Friday, February 20, 2009

Drinks Are On My Lyrics

On the off chance we end up recording this song sometime in the near future, I thought it a prudent move to decipher the lyrics from the video I recently posted on youtube, and on this blog. There were a couple lines I couldn't figure out, but I got most of it. Here she be:

smoke filled room, 'dust on the floor.
In come the boys looking to score.
Thirsty as ever knowing what to drink.
The bar may be empty but they don't even think.

(something something something), drunk and creally shot.
(something something something), puts the evening to it's start.
First round goes out to them, put it away quick.
Evening's getting started, the temperature is getting thick.

now. pick it up.

Shine your shoes? A dollar. "Whiskey Neat for six".
second round comes and goes, the smoke is getting thick.
Third and fourth round come and go, The band begins to play.
All your worries and your troubles, they all... go away.

Now the evening is rolling, the fun has just begun.
the bartender is getting rich, pouring another one.
finally the call the goes out, Varner screams aloud...
"Drinks are on me!!" is the call that goes across the crowd.

Smoke filled room, dust on the floor.
Out go the boys, headin' for the door.
Thirsty as ever, knowing what to drink.
The bar may be closing, but they don't even think.


If you can figure out the parts that say "something something something", please post them here and let me know. I have NO idea what I'm saying.

To my knowledge, the lyrics used in this performance were not saved anywhere, though it would not surprise me to learn that Bill has them somewhere.

Writing out the lyrics was actually kind of fun, as it reminded me of a lot of the quirky little bits and pieces to the song. For example, I don't know if anyone realizes that when I say "Dust on the floor", I'm of course referring to saw dust. Not the type of dust that collects in a dark and dingy dwelling. When I wrote the lyrics, I was imagining a western bar, with an electronic bull, and folks standing around wearing those bright red plaid cowboy shirts with the mother-of-pearl snap buttons and big ten gallon hats.

I still can't remember where the "Shine your shoes" line came from, though I find that one interesting. I think my favorite line of the whole song is the part where Varner screams out "Drinks are on me". Something he has never done in my presence, but I think it's a good image, and smacks of something that he would actually do. At least, the Don Varner that inhabits my memories would do. I have no idea if he's actually like that, but then, I really have no idea what Don Varner is actually like. So there you go.

Speaking of Varner, I'm told there is momentum afoot to record this song with him on Drums. I think that would really rock. Bill and I have REALLY REALLY REALLY learned a lot from recording the Black and Blue album, and I'm sure we could parlay some of that knowledge into a really good recording featuring the three of us. Best of all, I wouldn't have to learn the drum line, which actually sounds kind of complicated. There's something Don is doing with the snare that I'm not sure how to do. I think it's some kind of rim-work (yeah, you heard me). Combine that with the very irregular bass drum, and you've got a drum line that would be quite challenging for me.

Still, we'll see what happens. Personally, I'd love to see it come together. I think it would be really awesome to have a studio quality recording of this song in the can. Yeah, I said "in the can". So sue me.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Black & Blue Make Their UK Debut.

Yes it's true! I was recently in England, and had a chance to spend an evening in London with some new acquantances and old friends. Of course, this gave me an even better chance to trot out my latest monkey tricks, which naturally included a copy of the recently unveiled B&B single, "Second Time Around".

I'll try to set the scene a bit. Better yet, I can post a picture. I was hanging out in London's trendy East side when I whipped it out. The CD, that is. Duh. It was promptly placed into a mac laptop and hooked up to the speaker system.







The crowd/fan reaction was overwhelmingly positive, but then again, I WAS in the same room, so maybe that reaction should be taken with a grain of salt. The entire CD was played, and though nobody was listening closely enough to enjoy the lyrics of any one song, the "sound" of the music was much appreciated. Or so it seemed.

Either way, it was cool to have our music heard on the other side of the pond, and even cooler to have it seeminly appreciated.