Justice Of The Peace is both a single and album track that Ian thought could be a hit but he related that is was fabricated. The track is marred by a mix that is too high for his voice; nonetheless, the song and lyrics are sound. It's a humorous song about a shotgun wedding and a calling for a Justice of the Peace to marry the unlucky couple. Oxendale samples Mendelssohn's Wedding March and the song had punch with power, a great pace, and a first-rate hook.
Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me
Justice of the Peace
(Ian Hunter)
Its such a terrible shame it was only a game
Then her brothers found out seven Johnny be Goode's
We was only pretending at mummys and daddys
They totally misunderstood
Oh what a terrible plight what a terrible fight
It was too much to bear her father said 'ere
I think you better sign it's a letter designed
To have you married by the first of the year
Get the Justice of the Peace
Get the Justice get the Justice of the Peace
Oh Get the Justice of the Peace
Get the Justice get the Justice of the Peace
If you want to play with fire
You'll get yourself burned
I was messing with the ashes
But look at how it turned out
Get the Justice of the Peace
Get the Justice get the Justice of the Peace
Oh what a terrible waste such a shocking disgrace
To give me away I'm too young to die
A shotgun wedding heading straight for the sky
And I'm shy Mary Ellen I'm shy y y y Get the Justice of the Peace
Get the Justice I'll get the Justice of the Peace
Come On!
Get the Justice of the Peace
Get the Justice I'll get the Justice of the Peace
When your chips go down
You came on the dice
Forget the Mississippi
Take some friendly advice
Get the Justice of the Peace
I'll Get the Justice I'll get the Justice of the Peace
(Give it to me old chum)
Get the Justice of the Peace
Get the Justice I'll get the Justice of the Peace
Get the Justice of the Peace
Get the Justice I'll get the Justice of the Peace
If you want to play with fire
You'll get yourself burned
And I was messing with the ashes
And look at how it turned out
I'll Get the Justice get the Justice of the Peace
I'll Get the Justice I'll get the Justice of the Peace
I'll Get the Justice get the Justice of the Peace
I'll Get the Justice I'll get the Justice of the Peace
I'll Get the Justice get the Justice of the Peace
I'll Get the Justice I'll get the Justice of the Peace
I'll Get the Justice get the Justice of the Peace
I'll Get the Justice I'll get the Justice of the Peace
Ian Hunter LP/CD: "Overnight Angels"
Sleeve and track listing
Sony/Columbia 474781-2.
Review
After receiving (and turning down) several offers in 1976, Ian realised he wanted to be in a band again. After the less than commercial success of Alien Boy, he went in to the studios wanting to record fast songs again (having recorded Alien Boy never wanting to do a fast song again!). With Roy Thomas Baker producing (he had produced several Queen albums), this should have been a monster.
The result could almost be described heavy metal - it is certainly not a typical Ian Hunter album. The rockers are certainly there, but the production is too thin - everything is at the same level in the mix (up front!), with Ian's voice almost drowned out at times.
Released when punk was at its height, the album and subsequent tour received mixed reviews. Columbia in the States was more forthright - they refused to release it (although a few test pressings exist). Ian would soon part company from CBS/Columbia and Fred Heller (his manager), and soon disowned the album, describing it as "that horrible album" and "a mistake", and hasn't played any track from it in concert since.
| Justice Of The Peace | 3:01 | Originally a single and album track. Originally released on Overnight Angels, and on the compilations Gold, The Journey, Old Records Never Die, Once Bitten - the CBS Collection, Once Bitten Twice Shy, Shades of Ian Hunter: The Ballad of Ian Hunter and Mott the Hoople and The Singles Collection 1975-83. |
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