Shallow Crystals began life as I Think You Made a Mess of His Life and was a relaxed but acidic piece. The target is not clear but it is possible that he refers to Guy Stevens, David Bowie, or Verden Allen, and is similar to off-hand references in Boy.
This is an unusual take on the show business mom phenomenon. Mother pushes the kid to be a star but she doesn't really seem to care after all. She makes a mess of the child' life.
Hunter worked closely with Earl Slick to create the guitar solo at his house in Chappaqua. Often this was his procedure with Mick Ronson where he worked out a solo for hours. Ian knew what he wanted but he can't score or play it so he collaborates with a guitarist to get the sound he wants. Possibly this is just a collection of words and ideas that clicked but Ian likes this song more than others on the LP.
There is also a version from 2010 of this song.
Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me
Shallow Crystals
(Ian Hunter)
Her life gets smaller in his eyes
And he wonders if he thinks he should cry
Oh mother the colour's gone and left your hair
And he wonders if he thinks he should care
She told him how to play a guitar
She told him how to be a star
But mother were you really there
My friend don't speak he's such a mixed up boy
I wonder if she sold him his toys
A kiss on the cheek a conversation decoy
In his cute little corduroys
Oh she taught him how to win the game
She taught him everything is your name
Oh mother did you have to destroy
Mother if you really cared
You'd talk to him cry for him
All you every did was dream
All you ever said was be cool be cool be cool
And I think you made a mess of his life
And I think he made a mess of your life
And I think it made a mess of my life
Mother if you really cared
You'd talk to him cry for him
All you every did was dream
All you ever said was be cool be cool be cool
And I think you made a mess of her life
And I think she made a mess of your life
And I think it made a mess of my life
I think you made a mess of my life
I think you made a mess of my life
| Shallow Crystals | 3:58 | Originally issued on Overnight Angels, also on the compilations Gold, Once Bitten - the CBS Collection and Once Bitten Twice Shy. |
| Shallow Crystals (live 11th October 2010) | 3:54 | This live version (recorded at The Journal Tyne Centre, Newcastle England) was released on Bag Of Tricks (Vol 3)(box set only). |
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