You've Got To Hide Your Love Away

July 13, 1974

Brian's POV

"Want to see a movie this weekend?"  Roger asked me.  He was reading the newspaper and stumbled across the listings.  He was sitting in the breakroom with his feet propped up on the table while we waited to go back to recording.

"What is showing?" 

"Ummm...there's that disaster movie, 'Earthquake.'  'Chinatown'..that's the one Tom said was good, didn't  he?"  Roger told me.  He was right.  Tom had been to see Chinatown and had recommended it to us when he came over two nights ago.  We had learned they were repeating our appearance on Top of The Pops and he came by to watch it with us since his TV is out.  We had some laughs seeing it again.  "Blazing Saddles is still showing if you want to see it again.."  Roger remarked. I smiled to myself recalling when we first saw it.  It was a free night we had on tour in the states and all four of us went to see it.  We didn't quite understand everything in the film, but it was really funny.

"I vote for Chinatown.." I told him and he cut me off.

"Oh wait!  Death Wish is showing!  Let's go see that!" Roger announced excitedly.  I hadn't heard of it.  I figured it was an action movie or a thriller of some kind.  He loves car chases and shoot-outs.  I was happy to see whatever he wanted.

"Sounds good..let's see that one.." I smiled at him.  Roger tore that part of the paper out and put it in his pocket.  

"We're ready for you..."  Mike announced as he opened the break room door.  Roger dropped the newspaper on the table and I finished the last of my grapefruit juice and tossed the cup as we headed back to the studio.  I followed them in and saw Freddie standing by the microphone in the booth.  He was putting on the headphones and motioned to us to join him.  We went into the booth and each grabbed a pair.  I got them settled on my head and pulled my hair out around the sides.  We all watched the window for our prompt.  Roy gave us our mark and we began.

'Leave it in the lap of the gods....'

We repeated the line several times to build layers for the backing vocal of the song intro.  Freddie and Roger were doing the rest of the vocals but wanted me to add a softened blend to the opening line harmonies.  It had been fun to watch Roger record the highest notes of the song earlier today.  I will never get over how high he can go in his register.  He had skipped smoking the past few days so he wouldn't struggle to hit the notes.  He made it look so easy.  I was envious.  After a few more takes, we finished.  Roy told us we didn't have any more time today and we all got our stuff to leave the studio.

"You ready?"  Roger asked me as we walked out the studio door.  Freddie was staying behind to meet a friend for lunch.  We got to the car and headed out.  Roger wanted to go to the zoo while we are in town.  I'm not a huge fan of captive animals but have a hard time resisting a visit to the penguin exhibit.  We got to Regent's Park quickly since we missed the lunchtime traffic.  Roger found a parking spot and we headed in.  I looked over the map since neither of us had been in years and found the things Roger wanted to see.  I was happy to be out getting some sunshine and the doctor liked me taking walks.  Roger guided us to the Penguin Pool first to appease me and we leaned against the railing to watch them swim about in the sunlight. 

"I'll be right back.."  Roger announced and I nodded as he disappeared somewhere.  I was captivated by the little ones.  The zoo had Humboldt penguins and I read all the placards with information about them.  I even let myself enjoy the ones which had pictures and names for each.

"Here you are!"  I heard Roger say and turned to see his hands full of popcorn and drinks.  I smiled at him.  I had not had popcorn in ages and it sounded marvelous.  I took a paper bag from him and a bottled cola.  He held onto his and joined me at the railing.