Flathead

OK - I really had no clue what the words were to this song were before I looked them up for this post, and honestly I have no care what the lyrics are (for once) because I just love the music of this song. This little diddy in question is from The Fratellis' album Costello Music. I have been hearing the song on Sirius' Left of Center and Alt Nation for a few weeks now and through my music hookup am now listening to the album, which is sounding pretty good. :-) Some of the songs might be a little too 'punky' for me though.

Why the music in the song Flathead? Its that sort of retro feeling that is has, and the tight cord structure of the "ahhs" that I really like. And the song uses mixed meter - a combo of 4/4 and 6/8 - what musician doesn't like that? Some elements of the song are kind of show-tuny as well and I like that too. Even though I don't know the words I can still sing along. The trailing guitar solo at the end reminds me of Hawaii for some reason (not that have been there). Maybe it is just a retro-beachy-surfing sort of feeling. I can't tell if it is the range of notes (in terms of octave) used, the rhythm of the piece, or the key/chord structure that they are in that gives that feeling - but it is something.

I guess all that really matters is that I like the song though, and highly recommend a listen. It's good. :-)

Lyrics:

Flathead

Just because she feeds me well
and she made me talk dirty in a pink hotel
doesn't mean she's got eyes for me
she might just want my bones you see
hey flathead don't you get mean
she's the second best killer that I have ever seen
they don't come much more sick than you
I could go on if you want me to
it's just so wrong so very nice I told you
once and you killed me twice
I saw you one time at the back of the
club chewing on glass and a ticket stub
I heard they kicked the boy till he bled
then stood and said oh my god till she said
bara bap bara ra ra bara bap bara ra ra ra...
everybody knows you're the one to call
when the girls get ugly at the back of the wall
Josephine says you got a bleeding nose
so taking it with her wherever she goes
hey flathead don't check me in
well hers is a tonic and mine is a gin
they don't come much more slick
than you I'd drive your car if you ask me to
said the boy's not right in the head
so he stood and got a kicking instead till she said
bara bap bara ra ra bara bap bara ra ra ra...