Judy Black is a favorite of many ANY.Listeners and of the band members to play.
The live version is already available, but the studio version is still awaiting vocal tracks.
Inspiration for the music came from Chris and Taylor trying to strip back and write to a 2 chord, 2 beat verse for a contrasting feel with the last few songs they had written.
The phaser sound for the electric guitar was stumbled upon by mistake when Chris played through the wrong patch during a practice, but we liked it so much we made it the signature sound of the verse.
The "Dueling Basses" solo midway through is created by JB octave shifting his electric down to play with Sam. During some live shows this section can sometimes turn into an "Anything you can do I can do better" moment as Sam and JB improvise and mock each other musically. This is one of Chris Flanigan's favorite sounds/feels of ANY song we have ever played.
The electric guitar solo at the end of the song is heavily influenced by Red Hot Chili Pepper's guitarist John Frusciante
When playing this solo JB tries to stick to the advice given by Bass player Sam Shea... "Just go crazy"
The chorus was heavily influenced by one of the band's mutual favorites Death Cab for Cutie
There have been many interpretations to this song leading writer Chris Flanigan to have to insist many times that he did write it with a meaning! Chris has refused to release any formal interpretation of the song as it would immediately kill all the other interpretations. Although not the intended interpretation, one of Chris's favorites involves a Casino and Blackjack games.
Lyrics
Verse 1
Judy Black holds nothin' back
she moves like ice along the stack
and as she falls they heard her call
of men and mice all cynical
Judy's through with folds of you
she takes control and fades to blue
the words she speak deny her sound
and her lucent soul has come unwound
Bridge
As for me, I'm a lyin' man
As for you, You'll be fine
As for me, I'm a dyin' man
What's left to do in your mind?
Chorus
You have to be the one
There are no blue hats beneath my sun
You'll never get far 'how much you run
Your spinning's done
Truth has to burn your soul
There are no youth that cannot grow old
So let your worn hands release their hold
as life unfolds
Verse 2
Miracle Joe has 6 to go
and he's fallin' hard and he's falling low
his life's aflame for "Crimson Blame",
but he's bent and barred for Jesus' Name
But nothin' lights up slot machines
So Joe takes his slacks and he paints 'em green
Grim Ramone won't let him cry
Won't take his life, won't satisfy
Verse 3
Lock and key won't shackle me
They'll let me live but won't let me be
Oh, a life that's lost can't laugh or cry
Oh save my soul! Don't let me die!
