Get Flash to see this player.
Description
Composed some time in 1998, after a general impression of the song came to me while walking down a street in Dublin. I adjourned to a cafe and scribbled some ideas down on a piece of paper and together with my writing partner, we fleshed it out later and gave it the structure of a workable song. Many years later, "Not my son" turned into the first song I tackled upon buying a Tascam four track and as such was probably one of the ropiest due to my inexperience with the device. I had some badly played slide guitar on there and completely dry vocals before I discovered the multitude of sins that can be hidden by reverb. It did have it's moments but this incarnation is probably closer to what I always thought for the song.
I'd been listening to a lot of Kula Shaker and Stone Roses so that indian-y style and jangling guitars is what I always had in my head for "Not my son'. Although I liked the riff, I was never that impressed with the version our band performed live as it was always basic compared to what was in my head (and now here..) but I do remember getting a great reaction from the audience at Katy Daly's in Belfast one night which surprised me.
As to the song's meaning ..... I think it's mostly about shirking responsibility and avoiding involvement. I kind of had in my head two brothers, the older saying to the younger "You're not my problem, I don't want to know what you're involved in or have to account for you ... but..' and eventually giving advice or help and then by the end of it, it's the older brother looking for help. Not I don't think quite so literal as that but certainly some sort of relationship between older and younger.
And for the record, I have no sons. =)
I'd been listening to a lot of Kula Shaker and Stone Roses so that indian-y style and jangling guitars is what I always had in my head for "Not my son'. Although I liked the riff, I was never that impressed with the version our band performed live as it was always basic compared to what was in my head (and now here..) but I do remember getting a great reaction from the audience at Katy Daly's in Belfast one night which surprised me.
As to the song's meaning ..... I think it's mostly about shirking responsibility and avoiding involvement. I kind of had in my head two brothers, the older saying to the younger "You're not my problem, I don't want to know what you're involved in or have to account for you ... but..' and eventually giving advice or help and then by the end of it, it's the older brother looking for help. Not I don't think quite so literal as that but certainly some sort of relationship between older and younger.
And for the record, I have no sons. =)
Leave a Comment
You must be registered and logged-in to comment.
Lyrics
I don't want to be the one they back up to the wall
I'm stepping right down; you know my tears make me small
You've gotta make the best of the way these things work out
Maybe you have to deal with it but you don't have to like it
No, you're not my son. Not my responsibility
You're not the only one trying to make ends meet
You're going to come to learn how to stand on your own
When you fall to your knees in this shallow life
Finding it impossible to try and live the lie
Maybe I gave you some advice but I tell you
No, you're not my son. Not my responsibility
You're not the only one trying to make ends meet
What would you say if you had to leave forever
You know my broken soul's not getting any better
Somewhere down the line, trying to pass the time
Maybe I can give you some inspiration
Although you're not my son. Not my responsibility
You're not the only one trying to make ends meet
And when the people come to point their finger
and you're thinking is it really all worthwhile
Well maybe I can help you out but let me leave you with no doubt
Crying all your tears into a deep blue see
Well take a look around cause you can talk to me
Please can you help me, sitting here all on my own
Please can you give me some advice my friend
Pardon me, but you don't understand me
Crazed ideals and screaming souls calling out the sound
No, you're not my son. Not my responsibility
You're not the only one trying to make ends meet
I'm stepping right down; you know my tears make me small
You've gotta make the best of the way these things work out
Maybe you have to deal with it but you don't have to like it
No, you're not my son. Not my responsibility
You're not the only one trying to make ends meet
You're going to come to learn how to stand on your own
When you fall to your knees in this shallow life
Finding it impossible to try and live the lie
Maybe I gave you some advice but I tell you
No, you're not my son. Not my responsibility
You're not the only one trying to make ends meet
What would you say if you had to leave forever
You know my broken soul's not getting any better
Somewhere down the line, trying to pass the time
Maybe I can give you some inspiration
Although you're not my son. Not my responsibility
You're not the only one trying to make ends meet
And when the people come to point their finger
and you're thinking is it really all worthwhile
Well maybe I can help you out but let me leave you with no doubt
Crying all your tears into a deep blue see
Well take a look around cause you can talk to me
Please can you help me, sitting here all on my own
Please can you give me some advice my friend
Pardon me, but you don't understand me
Crazed ideals and screaming souls calling out the sound
No, you're not my son. Not my responsibility
You're not the only one trying to make ends meet
edpdx
This should be on the radio. Your vocals rock!
edpdx~