A musically upbeat song of unrest and deep frustration, written over a decade ago but finally rescued from demo hell. In the studio we tried to offset it’s E.L.O.-esque melody by giving it a ‘Low’-era Bowie makeover, including Eventide harmonizers on the snare to mess with the fabric of time. Pleasingly, the chorus also features four tracks of the Vocoder, AKA ‘The Boomer’s Autotune’, in an attempt to achieve future ‘Mr. Blue Sky’ ubiquity. Here’s hoping.
lyrics
Rose from my bed more than anxious today in the morning
Tried to find something constructive to say, but before long
Gathered my thoughts in a pittance of underexposure
Try and say something of comfort to me - I’ll ignore you
And you would feel guilt by association with these thoughts of mine
I’d give them away if I could find the time
It’s running out fast, it’s sad, you know
Your friend just looks appalled, she never even talked to me at all
Now I’m just curled up in a useless ball
I’m no use to you, it’s sad, you know
Pondered the scene of just how I am going to get over
Wandered the streets for an hour or so, but you weren’t there
Oh and I tell myself, I could excel myself
But nobody gives if you’re sorry or sick, so best beware
That you would feel guilt by association with these thoughts of mine
I’d give them away if I could find the time
It’s running out fast, it’s sad, you know
Your friend just looks appalled, she never even talked to me at all
Now I’m just curled up in a useless ball
I’m no use to you, it’s sad, you know
Best make your excuses and go
What hope remains now for the dreams that I once held inside
Words are all guttural and these much I utter
Will serve to keep those stars inside
And I ask myself, could I ever go far
All of those concepts to shout in the context of useless inhibition
But no one would hear me, no one would hear not a word I say
No one adheres to the rules I obey, I’ll just miss out on it all
Nobody hears me, nobody hears not a word I say
All of my fears dictate my every day, it’s been going on so long
And you would feel guilt by association with these thoughts of mine
I’d give them away if I could find the time
It’s running out fast, it’s sad, you know
Your friend just looks appalled, she never even spoke to me at all
Now I’m just curled up in a useless ball
I’m no use to you, it’s sad, you know
Best make your excuses go
credits
from Getting Stranger By The Month EP,
released August 12, 2022
Paul Kelly – Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Synthesiser
Jason Sweeney – Drums
Gus Weymss – Backing Vocals
Nicola West – Backing Vocals
Calum Muir – Percussion
supported by 9 fans who also own “Guilt By Association”
This is absolutely beautiful! I am so happy the Under the Bridge releases led me down this road. It's unexpectedly spacious and just makes me happy! It's very hard to pick a favorite and I will not be skipping tracks as I play through this repeatedly. zq9mare1
Released in 2001, “The Convincer” is a gentle gem in the Nick Lowe catalog; an anniversary edition provides opportunity for rediscovery. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 20, 2021