Today’s song is demoitis, but in reverse. A few weeks ago, I recorded an acoustic version of my song ‘Idiot Son’ that I put out as part of my Orange Peel project back in January.
The original demo and the final recording of this song both have many more instruments than this acoustic version, but it’s been an interesting experiment to strip the song back down to basics. My plan for the recording was just to capture the song in a more stripped-down mode. I also wanted to see how the main guitar part worked in a different tuning.
‘Idiot Son’ was written and recorded on a baritone tenor guitar, designed by Warren Ellis, known for his brilliant work with bands such as The Dirty Three and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. This four-stringed guitar is tuned CGDA, like a cello, so the shapes are completely different from those on a standard guitar. While working on the acoustic version, I worked out that the best way to play it on a regular six-string guitar was to tune the guitar to Open D (DADF#AD) tuning. I like to set myself these puzzles to solve.
The version I recorded is pretty rough around the edges, certainly when compared to the full Orange Peel production, but I decided to share it this week. This is because the other songs I’ve been working on this week need more time, and that is, in part, because I’m unwell (again). Who knew that living with a 14-month-old baby who’s just started crèche (plus only getting 4 hours sleep a night) would be such a challenge to the immune system? Anyway, my voice is shot, so I’ve recorded two instrumentals that weren’t meant to be instrumentals. I’ll aim to share these soon. Maybe with vocals, maybe not…
I also decided to use a fade-in for this one, rather than a more typical fade-out, partly to contrast with the abrupt ending.
At the weekend, we (minus the baby) went to the wedding of two dear friends. It was an Irish and Mexican wedding—which was as fun as it sounds—in a beautiful hacienda house up in the hills around Barcelona. Everything about the day was just perfect, but I mention it because I was struck (again) by the power of music to bring its own mysterious magic to these special moments. Certainly, hearing songs by Cocteau Twins, Beach House, Air, Caribou, and LCD Soundsystem as the ceremony and party progressed united the couple’s family and friends in a sort of dreamy, loved-up haze.
‘Idiot Son’ is probably the opposite of these songs in its intended sentiment, but I hope that, if nothing else, it can offer some catharsis. At some point, while I was recording this new version of the song, a man walked down my street, ranting and raving. I left his shouts in the recording as it seemed to add a certain End-of-Days vibe to the mix.
Lyrics:
Up till dawn
drinking Canada dry.
Hangover
to last the rest of your life.
History repeats:
first time as a farce,
second time’s the same
but with fewer laughs.
Backwards speak
telling porky pies
lipstick on a pig
losing the will to die.
Turn around
thinking: Where’s the court jester?
Look at the throne
Oh, shit.
The idiot son
of an idiot son
of an idiot son
of an idiot son
of an idiot son
of an idiot son…
Someone on high said,
‘He’s the one.
He’s the one.
He’s the one.’
The devil is
in the lack of detail.
Away with words
and a skill for betrayal.
Double Dutch,
speaking Esperanto,
Pig Latin.
You’re mumbling like Marlon Brando.
But you’re not Marlon Brando.
You’re the idiot son
of an idiot son
of an idiot son
of an idiot son
Etc.
It’s like the Midas Touch
but the opposite
everything he touches
turns into shit.
The ears of an ass
hear the strings of a lyre
drink the blood of an ox
climb on the funeral pyre.
Let’s all jump on the fire.
For the idiot son
of an idiot son
of an idiot son
of an idiot son
Etc.
Up till dawn
drinking Canada dry
Hangover
to last the rest of your life.
History repeats:
first time as a farce,
second time’s
the same.
—
You can find the original version of ‘Idiot Son’ on everyone’s favourite or least favourite streaming service.
Thanks as always for listening.
JCV
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