“Wooden Woman”

“Wooden Woman” is the second song on side 2, and 8th song overall, on the album The World In A Sea Shell, Strawberry Alarm Clock’s third album from 1968. The ballad has a lugubrious air about it, as does virtually the entire album. “Wooden Woman” is highlighted by a heartbreaking chord sequence and delicate vocals.

The band makes use of its distorted-electric-guitar-as-wallpaper technique here. The effect underscores the gentleness of the song while giving it a slightly addled and acrid air — that classic SAC dichotomy (SAChotomy?).

The song’s lyrics depict a sad old woman. “Wooden” apparently has a dual meaning here, both the woman’s wizened face and her pitiable broken heart. She stares out at the sea, recalling with bitterness the lies of the lovers from her youth. Yet, she laments, she has no lover at all now.

At the song’s end she decides to “leave the world”, jumping into the sea. The music fades away as her body floats off into the ocean.

“Wooden Woman” has a fantastic, emotive guitar solo from Ed King, with a deliciously fuzzy tone and composition. The song is only two minutes long but, with its sorrowful tale and beautiful musicianship, stands as one of the album’s best.

“Wooden Woman” appears on…

The World In A Sea Shell (1969)

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