Wash Us Away, Ian Hunter, Rant, Acoustic Shadows

The framework for Wash Us Away is historical but Hunter relates it to his generation and makes it more personal by abstractly describing how his youth impacted him. During the transition from blues, rhythm and blues, and early rock 'n' roll the aforementioned reference to the Dead Sea Scrolls were found during this same period from 1946-1956. The wash us away line was used as a vocal tool for melody over the chords as Ian felt the song came looking for him. A succession of liaisons take place throughout life as we become adult and ultimately pass. Coming at two days before the end of the sessions the clever wordplay "the heart and the arrow, the rattle and the snake" added to the mostly live recordings. Drummer Mickey Currey suggested a change and it added a great deal to finishing the song well according to Hunter.  

There are three live versions, from 2002, 2008, and 2010. 

In 2005 the song was performed live and broadcast exclusively on KGSR Broadcasts vol. 13.

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

The Dead Sea Scrolls (also the Qumran Caves Scrolls) are ancient Jewish and Hebrew religious manuscripts discovered between 1946 and 1956 at the Qumran Caves

Wash Us Away

(Ian Hunter)

On the very first decade that we got to dream in
Our fathers were angry, our mother's were screamin'
At the clothes we were wearin' and the music we got off on
Hitler was dead, welcome to Babylon

Carved our initials out across the sand
The heart and the arrow, no-one understands
Then the tide rolled in and everything ran
And washed us away, washed us away, washed us away

Up in the attic ambition was burning
Now my fingers were bleedin' but the tables were turning
Down in the city the future was beckoning
And I hated myself on the day of reckoning
(Oh yeah)
Carved our initials on top of the cake
The heart and the arrow - the rattle and the snake
How was I to know that the Earth was gonna break
And wash us away, wash us away, wash us away

Everything's temporary in this world
Ain't it a shame when you lose someone
Here tomorrow, gone today
Wash us away, wash us away, wash us away

There was never a fool like a young fool alone in
A world without someone he can find a home in
And for all the wrong reasons we rescued each other
You bandaged my heart I never would recover
(ohhhh)
No river runs true, it always takes a twist
Hearts can be broken, arrows gonna miss
How was I to know that it was gonna come down to this
And wash us away

And we wrote our names on the Dead Sea Scrolls
The young and the restless, the brave and the bold
How was we to know it was gonna get outta control
And wash us away, wash us away, wash us away, wash us away, wash us away,wash us away, wash us away

Wash Us Away	3:57	Originally released on Rant, also on the compilation The Journey.
Wash Us Away (live 29/30th January 2002)	4:27	This live version (recorded Sentrum Scene, Oslo Norway) was issued on Strings Attached.
Wash Us Away (live 2nd March 2008)	4:26	This live version (recorded at the Mick Jagger Centre, Dartford England) was issued on Acoustic Shadows (box set only).
Wash Us Away (live October 2010)	4:29	This live version (recorded at an unknown UK venue) was issued on Live In The UK 2010.

Walkin' With a Mountain, Ian Hunter, Mad Shadows & Welcome to the Club (with Rock and Roll Queen), Wait

The Walkin' With a Mountain rocker was released on Mad Shadows, featured often in live sets, on Welcome to the Club and is an up tempo song with a segue into The Rolling Stones track Jumpin' Jack Flash. The original release for Mott The Hoople needed something fast and the song was written in about ten minutes. In Olympic Studios Guy Stevens said a rocker was needed so Ian immediately launched into this two-chord obvious song and Stevens was delighted. Mick Ralphs wrote Rock and Roll Queen on demand for the band in 1969 and this one came similarly. One day, Hunter saw a guy leaning up against a lamp post on his bike with a little radio strapped to his crossbar listening to Half Moon Bay which inspired Ian. Another related memory for Hunter was a letter to Rolling Stone claiming that Bob Dylan was trying to sound like Mott. Early on, Mott didn't think that highly of themselves but these songs were inspiring these chaps and rockers such as this are the result. 

On Welcome to the Club two songs are stitched together both Walkin' and Queen. 

There are three live versions from 1979 and one from 1981. 

Also recorded at the Park West, Chicago IL 22nd June 1979 on Collateral Damage. It is a medley with Rock 'n' Roll Queen. 

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

Walkin' With a Mountain

(Ian Hunter)

A mountain train's coming down the track
She ain't wasting time
She's carrying me cause I'm going back
Right to the Delaware line
She knows well I ain't been anywhere
Because I crawl back every time to her
Walkin' with a mountain
Walkin' with a mountain

Troubles and tears
I'll take it in years
I left so many behind
I may be a train rearranged
Who knows what I'll find
But everything's better in my life I know
I can face any grades that I'm on
Walkin' with a mountain
Walkin' with a mountain
(alright)
(hey hey hey)

(oh) I'm walkin' with a mountain
Walkin' with a mountain
When she talks to me I know she sees
Where I'm heading to
She sits winks takes it all in
Just admires the view
And if I had a choice in life
I'd take that mountain for my wife
I'm walkin' with a mountain
Walkin' with a mountain
Walkin' with a mountain
Walkin' with a mountain
Walkin' with a mountain
Walkin' with a mountain
Walkin' with a mountain
Walkin' with a mountain
Jumping Jack Flash it's a gas
Jumping Jack Flash it's a gas
Jumping Jack Flash it's a gas
Jumping Jack Flash it's a gas
Jumping Jack Flash it's a gas
Jumping Jack Flash it's a gas

Walkin' With A Mountain is another rocker that would feature in the live set almost till the end and includes an impromptu segue into the Stones Jumpin' Jack Flash.

Walkin' With a Mountain (live 22nd June 1979)	(4:22)	Originally a Mott The Hoople track. This live version (recorded at Park West, Chicago IL) was released on Collateral Damage. Not on the box set.
Walkin' With a Mountain (live 5-11th November 1979)	(4:17)	This live version (recorded at The Roxy, Los Angeles CA) was released on Welcome to the Club, and on the compilation From The Knees Of My Heart.
Walkin' With a Mountain (live 22nd November 1979)	(5:45)	This live version (recorded Hammermith Odeon, London England) was originally issued on If You Wait Long Enough For Anything, You Can Get It On Sale (box set only).
Walkin' With A Mountain (live 26-28th October 1981)	4:21	This live version (recorded at the Old Waldorf, San Francisco CA) was originally issued on If You Wait Long Enough For Anything, You Can Get It On Sale (box set only).

Walk On Water, (Ian Hunter/McNasty) Ian Hunter, The Artful Dodger

Hunter co-wrote Walk On Water with Robbie Alter as an oblique narrative along the cryptic style of Shallow Crystals and Silver Needles. The Caledonian swing of the introduction gives sway to a heavy drum beat and sparkling guitar while a tormented soul gets lost in rock 'n' roll and does not come out alive. Ian echoes the spirit of Guy Stevens in this song and could refer to Kurt Cobain who died in April 1994; Hunter has not identified a specific individual. 

Pushed too far artists find themselves inexperienced and not ready for prime time. The point of the song is that they are not Jesus who can walk on water and they are a lamb for the slaughter. It could  have happened to Hunter "but for the grace of God." It is a warning not to push the limits too soon. Hunter says this is not a favorite of his. He did have similar thoughts about the New York Dolls and they could have been bigger if they were allowed to develop and not pushed too soon. 

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

Walk On Water

(Ian Hunter/McNasty)

Little flame tormented soul
tried to get lost in all that rock and roll
Came crashing through here like some hurricane
too much too soon for you little flame

[chorus]
You can't walk on water
you can't walk on water, don't try
like a lamb to the slaughter
oh! but for the grace of God go I

Little flame caught that savage sound
he liked to turn it upside down
well I think I know what you were talking about
I'm just so sorry that your flame went out

Fun with no conscience, tracks with no tears
the rich get richer and the devil's got no fears
Sounds his call, political lies
there ain't no virtue without sacrifice

You can't walk on water
You can't walk on water
You can't walk on water
You can't walk on water
You can't walk on water
You can't walk on water

You can't walk on
[repeat and fade]

Walk On Water

3:50

Originally issued on The Artful Dodger.

Wake Up Call, Ian Hunter, demo Tilting The Mirror - Rarities

This song was one of three done with Arthur Baker in the 1980s, Good Man in a Bad Time, this song for The Wraith film, and a demo Professional Lover for Tina Turner which Hunter thought was well done but most likely not pursued for release. Ian enjoyed the sound of his work with Baker and the task was easier than an entire album. The artist can place all their energy into one song for a film and the work is done in two days. The song is one of the most pumped up that Hunter ever wrote, ideal for a morning to get the blood pumping, and could fit well for an exercise tape. 

Wake Up Call

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnV68tzpwdc

Wake Up Call

4:51

This demo can be found on Tilting The Mirror - Rarities (box set only).

Violence (Ian Hunter/Mick Ralphs), Mott LP

This Hunter-Ralphs track was originally released on the Mott LP and a live track is available from 1981. 

Violence

(Ian Hunter/Mick Ralphs)

I'm a missing link, poolroom stink, I can't talk
(Well that's too bad)
What's going on, something's wrong, I can't work
Can't go to school, the teacher's a fool, the preacher's a jerk
(Well that's such a drag)
Got nothing to do, street-corner blues, and nowhere to walk

Violence, violence
It's the only thing that'll make you see sense
(Repeat)

Gotta fight, nothing's right, livin' nowhere
(That's so sad)
Watch out for the gun, snake on the run, hide in my hair
You keep your mouth shut, or you'll get cut. Haha - I like to scare (Bet you're so mad)
I'm a battery louse, a superstar mouse, I don't care

Get off my back or I'll attack, 'n I don't owe you nothin' (OK)
Head for your hole, you're sick and you're old
'N I'm here to tell you something

Violence, violence
It's the only thing that'll make you see sense
(Repeat several times )

Violence (live 26-28th October 1981)

4:56

Originally a Mott The Hoople track. This live version (recorded at the Old Waldorf, San Francisco CA) was originally issued on If You Wait Long Enough For Anything, You Can Get It On Sale (box set only).

Venus In The Bathtub, Ian Hunter, Long Odds and Outtakes

This outtake sounds like it was a work in progress until released on Long Odds and Outtakes. Work needs to be done on the mix and almost seems like a jam or a demo for what was to follow as developed. 

Venus In The Bathtub

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7HNhrDhNpw

Venus In The Bathtub

4:29

Originally issued on the outtakes CD Long Odds and Outtakes. It can also be found on the compilation From The Knees Of My Heart and on Tilting The Mirror - Rarities (box set only).

Up And Running, Ian Hunter, Man Overboard

Up And Running expresses the difference between the rich and poor which is consistently a concern for Hunter. This is a strong guitar track that could be done well live and is reminiscent of Arms and Legs. The song appears to be about someone who is down and out but seeking to get up and running. Yes, the world is off-kilter but interestingly Hunter invokes the Mott The Hoople juice as a band that was down and out yet fought back. It's a you can do it type of statement. Ian says of it that it is an underdog song, it certainly is, and life is easier when you have money. 

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

Up And Running

(Ian Hunter)

Down in the basement wondering where the money went
I got no insurance, I can't afford to pay the rent
Outside creditors banging on the front door
It's easy when you're rich, poor ain't gotta future

I'm sick and tired of being pushed around
I ain't gonna take this lying down

I'm up and running
I'm up and running
I'm up and running
I'm up and running
I'm up and running
I'm up and running

(Let's rock, c'mon)

World sitting on a fence, greed and ignorance
Nothing making any sense, they tamper with the evidence
Living on the outside, never looking in
All beef and body work, no imagination

I'm sorry if the wine ain't to your taste
Maybe there's just a hint of sour grapes

I'm up and running
I'm up and running
I'm up and running
I'm up and running
I'm up and running
I'm up and running

(C'mon, rock)

I still got a screw loose, agony when not in use
I think I need another boost
O' Mott The Hoople juice, I still got the legs

Tyrants despots techies hit the jackpot
100 dollar robots taking all the jobs we got
People making money out of other people's misery
If I'm going down, I'm going to take you with me

You only know what you're supposed to know
And things are smelling bad on rotten row

I'm up and running
I'm up and running
I'm up and running
I'm up and running
I'm up and running
I'm up and running

(C'mon)

I'm up and running

 Arms And Legs is a strong guitar-led song that will really work well in a live setting, as is the next track Up And Running.

Up And Running

3:47

Originally issued on Man Overboard.

Twisted Steel, Ian Hunter, (live 29/30th January 2002) Unreleased in studio form, Strings Attached, from Shrunken Heads, Vol. 2

Thank goodness for the Strings Attached project since Twisted Steel is unreleased in studio form and it was performed for the first time. The song was also considered for Shrunken Heads but it didn't make the cut and it was not fully completed. 

The song is an incisive observation about the tragic events of 9/11. Hunter said no one should write a song about this tragic incident so he did just that. It is a simple and honest sentiment written as a letter to a cousin's mom. Trudi's second cousin, Cookie, was on the phone to her mum as the planes hit. Hunter rang somebody a few days later and by mistake reached Cookie's mum; she could hardly speak. Trudi awakened Ian to see the second plane hit and son Jesse sat on a roof a quarter of a mile away from his job on 23rd Street. 

The song came too late for Rant, although it may have fit well on that release, and didn't fit Shrunken Heads. Hunter states:

And if I cry, it makes no difference
And if I don't, I lose my innocence

These are terrific lines and Ian makes it much more personal and impactful with the lines:

I can't imagine how a mother must feel 

             [With] twisted steel, twisted steel twisted Steel

Boldly, Hunter rejects a religious justification:

This wasn't sacred, this was profane
You took off and you took aim
I saw you laughin' on the newsreel
Twisted steel, twisted steel

The lyrics are much more personal with the idea of realizing the pain of loss for a mother: 

Twisted people, twisted minds
Twisted logic, twisted times
I can't imagine how a mother must feel
Twisted steel, twisted steel

Hunter says the song came to him as a simple and honest sentiment. Perhaps the reason that the song seems so personal is that it was written about wife Trudi's second cousin, Cookie, who was killed. The song is written as a letter to Cookie's mother. 

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, The DoctorOfDigital@pm.me

Twisted Steel

(Ian Hunter)

Well, there ain't nothin' I can do
To take the pain away from you
Another one lost on the battlefield
of twisted steel, twisted steel

There ain't nothin' I can say
To help you take the hurt away
I can't believe that this is real
Twisted steel, twisted steel

And if I cry, it makes no difference
And if I don't, I lose my innocence
I can't imagine how a mother must feel
[With] twisted steel, twisted steel

Can you hear your mother callin'?
Can you hear your mother callin'?
Can you hear your mother ca-- she kneels
Twisted steel, twisted steel

This wasn't sacred, this was profane
You took off and you took aim
I saw you laughin' on the newsreel
Twisted steel, twisted steel

Can you hear your mother callin'?
Can you hear your mother callin'?
Can you hear your mother, she kneels
Oh, twisted steel, twisted steel

Twisted steel, twisted steel
Twisted steel, twisted steel
Twisted steel, twisted steel

Twisted people, twisted minds
Twisted logic, twisted times
I can't imagine how a mother must feel
Twisted steel, twisted steel

Twisted Steel(which is about the events of 9/11) shows Ian as incisively observant as ever,

Twisted Steel (live 29/30th January 2002)	3:10	Unreleased in studio form. This live version (recorded Sentrum Scene, Oslo Norway) was originally issued on Strings Attached.
Twisted Steel (live 19th May 2002)	4:03	This live version (recorded Life Cafe, Manchester England) was issued on Bag Of Tricks (Vol 2) (box set only).
Twisted Steel (live 28th May 2004)	3:47	This live version (recorded The Astoria, London England) was released on The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nuthin' But The Truth. Not on the box set.
Twisted Steel (live 2007)	3:41	This live version (recorded at an unknown venue) was on the CD-single version of When The World Was Round.
Twisted Steel (live 2nd March 2008)	3:20	This live version (recorded at the Mick Jagger Centre, Dartford England) was issued on Acoustic Shadows (box set only)/

Traitor, Ian Hunter, Non-LP b-side to the All Of The Good Ones Are Taken single

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.

Too Much, Ian Hunter, The Artful Dodger

Too Much is an unusual song to open a Hunter CD since it is slow start but this is the introduction to the rockers that will follow on the remainder of the release; although, the CD is not as much of a rocker as Ian Hunter's Dirty Laundry. Nonetheless, Hunter likes this song a great deal since it is atmospheric with a terrific mood. It is too slow to play live or Ian would play this favorite. There is an early version released on the Experiments CD on the box set. 

Hunter is asking is it too much to be in love. He feels that it may be asking too much and he might not get the answer he would like. He finishes the song with a flourish:

Maybe you don't want me
I'm so scared of losing you
I never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity
Watch me screw up this one too
It's so hard to talk about love
I'm leaving now, oh it's just
'n all I ever wanted
Was you - is that too much?

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

Too Much

(Ian Hunter)

All I ever wanted was to lose myself in you
All I ever needed was you to need me too
You're all I ever think about
I hunger for your touch
'n all I ever wanted
Was you - is that too much?

I hate the pain of loving you
It happens all the time
I never needed anything or anybody
Until your eyes met mine
I'm waiting for your answer babe
What's gonna become of us?
'Cos all I ever wanted
Was you - is that too much?

It is too much to ask
That this man with a past
Could be happy at last
With a future like you
It is too much to ask
Is it too much of a task
Am I going to fast - for you?

Maybe you don't want me
I'm so scared of losing you
I never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity
Watch me screw up this one too
It's so hard to talk about love
I'm leaving now, oh it's just
'n all I ever wanted
Was you - is that too much?

This is a strong album, though it takes a couple of listens to get used to. This is mainly the fault of Too Much, which is a slow opener - the rockers come later, but it is not another Laundry (that said, tho', a friend of mine bought this album immediately after the Burnley gig purely on the strength of Too Much). 

Too Much	4:44	Originally issued on The Artful Dodger.
Too Much (All I Ever Wanted) (early version)	4:27	Originally released on Experiments - Previously Unreleased Recordings (box set only).

To Love a Woman, Ian Hunter, Overnight Angels

To Love a Woman is the penultimate song on Overnight Angels and is a more traditional love song unlike Bastard. Hunter thought that this would be a good vehicle for Rod Stewart to sing; it never reached him though. The key is too high for Ian and sounds more in Stewart's range. The love song contained production tricks, multilayered chorus vocals, and a style that could have been done by The Fabulous Rhinestones. 

Sign up now for the pre-release of Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing at TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me!

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

To Love a Woman

(Ian Hunter)

To love a woman
Lost and lonely through the night
My baby doesn't hear me right
Cross my heart and hope to die
The words won't come although I try
It's there beneath me deep and strong
And when I speak it sounds so wrong
Oh cross my heart and hope to die
I'll never know the reason why
You and I were so in love
And if the sun won't shine
I'll be warm enough for the both of us
To love a woman
To love a woman
To love a woman
To love a woman

Sometimes when I'm away from you
I love you more you know its true
Oh cross my heart and hope to die
This loneliness is good sometimes
And you'll return smile over me
And I still can't say what's plain to see
But cross my heart and hope to die
You'll never know how hard I try
You and I we fell in love
And if the sun won't shine
I'll be warm enough for the both of us
To love a woman
To love a woman
To love a woman
To love a woman
To love a woman
To love a woman
To love a woman
To love a woman

Loving a woman like you ain't hard to do
You know it happens all the time
To love a woman another woman
To love a woman ain't never been hard
(Cross my heart and hope to die)
To love a woman
To love a woman
To love a woman
To love a woman
To love a woman
To love a woman
To love a woman

So I'll go on through this night
Wishing the words to come out right
Cross my heart and hope to die
This stubborn tongue's gonna make me cry
Just accept me as I am
Understand I'm a quiet man
Cross my heart and hope to die
I dread the day you say goodbye
You and I we fell in love
And if the sun won't shine
I'll be warm enough for the both of us
To love a woman
To love a woman
To love a woman
To love a woman
To love a woman
(fade)

To Love a Woman

3:57

Originally issued on Overnight Angels

These Feelings, Ian Hunter, Man Overboard

These Feelings is a detailed and reflective autobiographical song and celebrates long-term affection. It is touching with a simplicity and truth that is hard to be denied. The reaction to this song by some is that it is one of the weakest on the CD but although the theme is common, the sensitivity and sentiment is not easy to pull off. It is all about love, and specifically about Hunter's wife, Trudi. It is a piano song and producer Andy York added a mystical sound. Ian favors ambiguity on songs so we as the listeners can draw our own conclusions but he states there is an element of truth about this song as opposed to manufactured songs such as Honaloochie Boogie. 

Sign up now for the pre-release of Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing at TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me!

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

These Feelings

(Ian Hunter)

I wake up every morning to your pretty face smile
You ain't really changed much although it's been a while
From humble beginnings to the house on the hill
I've always loved you and you know I always will

And I still got these feelings, these feelings, these feelings
Still got these feelings, what can I do?
I just want you to know I can't let 'em go
Cos I still got these feelings, these feelings for you

I remember the moment that you first caught my eye
A voice in my head said "I've got to have you in my life"
There were times that were lean, there were times it was bad
We turned 'em in to the best times we ever had

And I still got these feelings, these feelings, these feelings
Still got these feelings, what can I do?
I just want you to know, they grow and they grow
I still got these feelings, these feelings for you

Once in a while we walk back down that road
The spirit's still willing and the music always flows
You saved my life, you are my best friend
I just want you to know I'll be with you 'till the end

'Cos I still got these feelings, these feelings, these feelings
Still got these feelings, what can I do?
I just want you to know, lo and behold
I still got these feelings, these feelings for you 

        Yeah, I still got these feelings, these feelings for you 

Ballads have always been a strong point with Ian, and these are prominent especially on the second half of the album. Not all work, however, with These Feelings being a particular weakness.

These Feelings

4:01

Originally issued on Man Overboard.

Theatre of The Absurd, Ian Hunter, Short Back and Sides

The LP was not always well received but the only attempt at a reggae-flavored song is Theatre of The Absurd. The song lived up to its promise. This is song about Brixton and the fruitful collaboration of rock and reggae as Ian adapted another poem for a musical format. Hunter saw the flowering of mixing two forms of music as early as 1973 and culminated with the Clash. Ian contrasts his rock theater of the absurd with Mick Jones' music. Neither Mick Ronson nor Hunter understood reggae but leaned on Mick Jones for the effects, sound, and ideas. Belatedly, Hunter thought Brixton Rock would have made a better title and is reminiscent of the Clash's Guns of Brixton. As Mick Ronson and Hunter were out of ideas Jones came in and started with this song and his stylings which stretched to the entire album. At the time Ian says he and Ronson were bored, idle, and lazy allowing Jones to take creative control. 

There is an alternative version and a live version from 1981.

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

Theatre Of The Absurd

(Ian Hunter)

My teeth turned seven shades darker
as I sit 'n' write these words
and London's gettin' paler
in my theatre of the absurd.
You figured for an evening
and you made it all worthwile.
It's seldom people have a job
and even rarer that I smile.

Play me some, play me some,
play me Brixton power.
Teach your children to be them
and never ever ours.
Play me some, play me some,
play me Brixton power.
Someone took the park away
but they left a lonely flower.

And if your songs be classics,
throw them to the herd.
Truth is where they came from
and not this theatre of the absurd.
Some say you wanted to play for me
but it's only what you've heard
that made you want to capture me
in your theatre of the absurd.
It was not me, I said myself
and you must do so, too.
I hope you have the strength to stay
when I'll be watchin' you.

So baby,
play me some, play me some,
play me Brixton power.
Teach your children to be them
and never ever ours.
Play me some, play me some,
play me Brixton power.
Someone took the park away
but they left a lonely flower.

Oh when I got here back home tonight
something within me stirred.
Oh it must have been a different kind of play
that touched my theatre of the absurd.
Now I'll be on my way alone
But an interesting thing occurred
See nobody ever shared too much
in my theatre of the absurd.
And there I was back in London,
thought about history.
It was just like being in school again
but I felt something movin' in me.
Hearin' just a bit of the future,
oh it's comin' and it's still blurred
and that's the only thing worth living for
in my theatre of the absurd.

Come on,
play me some, play me some,
play me Brixton power.
Teach your children to be them
and never ever ours.
Oh play me some, play me some,
play me Brixton power.
Someone took the park away
but they left a lonely flower.

(Beautiful)
Play me some, play me some,
play me Brixton power.
Play me some, play me some,
play me Brixton power.
(John, come on)
Play me some, play me some,
play me Brixton power.
Oh, play me some, (Come on, Eric) play me some,
play me Brixton power.
Oh, play me some, play me some,
play me Brixton power.
...

Theatre of The Absurd	5:49	Originally released on Short Back and Sides and on the compilation From The Knees Of My Heart.
Theatre of The Absurd (alternate version)	6:08	Released on the outtakes CD Long Odds and Outtakes and on the box set version of Short Back 'n' Sides
Theatre of The Absurd (live 26-28th October 1981)	4:36	This live version (recorded at the Old Waldorf, San Francisco CA) was originally issued on If You Wait Long Enough For Anything, You Can Get It On Sale (box set only).

The Truth, The Whole Truth, Nuthin' But The Truth, Ian Hunter, Ian Hunter LP

The slow, funky burn of the The Truth, the Whole Truth, Nuthin' but the Truth is captivating and love gone wrong is a perennial topic of interest in pop songs. It's a great combination of Hunter's vocal, Mick Ronson's guitar, and the driving back beat that makes this song so strong. It is one of those honest love songs similar to Bastard. Ian says the lyrics are ambiguous but he wrote it musically with Mick's guitar in mind for his incredible playing, in particular, the middle scream section. Ronno dove right in and the slow, simplicity of the song lets the guitar soar. Just before the AIR Studios session, Mick saw a review for his unappreciated Play Don't Worry LP that was vicious and personal. Ronson read the review, internally charged, and burnt his searing solo in response. Take that! Mick laid it down in five minutes. Want more info? Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

Two live versions both from 2004 extend the length of the song and keep up the strong beat. 

The Truth, The Whole Truth, Nuthin' But The Truth

(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)

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).