[pompeyjazz]

Hi All,

This song was born when @Neil C dropped round a couple of months ago. Neil had some lyrics to kick us off and we managed to get the song structure together within an hour or so.

Neil then re-recorded the guitar and bass parts and pinged them back to me and I added a few little bits and bobs and mixed the song. I love working on collaborations and this was really interesting as we were bouncing ideas off each other when we were actually writing the song.

So here it is....

Neil - Guitar, bass, bv's, lyrics
John - Extra Guitar, synths, vocals, mixing


He was a big man in a small town
His ego never got in the way
Coz his mouth was already open
He always had something to say 

He had big friends in high places
His long fingers in many tills 
Cash buys you lots of favours 
He knew how to get things done

An expensive motor sitting in the driveway
In front of his mock Tudor house
It had gated entry and a swimming pool 
His wife was as quiet as a mouse

He swore he’d quit, when he was ahead
Did he bite off more than he could chew?
A big man in a small town
Knew it all, hadn't got a clue
Hadn't got a clue

He sent his son and his daughter away to school 
So they could get a better start in life
But they always seemed to disappoint him 
They couldn’t seem to get things right

An expensive motor sitting in the driveway
In front of his mock Tudor house
It had gated entry and a swimming pool 
His wife was as quiet as a mouse

He swore he’d quit, when he was ahead
Did he bite off more than he could chew?
A big man in a small town
Knew it all, hadn't got a clue
Hadn't got a clue

He was a big dog in a pack of one
Didn't have the stomach to fight
A bigger dog with more money and muscle
Didn't bark but had a vicious bite

His wife left him and his kids disappeared
Apart from the calls for money
He met a younger model, her name was Jill
He used to call her Honey

He swore he’d quit, when he was ahead
Did he bite off more than he could chew?
A big man in a small town
Knew it all, hadn't got a clue
Hadn't got a clue

(c) Connor / Bradley – 2019

[Andreas]

This is brilliant! Great story in the lyrics, great melody in the song. Vocals are fabulous, guitar brilliant and the production superb.

Great work, guys!

[dinnerwithgreedo]

This is great!! Need to get some real horns in there and i'd just bring forward those backing vocals so they're a bit more punchier.
Love it though!

[MonnoDB]

Brilliant, guys! Great story for a song. As usual great playing, singing and production.... I like the spoken part too - which one of you is that? Agree you could push up the BVs a teeny bit... a very enjoyable punchy number 👍👍!

K

[cowparsleyman]

@pompeyjazz - Love this John, especially the rimshots with the brass, lovely almost ska feel, lots of work in the  BV's like the way they are part words , part ooo, also great organ.

Maybe the up strums on the off beat, maybe that's too ska..

Superb fun song, I always loved XTC 'Respectable Street' kind of reminded me of that, .."what you thinking of that car for...don't you realise, this is respectable street"

Just a wonderful song, and an airing of many folks inner thoughts.

[nooms]

lovely loose sound
has a jools big band feel.. can imagine on the hootanany
 a kind of rock n roll recklessness about it that you cant buy software for..
fine voice and combined bvs superb..
great collab guys

[MichaelA]

'He was a big dog in a pack of one' , ha ha! Pithy lyrics here and elsewhere. I could tell it wasn't going to end well for the guy though! But good storytelling, of course - even distracted me from the nuances of the instrumentation for a bit.

Great live band sound there with the bar-room style drummer and raw, edgy guitar. Epic backing vocals and overall full of energy.

The spoken interlude breaks it very well just when you need a breath.

Guitar riffing on the outro is pretty sweet! Once again with your songs and collabs John, I only wish you were a live band I could actually watch! 

[Jamie]

Hi John and Neil, lovely live feel to this all the parts fitted together seamlessly. Loved the BV's too! Loved the lyric, good story nicely told.
Well done, enjoyed it!

Cheers
Jamie

[Skub]

Yo @pompeyjazz and @Neil C

Love that clanky snare sound,totally suits the song.

This is a hook laden piece and a great example of a blend of both your styles. Gets even better with more listens.

A very enjoyable track John and Neil. 

[Wicked Deeds]

Great melody here chaps and a fine story.  Just listening to the backing vocals and they are to die for!  It’s a great track for sure and one of the best I’ve heard you sing John!

Paul