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3 a.m. Bar (A Perfect Stranger) by Day For Night [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 822
Comments: 9
Votes:
Plays: 83
Last Played: Aug 23, 2008 - 03:07:01 AM
Downloads: 28
Fans: 6
Uploaded: Dec 17, 2006 - 03:14:57 AM
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2006 - 03:14:57 AM
Fan List
Keywords:
stevel (38), Mystified (143), Day For Night (11), film noir (2), melodrama (2), doomy gloomy love songs (4), the Foghorn™ (4), foolish (3), funny (64), perfect stranger (1)
Description:
Another song in the 'Hollywood Cinema' theme on Day For Night's virtual CD, we are taking a little different direction in this song--some might say a more 'melodramatic' take on film noir.

It was spurred by the art piece "Nighthawks" by Edward Hopper, and we thought it might be cool to try to do a song based upon that sort of scene. Well, the diner became a bar, and Steve sent me the instrumental track with the idea that I would add lyrics, similar to "Silver Screen."

After thinking about it for several days, I finally decided to do what I always do when I can't think up lyrics--improvise!
With the first take, I came up with a radio-drama sort of monologue, which I then streamlined and condensed in the second, and final, take.

Two ambient tracks were actually recorded before the monologue, and Steve's spoken part originally 'set the stage' for this track.

Enjoy!

Lyrics:
Man:
I walked through the door
Lonely bar, 3 a.m.
Little did I know nothing would ever be the same again.
I had a vodka, with a twist of lime,
Said" if you got a story..." said, "I've got the time."

Woman:
At first i thought he was kidding, I mean, it's 3 a.m. and i'm sitting
at this bar...and I've never seen him before--he's a perfect stranger.

But there was something about this face, the way he asked the question.
Did I have a story to tell?
Oh yeah...I had a story !
But could I trust him to tell him?


* * * * * * *

"...you're foolish and funny."
That's what he always used to say. That I was 'foolish and funny.'
His last words to me were that way...
He was a 'perfect stranger' in my life.
With all the promises you'd expect him to make to his wife.

But he had a secret. One he didn't tell me.
When I found out...I couldn't believe he would hold something that
important from me.
I--I don't know what happened....I...I lost my head. I--I got so angry
and....there was the money...and the gun.
I saw red...I...just ...
I picked up the gun and pointed it at him, and he said, "You're
foolish and funny to think you can get away with this."

But I was foolish and funny, and he turned out to be a perfect stranger.

And then the gun went of...it...just...went off.
And it was over.
I panicked. I grabbed money and I took the gun and I ran to the
nearest bus stop and I took the last bus out of town and it was late.
At the end of the line i got off and I found this bar...and this
perfect stranger.



But I'm foolish and funny...and you're a perfect stranger.
Are you as foolish and funny?
And you're a perfect stranger...
We're perfect strangers.



Hardware:
Macs, mics, iChat, etc. etc...

Software:
GarageBand, LE7
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Hey, Black Widow &mdash 12/17/06 - 07:02:35 PM
Good thing the bars in these parts close at 2AM - I'm safe!
When's the video for this coming out?

[ Reply to This ]
LOL!! &mdash 12/17/06 - 09:00:14 PM
Ok...that made me laugh!!

So you caught on, eh? ;)

I kinda think she done him in when she saw how much 'mad money' she could take on her next shopping spree...

Thanks for your comments, Mungo.
:D


[ Reply to This ]
Best yet ........... &mdash 12/17/06 - 08:27:59 PM
........ for Day For Night. Robbie Robertson has an English accent! Very cool - love both the vocals and Steve's Strat is still one of the best tones around. Mungo's right, the video would be a killer :)
Neil

[ Reply to This ]
thanks!! :) &mdash 12/17/06 - 09:06:51 PM
This has really been so much fun, working on this virtual CD with Steve.

So many of the songs have come so quickly. It seems impossible that we're one away from completing the "Hollywood Cinema" project when we just started in October.

Thanks so much for listening and commenting :)


[ Reply to This ]
Oh My Goodness! &mdash 12/17/06 - 09:17:45 PM
I think I finally found something I can actually put down that "10" vote for "Grand Artistry!" Oh, you have voting disabled :( Well, 10, 10, 10, 10 anyway!

This is fantastic. Cat, your voice reminded me a lot of Crissy Hynde. The tremelo in your voice was perfect!

Great job guys.

[ Reply to This ]
Thanks Mysti! &mdash 12/18/06 - 05:36:23 AM
This collab has been really fun..I want to thank Mysti again for her creative input on this one. I think that she has really managed to inject some noir drama into this track.
We are looking forward to releasing the final 'Hollywood Cinema' track v. soon
Cheers for your comments!
Steve

[ Reply to This ]
Creative &mdash 12/19/06 - 03:15:04 AM
Very creative. If I'd have a tv set at home I would now and then watch a late detective story. This was not a substitute, but better. More vivid and enjoyable.

Nice music too!


[ Reply to This ]
Holy cow... &mdash 12/29/06 - 04:14:27 AM
...what a tale! I could almost see the whole sordid affair transpire in my mind's eye in cold black and white! You two just get better and better. I agree with Neil. Easily your best effort to date.

Be well you two!


JUGGERNAUT: http://www.macjams.com/song/27500

[ Reply to This ]
thank you! &mdash 12/30/06 - 01:26:59 PM
Thanks for the comments :)

This song was a lot of fun to do, and a bit of a dramatic departure!

Thanks for listening!

---
'reflections in a silver screen'

[ Reply to This ]
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