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The Sitting Tenants - Songs for a musical (demos etc)

by The Sitting Tenants

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1.
Austerity Street Here society has failed, no homes, poor jobs, it's such a grim tale They are so young yet look so old nowhere to go but they must leave, left in the path of Tory greed who lead by con tricks & deceit. On Austerity Street, never get the chance to make ends meet Not going to get the chance to succeed, not complicated - you voted for it all yourselves O to dream! and dream we must, this drudgery no boom all bust work conditions are rotten, grim & foul we can dream how life should be, we've seen the adverts on TV all that's left for them is but a dream On Austerity Street, never get the chance succeed You're being conned 'cos it's your votes they need, not complicated - you voted for it all yourselves look round and around, then down & down down, down, look around they tell you immigration's to blame, it ruins the country going down the drain, but not the system that's all wrong good things from life, you'll never get, with zero hours & excessive rent and never make anything of themselves on Austerity Street
2.
OUR NAME IN THE PAPER Intro: Dmaj7>Cmaj7 1: Em F#m Don't ask me who my father was I never knew his name don't judge me for what my mother does And shout she's on the game G Gm nights alone in a freezing terrace D F#m wait for my mum to get home Em A she goes straight upstairs Dmaj7>Cmaj7 I'm left alone 2: front page of the paper says my mum's been done again local people judge me just the same as if I were to blame It's not as if we have anyone and it's a crying shame i'm cold I shiver and I'm scared every day's the same MID 8 F>G F>Bb>A7 People look as if were me & say that I'm no good or amount to anything as if I thought I could 3: SOLO to bridge People living in glass houses are still chucking stones i've got no one, I'm so alone 3: I go to school with holes in my shoes as if I had a choice. No one there I can talk to or lend a friendly voice I can't get used to bloody noses I can't stand & fight with no one home for me at night (c) ROB DADY 2021
3.
QPR AWAY Did you have to show me things I hadn’t got Did they turn you into something I was not? A Swindon top today, then its QPR away Did you really need those things I haven't got? Well your mum & dad had money, that’s true Well, me dad couldn’t work, his lungs were black & blue We’d struggle through the week In a house so short of heat, Would I have swapped with you? That’s one thing I wouldn’t do I wouldn’t swap anything from then, When we grew up on that street But reminisce at the laughs we had, If we were by chance to meet Time has flown, things have changed, it’s true I’m a doer & I made some dreams come true It’s so easy to say, I was spurred along the way But as time goes by I learned a thing or two. © 2007 ROB DADY
4.
A letter from an old friend Be nice to see you, so good to see the sunshine so fine to see you & have some time at home well, how do you do? are you keeping well as ever so much to tell you in the time before I go we can make the time to stay up late you're the gravy on my plate, I've missed you so nice to see you, I could stay here for the summer so fine to see you, and no rush to get away what do you do? what's it like in your world since I saw you, are people as they say? you're the sunlight shining through changed my sky from grey to blue, I've missed you And it's no laughing matter, I hear you say you took a whirlwind path, me in the way I used to need you, I was under the weather it would be true to say how sad to let you go before I lst you, I could lose my grip forever but now I tell you, I'm vack where I belong I've sipped the bitterness & blinked through tears What's been happening all these years? I've missed you
5.
STEALING APPLES ON SUNDAY 2006(C) (1) OUR KID HE`S SO LOVELY BUTTER WOULDN`T MELT ARGUE WITH HIS BROTHER THEY`D GIVE EACH OTHER A BELT WE KNOW HE`S NO ANGEL, WOULDN`T HAVE HIM ANOTHER WAY HAD AN EYE FOR THE LADIES ALTHOUGH HE`D ALWAYS STRAY (CHORUS) STEALIN APPLES ON SUNDAY NEVER DID NO HARM STEALIN HEARTS STEALIN KISSES WAS ALWAYS PART OF HIS CHARM BRIDGE: SITTIN IN THE PUB ON SUNDAY, THE WEATHERS FINE SITTIN FEELIN ROSEY, WITH A GIRL, ON HIS MIND (2) HE`S THE SPIT OF HIS FATHER EVEN THOUGH HE`S GONE BEEN SUSPECTED FOR EVERYTHING THO HE NEVER DONE WRONG LATE IN FOR HIS TEA HE'LL BE THE DEATH OF HIS MUM CHEAP BEER & CIGARETTES ITS PART OF HIS FUN (CHORUS) STEALIN APPLES ON SUNDAY NEVER DID NO HARM STEALIN HEARTS STEALIN KISSES WAS ALWAYS PART OF HIS CHARM
6.
Kevin's at the bus stop He stares at chimney pots He ain't got no money And his drinking never stops On The Park Road Where you drive through, and don't stop 2 Charlie's in the bookies Trying to take grey from his skies Carries the cares of his world In the bags beneath his eyes On the Park Road Where there's boarded rows of shops Made from vandalized breeze blocks And the telly never off, you can hear the smokers cough On the Park Road If this is prosperity we have Tell the folks that live there they've been had On the Park Road Jade screams at her daughter she curses her so loud A baby whilst a schoolgirl Just to keep in with her crowd On the Park Road There is no future, can't get away On the Park Road Where you'll be gripped and you will stay So Jade peers into her bag A plastic lighter, roll up fag On the Park Road People there wear track suits all their lives It's plain to see they never exercise On the Park Road Marge lives on her pension Her old man gave her the push the future once looked rosy when they moved from Sheppard's Bush On the Park Road, where the old can't get about On the Park Road, and the moneys all run out So give three cheers & leave 'em be I don't want them living by me On the Park Road
7.
A KIND OF LOVING 1 There she sits, down by the river By that tree in the shade A daisy in her hair, nearby the lane An English beauty, she's kind of cute, She's got her day off with me A magnet from that girl's Got a pull on me Now she wants to have my baby And our lives won't be the same I'll make my bed all good & ready & I'll have to play the game 2 The world ain't perfect, It's full of contradictions, but I'm doing the best I can There's folk worse off than me I can understand It don't look too bad So good to be together And it ain't a ball and chain If I could do it again, I'd do the same!!
8.
Stay in touch 1 Summer time, the weather's fine Hazy days & easy ways I don't care about fresh air We'll stay indoors without a care It means so much too stay in touch these days No-one seems to find the time anyway 2 I went downstairs, & I made some tea But the man in the mirror didn't look like me I rubbed my eyes, what did I see If I can't beleive in you, could you beleive in me? 3 You might think, I've been let down I disappered & run to ground I'll tell you something It's strange but true, it bothered me But never bothered you
9.
Market Street Time again to find some peace of mind, Cares and worries can be left behind, When you go, walking down Market Street. Voices singing in a local bar, Someone strumming on an old guitar, When you go, walking down market street Chorus: Market Street is such a lovely place to be, Stepping out on a starry night, As the moonlight dances on the sea You can wander on the sunny side, Catching glimpses of the ebbing tide, When you go, walking down Market Street. Doesn’t matter if it’s rain or shine, Take a stroll you’ll be feeling fine, When you go, walking down Market Street Sometimes you’ve got to get away, And find a better place to stay, A little time just to be free, So I’m going down to Market Street, To watch the sunset on the sea Keep on smiling though the skies are grey, Wishing I could be here everyday, When I go, walking down Market Street, Taking shelter as the raindrops fell, Never want to have to say farewell, When I go, walking down Market Street
10.
The charity shop In a row of terraced houses If you walk behind the High Street Lies a shop where footfall fears to tread A broken sigh, dirty & faded apologises that you made it here Come inside & be prepared They're all standing there, leaning all ways Gathering dust a sad display On the walls broken pictures & cracked mementoes Left from lives where no-one remains You can buy some pleated trousers Frayed hemlines on shiny blouses A demob suit in chestnut brown A cloudy mirror on a painted shelf A dog eared book, the front page missing says, 'help us us & help yourself' An old lady at the side of the room The radio buzzes through the gloom Her mug of tea is freshly made Sorting through donated dishes Chips to the side, cup handles missing Her price gun says it's worth one pound
11.
A MOST UNLUCKY MAN 1: THERE`S NO DENYING, NO USE LYING I`M NOT A LUCKY MAN I`M ON THE RACK, NO TURNING BACK IT`S JUST THE WAY I AM CHORUS DON`T YOU KNOW THERES NO PRIZES PAID FOR COMING BOTTOM OF THE LEAGUE DID YOU KNOW, THERES NO PRIZES MADE FOR DISAPPOINTING ALL YOU SEE 2: NO ILLUSION, SAVE CONFUSION THERE'S NO MASTERPLAN I`M RUNNING BACK, THERES NO ATTACK I`M ALWAYS IN A JAM CHORUS DID YOU KNOW GETTING KNOCKED BACK IS MY TRADE ALL THE HEARTACHE MAKES ME BLEED DID YOU KNOW, IF THERES A CHOICE THERE TO BE MADE I`LL TURN THE WRONG CARD, DON’T YOU SEE 3: THERE`S NO WAY BACK, NOWHERE TO FALL BACK NOW I DON`T CARE A DAMN THE TROUBLE BREWED BLACKENED MY MOOD NOW I JUST, LET IT STAND I DON`T CARE FOR THE PEOPLE I USED TO SEE THEY DON’T MATTER MUCH TO ME I DON’T CARE FOR THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY MADE NOW I `M RUNNING AWAY FROM ME [C} ROB DADY 2008
12.
The tin man 03:14
The Tin Man The locals call him the Tin Man, And he sits in the town everyday, Drinking cheap cider and swearing, People keep out of his way. He used to work in the tin mine, Until the day it shut down, 35 years of toil and sweat, All for nothing And it finished the town. So he sings for some cash when he’s sober, In the square where the local bus stops, There’s a bookies and some boarded up buildings, Half a dozen charity shops. His wife and children had left him, The drinking got out of hand, Done his best, but what can you do When you can’t pay your way, Or walk like a man. So he parks his chair in the precinct, Drinking as the traffic rolls by, They’re on their way to their holiday homes, And the Tin Mine Museum nearby I guess we’ve all seen a Tin Man, He’s there on a street near you, And if you’re anything like me, You’ll hurry on by, without catching his eye But if you talk to the Tin Man, He’s got plenty to say, The life that he leads could be me or you, It’s only a paycheque away. So listen up to the Tin Man, He’s got something to share, Its’s a story of some proud working men, Lost in a world That just doesn’t care
13.
The man of the people The man of the people will always ley you down the man of the people, he may come to your town He'll get in the way, he'll knock on you door when he's got enough, you won't see him anymore the man of the people is never all he seems the man of the people will tell you what you need the man of the people will say you're a friend indeed when the going gets tough, and you look around he's not where you saw him, he's gone to ground the man of the people is never what he seems he tells you what you need him for he will tell you everything you need & tell a lie as a half baked truth , saying I am everything you see the man of the people is gonna bring you down the man of the people is indifferent to your fate the man of the people won't give, but he will take & he'll make out he's like me & you it don't take too long to find he's a stranger to the truth the man of the people is never all he seems He's the man of the people
14.
STAND UP, STAND UP, THE WORKING CLASS So many are caught out, so many been done promises broken when batlle is won if your poor, don't be sick, old or young but pick the red rose come the springtime Pat excessive rent for a place you can't own don't lose your job, in the street you'll be thrown no options left, not a chance to re-grow best fly the flag come next springtime no chances in life, if born poor you'll die poor you'll be a cash cow for the rich to make more who charge through the nose to care for the old & never care how they treat them and you've heard, all their words they act civilised to hide their greed this gap from the rich is a 30's revival the best you can do is hope for survival you're told it's because you're dumb that you're poor but you don't have to be smart to be wealthy a zero hours job, where you're treated like dirt no chance to progress, or make yourself heard in freezing cold weather, running low on food a payday loan until wednesday turn on the telly, you're condemned as a type if you use food banks, you're a victim of spite a Victorian sylum, brought back to life to be laughed at by the wealthy we are what's left of the proud working class we think of others, take the greedy to task we must make the change soon, as all things must pass fair society for the needy
15.
The dustman 02:51
Cold, dark most mornings, frosty air about the place at the beginning of another weary day each moments brings his past life - the things he' left behind there's his old flame & a child but not their face Takes a look at his life, which he sees without a mirror he's a dustman now, with debris left behind as he pulls on work boots, walks past his degree framed by the window locks the door on the world he left behind there once was a day when the sun shone so brightly now there's nothing there but chaos left behind as he picks up the junk, he thinks of the small town sees the faces of people left behind sat in the truck with blank faces of his workmates with thoughts of failure & wasted time
16.
I can feel it (1) with you by my side i dont need a place to hide i wont run away tho i`m always in the way when i look at you you`re the one who makes my world cos you got all i need a smile, a heart to please chorus well i can feel it,i can feel it cos i know you`re my world i`m so glad that you`re my girl (2) the futures looking good and each seasons there for us to walk on the green as its all we`d ever need cos lifes a holiday and thats why the birds all sing as the trees become green as their colour spreads its wings well i can feel it,i can feel it etc......... (3) we walk down ronnie lane and the buntings in the air to float on the breeze then fall down like autumn leaves when i look at you you`re the one who makes my world cos you got all i need a smile, a heart to please
17.
It seems to me, you're the fresh air in my breeze I'm no liar, I won't pretend let's make a pact, I'm not putting on an act there's a great time for us both to spend so stick around, you're the best thing in this town starring in our play that never ends we're gonna laugh as we walk along life's path an open door good fortune sends Well, I won't let you go, Well, I won't let you go again You'll be my girl, we'll avoid that social whirl I'm the one on who you can depend you are lovely, you are fun, and you just may be the one so I will tell you once again there's no looking for another there's no point to even try Well, I won't let you go, Well, I won't let you go again
18.
Tickled pink 02:44
Tickled pink You know she’s waiting there for me Can’t believe my luck Don’t you agree? One look from her is all it takes I am the pip, and She’s the grape I gave her the time of day, Now we’re on our way I’m tickled pink So kitchen sink You know I wanted her What does she see in me? I never think of getting old Ask how I am, I say As good as gold Don’t you know? Ain’t it plain to see? That I am her, And she is me We’re going to rent out a small house Not very much, Two up and two down We add together every wage, And in good time We’re on our way
19.
Don't tell me what the neighbours say Won't you tell me what the neighbours say with the curtains twitching night & day stick the cat out all night long life is sweet but smells so strong 8'o'clock, they're gathered round the TV tuned in specially for the lottery ever hoping for their lives to change but 8:01 it's still the same here we are, here we stay, the telly's black & white, the future's grey Don't tell me what the neighbours say Clarence in the doorway with his cigarette He's 41, but he's not left home yet spends his Lazy Sundays in the pub & contemplates his life alone in the bathtub Oh how they long to be different so tired of playing that same old game they all wake up with one hand in the Disprin a face in the crowd, a man with no name
20.
NORMAN NORMAL (1) GOOD MORNING MR NORMAL C/F/Am/G ARE YOU SET UP FOR THE DAY? GOOD MORNING NORMAN NORMAL YOUR WIFE IS ILL THEY SAY.... YOUR HOUSE SEEMS VERY EMPTY Am/D7 SINCE THE KIDS GREW UP & FLOWN Am/G7/E7 IT DONT LOOK GOOD FOR MRS NORMAL NOW.... (2) GOOD MORNING MR GROWN UP WITH YOUR STERN UNSMILING WAY DID YOU KNOW MR NORMAL CAN BE RUTHLESS SO THEY SAY? MRS N SAID SHE WOULD LEAVE HIM IF HE STAYED IN THIS GREY TOWN BUT HE`S STILL HERE, & SOON SHE WILL BE GONE BREAK WHEN MRS N IS HISTORY & THE INSURANCE MAN HAS CALLED & HE`LL TAKE CARE OF MR NORMAL NOW... (3) HELLO THERE MR NORMAL I SEE YOU`VE CHEERED SO SOON WHERE YOU GOING NORMAN NORMAL DID YOU KNOW WE THINK OF YOU? AMIDST BIBLICAL ANTIQUITIES WHERE WILD SEEDS ARE SOWN A YOUNG GIRL CALLS HIM UNCLE NORMAN NOW...... (C) rob dady 2007
21.
THE TRADESMAN: All I think is how my life went wrong I stop & think, why so down, so long? I step outside though I no longer smoke She finished with me, it's no longer a joke No football on, since the thunder fell Then rain stopped play, I'm as tired as hell I'd go for a pint, but the pub shut down I need some change, I need to leave this town Half past eight, outside cold & dark I turn the key, but the van won't start I forgot my phone, but don't expect a call My flask has has leaked, there's tea spilled over the floor I can't replace you in my mind I need to leave that world behind I can't move on although I try
22.
THE MOST OF THE WEATHER It's such a rainy day, but I'll sneak out anyway to try & make the most of the weather I'm gonna take my time I've worked hard to call it mine & make the moment last forever Leave the front door to the banks of the shore leave the sunshine behind I'll take my leave by the next bus you see greyness out of mind What else could I do? I need to start anew forget moments we had together there are no words to say from last year to yesterday that look you gave said now or never though I miss you so Just how much, you'll never know I had to let go, always I look forward now you've gone I'm down, but not for long somewhere to live start to forget him I felt alone when we spoke on the phone so needed to hold you near I won't backtrack, there's no taking you back that would be insincere
23.
I would never hide from anything would you pleasee drop me a line? I will make some time to tell you what I want is clear; it's everything as you know my love is dear I long to hold you near, show me the way In time to come, you'll be leaving me the sign to show that is that enough? I'll make you mine, I'll hold out I want to call, & see you everyday woud you please spare me the time so I can say how much I love you tho' I would be destroyed in every way you see I like a laugh & joke I'll tell you now Love is an old photograph away sometimes it never seems enough yhe point is that it shows I love you that is all, there's nothing else to say please sit tight & take your time and do what it takes for us I'll show you how
24.
The test match Sometimes I know there's no use saying there is no use in hanging round sometimes, it's no good I am saying sometimes the whole thing gets me down Life can feel so rough when you think you've had enough cracking walls, unsightly bumps this is no playground, it's a dump Outside, unclear, my head is raging them pills had no effect at all I'm looking out the window saying it's time to turn & face the wall I can sit all day, hoping the world will go away but my shed is here to stay making everything OK It must be time to give up playing I come & go, nothing here, then go away It's my shed I spend my days in no one to order me around it's up to me, so I am staying I'm cut adrift from those around I sit here all day, hoping rain won't stop play in my shed all is OK, tomorrow's just another day What can keep me near to the things I hold dear I'm going to make it very clear it'll be time to disappear.
25.
MY EVERYDAY WINDOW ON THE WORLD WHERE YOU CAN SEE, NOTHING CAN BE HEARD AUTUMN LEAVES, THEY FALL FROM THE SKY & STRANGERS MAKE THE DAY GO BY (1) SEE YOUR FACE IN THE BOWL WHEN I`M DOING THE WASHING UP BUT YOU`RE NOT THERE BUT YOU`RE NOT THERE (2) SEE YOUR FACE IN THE MUG WHEN DRINKING FROM MY COFFEE CUP BUT YOU`RE NOT THERE BUT YOU`RE NOT THERE (3) SEE YOUR FACE IN THE CROWD WHEN WALKING ROUND THE MORNING SHOPS BUT YOU`RE NOT THERE BUT YOU`RE NOT THERE CHORUS: ITS NOT TOO LATE, I SEE YOU EVERYWHERE & HOW ITS NOT TOO LATE I SAY GOODBYE AGAIN FOR NOW <<<<<<<<<SOLO>>>>>>> CHORUS: ITS NOT TOO LATE, I SEE YOU EVERYWHERE & HOW ITS NOT TOO LATE I SAY GOODBYE AGAIN FOR NOW (4) NEVER KNEW IN OUR TIME I`D WAKE ONE DAY TO FIND YOU GONE BUT YOU`RE NOT THERE BUT YOU`RE NOT THERE (5) NEVER KNEW THAT ONE DAY I`D PLAY HIDE & SEEK & FIND YOU GONE BUT YOU`RE NOT THERE BUT YOU`RE NOT THERE >>>>>>CHORUS>>>>> (6) NOW I KOW ITS TODAY I NEED TO GET MY CRYING DONE BUT YOU`RE NOT THERE BUT YOU`RE NOT THERE
26.
ARTHUR & THE MATCHBOX (1) Arthur’s off out early & he’s back home late at night A/E7 There’s food stains on his sweatshirt & his trousers look a sight No use complaining at the life he’s got to live D/E/G/A7 He’s all alone, nothing to give D/E/G7 (2) Arthur’s got a matchbox & he clasps it right up tight If it’s not in his pocket it’s in his pillowcase at night Insides a photo of a girl that he once loved Art couldn’t let go & fell apart Chorus1 No dreams or thought about him going on the run B/E7/A/D No point in thinking of the things he should have done Cos his feet are on the ground what shall he do? C/B7 Mid8 & there’s no point thinking every days the same Bflat/Eflat No point being pulled in by a chain A couple of beers then sleep Bflat/Am solo (3) Arthur wakes up upside down, his pillows on the floor Last night had too much to drink, And then he drank some more He’d seen the girl he loved with a pram outside his door It got too much for him, that’s all Chorus2 No time to think too much There’s a future there to come He thinks of his old man Just what would he have done? Make a life with his ex-girl, that’s what he’ll do Good old Arthur etc……… © rob dady 2007
27.
TROUBLES I KNOW YOUR DOWN & YOU`VE BEEN MESSED AROUND YOU NEED TO TALK YOUR TROUBLES THROUGH ITS PLAIN TO SEE YOU CAN COUNT ON ME I SEE JUST WHAT YOU`RE GOING THROUGH I THINK OF YOU COS I HAVE BEEN THERE TOO I TOOK MUCH MORE THAN I COULD GIVE SO DONT BE DOWN I WILL POP AROUND & WE`LL GO OUT & HAVE SOME BEERS I KNOW ITS SUCH A TROUBLE LIVING BUT THERES MORE COLOUR THAN BLUE I`LL WRITE A SONG & YOU CAN PLAY ALONG BECAUSE YOUR MATES LOOK AFTER YOU
28.
Well, I don't care, if everythings the same Well I don't care, if I'm the one to blame I'm there fior her, she's my world for me to love all that I know, is I show how much I care when I get home Well, I don't care, if my work is all the same Well, I don't care, if my routine doesn't change I'm there for her, she's the one for me to lve I'm there for her, if it's the last thing that I do Look after her I'm not looking for another every time that we're apart she's on my mind I'm not looking for another everyday that we're together I feel fine You know I care, she's making everything alright You know I care, a sunny morning after night look after her, it's all I need to do look after her, because she made my dreams come true look after her
29.
angel (1) I`ve been thinking lately sunny day nice way to spend my time have a day being lazy off the road lookin up to the sunshine i dream a dream of you 100 times when i have a cup of tea theres no way we can leave each other alone chorus so sleep tight once again my angel lookin down on me sleep tight lay your head my angel it is so obvious i dream a dream of you 1000 times before i go to sleep because i know we wont be alone mid 8 if its sunny at the weekend we can go to the coast book a nice room so we can be alone break chorus i`ve been thinking lately together we can spend the rest of our lives and it dont sound so crazy life of fun in total springtime birds of a feather, we`ll be staying here together till we both fall off the tree thats the time when we`re never alone chorus words & music ROB DADY 2006(C) not to be reproduced without permission
30.
Rainy days, soon it will be snowing Keep out the cold while it pours down Stay indoors, keep the hot drinks flowing, then I'll batten the hatches down Then you hit me like a hurricane, bowled me over like a tidal wave I must have missed you when the mist was falling down When the weather's bad, I couldn't care we'll sit the storm out in the house we share I must have missed you when the mist was falling down So it goes, when a fog has fallen you appeared in front of me a sunny ray, between the clouds has broken sometimes, I think that's all you need soon be spring, to lift the grey from daytime think of the colours springtimes bring we will see, the seasons melt together so what else would we all need?

about

A DRAFT OF SONGS WRITTEN FOR A MUSICAL DUE SOON! Austerity Street - A musical for today. Great Britain, a small town, anywhere 2022
SONG 1: AUSTERITY STREET. This sets the scene:
A tyrannical Tory Government, the Brexit shambles, the impact of Covid. Bills rising, the choice between heating & eating whilst earning a minimum wage with little job security. Unrest is in the air & the nation is divided.

SONGS: 2: OUR NAME IN THE PAPER 3: QPR AWAY 4: A LETTER FROM AN OLD FRIEND/5 STEALING APPLES ON SUNDAY
In the midst of this intolerance & disquiet, Arthur is a young man in his early 20's who has grown up the hard way. He has never known his father, & was taken into care as a child. He is an affable, intelligent feller, looking to make his way in life, but is faced by the obstacle of low wages, expensive housing, & no opportunity, other than that as a faceless factotum.
SONGS: 6: PARK ROAD
Arthur looks to the good things in life that cost nothing; he gets away from the gloom of the town by cycling to the countryside, & takes great comfort in the beauty of nature whilst pondering his future.
SONG: 7: A KIND OF LOVING 8: STAY IN TOUCH
It was on a Sunday afternoon when they first met. Sandra was the same age, with similar interests, from the same town, but their futures were prescribed for them in a completely different manner. You see, Sandra's family were the bona-fide Daily Mail reading, judgmental moral upholders of traditional true blue values. Sandra, however, was a caring, thinking modern young woman, with an eye not only on her future, but that of everyone, not just in her town, or even her country, but the whole world. Her parents were dismayed by this activism & support of Extinction Rebellion. This was compounded when a Facebook post showed Sandra with her new friend. Not only was he a fellow campaigner, & from humble stock, but, horror of horrors, young Arthur was a dustman.
SONGS: 9 MARKET STREET 10 THE CHARITY SHOP
Sandra & Arthur enjoy each other's company & ideals, the think back to their town in more prosperous accepting times. Whilst walking down the now dilapidated High Street, past the bookies, the vape shops, the boarded up buildings where even the charity shops have vacated.
SONG: THE TIN MAN 11: A MOST UNLUCKY MAN
They fall into a conversation with a man of late middle years who is down on his luck. He had worked in local industry which, since it closed left the man with no hope, except to busk songs of injustice, which fall on deaf ears of his fellow sufferers, who are happy simply to have someone to look down on.
SONG: 13: THE MAN OF THE PEOPLE
Continuing on their journey (1st date) they encounter a slick but vacuous local Parliamentary candidate who fakes interest in their environmental concerns to try and win their votes. A knowing glance between them suggests they know his real agenda.
SONG: 14: STAND UP THE WORKING CLASS
They need representation which reflects people's real needs.
SONG: 15 THE DUSTMAN
Arthur sees everyday life working on the bins. He sees what people throw away, sees what could be re-used, & sees the litter strewn streets, emblematic of a society that doesn't care & has given up.

SONG: 16 I CAN FEEL IT /17 I WON'T LET YOU GO/17 TICKLED PINK
The couple are idealistic & want to change things. They togetherness & burgeoning love makes them constantly in each other's company & life if great. It is time for Arthur to meet Sandra's family, with some trepidation.

SONG: 19 DON'T TELL ME WHAT THE NEIGHBOURS SAY
20 NORMAN NORMAL
Sandra's family try to appear civilised, but have many a skeleton in their cupboard which shows their true hypocrisy & greed. Her family are snobs; they don't want Arthur around their daughter; they don't like the look of him, their shared ideals, & are scared of him - they rerceive him as a bad influence, whilst finding her naive in attempting to rock the boat.

SONG: 21 THE TRADESMAN 22 THE MOST OF THE WEATHER 23 A PHOTOGRAPH AWAY 24 THE TEST MATCH
Arthur loses his job, he has been victimised for his activism, he sets up as a self emplyed jack of all trades, but times are tough. Sandra's parental opposition only compounds this & after a bitter argument, the relationship crumbles due to outside pressure. Their world is broken. Sandra takes a break in the Lake District, Arthur can only look at a photo of them together, they are both distraught. Arthur works on a community garden to fill the void, & sits in the shed there, as an escape.

SONG: 25 THE WORLD TO MYSELF

SONG: 26 ARTHUR & THE MATCHBOX
Arthur hasn't seen Sandra for months, she had stayed in the Lake Disrict. Sandra had kept arthur's photo in a locket ; Arthur kept a lock of hair in a matchbox which he keeps under a pillow. One Tuesday evening, there is a knock at Arthur's bedsit. He stumbles down the stairs; it is Sandra, pushing a pram. Shortly after they split, & Sandra moved away, she had found she was expecting Arthur's baby. She stayed in the Lake District throughout, sorry to be separated, but unable to see a future for them as a couple. The child is 3 months old & she had come to see him.

SONGS: 27 TROUBLES
There they sit, Arthur shocked, yet pleased. Sandra knows she should not have left without telling Arthur, but need to think, get away from parental pressure & find what is best. She wants Arthur back, they talk their troubles through & know they can make their new family work. Hooray!!

SONGS:28 LOOK AFTER HER 29 ANGEL
Suddenly, the world is a brighter place. They are together again, with a small child who they dote on; they rent a small house, Arthurs work is taking off and they scrape enough together to put a deposit on a small flat. Better days ahead, the couple are together, as they are soul mates & have a great future together.
30: Hurricane; the joy of planning their new life together!

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released June 2, 2022

Written by Rob Dady with Geoff Allwright (c) on 208 RECORDS. Additional songwriting credits given where needed.

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208 Record Shop UK

Compilations here feature acts on 208 RECORDS featuring mainly Mod/indie/retro influenced bands & artistes.
Individual albums from any acts featured can be found by following this link shop.208records.co.uk

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