the Radio Star (Trevor Horn - the first video on MTV). Not sure if I want to hear it again though!
Posted 21 years ago by mattcol99    [ Reply ]
Ah, youth sentiment, cool song
Posted 21 years ago by lunar22    [ Reply ]
I love the instrumental break.
Posted 21 years ago by frednic    [ Reply ]
wow never thought I would hear this one again and thanks for the info. I can hear the easy beats in there
Originally Posted by Ineptune: Wow! I loved this band's wry cynicisn and satire. It's pretty dark stuff from the days when "spoken word" was how the lead vocals were described...as Rap had not emerged. Co-leader, George Young, is brother to Angus and Malcolm Young from AC/DC. He and fellow Pan man, Harry Vanda, were originally on the radar with a 60's band called The Easybeats who hit with "Friday On My Mind" and stayed together to produce all the early AC/DC projects.
Posted 21 years ago by DMcGaw    [ Reply ]
GREAT!!!! love those 80's....keep 'em coming. this song is funky and cool.....jazzy, too. :bananabanger:
Posted 21 years ago by BLADERUNNER    [ Reply ]
What a surprise. Another crap ass song. :roll:
Posted 21 years ago by dignan2    [ Reply ]
Can\'t stop tapping feet....damn it.
Posted 21 years ago by jbwiv    [ Reply ]
Sadly, my vinyl copy of this album disappeared one weekend in college. I still remember the cover with a gazillion frisbees in the air among a bunch of beachgoers in folding chairs. Wish I still had it...
Posted 21 years ago by the_om    [ Reply ]
Sorry. Didn\'t like this back in the early eighties. And even though I\'ve matured and try to give all musical genres an objective ear, I\'ve decided that this still sucks.
Posted 21 years ago by camarkim    [ Reply ]
A gem...Love the 80\'s!
Posted 21 years ago by Heathen954    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Ineptune: Wow! I loved this band's wry cynicisn and satire. It's pretty dark stuff from the days when "spoken word" was how the lead vocals were described...as Rap had not emerged. Co-leader, George Young, is brother to Angus and Malcolm Young from AC/DC. He and fellow Pan man, Harry Vanda, were originally on the radar with a 60's band called The Easybeats who hit with "Friday On My Mind" and stayed together to produce all the early AC/DC projects.
great post. you hit the nail on the head. their first album (this one) was solid with many good songs: Walking in The Rain, Man In The Middle, Down Among The Dead Men, African Shuffle come to mind.
Posted 21 years ago by mperry    [ Reply ]
What, this wasn\'t good enough for ELO?
Posted 22 years ago by fluorophore    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by eric: Yes, but unfortunately in the context of modern times, it's dated and basically sucks ass :)
i guess if you like some of the angst driven, semi-rap, sam kinison sound alikes that i hear on the modern airwaves today, i think i'll stick to some of my dated sounds.
Posted 22 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by eric: Yes, but unfortunately in the context of modern times, it's dated and basically sucks ass :)
Maybe "modern" times suck. Or just designations on music beyond their inherit merit. To me, this sounds just as good as Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello and any of a number of bands still well-regarded today.
Posted 22 years ago by mperry    [ Reply ]
Yayyyy! Love this. Sounds great coming out of Gomez and \"Ping One Down\".
Posted 22 years ago by mperry    [ Reply ]
Is Flash And The Pan the band that did \'5 Minutes (Uncle Eric)? Been trying to find that song for years. Does anybody know?
Posted 22 years ago by Emmanuel    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Kurt_from_La_Qui: if you put it into the context of what was happening musically at the time, this was one heck of a song.
Yes, but unfortunately in the context of modern times, it's dated and basically sucks ass :)
Posted 22 years ago by eric    [ Reply ]
if you put it into the context of what was happening musically at the time, this was one heck of a song.
Posted 22 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
Oooohhh... Flash and the Pan! memories! They\'ve made better, though, like \"Waiting for a train\"
Posted 22 years ago by ce    [ Reply ]