A limited edition All of The Good Ones Are Taken twelve-inch disc was pressed in the UK containing Traitor which is a non-LP track. It was written by Hunter with input from Robbie Alter with an up-tempo call and response lyric and fabulous glissando piano from Mandel. The sound effects were reminiscent of Short Back n' Sides but showing how experimentation can work when done effectively. The track was as strong as anything on the regular release.
The song reminds me of a soundtrack song that would fit Hunter's 1980s output for a movie. In some ways it is similar to Bastard since it is about love that went wrong. Here is one clever phrase:
You're so shallow, you try to get
Your feet in your mouth but they never get wet
And, the title from the 1956 hit The Girl Can't Help It recorded by Little Richard is included in the lyrics as well. It is a manufactured song during a period that Hunter says he was not writing well and it definitely is not about Mick Ronson. Hunter doesn't remember much about it.
Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me
Traitor
(Ian Hunter)
Traitor... Traitor... Traitor... Traitor...
Traitor you don't know you're mind
It says Hi, you walk straight by
Missing person, you can't take
A look in your book cos it makes you shake
Traitor... Traitor... Traitor... Traitor...
Traitor you don't ever change
Same mistakes, again and again
You're so shallow, you try to get
Your feet in your mouth but they never get wet
Traitor... Traitor... Traitor... Traitor...
I gave you love
I gave you love
I gave you love
What's the matter, ain't that enough?
I gave you love
I gave you love
See you later, traitor
Traitor... Traitor... Traitor... Traitor...
You're so clever you can see
I've known all along you were hassling me
Tell those faces on your head
As far as I'm concerned, you're dead
Traitor... Traitor... Traitor... Traitor...
I gave you love
I gave you love
I gave you love
What's the matter honey, ain't that enough?
I gave you love
I gave you love
See you later, traitor
Traitor... Traitor...
She just hears what she wants to fill
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)
Destroys her brain, she's out of touch
(Just what do you do that's worth so much)
She had to run (Know what mean? You and your convenient dream)
Did she hurt? (You bet she hurt, she left me naked)
She just lost her shirt (Ain't no letter of revenge)
Every line has got to end
(You're just one woman I can't depend)
See you later traitor.
Traitor... Traitor...
(to fade)
Traitor | 4:00 | Originally the b-side to the All Of The Good Ones Are Taken single, and on the 2007 issue of All Of The Good Ones Are Taken. It is also on the compilations Gold, Once Bitten - the CBS Collection, Once Bitten Twice Shy and The Singles Collection 1975-83. |