A Shower Of Blows

Lord Bygon's genuine Pop style for a "politically incorrect" song.
Il genuino stile Pop di Lord Bygon per un brano "politicamente scorretto".

"A Shower Of Blows"

1998

From the CD "Zenith"

Credits:
Lord Bygon: lead and backing vocals, piano, synth, bass, drum programming, loops.

Song Story:
Questo brano è nato nell'estate del '98 durante il mio periodo di servizio civile, prima ancora che elaborassi il concept-album "Zenith & Nadir". Il mio intento originale era scrivere un pezzo nello stile anni '60 alla "Getting Better", per intenderci, e a tutt'oggi non ho ancora capito se ci sono riuscito o no. "A Shower Of Blows" è uno dei miei tipici brani un po' pazzoidi: o lo si ama, o lo si odia. Considerando l'impressionante numero di gente che l'ha ascoltata sul web, molti lo amano, a dispetto del finale ripetitivo - ossessionante...

I wrote this song in the Summer of 1998 just before I conceived the idea of "Zenith" as a whole concept album. I just wanted to write a song in a '60s - like style a la "Getting Better" - and I still can't say if I managed or not. This is one of the most typical crazy Bygon songs: you can just love it or hate it. Many people seem to love it, in spite of the weird ending...

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Lyrics

Will I ever understand?
Will I ever face my life?
will it be as quiet and clear as your eyes?
Maybe sometimes I've been wrong
thinking I was wise and strong
maybe I've pretended to be what I'm not
Sometimes I've been going too far
(going too far)
don't know where this story goes
(story goes)
maybe I deserve just a shower of blows
(it's going to be a shower of blows)
a shower of blows
(it's going to be a shower of blows)
Will I ever be as good
as a good old young man should?
Will I ever see my old ship come in?
sometimes I've been playing the fool
(playing the fool)
Life is just a swimming pool
(swimming pool)
surely I deserve just a shower of blows
I NEED TO LEARN TO BEHAVE MYSELF
I NEED TO CARRY ON
IT SEEMS TO BE MY DESTINY
A COLOSSAL SHOWER OF BLOWS
(A shower of blows, a shower of blows)
sometimes I've been going too far
don't know where my story goes
maybe I deserve just a shower of blows
I NEED TO LEARN TO BEHAVE MYSELF
I NEED TO CARRY ON
IT SEEMS TO BE MY DESTINY
A COLOSSAL SHOWER OF BLOWS
A shower of blows
'cause my little story slowly goes
A shower of blows
'cause I thought I was the man who really knows....

© Giuseppe Gambino (SIAE)

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Reviews

"E' magnifica, Beppe." Beppe Buono, Italy

Interesting...... This music really isn't my cup of tea; but, for people who like something a little jazzy/pop and "off the wall" they would likely really enjoy this. It is very retro like something you'd hear during the "Carpenters" era. The lead vocal has very loungy phrasing and tone - almost threatrical vocal which is interesting but puts a whole new twist on this music. Perhaps, this is a song that would work on the stage for a production of that kind? This piece is really not something I could imagine hearing on commercial radio; but, not every song has to go in that direction. Sara Lynn, Lower Mainland, Canada

Barry Manilow ...or Donald Fagen? Well, the problem I have with this type of track is that I oscillate between dreading a new Barry Manilow effort and expecting a Zappa crazy take off! The vocal harmonies are awesome, unpeccable, precise and well felt! So there. We are talking 70's Donald Fagen, Steely Dan teritory here. If you like that kind of music, you will like this. Some of the sounds like outdated 80's Erzast of 70's classics sound. You don't want that. Roots Man! Fred Andre, Berlin, Germany

A great mix. The piece contains an interesting mix of pop, jazz, blues ... In particular, this song, for its melody and mood, sounds as if it were a song of a musical theater! Good production and talent, definitely! Mariana Gomez Badia, Buenos Aires, Argentina

I like this song. Like the progression of the chords - makes the song sound big band, especially with the vocals. The chord structure makes the song sound more original, because it's a different note than what's usually played. Are the lyrics "shower of blows"? well, the note sung on "blows" is a cool one. More blues-y/jazzy feel because of it. The song could be cut a little short...don't need so much repetition in the end (lyrically and vocally). Samoana M., Mililani, Hawaii

A mixture of big band, jazz and blues style of music.. the piano is well played, the singer sings tight and clean... the mixing could be better, but overall it's a very good work. A nice little piece of art. I encourage you to continue! Chrystian Bourassa, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

I'm really feeling the way this track has been put together: Nice arrangement and the chord progression are sonically sound. I like the overall feel of the production as well as the catchy melodies. Tony Cohiba, Atlanta, Georgia

Solid! I like the crackling at the beginning --not incredibly revolutionary, but still unique. I wasn't anticipating this kind of song following the crackling, however. Nice faint strings. Nice harmonies. Nice bass. Nice piano. The song, in terms of chord structure, could probably use a tad more diversity... there is a change of pace around 2:20. The song is slightly slow-going, but it is well put together for the most part. I'd say the chord structure is mostly good. Frank Hurd, Warwick, Massachusetts

Stands out with some originality and nice vocals. Lyrics and melody work very well with piano in background. Definitely worth a listen. Stephanie Diaz, Poway, California

The song sounds a bit lounge, or Las Vegasy. Great chord structure - very classic sounding. The vocals were okay, but could use a bit more producing to smooth them out. Fun little song, though. Ben McCombs, Chicago, Illinois

This isn't a bad song, but it feels very incomplete. With some better recording and production techniques, this song could be used in a jingle, or childrens show... which is great because they pay well. The software instruments make this sound a bit dated and amateur. Chord structure is fine. It's very "textbook" sounding and could use a little more original instrumentation and experimentation, but it works. This is a decently written song, but look at it this way: If your song is amazing but the quality of sound is bad, it's going to be hard to sell it, the same way it would be hard to sell a car with chipped paint and dents that otherwise runs great. Sometimes, drum fills give away the fact that you're using software/synth drums. Try not to put too many snare hits close together if you're using MIDI unless you're really confident with your production skills. A little reverb goes a long way with MIDI drums. The strings are a bit high in the mix, also giving away the fact that you're using synthesizers or MIDI. Look at it more like something to use as background filler, not necessarily something you want to stand out in a mix. Try using a violin sound, then doubling it with a "string section" sound. You can make a synthetic violin section sound much more real that way. Hope that helps. Rosana Caban, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

An unusual song but a good one. There is a very inventive chord structure that leads the listener in unusal ways that help maintain the interest. Very well recorded and performed. Raymond Porter, Aberdeen, Scotland, U.K.

A quirky melody. The lead vocal had some intonation and timing issues in a few places. The overall track needs to have more dynamic between vox and track. The bgv's were a bit hot in the mix especially with all of the tight harmonies. The lead vox could have done with a bit more controlled vibrato as well. The track sounded "sequenced". I liked the chord progression but it may be a bit too invilved for the average "Pop" listener. Michael Conner, Redmond, Washington

Zenith - Lord Bygon's album

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