[Jambrains]

Took some inspiration from Bullit for this one. When a grew up a pal of mine actually owned one (70-ish I guess) but red. However, that did not work with the Bullit reference so black it is. @MonnoDB (as always) gave me a helping hand while I was working with the lyrics.
This is the first version so all kind of input is welcome.

I like to think of this one as a slightly darker version of Summer of 69...


I lived on the East side
in a flat on the seventh floor
but I grew up on the curbside
outside the record store
Bob, me and Andrew
we were teenage Steve McQueens
In late December 68
when Bullit hit the screens
Winter was cold
but we were cooler
The streets a kingdom
without a ruler

Could've been better
Could've been worse
in our little universe

Andrews dad, he was a jerk
but he owned the record store
The Who, Byrds, and Zepplin
Beatles, Kinks, and more
Music was our lifeline
It fueled all of our dreams
together with the images
on the silver screen
The days were long
The nights flew by
A joint or two
brought the stars alive

Could've been better
Could've been worse
in our little universe
But I dreamt that

A black Dodge Charger
Would take me away
Out of the darkness
and into the day
The guys in a Mustang
Hot on my tail
Roaring like rebels
as our radios blared.

Bob went to Nam in 69
and never made it back
And Andrew got a scholarship
playing quarterback
That left me and Terence
not quite the cream of the crop
He left to join the Black Panthers
and was gunned down by a cop

Winter was cold
my heart was colder
One year had passed
but I felt much older

Could've been better
but not much worse
in my little universe
and I dreamt that

A black Dodge Charger
Would take me away
Out of the darkness
and into the day
The guys in a Mustang
Hot on my tail
Roaring like rebels
As our radios blared.

Then winter turned to spring
and Sue swept into town
A tall, redheaded whirlwind
turned my world upside down
She took my breath away
together with my heart and soul
Not a single reason left to stay
I'd follow her wherever she goes

A convertible Beetle
finally took me away
Out of the darkness
and into the day
Sue in the driver's seat
Wind in her hair
We both roared like rebels
As the radio blared.

[moraamarolaloba]

Hola @Jambrains
I have enjoyed listening to your song, I think it could be a hit anywhere in the world for its wonderful development, arrangement, instruments and voice, a song that keeps the interest from the beginning with changes and games with the voice so well applied!
Felicidades!!! . Muy buen trabajo!!!! Me ha encantado!!

[ChrisPrice]

@Jambrains Holy Moly I love this! It tells a story and what a great story it is. Really well crafted, this could be part of a great album and it's better than a lot of stuff I've heard from the big guys. Can't fault this in any way. I love it

[man made material]

@Jambrains  I read these lyrics before listening and they’re just a great read in their own right! A well told story, I felt I knew this gang of kids, I love that imagery of ‘teenage Steve McQueens’… great production, your vocal sounds great and some lovely guitar work, lovely bit of piano and a great catchy powerful Tom Petty-esque chorus! Great job!👌

[The Holographic Rodeo]

Lyrically it reminds me of Springsteen a little bit, with the lively sense of nostalgia - plus because of the car references I guess . I really enjoyed the long build up and all the extra layers that come in to get us to the chorus. The fullness of the sound of the chorus sounds great. Awesome guitar solo too. Only nit for me is that the vocal phrasing on the ‘could have been better could have been worse’ section sounded a bit disjointed to me - I think I see what you were aiming for with it though - maybe a more free-wheeling delivery of the first two lines and then staying up high and loud with the ‘erase’ and the end of the word ‘universe’ could work? Minor details though in the grand scheme of really cool song. Well done!

[Philipp]

Good song overall, but somehow the last stanza of the Pre-Chorus doesn't work too well for me. Too many words together with the  prelude of the Chorus. But that's nitpicking.

[PaulyX]

Hey Jambrains, great track... like Holographic Rodeo said I felt it channelled Springsteen.  It's very U.S.A. in terms of references and feel - are you from the U.S.?  Somehow (dunno why!) I thought you were Irish.  Anyway wherever you are from it's a good fists-pumping-the-air piece of stadium rawk.  I don't think I'd have opted for a fade out though... feels like a song of this nature should crescendo and go out with a big bang.  That's a small thing about a very strong well sculpted track though.

[Paulski]

Top quality song as usual @Jambrains I love the vocals and especially the guitar solo - who says guitar solos are dead?
Lyrics are also top notch. I found it took a bit too long to get to the big chorus - I'm the impatient type though..
 and I'm with @PaulyX on the fade out if you want a nit pick.

A hit anywhere - I agree with that comment too

Paul

[digger72]

Hi JB,

Definitely Summer of 69's more sophisticated big brother. You nailed it.

Great story telling lyrics.
Brill musicianship. Very tasteful lead work.
The vocal is very good - also put me of a mind of Tom Petty at times. Not so much how he sounds, but they way he delivered.

Digger

[Jambrains]

@moraamarolaloba: thank you!

@ChrisPrice: thanks a mill!

@man made material: glad you enjoyed the lyrics, I spent quite some time on them.

@The Holographic Rodeo: Thanks! I see what you mean re the phrasing. The "But I dreamt that" complicates things and was not there originally but was added to make the lyrics make sense. I tried a number of different ways to sing it but this was the only one that worked for me.

@Philipp191985: Thanks! See my answer above re the pre-chorus

@PaulyX: Thank you! Born and raised in Sweden, closes thing I gotten to Ireland is @MonnoDB with whom I have Ashes for Dreams.

@Paulski: thank you! :-)  Yes, 2 verses before the chorus is a bit of a gamble, I usually try to get to it asap but felt the lyrics needed 2 verses before the chorus.

@Digger72: thanks pal, much appreciated!

[Unclenny]

Great tune @Jambrains . Love your guitar work!

I remember 1968 when Bullitt hit the screens. 

[Elvis Nash]

Thats a cool song man

[jonlint]

Hi there,

Love this!  Normally so many lyrics in a song just over 4mins can sound crammed, but you made this work well.  Love the story telling aspect the song - made it sound like a real story and made you listen to the lyrics.  Great mix and nice instrument arrangement - many small textures that you change up and keep the song interesting. 

My only critique is I would change "I dreamt that...A black Dodge Charger" to "I dreamt...A black Dodge Charger" - I think this could make this lyrics seem less rushed.

Thanks for sharing!

[jamesh]

Hi There

Really enjoyed this one. Cracking solo and the quiet bit/build afterwards (not sure if there's a technical name for that) With good lyrics too, it has all the bits in the right place.

Thanks

James

[IronKnee]

Very reminiscent of the days of old. I liked McQueen.............who didn't?
Good song, man.........I enjoyed this.....the lead guitar spot light was kickin'.