Lyrics
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For crying out loud
Won’t you turn down that radio?
I’m drowning in the sound
Of things that I don’t need to knowI’m giving you a warning
I’m giving you a warning
I’m giving you a warning
Get set, go!Making bold predictions
That accidentally come true
Lucky guesses won’t impressMy polyester princess
Lounging by the swimming pool
Lay right there, the mountain comes to youI’m giving you a warning
I’m giving you a warning
I’m giving you a warning
I’m coming for you!Climb down, Desdemona
I ain’t gonna seal your fate
I’m just trying to warn ya
But the hour’s getting late (too late)I got something to show you
Guaranteed to make you laugh
A pornographic haiku
And some interesting photographsI’m giving you a warning
I’m giving you a warning
I’m giving you a warning
On your mark!I’m giving you a warning
I’m giving you a warning
I’m giving you a warning
I’m giving you a warning
I’m giving you a warning
From my heart
From my heart
From my heart!
Credits
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Alan Williams – vocals, acoustic guitars, cowbell
Ben Wittman – drums
Greg Porter – bass
Eric Giribaldi – electric guitars.
Produced by Alan Williams
Drums recorded by Ben Wittman at Chez Wittman, Toronto. Strings recorded by Antonio Oliart at Fraser Performance Studio, WGBH Boston. Remainder recorded by Alan Williams at The Aviary, North Chelmsford, MA and Kai 2, Kehena, HI.
Mixed by Alan Williams at The Aviary
Mastered by Adam Ayan at Gateway Mastering, Portland, ME
Album artwork by Dan Bennett
Hand lettering by Jim Williams
Graphic Design by Alan Williams
All songs written by Alan Williams and published by Under a Metal Sky Music (BMI)
Recording © 2022 Blue Gentian Records. All rights reserved.
About The Music
“Giving You a Warning” | Alan Williams
Inspired by an extended moment of irritation while lounging poolside in Hawaii (I know, I know). But after the opening lines, the rest is just fantasy projection. I was thinking about how Neil Finn can write lyrics in a lopsided, offhand manner that somehow still make a sort of sense, humorous without being cute, whimsical, or cutting – it’s a lightness of touch I marvel at. Not to mention his deft way with a catchy melody – truly underrated as a world-class writer and performer.
My demo highlighted the weakness in my electric guitar playing (which is to say, not bad for a pianist who pretends to play acoustic guitar pretending to play electric guitar), so I asked a former student and frequent Birdsong At Morning video guitarist, Eric Giribaldi to re-do everything I had recorded. This he did without breaking a sweat. Then lo and behold, he came up with the great solo I only dreamed of. Yes, the shadow of Ric Ocasek looms large….
And here comes the predictable digression.… I “met” Ric Ocasek when I was a teenager. Greg Porter and I, along with our good friend Holden Thorp had leapt a thousand miles from North Carolina to attend a summer session at Berklee. Cut to a late-night moment in the White Hen Pantry on the corner of Mass Ave. and Newbury St. I was attempting to purchase a can of soda with nothing but loose change when I hear a voice over my shoulder, “That’s a lot of nickels.” Yes, the erstwhile Car was waiting patiently behind me in line (their studio, Syncro Sound was just around the corner). My biggest brush with fame since I met the Partridge Family at King’s Island theme park in Ohio. Of course, I didn’t have the nerve to say anything, just nodded, grabbed my Coke, and flew out the door. But my life was forever changed….
So, I guess I feel somewhat entitled to the musical rip-off. And with license to goof, I just went for it with all the vocal layers and little mix moves. And who can resist a bit of “I Want to Hold Your Hand” thrown in for good measure…. A little slice of pop pastiche, and maybe a welcome bit of brightly colored lightness from someone more inclined to ruminate in the dark corners of a rainy night.