Alternative folk-rock genre bender Joe Marson tells us about his latest single "Gotta Be Good". Here is the story:
Gotta Be Good was written very late in the album process. In fact, I thought I was finished with the record. I remember coming up with he guitar part and basic melody while in Tucson, AZ, waiting for a tow hitch to be installed on my car so I could haul a camper behind me for the rest of my tour (maybe the heat subconsciously inspired me to write a Devil infused song?)
The riff reminded me of a lot of 60's and 70's rock songs, and in truth, the progression is the basis for a lot of classics. I had been kicking around the old adage "I don't believe in the devil, but boy does he believe in me" for a while as I have always loved the cleverness and semi sacrilegious implications.
Lyrically, I sort of got into a character, like Eminem's evil alter ego, Slim Shady. I am huge Eminem fan (like everyone else in the known galaxy) and began to explore playful ways in which I could tell a fictional story of my excommunication from conservative small town life. Ironically, I realized after recording the song that the verses are actually the same chord pattern as "My Name Is" (or Labi Siffre "I Got The�" which is the sample used for Em's masterpiece).
Recording the song was a blast. My band and I were on tour and stopped in at Saul Simon MacWilliam's studio in Los Angeles. It was us playing live in a room. Seth Faulk on drums and Pete Ayres on keys. Gang vocals added on top and then I tracked guitar overdubs, bass, and vocals later. That was a really magical time with Saul and the boys.
Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself here and learn more about the Joe right here!
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