Happy Valentines from Berkeley Cat Records! This is a new song I co-wrote with Russ Ellis. Russ handed me the lyric sheet in December, when we had lunch to discuss his album-in-progress. I loved the words, but didn’t have a musical notion until he sang the melody into a voicemail and boom, I sat down and made the chord progression around his “I Got You” theme. Russ asked for a ska rhythm for this one. I was kid-in-candy-store level happy with this assignment, and had the song structure and guitar tracks done the next morning. Another very fun aspect of this collaboration was getting my UpTones bandmate Paul Jackson involved. I sent him the tracks, and a week later he sent me Organ, Synth, Bari Sax, Piano, Cowbell and the kitchen sink, all created on his digital keyboarding gizmo! Russ sang it at Jeremy Goody’s studio, and Jeremy mixed it there. Without further ado, please have a listen and send it to yer sweethearts!
-Eric Din
Liner notes from Russ:
My son, David, joined the Ska band, The Uptones, when he was in high school. The band made some serious spare change gigging around the Bay Area.
Recently, David asked Eric Din, The Uptones leader back then, to play guitar on the tune “Last Glass of Wine.” One thing led to another. Now all the existing and forthcoming songs from my recent songwriting enthusiasm appear on Eric’s label, Berkeley Cat Records.
In our various discussions, I was surprised to learn that Eric was familiar with silly music from the 1950’s, like ”Mairzy Doats” and Spike Jones’ rendition of “Cocktails for Two.” So, when the lyrics for “I Got You” showed up all at once, I knew they would get a sympathetic ear from Eric.
I proposed that he join me in a collaboration that included his making it a Ska tune. In truth, I had no idea that Ska originated in Jamaica. When they were teenagers, I enjoyed the Uptones’ music for its danceability. Listening to original Ska singers, I quickly gave up on the notion of trying to duplicate their delivery. I just tried to wrap my voice and words around the music and beat that Eric provided.
Lyrics
I got this floor under my feet
Got the good food I like to eat
I got this roof over my head
And Rang Dang Cuddle Tang, I got you
I got these strong shoes protecting my feet
I got this big hat covering my head
I got this great coat, so I don’t freeze
And, Rang Dang Cuddle Tang, I got you
This could all come down in a minute
Everybody knows that’s true
But I’m going to love it while I’m in it
‘Specially knowing I have you
I got a new song sneaking into my ear
Got this very short list of things that I fear
I got some big hugs from folks that I love
But, most of all, I got you
Cop car, ambulance or widget
All that other jive boogaloo
Ain’t going to fuss, fight or fidget
Cause I’m going through it with you
Ragtime, buttercups and golly
Pocono, apostrophe too
I’m going to love it while I’m in it
Just because I’m in it with you
Because I’m in it with you
Credits
Russ Ellis – Vocals
Eric Din – Guitars, Bass, Drum Wrangling
Paul Jackson – Keyboards and Percussion
Recorded at Din’s house, Paul’s house, and Jeremy Goody’s Megasonic Sound Recording Studio
Produced by Russ Ellis and Eric Din
Mixed by Jeremy Goody at Megasonic
© Russ Ellis, Eric Dinwiddie, and Paul Jackson
Zadell Music, ASCAP / King Roy Music, BMI
