Ol' Man River
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"Ol' Man River" is the seventh track on Act 3 of The Residents' "modern opera", Doctor Dark, released February 28th 2025 by Cherry Red Records and MVD Audio. Its title may be alluding to a popular showtune of the same title from the 1927 race musical Show Boat, although no further connection is clear.
An edited version of the song, titled "Ol' Man River (Machine Edit)", was released to streaming platforms as a digital single on February 14th 2025. A demo of this track was later released on the Doctor Dark's Demos album, exclusive to streaming services.
Libretto
A lengthy interlude deadens the room, until the bluebird unexpectedly rises into the air, gracefully glides around it and lands on the teenager's shoulder. With little hesitation, the boy drops the gun, approaches the doctor, and nods yes. At this moment Doctor Dark begins his own shocking transition. No longer restrained by the illusions of life, the physician displays his true form: the Angel of Death. For a few moments, the sound of Dark's machine fills the room, before giving way to the bluebird grandly chirping "Ol' Man River" as the teenager stands transfixed by its curious and unexpected beauty.
MY MACHINE! is your release. MY MACHINE! will set you free. MY MACHINE! will give you peace, salvation and infinity. Filled with fools and discontent, life is what it's always been, but my machine does not pretend; Absurdity is a sin; Life is love in the end.
Ol' Man River (Machine Edit)
"Ol' Man River (Machine Edit)" is an edited version of The Residents' song "Ol' Man River", released to streaming platforms as a digital single on February 14th 2025, in advance of the release of the album Doctor Dark.
The cover art features an AI-generated image of the album's titular character, Dr. Anastasia Dark.
Track listing
- Ol' Man River (Machine Edit) (2:27)
See also
- Doctor Dark CD edition at Cherry Red Records (UK/EU)
- Doctor Dark vinyl edition at Cherry Red Records (UK/EU)
- Doctor Dark CD edition at MVD Shop (US)
- Doctor Dark vinyl edition at MVD Shop (US)