With It Ain't Easy When You Fall Hunter is saying that fame and success is fleeting employing tender verses, intelligent piano interludes, and captivating harmony-laden choruses. This song is unusual in that the song segues into the spoken-word poem Shades Off. The subject matter is Mick Ralphs who Ian relates really did talk about ships and boats as topics related in the song rather than getting down to the needed musical business. This is Ian's sendoff to Ralphs who was off to Bad Company but he still considers him a friend. It appears that Hunter is suggesting that Mick was down and out but life moves faster. Ian and Ralpher did write solid rock while together and there is a sense of genuine loss in the song. Ian is suggesting that Mick has more to offer and has to pick himself up. Maybe Bad Company was the result.
It Ain't Easy When You Fall
(Ian Hunter)
You used to float just like a boat upon the tide
You used to run when things were done you used to hide
You talk of ships you talk of boats you talk of games
And now you're down you ain't around its such a shame
Cause you got something to give
Something to hold onto
Why don't you live
And you just forget about fixing up fate
Maybe you'd stop pick yourself up
Now its too late Oh
It ain't easy when you fall
It ain't easy when you fall
It ain't easy when you fall
No it ain't no good at all
You didn't know this world ain't slow you gotta move
You made no sound I watched you drown I watched you loose
Your loneliness you knew it best but its a drag
Cause in the end I lost a friend I feel so sad
Cause you had something to give
Something to hold onto
Why did you live
If you just forgot about fixing up fate
You'd be here you'd be near
Now it's too late Oh
It ain't easy when you fall
It ain't easy when you fall
It ain't easy when you fall
No it ain't no good at all
Oh-oh hey
It ain't easy when you fall
(fade)
After leaving Mott the Hoople, Ian teamed up with guitarist Mick Ronson to record his first solo album. Mott had booked Air studios in London, but Ian and Mick went in instead. The result is an album that is totally stunning - one of Ian's best.
From the opening "'Ullo!" of Once Bitten Twice Shy to the savage cut-off of original album closer I Get So Excited this is an album packed full of good tracks. I can't pick out highlights because they're all good.
The 30th Anniversary issue now includes two session outtakes (unreleased at the time), together with two single edits. All of the bonus material was previously released on the Once Bitten Twice Shycompilation.
Sound quality is excellent, as are the sleeve notes.
This album has been issued several times on CD. The original Columbia (USA) CD had good (but not exceptional) sound quality, while the UK Sony/Rewind CD had very good sound quality. Neither had bonus tracks.
| It Ain't Easy When You Fall | (5:45) | Coupled with the spoken-word poem Shades Off, this was originally issued on Ian Hunter, also on the compilations Gold Once Bitten - the CBS Collection and The Journey. |
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