The song from the first LP is a popular cut and is available in two longer live versions from 2004. It is a direct contrast to the understated 3,000 Miles From Here as the track sequence gradually builds in intensity with each song.
Ian said the track was written specifically with Mick Ronson in mind and timing had a great deal to do with the quality of the result. Mick had just read a poor review of his own solo album and he went straight into the studio to blast the crunchy guitar lead on Truth; emotionally, he poured his heart into the guitar work on this track.
The lyrics perfectly match the emotion emitted from the guitar. The singer pleads for the other to tell the truth but the perceptible anger expressed is palpable: "God's little baby got nothing to shoot." What an incredible line when all he's asking for is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. This sounds like a track ideal for a movie courtroom scene such as "You can't handle the truth!" in A Few Good Men.
(Ian Hunter)
Lonely days lonely nights
Hoping thing's gonna turn out right
You had me hanging on a string
For you I did most anything
You don't give me no
The truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth
Its a blind mans eye baby ain't no youth
The truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth
Don't need your lies I got my proof
Put your face up to my window
Ask me baby what did I see
Well I know I know you ain't right
I know you ain't right for me
You don't give me no
The truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth
Gods little baby's got nothing to shoot
The truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth
Get your kicks on a different route
All I want is the truth
All I want is the truth
All I want is
The truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth
Blind mans eye baby ain't no use
The truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth
Don't need your lies I got nothing to prove
The truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth
Gods little baby's got nothing to shoot
The truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth
Get your kicks on a different route
Don't hurt ya Don't hurt ya
The truth don't hurt ya
The truth don't hurt ya
Don't hurt ya don't hurt ya
The truth don't hurt ya
(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.
The Truth, The Whole Truth, Nuthin' But The Truth | 6:14 | Originally released on Ian Hunter, and on the compilations Gold, Once Bitten - the CBS Collection, The Journeyand Once Bitten Twice Shy. The version on Once Bitten Twice Shy is slightly shorter (at 5:58) due to the excessive dead time (silence) at the end of the track having been removed, but is otherwise identical. |
The Truth, The Whole Truth, Nuthin' But The Truth (live 28th May 2004) | 8:43 | This live version (recorded The Astoria, London England) was released on The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nuthin' But The Truth and on Behind The Shades. Not on the box set. |
The Truth, The Whole Truth, Nuthin' But The Truth (live 12th June 2004) | 8:20 | This live version (recorded at the Bikini, Barcelona, Spain) was released on Bag Of Tricks (Vol 2) (box set only). |