Get all 5 The Granite Shore releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Suspended Second, Suspended Second (mono), Tomorrow morning, 3 a.m., Once More From The Top, and Flood of fortune.
1. |
Artiste & Repertoire
04:59
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Just like every band of brothers
We held a future in our heads
We cut our cloth together
Every day
You and I and all the others
Slept on floors instead of beds
We went all out hell for leather as we
Made our way
And in a voice so sweet and brown
You would sing each honeyed word
Breathed alive as they came dripping from my pen
And as we tore the old world down
It would’ve just seemed so absurd
To try to put it back together again
Then with a foot upon the ladder
We ditched a couple of the boys
You couldn’t see that they had
Earned their keep
Then it all got that bit madder
Bigger, brighter, faster toys
The bridges that we burned were over waters
Running deep
Then in a voice so sweet and brown
You would sing each honeyed word
There seemed no limit to the power of my pen
And when I came to put it down
It felt so heavy and I wondered
Could we put it back together again?
Although you sold us down the river
For some silver and a ribbon
For less than that you don’t get out of bed,
I will defend you to the death
To my very final breath and
I won’t let them harm a hair upon your head.
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2. |
Nine Days' Wonder
02:47
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Once upon a time I could’ve been a poet
But I was born into this sadly darkened age
Or else I might’ve written novels for a living
Painting pictures for the printed page
I have always had a nose for the money
And I know just where to look for the meat
I’ve a voice that drips with purity and honey
Dark and sweet
So I would dance from here to Norwich in the rain
As long as crowds came out to see me in my triumph and my pain
I’d sing for pennies as we sped across East Anglia
If you’d all love me
Again
As the poets had their time, as did the painters
The composers and the silent movie stars
In turn the spotlight flickered over them a moment
Before it came to rest on us and our guitars
Although I couldn’t ever claim to be saintly
I have kept my indiscretions fairly neat
I have paid some taxes and I’m still pretty dainty
On my feet
So I would dance from here to Norwich in the rain
As long as scribes were there to chronicle my triumph and my pain
I’d sing the words you all grew up with outside Ipswich
If you’d all love me
Again
The men in the white coats were engineers
The fourth part of the day has been and gone
I want it more than ever it appears…
But still soldier on
So I would dance from here to Norwich in the rain
We shall defy the laws of gravity and dignity and shame
If you will hold my coat I’ll go and drain the fens
If you’ll all love me
Again
If you’ll all love me
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3. |
The Management
04:15
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If you trust in me, I’ll not let you down;
In you I know at last I know I’ve found
What I’d been looking for:
Simplicity
We will set the world alight
The leather gear will have to go;
People get the wrong idea, you know
And though the leash allows
Some latitude
You must be on stage on time
Each night;
Watching you from the wings
Pulling each other’s strings
As we spin arm-in-arm
And the spell binds us tight;
Here’s where you wanted to go
And at the end of the show
I’ll turn out the lights
All my worthlessness went up in smoke;
I forgave the jibes and tasteless jokes
At least a tenth of them
For still I felt
You would shield me from the storm
Our vices grip, both yours and mine;
It is not by choice that I’m inclined
To seek the cannon’s mouth
Amid the libel laws
You must be in court on time
Each night;
Watching you from the wings
Pulling each other’s strings
As we spin arm-in-arm
And the spell binds us tight;
Here’s where you wanted to go
And at the end of the show
I’ll turn out the lights
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4. |
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To those of you left, who are paid up-to-date. And the much-valued few who are just running late. You can have no idea what we put ourselves through. We lived out your dreams so you wouldn’t have to.
You probably think I’ve a house in the country. I thought so myself for several years, but the Charmers took everything.
You might think it’s enough, when we’re out on the road. To buy our first album again as a download, but we need you to come, to know every new song, so it’s not just the hits where you all sing along.
You probably think that we saved all our pennies, hut that wasn’t part of our side of the deal, and the Charmers took everything. They took everything.
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5. |
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[Singer]
They’ll be backstage at the ballroom and gathered all around
Lining up to cheer us from the wings
With a galaxy of disco lights and a system for the sound
We shall speak of many wondrous things
In a tired red tuxedo and a pair of platform shoes
I’ll saunter on and head for centre stage
Though you, my brothers, may not be the hired hands I’d choose
Together we’ll put heaven in a rage.
[Whole band]
“You all know the words, at least you used to
You know how it goes, we wrote this for you”
[Singer]
Though we seemed to come a long way in the blinking of an eye
For you it was no distance back at all
Though you had a taste of glory and you kept my powder dry
At least you were invited to the ball.
I’d go and give them passion, I’d show them how it’s done
Out there in the middle of the Park
In fur-lined coat, no microphone, I’d hit the notes for fun
Floodlights off and singing in the dark
[Whole band]
“You know all the words, at least you used to
You know how it goes, we wrote this for you
We gave you a sense, of where you belong
You never believed it was only a song”
[Singer]
So backstage at the ballroom, with our favourite engineer
All the press we ever used to know
A&R, producers and the management are here
Turning off the lights after the show
The wings may well be buzzing, then again they always did
Now’s the time to go and do our stuff
This could be our one last chance, our very final bid
Let’s go out now and see if that’s enough.
[Whole band]
“You all know the words, at least you used to
You know how it goes, we wrote this for you
[Singer]
Of course you’ve moved on, changes need ringing
But if it was a phase, why are you singing?
We gave you a sense, which you haven’t outgrown;
You still need to know that you are not alone
You are not alone”
[Audience]
“We know all the words, at least we used to
We know how it goes, we learned this from you
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6. |
Recorded Sound
05:38
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Once art was short and life was long;
We stood before you on the stage, marked our bond in bars.
We kept the tempo fast and strong
Together we were all the rage, but then the wrath moved on and we were left
hell-
bent
hide-
bound
In the age of recorded sound.
In the age of recorded sound.
Signifying everything we’d do;
In time.
Then art grew longer, life less so;
You paired off into parenthood, swearing you’d be back.
With longing looks we watched you go
But somehow it was understood, that further down the track we’d meet again
all
home-
ward
bound
In the age of recorded sound.
In the age of recorded sound.
Signifying everything we’d done;
In time.
Now all our yesterdays await;
Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow at the door.
Perhaps we’ve left it rather late;
To walk among you for a while,
Very soon we shall be heard no more
But in the meantime…
We can play
In the meantime…
There’s still today
And today
And today.
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7. |
Keeping Time
04:14
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Hunched behind us at the back
Raised up off the floor
The riser now has fallen, we
Shall see his like no more.
Clothes all wrong, hair too long
Older than the rain
We thought he would outlive us
We’ll not see his like again.
And keeping time
It’s all we’ve ever done
Little did we know
So selfish and so young
We were keeping time
For everyone
Six pints down and at his best
Like a metronome
He’d sink another four and yet
He’d drive us home
[Although as] tempers frayed in the lost decade
We used a drum machine
You only punch the data in the once
And wipe it clean
And keeping time
It’s all we’ve ever done
Little did we know
So selfish and so young
We were keeping time
For everyone…
With phasers set to stun
As we give a three-guitar salute
We hear a distant drum
The ancient rain begins to fall
And now the time has come
And keeping time
It’s all we’ve ever done
Now I think I know
It’s time that I’d begun
Though I’m not even sure
That in the longer run
We’ll be keeping time
For everyone
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8. |
Widows and Orphans
02:55
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So this is what it’s come to;
Here we are again
Older, wiser - maybe - but still vain.
A nicer class of room, though;
The walls are all off-white
No rotting rugs or mattresses in sight
However many zeroes, I don’t care
Let the widows and the orphans have my share
We aimed to build a new world
Through the medium of sound
If if only we could put it back the way we found it
I know you’ve got your reasons
Though no-one’s buying mine
For heaven’s sake, just show me where to sign
However many zeroes, I don’t care
Let the widows and the orphans have my share
The pen is dripping ink and now my hand begins to shake
I know that we left widows, yes, and orphans in our wake
So add another zero, it’s all fine
You take yours, the widows can have mine
What do you want me to sign?
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9. |
Now, therefore, ...
04:47
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We, the undersigned, declare this deed shall bind us all, lest differences arise. Gathered together and after due thought we do all agree, jointly and severally, to dot all the Is.
Notwithstanding the above, when push comes to shove we’ll pull together; it is hereby understood; Although with hammer and with tongs and a sharp sense of our wrongs, our faith may yet be good.
We, the parties, may be served both night and day; provided only that we can be found. We give our consent to this deed which applies unequivocally to all the territory of recorded sound.
Notwithstanding the above, when push comes to shove we shall play nicely; it is hereby understood; Although the ownership of our songs shall be left where it belongs, our faith may yet be good.
Pursuant to this instrument, these rules shall not be bent save in haste or for our mutual wealth. Let all the widows - even common-law - and the orphans be provided for, though the deed be done by stealth.
So we, the undersigned, being of sound and single mind do sign our names and hope to make our mark. We pledge our allegiance, our lives, and our love; notwithstanding all of the above.
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10. |
Be that as it may
06:51
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[Singer]
There are some things set in stone
And it’s best if they’re left well alone
Our positions marked, the hierarchy set.
All the ghosts have joined us too;
The ideas, the songs, the people who
We all left behind, well have they caught us yet?
[Band]
Be that as it may;
You must still have something left to say…
[Singer]
I’m not sure that I do…
Though there were moments when I felt
The earth move and the ice caps melt
Though we sometimes seemed held in place by twine
Even then I never knew
If it the rest of you could feel it too
Or if the only blood that
ever thrilled was mine
[Band]
But be that as it may;
Someone has to count us off and
You know none of us can stay
But be that as it may
This could be our one last chance…
[Singer]
Okay!
Once more from the top…
[Band]
Be that as it may;
It’s cold in here and won’t get warmer…
[Singer]
…sometime even I’ll go grey
[Band]
But be that as it may
We fought like cats and dogs…
[Singer]
But we are family, especially when we play
[Band]
Be that as it may
The good we’ve done just might live on
[Singer]
…and God but we were good, on our day
[Band]
Be that as it may
Of course we used to feel it just as you did…
[Singer]
…well, that’s something anyway
[Band]
But be that as it may
The time…
[Singer]
…I know!
[Band]
…is now upon us…
[Singer]
We’re all stuff and nonsense
[Band]
So you say!
[Singer]
But be that as it may
[Band]
You wrote our lines
[Singer]
Yes, they were mine
[Band]
And we were only
Actors in your play
[All]
Be that as it may
[Band]
Our little live performance…
[Singer]
Oh yes
[Band]
Come on...
[Singer]
Once more from the top
[All]
Just play!
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