In the song “Reader’s Digest” Norman sings the following verse: “Dear John, who’s more popular now? I´ve been listening to some of Paul’s new records. Sometimes I think he really is dead.” (referring to an urban legend alleging that Paul McCartney of The Beatles died in 1966 and was replaced by a look-alike and sound-alike.) “Who’s more popular now?” makes reference to John Lennon’s famous claim that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. The album features prog-rock bassist and Asia frontman, John Wetton on bass guitar.

This album was supposed to be number six in a series of fourteen albums, as mentioned on the inner sleeve of “Something New Under The Son” (albums number nine through fourteen have not been released, see part II). A three-LP boxed set containing albums #6, #7 & #8 and titled The Compleat Trilogy (as mentioned on the insert of the Street Level reissue of “Only Visiting This Planet”) has never been released. This boxed set should feature the trilogy as Larry Norman originally intended. The LP Only Visiting This Planet in this set should feature the complete version of “I Wish We’d All Been Ready.”

Track Listing

All tracks composed by Larry Norman

Original LP release

Side 1

1. “I’ve Got To Learn To Live Without You”
2. “The Outlaw”
3. “Why Don’t You Look Into Jesus”
4. “Righteous Rocker #1″
5. “I Wish We’d All Been Ready”

Side 2

1. “I Am Six O’clock News”
2. “The Great American Novel”
3. “Pardon Me”
4. “Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music”
5. “Reader’s Digest”
6. “Oh, How I Love You” (Not listed)

Extra tracks on CD releases

1. “PeacePollutionRevolution” (1971 single)
2. Righteous Rocker” (rough mix)
3. “The Outlaw” (demo)
4. “Digest” (rock version)