I wrote this song to include in a play I was writing. Several other songs on this album had their genesis in that work. The play is unfinished. It was about a self destructive musician named Scratch. He was a fairly unsavory character, charismatic and gifter but an alcoholic, an opportunist and a misogynist. Not the sort of person you'd want to know really. I never finished the play but there are a handful of my songs that came from it. Some of the people mentioned in the song are real. Johnny with his broken neck is real. He played drums in a heavy rock band. He kept playing for three months with a broken neck, ignoring the pain. He wasn't aware that it was broken. He really is pure rock and roll and an admirable human being. Terry who throws eggs against the wall is real. He was a guy I knew back in artschool about 20 years ago. He was 50 then so he'd be getting on now. He told me that when he first left his childhood home he felt such freedom that when his friends told him to throw eggs against the wall he did and he felt a thrill as he watched the egg drip down the wall. It was his way of confirming that he didn't have any parental restrictions anymore. Funny story.
When I recorded this I was recovering from pneumonia (interesting co-incidence with the lyrics). It made my voice all high and thin. I like the sound though I didn't like the illness.
lyrics
Scratch
It's the last temptation
I'm first off the starting line
I've been in this house with pneumonia
Drinking coffee and biding my time
If I'm good to you
Will you be good to me too?
If I scratch your back
Will you love me like you do?
The harder that they come
The harder they will fall
The taller that the poppy gets
The more he feels so small
I'm looking for some poppies for to smoke
You're looking for some too
If I'm good to you tonight
Will you be good to me too?
Harry gets the dirty jobs
The Doctor isn't home
And Loretta she just wails all night
Like a dog without a bone
If I scratch your back
Will you love me like you do?
I'm so lonesome to the bone
I believe every word you say is true
Johnny's got his broken neck
He's pure rock and roll
Jenny keeps a man with her
To keep her from the cold
If I keep you close to me
Will you keep me close to you
If I scratch your back
Will you love me like you do
You can yell at me all morning
Come when you hear me call
Terry's got his ginger beer
Smashes eggs against the wall
There's a lot I've forgot about
And a lot that I can't forget
Bring your ears close to me
Understand that you ain't heard nothing yet.
credits
from Transfusion Blues,
released December 3, 2009
Written by Konrad Lenz
Konrad Lenz: vocals, guitars
Munro Melano: electric organ
The Painted Hearts have a sound that is like a cross between Bo Diddley and Lou Reed. One of the best bands I know. Great songs. Great sound - Konrad Lenz Konrad Lenz
The Wedded Bliss are a great band with a great songwriter/frontman in Randall Blair. His songs are honest, well crafted and touch a raw nerve. Fantastic stuff - Konrad Lenz Konrad Lenz
The Bodies, fronted by Liam McKahey from Ireland, are one of the best acts in Australia. I've seen these guys live and they're phenomenal. Liam's a first rate songwriter and this record is great. Konrad Lenz
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