Latest album is out from Groove Nazar (Bad Times) and this is one of five songs I wrote for it.
The brief, by the way, wasn't easy. When he first sent over the original song he explained how he felt the song could go. A young couple having dinner when the girl's father bursts in and spoils the moment. Well that part isn't so bad. But he also wanted to incorporate Bill Withers into it somehow. Okaaaaaay... how the hell do I manage that?! Straight out or subtle? How to link the two ideas...
He'd called the file "paythebill" and I went with that (even managing to work it into the lyrics). "Pay the Bill" as in paying the bill at the end of a meal, but also "Bill" alluding to Bill Withers. Who I incorporated a few times as a sort of background figure setting the mood.
I'm not 100% happy with the final lyrics but as the deadline for the album rapidly approached (with Jacin as stressed as anything trying to put it all together) this was one of a few unfinished songs that needed more work on and Jacin ended up singing a couple of lines that were from a previous draft. Still, I think it didn't turn out too bad.
So, here we are
So unreal; can hardly believe it
Heart to heart
No one pinch me in case I’m dreaming!
All this time
I never knew what you were feeling
‘cause in my mind
I was the floor and you were the ceiling
Then you hit me with those words and my world span out of control
How did you know?
Then you hit me with those words and all my doubts were put on hold
Suddenly it's me and you
Never felt so damn happy
Never knew
You felt that way about me
Now the truth
That was buried deep inside
Reveals itself tonight
For a moment we are hearing the same tune
Then Bill, he sings the blues
So, there we were
Getting to know all about one another
Then he's there
Staring us down with eyes that thunder
And here we are
Watching the sky come crashing around us
Your face goes dark
Seething that he found us
Well, you didn’t tell me daddy pulls your strings so tight
Well, you didn’t tell me daddy pulls your strings so tight
I'm here with you
Never felt so damn happy
Never knew
You felt that way about me
Then the truth
That was buried deep inside
Revealed itself tonight
For a moment, Bill was singing one sweet tune
Then the blues; all I’m hearing
You're leaving
So your daddy says
And my heart is in my stomach
Felt it plummet
As he drags you away
So, here I am
Wondering what is to follow
Best-laid plans
Up in smoke
Wind blows ill
Nothing left but to hope for tomorrow
Pay the bill
And go home
'cause now it’s voices raised
His eyes are all ablaze
I want to crawl away
And hide
And if a look could kill
Your daddy’s surely will
I want to pay the bill
And fly
‘cause it was voices raised
His eyes are all ablaze
Wanted to crawl away
And hide
And if a look could kill
Your daddy’s surely will
I want to pay the bill
And fly
Ain’t no sunshine in my world tonight
[edit] Changed the video as they've just posted this (semi-)animated version.
