Speak & Spell

I’d been recommended some free plug-ins for DAWs. One of these plug-ins emulated synths from yesteryear that were bizarrely nostalgia inducing. Which led me down a path to a sort-of retro style song. It’s possibly anachronistic: I didn’t check my research into sound or lyric veracity in this regard.

Anyway, it’s about stuff that happened in the 80s (or not, if I’ve got it mangled). Not entirely happy with the balance of frippery and politik – will need to sort later. [Edit: also check whether I’ve strayed too close to Calvin Harris’ lyric from the song of a similar name – I think it’s different but I keep singing his, much funkier, version 😐] Probably needs one of those chorus bits adding too.

Chase Bit 01, Sequential Circuits Six-Trak and Drumtraqs, Korg Poly 800 emulators appear, with other related noises inc. Matthew & Michelle vocal synths.

Lyrics

Listen: this is how we did it in the eighties
Driving round rewinding tape took ages
Waking up the neighbours with our mix tape
Look at us now

Listen: this is how we did it in the eighties
Jailing Nelson ’cos he was the wrong race
Whistle from the rooftop ‘cos they’re ladies
Look at us now

Eighties
This is what it was like in the eighties
Eighties
This is what I sound like in the eighties

Ripping up the coal mine
Paying Sid’s mates
Get on your bike
Take a hike
There’s nothing left for you here
Lennon dies
Marvin dies
Marley dies
The witch survives
It’s a grim time