[pompeyjazz]

A few weeks ago an old friend of mine from Coventry posted some lyrics that he had written around 30 years ago about our dear old home town (City of culture 2021) We agreed that I'd knock up some music for his lyrics so I managed to get the whole thing finished in a couple of sessions one day. It's a bit raw and rough but we kinda liked it like that. Thanks to Keith Fabrique for the lyrics 


In desolation city on this cruel estate of ours
I have boarded up my windows and broken hearts...
Sisters on the game mothers on the drink
Every rat round my kitchen corruption on the brink

You think that that's a shame I know that it's a pity
You live somewhere else... I live in desolation city

They say I should be thankful for the caring welfare state,
Say I should be happy it's such a nice estate
They take off in their fast cars drive like hell away
In this sad old city they wouldn't want to stay

Wrap it up in silver plate it'd still be dull and shitty
Just who's fooling who in this desolation city

My father knew the old town well
From way back in the 50's
He's locked up in his castle isolation complete

Well my brother died last weekend though he left us all a note
I found him in his bedsit with a rope around his throat
He said he'd had enough of your sarcastic pity
Couldn't take no more of this desolation city

You think that that's a shame I know that it's a pity
You live somewhere else... I live in desolation city

(c) Fabrique / Bradley

[PaulAds]

Howdy PJ

Great lyrics and a relentless visceral backing to ram-raid the message home. Don’t seem to get much ram-raiding these days...who wants to carry out a smash and grab on an empty unit, Poundland or a charity shop?

Right up my street...the guitars made me think of early damned stuff...brilliant once again from a forum giant.

[shadowfax]

Forum giant is right Paul...the output of pomp's is staggering and this is another storming piece John
A thrashing delight mate...do you ever rest?

[adamfarr]

Wow, some energy smashing out of the speakers there. The lyrics take no prisoners! Love the breakdown in particular - I guess a song about Cov should have some dub in there somewhere! I reckon another higher harmony line could add something in the chorus - though that might be too bright for the theme...
I once wrote a lyric called Desperate City, though that was about Washington DC... Might try to revive it (was quite clichéd if I remember).

[montydog]

Hello PJ,
Love the gritty guitar sound and the playing is superb. Hard hitting lyrics marry nicely with the musical setting. Your vocal delivery is perfect for the song. I liked the dub bit in the middle. It reminded me of The Clash which I think says it all.

M

[pompeyjazz]

Thanks guys for the feedback

@PaulAds Early Damned - The Biz - Heard Neat Neat Neat on the radio today. Blinder of a song. Yeah, not many shops left to ram raid any more

@shadowfax Thanks Kev - Was really pleased with this one especially as it came together so quickly

@adamfarr - Good comment about the extra harmony line Adam and of course I had to drop a Cov stylee dub section in there otherwise it wouldn't be right would it 

@montydog - Hi Alan - The Clash - Well that's a pretty big compliment for sure. Much appreciated

[Neil C]

John,
Great set of lyrics, all delivered with full no nonsense commitment.
This would sound great in a dark, boozy club without a doubt.
Loads to like here.
:-) :-)
neil

[Inanité_sonore]

 Hi,
 Raw and rough, I love this sound and the vocal interpretation! It goes well with the lyrics about this desperate city.
There's a real energy here.  The vocals drive the whole thing and the guitars are not to be outdone  . I like the backing vocals that give an airy side to the song at the right time.

It's a success for me !

[Bostonfan2]

Yeah I dig this !  the guitars are rockin and the vocals are spot on for this, amazing
how quickly you put these together John! The melody you structured for the lyrics
fits so well, great work on this!

[skogge]

Just enough of saliva in the delivery of these lyrics. I liked them, and I liked the song too. I am not so much in liking of "rocking" with legs apart but I found enough surprises here to make the minutes worthwile. I dunno how it´s possible to write a good song "in a couple of sessions". Far from my reality. Hats off.

[RealKevM]

Those lyrics man!
Kitchen sink pop i'll call this.
Love it.
Tremendous vocal

[Jamie]

@pompeyjazz
Hi John, plus 1 to all the comments about energy and rockin guitars. Just the right treatment for the lyrics, works very well.
I don’t know how you keep your output up, and that’s before I mention the quality!
Nice one!
Cheers
Jamie