THE SITTING TENANTS: Austerity Street - the musical!

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1.	Austerity Street - the scene is set..... 03:22	lyrics	buy track
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 credits from The Sitting Tenants - Songs for a musical (demos etc), released June 2, 2022 WRITTEN BY ROB DADY (c) 2019 on 208 RECORDS From The Sitting Tenants album 'a kitchen sink drama....' released on 208 RECORDS thesittingtenants.bandcamp.com/releases
2.	Fings ain't wot they used to be in 2022 02:27	lyrics	buy track
FINGS AIN'T WOT THEY USED TO BE in 2022! 1 There's blokes in tracksuit trousers Crack dens in council houses & things ain't wot they used to be..... And girls with dodgy tattoos, glued to phones will bad news & things ain't wot they used to be..... BRIDGE we used to have fun, larking about putting the world to rights now we're done, nothing but fights evryone mad on twitter daily 2 we used to love all rock n roll till simon cowell, he killed it all & things ain't wot they used to be..... when pubs & clubs were always full one by one they closed em all & things ain't wot they used to be..... we used to dress up, gadding about friday & saturday nights now no-ones going out you need a bank loan for a good week's holiday 3 let's hope one day we'll get it back round & round our favourite track & things ain't wot they used to be..... until the great day comes around we'll club in for one last round & things ain't wot they used to be..... & things ain't wot they used to be.....
3.	Our name in the paper 04:07	lyrics	buy track
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 credits from The Sitting Tenants - Songs for a musical (demos etc), released June 2, 2022
4.	Stealin' apples on Sunday 02:52	lyrics	buy track
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
5.	The Immediate Sect - Unlucky man 03:54	lyrics	buy track
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
6.	The man of the people 03:56	lyrics	buy track
The man of the people will always let you down the man of the people, he may come to your town He'll get in the way, he'll knock on your 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've seen 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 telling 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 then, he'll make out he's like me & you it won't take too long to find he's a stranger to the truth the man of the people is never all he seems but, he's the man of the people credits from The Sitting Tenants - Songs for a musical (demos etc), released June 2, 2022
7.	An existence 03:33	lyrics	buy track
An existence D/C/G/A7 I haven't any time left, I'm too tired from my day Routine, boring existence, I can barely pay my way I'm stripped of all ambition, my hope gone down a hole They say this is democracy, but we never have control CHORUS B/A/D/E It's an existence, & here I'll stay we're all left here like cattle, no ambition fight or voice so many scared to speak out they're so used to have no choice but who would do the menial jobs that make the country flow? When it comes to fairness the management don't know MID 8 I can only dream of my own home no hope & nothing left to show No further education, not a chance to risk the debt scores of people applying for a job just one can get so here I am in a menial job & this is where I'll stay I can't afford an escape, nothing better anyway CHORUS It's an existence, & here I'll stay (c) ROB DADY 2022
8.	Stand up, the working class 04:23	lyrics	buy track
STAND UP, STAND UP, THE WORKING CLASS So many are caught out, so many are done promises broken when batlle is won if you are poor, don't be sick, old or young but pick a red rose come the springtime Pay 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 red flag come the springtime no chance 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 for care for the old and don't 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 a food bank, you're a victim of spite a Victorian asylum, 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
9.	I can feel it 02:44	lyrics	buy track
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 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 the future's 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 we walk down ronnie lane where the buntings in the air it floats on the breeze then falls 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 well i can feel it
10.	Little acorns 03:08	lyrics	buy track
Little acorns 1: G/A7/F/G We gather more & more, and rush outside the door & not look back, theres hope in where we're going & not to look around with feet firm on the ground not ignoring what goes on & what they're saying CHORUS Em/A7/Bb/G hey now, we're no longer being fleeced is what we're saying hey, now, its time to give the sign that we're not playing 2: before they make us run, to our heads they'll need a gun & not hold up our hands & say OK then lets stand firm & let 'em know as fair protest starts to grow & hold 'em to account because we're staying CHORUS hey now...... >>>>>BREAK<<<<< MID 8 Fm/Bb/Em >> Fm/Bb/D we'll get together, not hide indoors say we're not being fleeced no more 3: we're not making way, in the streets we'll have our say and gather all the people here affected & show the iron will not swallowing their pill & no one giving up till they're rejected CHORUS hey now...... CODA g/f >> g/c/g7
11.	Performed by Roundabout - (Don't Tell Me) What The Neighbours Say 03:21	lyrics	buy track
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
12.	Negative equity 04:23	lyrics	buy track
NEGATIVE EQUITY 1 C#m F#m B7 E all alone, this cold shell was our home, my wife left for her mums the other day C#m F#m B B7 We bought our home – but now we're both alone we lost control - its gonna be took away CHORUS A/G/F/E7 I'm in negative equity the bank is coming after me so many bills to pay they're gonna take my roof away, but, I cant afford this broken heart cant afford to get the car to start not just the car thats broken down my whole world has run aground BRIDGE 1: C/Bb/F/G you will see people looking down at me, though I know, C/Bb/G they're all in the same boat 2 where will I go, id really like to know a working man who the system has brought down ive got my job, but overtimes not enough my wages spent the day before im paid CHORUS I'm in negative equity, nothing left there now for me we all used the wrong way to vote, we'll all soon be in the same boat this country has turned upside down at the mercy of those heartless clowns now your chin is stuck to your chest & your told that its for the best BRIDGE 2: C/Bb/G 3 All alone, my sorrow in a song what can I do, there's nothing more to say that money spent was best used on a tent & find a pitch to spend the rest of my days CHORUS I'm in negative equity....... (c) rob dady 2022
13.	I won't let you go 03:16	lyrics	buy track
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
14.	Tickled pink 02:44	lyrics	buy track
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
15.	Look after her 02:23	lyrics	buy track
LOOK AFTER HER Well, I don't care, if every days the same Well I don't care, if I'm the one to blame I'm there for her, she's my world for me to love all that I know, is that 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 love 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
16.	Performed by The Immediate Sect - Angel 04:06	lyrics	buy track
angel (1) I`ve been thinking lately sunny day nice way to spend my time have a day being lazy off the road looking up to the sunshine i dream a dream of you 100 times when i have a cup of tea theres no way we'll 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 a nice room so we can be alone chorus i`ve been thinking lately together we can spend the rest of our lives and it dont sound so crazy life of fun it's always springtime birds of a feather, we`ll be staying here together till we both fall off the tree till that time we're never alone chorus words & music ROB DADY 2006 (C) not to be reproduced without permission

about

Austerity Street

A musical for today.......

Great Britain 2022, a small town, anywhere. (PLEASE NOTE: lyrics attached to each song link)

A Romeo & Juliet of working class England. a West Side Story with a modern day Oliver Twist. A tale of despair, then hope......

1. Austerity Street -
A sink estate - The tyranny of this 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. Arthur is a bright young working class man with the odds stacked against him.........

2. Fings ain't wot they used to be in 2022
(An updated, cynical update on a Lionel Bart masterpiece).
A vacuous world, where people try to present themselves as something they are not. 'Fake news & tattoos'. Arthur sees the people surrounding him; he doesn't like what he sees. The is no community & the collective spirit has gone. Arthur has been told about the heyday of the thinking working class; he now knows there has been better & these times can come again. He thinks back to his childhood; he is a bright lad, but has had no advantages in life; he had been a looked after kid.

3. Our name in the paper

Arthur was taken into care as a child. He is now a young man in his early 20's who has grown up the hard way; his mum could not cope & he has never known his father, he became a looked after kid. 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.

4. Stealin' apples on Sunday

Arthur gets into scrapes as a young bloke before he was taken from his mum & the brothers were put in care.

5. A most unlucky man

Arthur can't get a niche in life, he comes from nothing, & seems to find nothing but knockbacks, but keeps trying.

6. The man of the people

Arthur meets a politician, he appears to have the solution, but it appears he only cares for his votes and his career – Arthur realizes he will have make his own headway.

7. An existence

Arthur came out of the chidren's home to make his own way in life. He lives in a rented room; he manages to pay bills (just); he has no family, he can't afford the things in life that make it worthwhile, despite the sunny world portrayed on TV adverts & social media which so many aspire to, but so few can afford.

8. Stand up, the working class – Arthur meets Sandra; a feisty, driven young activist & a kindred spirit. Their world suddenly feels a better place!

9. I can feel it

Arthur & Sandra get out and about as a couple. This is more like it! Their hopes grow; the feels better; they are in love, without even realising it.

10. Little Acorns

Arthur is encouraged by young people's activism; they are the ones bearing the brunt of the mess made by the establishment. A meeting in the pub after work with those who really care prompts fair protest. The young take to the streets in this & many other towns. Something is happening.

11. Don't tell me what the neighbours say

Of course, there is always a down side; the dreaded day when Arthur meets Sandra's parents. They are snobbish aspirant middle class Little Englanders. They don't want Arthur around their daughter – they want her to to follow a safe, corporate path; they see Arthur as a bad influence.

12. I won't let you go

They are made for each other despite their different backgrounds – but together, they feel they are making a difference; the world seems to be a better place; their activism grows, despite the objections of Sandra's parents.

13. Tickled pink - they move in together! OK, they have a glorified bedsit it a dowdy part of town, but they are together & that makes their world.

14. Look after her - no-one can keep Arthur & Sandra apart now; their togetherness brings a future & hope which they wish to bring to so many other young people like them.

15. Angel - The finale' – There is hope in their togetherness & in the collective of like minded young people. LOVE CONQUERS ALL!!!!

AUSTERITY STREET was written by Rob Dady and Geoff Allwright (c) 208 RECORDS 2022

credits

released December 5, 2022

All songs by Rob Dady except where credited**etc

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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