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Let's Talk About "Bastard"

So I've been listening to "Ex-Maniac" all day long, and I've come to the conclusion that "Bastard" is my favourite song of the bunch. In an effort to try to get some lyrics up and some conversation going, let's discuss!

You can love me if you want to

But it's best if you don't

You can believe me, you can deceive me

But it's best if you don't

You could date me, you could hate me

But it's best if you don't

We could have kids, we could grow old

But it's best if we don't

I'm untouchable, yes I am

But if you wanna touch me, you can

I'm a bastard, you know that I am

But that's just what you like in a man

You can hold me, you can scold me

But it's best if you don't

You could tease me, you could please me

But it's best if you don't

I'm untouchable, yes I am

But if you wanna touch me, you can

I'm a bastard, you know that I am

I should be locked up for who I am

I'm unloveable, yes I am

But if you want to love me, you can

I've got straight white teeth and a tan

But that's just what you like in a man

Sha la la, sha la la

You could trust me, you could bust me

But it's best if you don't

It would kill me if you left me

But I don't think you will

I'm untouchable, yes I am

But if you want to touch me, you can

I'm a bastard, you know that I am

But that's just what you like in a man

I'm unloveable, yes I am

But if you want to love me, you can

I've got straight white teeth and a tan

But that's just what you like in a man

Sha la la, sha la la

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Richard Brookes on February 16, 2010 at 2:12am: I'm with you Ben, It's certainly one of the best and grooviest songs on the album (though sadly, I can see how some of the other songs have a lot more single potential) -
I remember hearing the band playing this one live, and thinking to myself "gee, that was absolutely amazing, I'd probably best get the video camera out and record the next one".

It sort of feels a bit like a really upbeat and slightly more romantic version of Bad Old Man.

...I might try to get this one played at my wedding, just to be cheeky.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ben Gott on February 16, 2010 at 2:20am: Richard, while we're at it, let's talk singles. I think that "Bastard" would be a great single, actually -- it's got the beat, the memorable chorus, and, like Meredith Brooks's "Bitch," a "naughty word" in the title. That aside, though, I've got to say that "Drug Time" would be my second choice. The sing-songy chorus just lends itself to repeated listenings, and, again, the subject matter is just this side of centre...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Richard Brookes on February 16, 2010 at 2:30am: See, I was thinking Drugtime too - mostly for the lyrical hook and the fact that it'd probably go down really well with students (if you know what I mean, har har).
But there's something about Bastard as it is on the album- a certain je ne sais quoi -that I feel wouldn't give it the same mass acceptance that Unloveable and Drugtime would be capable of. I think maybe... if they didn't open with the sort of slightly country-rock sounding intro, and started with the synth part instead?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ben Gott on February 16, 2010 at 2:40am: Richard, we shall see—I'm heading into work tomorrow (I teach middle school here in the U.S.) and I'm going to share a few of the tracks with some of my musically-inclined students.

On another note, I was disappointed that "Isn't Love Wonderful" didn't make the cut. Can anyone "in the know" tell us if it will show up as a B-side or if it has disappeared into the ether?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Karel Brooke on February 16, 2010 at 2:45am: Interesting to see different perspectives on the songs - Bastard and Drug Time are great tracks but not singles (in my opinion). Too obvious. I still think 'For The Rest Of Our Lives' would fit that bill, just because it has such a terrific, lifting chorus and the lyrics will seem pretty straight forward to the casual listener but reveal their (black) humor to the observant listener. Hey, kinda like You're Gorgeous!

Also, any one have any idea why 'Isn't Love Wonderful' is not on the album? B Side perhaps? Thought, from the small snippet on here, that it sounded great. And Ben, can you explain 'clipping' to an audio layman like myself? I listen to music on a decent system but certainly not decent enough to pick up production flaws.

And gotta say, the end of the new album is really getting to me (in a good way). On The Backseat of Your Car and Black Flowers (espec Black Flowers) are total genius.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ben Gott on February 16, 2010 at 2:47am: Karel, I am totally in agreement with you about the last tracks -- especially "...Backseat..." What a stunning song -- and what a great ending!

I still think that "Bastard" could go far...after all, in today's market, don't ALL singles have to be obvious? ;-); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Karel Brooke on February 16, 2010 at 2:52am: Ah. good point! To be fair, I think almost any song from this album could be argued for as a potential single (though maybe the last three tracks work more as album songs). Still waiting with baited breathe for Unlovable video (short film). Was supposed to be released today, yes? Wonder if that means online as well?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michael Grice on February 19, 2010 at 7:31pm: Sorry Guys, NO WAY would a song called "BASTARD" get a single air play in the UK. As much as you, I and millions of others can empathise with the lyrics, NO CHANCE.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Richard Brookes on February 19, 2010 at 8:18pm: I do remember hearing Lily Allen's F**k you on the radio quite a bit last summer - if a song like that managed to get as much attention as it did, I'm sure Bastard would have a chance =p; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Andy on February 23, 2010 at 10:28pm: Bastard is a fantastic song - Failed Suicide Club has single written all over it!; ▶ Reply to This