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DRIVING TO DAMASCUS
DEEP DIVE - PART 3


24 September 2017
2:10:46




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See You – song DEEP DIVE by Svein and Tom

  • The double A-side single, reflections on this phenomenon, and thoughts on the single choice.
  • Breakdown of the writing and demoing of the song.
  • The “band” version of the demo vs the “orchestral” arrangement of the finished version, and other differences/song developments.
  • The strings get analysed, dissected, and thrashed.
  • The vocal style – unique enunciations and more American pronunciations? Also discussing Eddi Reader’s backing vocals and differences with the demo.
  • Changes in public opinion of the song over the years.
  • The background of where a lot of these lyrics come from: the “See You” cards.
  • Stuart serving more as an editor than a writer?
  • 3rd vs 1st person perspective in Big Country songs.
  • A Big Country song that does not sound like Big Country.
  • Was the song chosen as a single to be “radio bait”?
  • Tom reads out his review of the song from 1999. We see if his opinions have changed after 20 years.

Speakpipe by Steve Coulter.

Perfect World – song DEEP DIVE by Tom and Svein

  • The “You Really Got Me” (the Kinks) guitar part similarity.
  • The song as a great example of what we want: the band evolving, yet still preserving a Big Country sound.
  • Examples of the great musicianship on this song, and why one of the hosts this this may be the best example of this on the album.
  • The lyrical style of the song and how well it fits the musical delivery.
  • The song’s potential Christian message, and the search for perfection which in Christian terms can only be reached through God.
  • The bridge – the rise and fall of humanity described in eight lines!
  • The demo background and breakdown.
  • The “rock” moment on the album – also more of a “band” moment as far as jamming up the song?
  • Several possible scenarios that could fit the lyrics of the song – all tying into looking for something, and the perfect version of it.
  • Differences between previous songs in this vein – where he is looking for something special and unique - and how this one is very different in approach and feeling.
  • One of very few Big Country songs which ends on a 100% positive note? The only one?
  • Tom reads out his review of the song from 1999. We see if his opinions have changed after 20 years.

Speakpipes from Ayelet Sackstein and Cara Cuiule.

Somebody Else – song DEEP DIVE by Svein and Tom

  • The third and final single from the album. We discuss its performance, its late release date, and what they possibly could have expected from it. Tom refers to the release as a “hail Mary” and explains what that means.
  • The demo background and breakdown.
  • We explore the Ray Davies connection a bit deeper – how the initial Glastonbury gig happened, how it led to two song co-writes, rehearsals and demo sessions with Ray, and Ray’s potential producer role and record deal.
  • The Ray vs Stuart elements of the song – how much comes from each one of them? Who wrote each part, was it more a musical or lyrical partnership?
  • Looking at the subject matter, the song is often taken as an almost autobiographical song by Stuart. At the same time, the writing style is not one he often used and there is a strong Ray element.
  • Somebody Else is filled with tongue-in-cheek humour, sarcasm and cynicism. These are typical Ray writing tools, but the topic feels like Stuart’s, and is likely an example of the best of both worlds.
  • An example of Ray writing an almost identical (but much more heartfelt) song thematically – “Property” by The Kinks from the State of Confusion album (1983).
  • The lyrics describe a guy looking through stuff after a breakup, commenting wryly on the items he comes across and the memories they spark.
  • The crux of the song - the lines in the chorus, the “somebody else” that he sings to, and how that could be a clue to what happened to the couple in the song.
  • The song writing – how the song consists of several parts, and how it flows from part to part in a unique way. There are several bridges and links, and what exactly is the chorus? Many catchy parts, cleverly linked together.
  • The hosts agree on it being a good song, but not necessarily on it being a Big Country song. Some good discussion follows.
  • We discuss Tom’s Big Country snobbery, which leads to Tom reading out his review of the song from 1999 to see if it was on the same level 20 years earlier as well.
  • Stuart’s interesting change of lyrics live re: the Talking Heads line in the song.

Speakpipe by Neuren Pietersen.