Recorded: Courtland Grove, Thamesmead and New Road, Abbey Wood;

27 November / 4, 11, 18 December 1996.

And Manorside, Abbey Wood;

20 April / 21, 26 May / 28 June / 21, 22, 31 August / 17 October / 6, 13, 22, 24 November 2000

Mark Tingley:

Lead vocal, Harmony vocal, Backing vocals (3), Lead guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Tambourine, Maraca, "Drums"

Helen Smith: Piano, Violin
Nigel Marvin: Backing vocals (3)


This track took the greatest amount of time to record.

Helen announced herself on the new album with some great piano and violin (speeded up towards the end). Such was her performance that I got intimidated by the track, having no idea what to contribute. As a result, it sat around on a cassette for years before I had the confidence to close it out.

An unwelcome trend would emerge. "Rubber bra" had already suffered similar neglect, and from now on, many more tracks would remain unfinished.

Also, having just a 4 track machine I aspired to a big sound. I'd have to wait years before graduating to the luxury of digital 8 track. Only then would I realise my vision for an expansive production.

And when I did I brought Nigel (left) in to help sing the choruses. It was his idea to do impressions of Bob Dylan, Johnny Rotten and Elvis Presley! (Listen out for the Elvis reference right at the end!!) The "Out of the Earth, back into dust" lyric idea actually came from a Nigel Marvin song, emphasised by the "choir" keyboard brought in to enhance the mortality theme! From there I picked up on the duality and developed it further, "You and me, them and us" etc.

With so many ideas going on, I juggled them around to arrive at a suitable structure without too many compromises!!