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Jules Gray
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« on: August 04, 2018, 12:33:29 PM » |
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Amongst the many peculiarities in this song's lyric is the line "the fiddle bill goes on forever".
Why "the fiddle bill"? I presume this part is about Swarb.
Jules
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Now be thankful for good things below
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Staffan
Swedes stun easily
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Loc: Skärhamn, Sweden
"Always look on the bright side of life..."
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« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2018, 01:07:19 PM » |
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I’m happy I’m not the only one to have questions concerning the AD lyrics.  |
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" -Just a roll, just a roll..."
" -I was 16 now and full of life..."
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quodlibet (Ian)
Squeeze it, Eliseao
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Loc: Hereford. UK
In nīz bogzarad
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« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2018, 01:39:56 PM » |
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Amongst the many peculiarities in this song's lyric is the line "the fiddle bill goes on forever".
Why "the fiddle bill"? I presume this part is about Swarb.
Jules
Wasn't it a wry swipe at a manager who always got paid regardless of the band's income? |
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A Brittunculus is not such a bad thing to be.
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Malcolm
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« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2018, 01:52:58 PM » |
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Google research shows it to be a tune, much favoured by massed fiddle bands.
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Jules Gray
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« Reply #4 on: August 04, 2018, 03:39:32 PM » |
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Google research shows it to be a tune, much favoured by massed fiddle bands.
So was it a nickname for Swarb? A reference that he played all day long? A reference that he talked all day long? It can't be the manager, because then Swarb wouldn't have a section in the song. And the 5 foot 3 reference is surely him. Jules |
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mightyglydd
An electric train freak should have no problems
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Loc: Hollywood California
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« Reply #5 on: August 04, 2018, 03:54:15 PM » |
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FWIW, and maybe I'm way off base, perhaps the "fiddle bill" was a reference to the non stop quest to get the darn thing sounding decent on stage; without feedback. Contact mikes, acoustic bridges, we tried everything, even a visit to Fender in LA where they lent him a solid fiddle and asked for his opinion. AFAIR he told them it was 'less than stellar  ' , sounded halfway between a Jews Harp and a Mouth Organ. 'Electric fiddle' was pretty new back then and I recall whenever we met another band with a fiddle player, long conversations ensued and notes were compared. I can't remember how it was resolved but 'Violin R&D' was an ongoing project. |
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« Last Edit: August 04, 2018, 04:18:21 PM by mightyglydd »
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Jules Gray
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« Reply #6 on: August 04, 2018, 04:28:35 PM » |
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THE Mighty Glydd? We're honoured!
Anyway, I think you may just have nailed it. Thanks.
Jules
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Gareth (GWR71)
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« Reply #7 on: August 08, 2018, 11:53:13 PM » |
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It can't be the manager, because then Swarb wouldn't have a section in the song. And the 5 foot 3 reference is surely him.
It's been confirmed here before (by both Simon and TMG himself) that the Mighty Glydd was the band's then-tour manager, Robin Gee. The nickname comes from a Pete & Dud or Derek & Clive comedy sketch, if memory serves. And as road manager, he'd have been responsible for paying the fiddle bill! Swarb's the only band member not to get a namecheck, but he's also the only one to get to sing his section of the song in the first person. |
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Jules Gray
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« Reply #8 on: August 09, 2018, 01:08:14 AM » |
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It can't be the manager, because then Swarb wouldn't have a section in the song. And the 5 foot 3 reference is surely him.
It's been confirmed here before (by both Simon and TMG himself) that the Mighty Glydd was the band's then-tour manager, Robin Gee. The nickname comes from a Pete & Dud or Derek & Clive comedy sketch, if memory serves. And as road manager, he'd have been responsible for paying the fiddle bill! Swarb's the only band member not to get a namecheck, but he's also the only one to get to sing his section of the song in the first person. The '5 foot 3' part is deffo Swarb. I know about The Mighty Glydd (see above, he even posted in this thread), but that verse moves on to discuss Swarb, and then the "fiddle bill". Jules |
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Gouty (Gary)
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« Reply #9 on: August 09, 2018, 09:08:59 AM » |
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'Eggs, bread, cigs, milk...'
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Shane (Skirky)
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« Reply #10 on: August 09, 2018, 11:20:00 AM » |
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Has anyone asked The Mighty Glydd how tall he is?
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Everyone's from somewhere, baby - might as well be here.
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Shane (Skirky)
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« Reply #11 on: August 09, 2018, 11:23:02 AM » |
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It can't be the manager, because then Swarb wouldn't have a section in the song. And the 5 foot 3 reference is surely him.
Jules
The last verse, which begins with “I” is the Swarb section, isn’t it? |
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Everyone's from somewhere, baby - might as well be here.
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Jules Gray
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« Reply #12 on: August 09, 2018, 01:08:40 PM » |
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It can't be the manager, because then Swarb wouldn't have a section in the song. And the 5 foot 3 reference is surely him.
The last verse, which begins with “I” is the Swarb section, isn’t it? If that is the case then Swarb's barely in the song. Come on then, Glydd, how tall are you? Jules |
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Gareth (GWR71)
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« Reply #13 on: August 09, 2018, 01:56:52 PM » |
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If that is the case then Swarb's barely in the song
He's in it as much as Peggy is - half a verse! |
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Poor Will (Bill)
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« Reply #14 on: August 09, 2018, 01:58:46 PM » |
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Just think, in years to come we might be discussing “Our Bus Rolls On” like this.
Or maybe not!
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In the words of the Zen Master " Don't just do something, sit there"
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mightyglydd
An electric train freak should have no problems
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Loc: Hollywood California
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« Reply #15 on: August 09, 2018, 03:47:58 PM » |
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Come on then, Glydd, how tall are you?
Jules
5'8½", 6'2" with my fave Saturday night Lady Gaga spike heels. @Gouty @ Gareth..100% correct! |
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« Last Edit: August 09, 2018, 04:06:26 PM by mightyglydd »
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Jules Gray
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« Reply #16 on: August 09, 2018, 11:39:02 PM » |
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Come on then, Glydd, how tall are you?
5'8½", 6'2" with my fave Saturday night Lady Gaga spike heels. Thank you for answering such a personal question. Do the heels match the snow white trousseau? Anyway we now know for sure that the "5 foot 3" man is Mr Swarbrick. Jules |
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Shane (Skirky)
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« Reply #17 on: August 09, 2018, 11:53:32 PM » |
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Just think, in years to come we might be discussing “Our Bus Rolls On” like this.
Or maybe not!
“Now, let’s get this absolutely straight, because in fifty years people are going to be looking at this and we need to make sure it is completely critically and factually correct!” “Couldn’t we just make it scan..?” “Guards! Take him away!!” |
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Everyone's from somewhere, baby - might as well be here.
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David W
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« Reply #18 on: August 10, 2018, 09:41:56 AM » |
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Chris Leslie was asked by a fan
Why so few of his songs really scan
He replied with a grin
"Cos I try to fit in
As many words as I possibly can"
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Shane (Skirky)
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« Reply #19 on: August 10, 2018, 11:01:21 AM » |
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Chris Leslie was asked by a fan
Why so few of his songs really scan
He replied with a grin
"Cos I try to fit in
As many words as I possibly can"
*applauds*  |
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Everyone's from somewhere, baby - might as well be here.
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