AND I LOVE THAT LITTLE GAME ...

 

I think most would agree that Alex is a great storyteller. In his songs, whether it´s a romantic one for The Last Shadow Puppets or one narrating a rendezvous with an unusual female character for the Arctic Monkeys, he is able to not only make us learn about the relationship but also understand each  of the characters´ frame of mind. One good example is Crying Lightning. What makes the song more interesting is the way it is sung, where the irony of the lyrics is also reflected in the musical arrangement.  The official video is very interesting, but the BBC1 studio version is really something. It is also possible to see Alex connecting visually with his mates during the song as if he were supervising every single detail of the execution. 

How he also manages to fit all those words into the music is worth noticing.

Let´s go for the video and the lyrics. I wonder if he has three versions for the man ¨she likes to aggravate¨, the ice-cream man, the icky man, and the achy man. Can you enlighten me, Alex?

CRYING LIGHTNING / BBC 1

CRYING LIGHTNING / Lyrics

Outside the café by the cracker factory you were practicing a magic trick

And my thoughts got rude as you talked and chewed on the last of your pick and mix.

You said "You´re mistaken if you´re thinking that I haven´t been called ´cold´ before¨

as you hit into your strawberry lace.

Then offered me your attention in the form of a gobstopper

it´s all you had left and it was going to waste.

Your pastimes consisted of the strange, the twisted and deranged

and I loved that little game you had called ´Crying Lightning´

and how you liked to aggravate the ice-cream man on rainy afternoons.

The next time that I caught my own reflection it was on its way to meet you,

thinking of excuses to postpone.

You never looked like yourself from the side but your profile could not hide

the fact you knew I was approaching your throne.

With folded arms you occupied the bench like toothache,

stood and puffed your chest out like you´d never lost a war.

Although I tried so not to suffer the indignity of a reaction

there was no cracks to grasp or gaps to claw.

And your pastimes consisted of the strange, the twisted and deranged

and I hate that little game you had called ´Crying Lightning´

and how you liked to aggravate the achy man on rainy afternoons.

Uninviting, but not half as impossible as everyone assumes you are.

OR I WILL DO EVERYTHING I SAID I WOULDN´T DO BUT I WILL ...



WOULDN´T JOHN LENNON AND PAUL MC CARTNEY BE PROUD OF ALEX IF THEY SAW HIM SING MY MISTAKES ... IN THIS VIDEO? AND IF THEY READ ITS LYRICS?

MY MISTAKES WERE MADE FOR YOU

The Last Shadow Puppets

******

Mmm ... maybe Paul has. Maybe John, too, wherever he is.

Now, don´t misunderstand me. I say John and Paul would be proud because there is talent here and there is an influence of The Beatles as there is one of Scott Walker. But what is amazing is that at this young age, Alex has been able to create this written piece which exceeds the quality of the average composer/lyricist.

MY MISTAKES WERE MADE FOR YOU

About as subtle as an earthquake I know,

my mistakes were made for you

And in the backroom of a bad dream she came

and whisked me away enthused

And it´s as solid as a rock rolling down a hill,

the fact is that it probably will hit something

on the hazardous terrain

And we´re just following the flock around

and in-between

before we´re smashed to smithereens

like they were

then we scramble from the blame

And it, the fame that put words in her mouth,

she couldn´t help but spit them out,

innocence and arrogance entwined,

in the filthiest of minds.

She was bitten on her birthday and now,

a face in the crowd she´s not

and I suspect that now forever the shape

she came to escape is forgot

And it´s a lot to ask her not to sting and give,

her less than everything,

around your crooked conscience she will wind.

******

And Alex can also create something even more intimate, less traditional, pleasurably mind-blowing as "505".

This particular version on BBC Radio 1 (live) is rendered by a still amazingly young but more mature Alex. So the English are phlegmatic and too cool? I only feel passion and longing in the words and his voice. Brilliant.

The lyrics, like a dialogue or a letter, connect the lovers with simpler words.

*505*

I´m going back to 505,

If it´s a 7 hour flight or a 45 minute drive,

In my imagination you´re waiting, lying on your side,

with your hands between your thighs.

Stop and wait a sec,

oh, when you look at me like that my darling,

What did you expect,

I probably still adore you with your hand around my neck,

Or I did last time I checked,

Not shy of a spark

A knife twists at the thought that I should fall short of the mark,

Frightened by the bite though it´s not harsher than the bark,

Middle of adventure, such a perfect place to start,

I´m going back to 505,

If it´s a 7 hour flight or a 45 minute drive,

In my imagination you´re waiting, lying on your side,

with your hands between your thighs, and a smile.

But I crumble completely when you cry,

It seems like once again you´ve had to greet me with goodbye,

I´m always just about to go and spoil a surprise,

Take my hands off of your eyes too soon.



WHO IS ALEX TURNER ANYWAY?

Well, I could write his bio and provide comments on his voice, his talent for composition of lyrics, his unique traits as a frontman, his flair for style, his mates in the band, his girlfriend, Alexa Chung, his pal and singing partner, talented Miles Kane. But I won´t.

So what am I going to write about, I wonder?

INTRODUCING ALEX TURNER : A caricature that honours the singer and deserves public praise

I guess that some fine day Mr. Alex Turner will get a chance to see this caricature. It was magnificently created and performed by FEROL, an amazing artist and a friend of mine. He embraces concept art and graphic design. If you want to explore his talent, go to http://www.ferolcreations.com/ .

Before I requested his services, I kept wondering how Alex would look in a caricature. If someone would be capable of a good rendering. Ferol´s unique approach left me speechless. Not only does he focus on the singer´s distinctive features but also on his expression and body language. My praises to my friend, the artist ...