It Goes On
Originally part of the 1973 stage production, They Shoot Horses, Don't They, "It Goes On" was written for one of the characters, Gloria, a defeated and bitter woman whose main wish is to die (and who is eventually killed by Robert). This sad song clearly borrows from Leon's earlier (and desolate) "Once When I Was Young", with a similar monotone verse and matching lyrical fragments.
The song was not initially recorded, but Leon elected to resurrect it for his 1995 album, Intruders, where it was sung by Liz Mansfield. Musical backing on the recording was courtesy of Fiz Shapur's keyboard, meaning that Leon does not actually appear on "his" version.
The song was not initially recorded, but Leon elected to resurrect it for his 1995 album, Intruders, where it was sung by Liz Mansfield. Musical backing on the recording was courtesy of Fiz Shapur's keyboard, meaning that Leon does not actually appear on "his" version.
“Sung by Gloria, the despairing woman at the centre of the novel, whose life has been a series of broken hopes and shattered illusions, and who, in the end, wants only to die.” - LR (sleevenotes to The World Turned Upside Down (CD box set), p25)
Recordings
Version 1 (1995) Performed by Liz Mansfield and Fiz Shapur