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about

Joe on the song "Billy":
"This was a song I began writing about my friend Billy Ruane, who was one third of a team called Helldorado, along with Greg 'Skeggie' Kendall and myself, which began the music bookings at the Middle East Restaurant in Cambridge, MA after initially getting together to do a birthday party for Billy. I had the Chorus, the verse chords and a melody, and he happened to telephone me to talk about events in Pakistan, something he did relatively frequently at the time. When I mentioned the song he became upset, and insisted that I write it instead about someone else, despite my pointing out that the 'Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba- Hey Billy' part was already written and kind of stuck in my head. I think he had been up for a few days, and he was so manically, forcefully insistent that I finally conceded and promised to write the verses about another Billy, which he accepted."

So this is a hybrid song, lyrically -- a lilting Billy Ruane-inspired chorus and some fairly biting lyrics about another individual "who shall remain unnamed".

lyrics

Nowadays, I dog you every chance I get
Gone the day, you were teacher and I was teachers pet
Used to think that you were some kind of
rock and roll superman
Super-fink! You played your friends like a violin

All your charm / Went up your arm /Lost your cool
Now you're trying to pass the test for...
hairdressing school

You always stole, when invited to partake a share
You thought that soul came from who you know
and what you wear
Played a role with your pouty lips and your big eyed stare
But rock and roll
Isn't only leather clothes and jet black hair

All your charm / Went up your arm /Lost your cool
Now you're trying to pass the test for...
hairdressing school

Badadada Ba da da da Bada da da da Hey Billy (x4)

Hey, Billy / Hey Billy, Wake up Billy

credits

from Dumpling House, NYC, released October 4, 2002
Joe Harvard: Vocal, Telecaster, Charvel Surfcaster w/GK2a p/u thru Roland GR30 gtr synth ["horns"], bass. Marco Giovino, drums. Prod & eng by JH

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Joe Harvard Asbury Park, New Jersey

"VU & Nico" author, producer-artist-musician
LP creds: Dinosaur, Jr, Pernice Brothers, Throwing Muses etc; spiritual midwife to tons more as co-founder/owner of Fort Apache '85-'93.
An East Bostonian based [One Banned Man, Dub Proof, Doctor Danger, Cockwalkers] in NJ & MOTH NYC Storyslam Champ '01; loves cats. Asbury Music Awards: Top Americana '09/Top Multi-Instrumentalist & Top Avant-Garde '10. ... more

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