Tragic Chemistry

Background Info*

A conversation between an adulterer and the woman he’s cheating with. Obviously, neither of these characters have taken the moral higher ground, but the song isn’t supposed be about how bad they are, but rather why people stray. The man feels the weight of his mundane life and is looking for something to make him feel alive, while the woman sees an affluent provider. A seduction scene occurs and the man leaves “the wife and kids”. Of course, the woman tells him she’s pregnant (has allowed herself to become pregnant?). During the bridge things come full circle—he’s home with the woman he left his wife for, with a new baby and the old monotony set in again. So what does he do? Exactly what you’d expect: he heads out to the bars again. I always marvel at how people who end up with their mate after an episode of cheating can delude themselves into thinking it won’t happen again. This woman may not be so deluded: she and her baby will be taken care of, if not emotionally, then certainly financially as the last chorus details. The whole time i was writing this, I kept thinking about the characters that don’t even appear: the original wife and kids, and what a wrecking ball infidelity is. Musically, I want to create almost an alt country vibe. I might even try to incorporate a banjo hook, we’ll see.

Technical Notes

The nasal telephone effect for the intro was achieved by running the entire mix through a telephone router, literally sending it through the phone lines and back into the console.

The percussion track is Figg hitting various pieces of metal—a chair leg, parts of his drum kit, etc.—what he hits changes with the sections of the song.

Lyrics

in the corner
under smoky lights
your legs are long and brown
you look at me with come hither eyes
but don't make a sound

come sit down
just, sit down

the gold band
in my tailored pocket
feels like lead
as you lead me slowly by the hand
to your alluring bed

come lay down
let's lay down

on a holiday
from the day to day
the wife and kids don't possess the charms
that i find in your exotic arms

oh mr. man
catch as catch can
you have the means, I'll be your queen
nothing is free
c'est la vie
go or stay, either way
you're going to pay

after months of sneaking around corners
she found out
i just got back from meeting with the lawyers
they're gonna fight and shout

now that that's said
you should know i haven't bled

I don't feel right
going out tonight
the baby would cry and cry and cry

you stay here, i'll be back my dear
once i see the sights
under smoky lights