Venus of the Hard Sell by Mucous Membrane
'Venus of the Hardsell' is the only single that Mucous Membrane, John Constantine's punk band, ever released. It was written by John and Gary Lester and released in 1978, by 'Snot Music record label. The lyrics and video for the song were printed in Hellblazer Annual 1, written by Jamie Delano with art by Dean Motter.
In 2006, fans of Hellblazer (including Spiderlegs , a poster on the fan forum Straight to Hell) created a rough version of the song. Upon hearing the song, Jamie Delano remarked, 'Thanks for the MP3 . I enjoyed the rendition. Very authentic late 'seventies atmosphere. Almost made me nostalgic.' [1]
Another user on the Straight to Hell forum, Slinker , made a YouTube video of the song from the images Dean Motter drew for the video in the Hellblazer Annual 1.
Lyrics[]
John Constantine from the 'Venus of the Hardsell' video
Love, adventure death and glory
The short goodbye
The whispered story
One last glance at the chameleon dance
And into the dark across the park
I ain't no mark for the Venus of the Hardsell
(Say it)
I ain't no mark for the Venus of the Hardsell
Saints and sinners, new beginners
Lipstick traces and TV dinners
Cigarsmoke bars and expensive new cars
The acapulco dive and the media jive
They all survive for the Venus of the Hardsell
(Know it)
They all survive for the Venus of the Hardsell
Empty graves and shallow heads
Shallow smiles and empty beds
Betta get a room without a view
Sail out of sight of land
Momma won't like it but you should
Travel with a roughneck crew
Listen out for all that's said
Just worry when the hounds aren't fed
(Gotta)
Worry when the hounds aren't fed
Still from the 'Venus of the Hardsell' video
'Cos one mutt yaps and the pack starts baying
Blood for the gods it's cheaper than praying
Soldier-boys die but Superman still flies
Violent days - it's a permanent craze
It never pays to love the Venus of the Hardsell
(Leave it)
Don't screw around with the Venus of the Hardsell
There're new uniforms at the church bazaar
Fanatics got the rising star
Thin dark streets ring with marching men's feet
Past the billboard bride troops the national pride
It's all supplied by the Venus of the Hardsell
(Fuck it!)
It's all supplied by the Venus of the Hardsell
Nixon's names left on the moon
Where Apollo's masons called the tune
To cast their influence from above
And damn all lunacy and love
You know they made her the Venus of the Hardsell
(Raped her)
You know they made her the Venus of the Hardsell
They're winning momma and it's getting dark
D'you think there's time to build an ark?
Tomorrow's a fiction, yesterday's a lie
I had a friend stuck his works in his eye
Perhaps he'll die?
I wonder why we don't cry for the Venus of the Hardsell
Don't sigh for the Venus of the Hardsell
Don't lie for the Venus of the Hardsell
Don't die for the Venus of the Hardsell
Free her and live