That's How It Is
I had an image of a couple singing about the state of their relationship, he at home with his guitar plugged into his amp, rocking it up, while she's out working as a singer in a jazz club and is responding to his complaints. The original idea for this song was to keep it sparse in the mould of The Doors 'Roadhouse Blues' and to have a piano and harmonica on it. We didn't have a harmonica player and we couldn't get a good computer sound of one either so we tried some horn sounds, we thought that they worked quite well, so we added some organ and this gave the song a lot of strength and depth. Then when Charlie put his lead guitar on top it turned it into a very powerful song indeed in my opinion. The 'jazz club' section sort of comes out of the blue but I think it gives the song a good contrast.

Hitchcock Moments: Some of my guide guitar remains in parts of the song and re-emerges at the end of the song. I also sing some backing vocals.

Left: Charlie in the studio: See and hear more of Charlie and his band 'The Hitups' at http://www.myspace.com/thehitups

Right: The original sketch by Jess Blagburn of  the album cover design, based on an idea by Hubert H Hymen & Reuben Carbuncle

There ain't one natural gift that I have not abused
And still it leaves me searching for something less confused
Now there was a time I met someone outside the Yda hall
Just me and her and ivy climbing up the wall
Oh why do you upset me so, when all I know is down below?
And how can you forget me so, when all I owe is down below?
Funny how things that you plan don't come up to expectations
The only thing you've got in hand is feeble explanation
She said all right, its not so bad, no need to worry
But you don't believe the words and all you say is sorry
Oh why did you subject me so, when I sold my soul down below?
And how can you reject me so, when I'm so full on down below?
That's how it is, that's how it was and that's how it's meant to be. (For you and me)
That's how it is, I said that's how it was and that's how it's gonna be. (For eternity)

Oh why don't you affect me so, if all you know is down below?
And when will you respect me so, when you're in tow down below?
That's how it is, that's how it was and that's how it's meant to be. (For you and me)
That's how it is, I said that's how it was and that's how it's gonna to be. (For eternity)

Oh why don't you detect my woe, when you're in flow down below?
And how can you save your soul, when it's been sold down below?
That's how it is, that's how it was and that's how it's meant to be. (For you and me)
That's how it is, I said that's how it was and that's how it's gonna be. (For eternity)