What Becky said. I can't imagine putting together a list of my five favorite Pernice Brothers songs and not including this. And your version of Del's "I Go To Pieces" is terrific. Thanks for posting this! For folks looking for the post of the on Four Track version, it was on August 3, 2022, and it's equally brilliant.
This is one of my favorites of your songs. Thinking a lot about Brian Wilson today, of course, and the opening lines of your song remind me of the twist at the beginning of "God Only Knows," but in reverse. Where Brian and Tony start with the shocking "I may not always love you" and then turn it into a love song, you start with the romantic-sounding "I'll stay with you" before turning it completely on its head. Then there's the gorgeous phrase "knot and braid your fraying ends to mine"—it reads complicated, but it fits into the melody effortlessly. Off to listen to Del Shannon in hopes it will inspire me to write something this good.
Thank you for this Joe. Whenever I hear this one, and your music is on high rotation in my life, I have to stop and listen to every word. If I am alone, I'll sing along but inevitably, the emotion cracks my voice and I'll listen to the balance in teary-eyed silence. It is a beautiful song, and I feel so much for the protagonist that I ache. Hearing it stripped down like this only makes it more intense, and I don't want it to ever stop.
Great tune and performance. Goodbye, Killer has a lot of strong writing. Newport News is one of my favorite PB songs. Since you credit James Walbourne, I'm betting he did the solo on Bechamel, which is as close to sub-3-min pop perfection as you'll get. Thanks for another timely post.
James played all the lead guitars on Goodbye, Killer.
He’s one of my oldest friends, so it’s always good to be in the same room as him. But if he’s playing a guitar in the aforementioned room it’s a giant bonus. He’s a rare talent, for sure. And truly a better guy.
I haven’t thought of The Sea and Cake in years. Whenever anyone says the aughts was a bad time for music I always point to artists like you, Jeff Tweedy, and yes, the firm of McEntire, Prekop & Prewitt. And Kevin Tihista. And Midlake. And Jason Lytle. And…
What Becky said. I can't imagine putting together a list of my five favorite Pernice Brothers songs and not including this. And your version of Del's "I Go To Pieces" is terrific. Thanks for posting this! For folks looking for the post of the on Four Track version, it was on August 3, 2022, and it's equally brilliant.
Cheers, Steve. Thanks for listening & for your crack archival work.
This is one of my favorites of your songs. Thinking a lot about Brian Wilson today, of course, and the opening lines of your song remind me of the twist at the beginning of "God Only Knows," but in reverse. Where Brian and Tony start with the shocking "I may not always love you" and then turn it into a love song, you start with the romantic-sounding "I'll stay with you" before turning it completely on its head. Then there's the gorgeous phrase "knot and braid your fraying ends to mine"—it reads complicated, but it fits into the melody effortlessly. Off to listen to Del Shannon in hopes it will inspire me to write something this good.
Thanks for the kind words & thoughtful comments.
As you well know, it’s hard to make it sound like it fell out fully formed.
Maybe next time I’m in Nash Vegas I’ll get to see you play live. Hope all’s well.
Thank you for this Joe. Whenever I hear this one, and your music is on high rotation in my life, I have to stop and listen to every word. If I am alone, I'll sing along but inevitably, the emotion cracks my voice and I'll listen to the balance in teary-eyed silence. It is a beautiful song, and I feel so much for the protagonist that I ache. Hearing it stripped down like this only makes it more intense, and I don't want it to ever stop.
Wow! It always kind of blows me away to learn that the songs make this kind of impression.
Thanks for listening.
Great tune and performance. Goodbye, Killer has a lot of strong writing. Newport News is one of my favorite PB songs. Since you credit James Walbourne, I'm betting he did the solo on Bechamel, which is as close to sub-3-min pop perfection as you'll get. Thanks for another timely post.
Thanks, Doug.
James played all the lead guitars on Goodbye, Killer.
He’s one of my oldest friends, so it’s always good to be in the same room as him. But if he’s playing a guitar in the aforementioned room it’s a giant bonus. He’s a rare talent, for sure. And truly a better guy.
Great song. The rhymes are super interesting (particularly flaw and before!) and the feeling is real and raw. Thank you!
JP, that was sweet, loved it.
I haven’t thought of The Sea and Cake in years. Whenever anyone says the aughts was a bad time for music I always point to artists like you, Jeff Tweedy, and yes, the firm of McEntire, Prekop & Prewitt. And Kevin Tihista. And Midlake. And Jason Lytle. And…
hello! KILLER!!!!!