Adrian Song of the Week 4. "Song"
Links on Soundclick
Album version : https://soundclick.com/r/s875ka
Live Version : https://soundclick.com/r/s8777x
Two versions of the same song... called "Song"... are posted for your listening pleasure this week. It seemed logical to follow up a post titled "Music" with one called "Song."
"Song" came out of an experience I had where I had been invited to play at what I thought was to be a concert (featuring mostly "Me") but turned out to be an event where I was just providing backing music as people did their own thing. It did not go well. Some of the other activities taking place were very noise generating, so my presence was rather pointless. I persevered, and even gathered a few folks to listen for a while to what I had to offer, but it was not my finest hour.
For myself songwriting has an element of personal therapy. I tend to write about stuff that impacts me, as a way of dealing with it. But I also get a whole lot of joy from communal experiences of sharing my songs, just as long as others are on board. I don't mind being the one providing backing music but like to know what is required in advance.
The "Live" version invited participation and is from a concert in the early 80's at St Mary's Church in Upton. Very much a warts and all performance and an earlier version than the recorded one. "Song" has served me well as a useful opener in solo performances. I've used it as a warm up song in an open mic set. If you are the first act up, you tend also to be the soundcheck. The opening Chords require hefty strumming. The little instrumental break is quirky and keeps folks’ attention. And the chorus is mindless da-da.
When it came to doing a recording, it was fun to balance the guitar part with the other instruments. The Bass guitar offers a riff going up as the keys and acoustic go down. The lead guitar (Hayman) was played in the control room and plugged in directly to the sound board. Drummer Gwyn produced a groove that really drives it along. Yvonne and Susan offered tuneful da-das.
The use of silence in the chorus involved two of us on the mixing desk pressing mute buttons on every channel but the acoustic guitar, so as it really was a silence! Fun memories. With its prominent opening chord, I'd originally thought of it as an opening track for the "Jester" album (my only ever studio excursion) but came up with a rather dramatic version of Psalm 150 that took over that role.
The biblical reference in the album sleeve notes is from Matthew 11:17 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' The original context was that whatever Jesus did or suggested, folk did the opposite. Frustrating experience for any preacher! The sentiment seemed to vibe with the song theme. Bear in mind, I was in theological college/seminary at the time.
My favorite part is the mid-section "I've been singing my songs for quite a few years now and, yes I've had some really good times. Now here I am, singing my songs for you, Laying down a song, singing a rhyme." Musically I included a few bars of 'boogie' ... right after the words "good time" ... as a musical reference to the band Status Quo, whose music I so enjoyed as a kid... and an oblique reference to another song I'd written called "Good Time Boogie". But that is more information than anybody needs.
I simply hope that you enjoy this particular "Song" offering :-)
(Album lyrics)
I can sing my song for you
Maybe I'll make you smile
Maybe I'll make you tap your feet
Make you think for a while
But there's no point in me singing
if no-one wants to listen
There's no point in me playing my songs
If no-one wants to hear my ...
Chorus: Da Da Da Da Da Da Da. Da Da Da Da Da Da
I can play my guitar for you
Maybe I'll make you smile
Maybe I'll make you tap your feet
Make you think for a while
But there's no point in me playing
If no-one wants to listen
There's no point in me playing guitar
If no-one wants to hear my ...
Chorus
Well, I've been singing my songs
For quite a few years now
And yes, I've had some really good times
Now here I am, singing my songs for you
Laying down a song, singing a rhyme
I can sing my songs for you
Maybe I'll make you smile
Maybe I'll make you tap-tap your feet
Make you think for a while
And I can play my guitar for you
Maybe I'll make you smile
Maybe I'll make you tap-tap your feet
Make you think for a while
But there's no point in me singing
If no-one wants to listen
There's no point in me playing my songs
If no-one wants to hear my ...
Chorus
Adrian: Acoustic, Bass & Lead guitars, OBX Synthesiser, Vocal
Gwyn: Drums
Yvonne: backing Vocals
Susan Rice-Hughes: Backing Vocals
MATTHEW 11:17