Man In Black

by @jackketch

Man In Black
jackketch
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Liner Notes

#collaboration #lynchian I did this as a collab with my friend Chelley and her husband Rob.
The inspiration for this song was reading about witch confessions in the 17th century and all of the claims there were about people selling their soul to the ‘man in black’. It then ended drifting into a cautionary tale about a starlet who made a deal with said man that she came to regret. It started off sounding more like ‘Baby please don’t go’ and then drifted into Twin Peaks territory so thought I might as well lean into it and added some Badalementi esque touches. Really pleased how this came out, Chelley has a great voice and always seems to know what a song needs. Rob is also an excellent producer!

Lyrics

*Man in Black*
There was a man in black
And he knew my name
He said he’d give me it all
He promised fortune and fame
But there’s a price to pay
And now he’s staking his claim

He gave me diamond rings
And took me round the world
He showed me temptuous things
That he don’t show other girls
But now he’s come to collect
And it’s the payback that burns

I should be mad that
He pulled me in with his lies
But no-one tells you
That damnation
Can make you feel so alive

And now the man in black
(Beware the man in black)
He’s left me in a hole
(Way down in a hole)
For my fortune and fame
(All the beautiful things)
He put a leash on my soul
(He’s the one in control)
But I have no regrets
(No time for regrets)
Just let the black times roll
(Just let the good times roll)

Comments

[avatar]
@coolparadiso Mod
tapping here from the outset! a real earworm. vocals are strong but set will back on the mix. +1 for harmonica. omg I have not used one this year! very good song
[avatar]
@plushbaby
Really enjoyed the little production elements - the flickers of guitar and the harmonica solo. The finger clicks sound really cool too, was the percussion tapping in the guitar?

I liked the way the song flowed and developed throughout, it didn’t outstay its welcome and it felt like we’d been on a journey. Especially loved when the backing vocals came in and the song in general is beautifully sung - sounds great!

My one constructive comment would be to throw something unusual into the lyrics, something unexpected… I don’t know what that is but with the man in Black as your study I’m sure there is a quirk somewhere. Nice tune!
[avatar]
@doglatin
Oooh, definitely "Badalementi esque"! "Damnation can make you feel so alive" and "let the black times roll" are great lines. Everything about this is note-perfect!
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