Unreality

And finally, we arrive at the closing track on the ‘Running Behind Time’ album, ‘Unreality’. A song that I would say divides opinion, particularly my own as the writer. And also a song that in some ways defies categorisation.

It began with an idea I had to structure a song that moved back and forth between two different time signatures, those being a 3/4-time (yes, the good old waltz, but played in a heavy driving rock pattern for the verses), and a 6/8 half-time shuffle (with due deference to Purdie, Bonham, and Porcaro) for the choruses.

The background story is that I had my drum kit set up in the studio for two days, during which time I recorded drum tracks for the second group of songs (7 of them, plus another song by David without drums that I didn’t play on at all) that were added to the original 6 songs already recorded. Which became a very tight timeline.

It was also a tall order for me to create a 6/8 half-time shuffle to the standard of the three icons of drumming referenced above. Moreover, because I hadn’t fully defined what I wanted the song to be, and would have needed more advance practice. Mainly what I mean here is the merging and morphing of the two time-signatures with the correct optimal tempo.

In the years since then, I’ve had ideas of how I would record and play it differently, and for sure I would play it better. Yet I’m still not sure I would reach a definitive conclusion as to its end product.

When it came to the lyrics, I had written lyrics with no song in mind, but it quickly became apparent that this song was the matching partner. The lyrics are a cynical but mischievous and jovial commentary on reality TV shows.

The verses in 3/4-time (pop-rock formation) conjure up a darker mood, whereas the choruses in 6/8 half-time shuffle rhythm pattern, suggest a more jovial vibe while poking fun at the subject matter.

The song has many contradictions, but at the same time has a unique character, as indeed do a lot of us as individuals. It also works well as the album closing track, and overall it can be moody, atmospheric, and jovial all at once.

I think the closing guitar solo, with echoes of Pink Floyd (pun intended 😆), combined with the final outro, provide a memorable end to the album, notwithstanding the inherent imperfections of the song itself.

Well, at least there you have my honest appraisal 😊. I hope listeners might also find it to be a fitting finale to the ‘Running Behind Time’ album’. Now, all you have to do is repeat the album again from the start !!  😄😎