Only you can bring back the good old days

Back To The Bus Babyshambles

If my memory does not fail me, this is the second Back to the Bus. I always thought this Back to the Bus series are something like the Back to Mine series or Under the Influence series, i.e. a trick to rip off money from the die-hard fans of a particular band or band's member by asking such band to quote their favourite songs and then make a compilation album. However, Back to the Bus series are still better than the rest. Not only there is an exclusive interview with the band, its artwork is always interesting. I think this one with Babyshambles is indeed "super-kawaii" (with slight magic touch of peter and drew?)

The songs chosen are just fabulous. There are my favourites Cazals and B & S, but what makes it really special is that the songs chosen are a bit autobiographical, unintentional maybe. Chinese Rock and Needle of Death are too obvious. Making Time (The Creation) just made me think of Can't Stand Me Now ("Tellin' lies, closing your eyes, making more excuses. Pullin' the wool, actin' the fool, people have their uses ... Why do we have to carry on, always singing the same old song ...").

Litt'lans' Their Way, what can I say? I can listen to this bitter-sweet song forever.

Jail Guitar Doors was spookily predictive. I remember Peter has quoted some lyrics of this song "... I'll tell you about Pete, didn't want no fame, gave all his money away, 'Well there's something wrong, it'll be good for you, son.' And so they certified him insane..." in one of his Books of Albion (I forgot which one), he must feel the same way (and i couldn't help laughing when I saw it at that time). Of course that was the time before burglary. To listen to this song now, it becomes even more spookily coincident with the lyrics "... waiting for trial, twenty-five thousand bail, if he goes down, you won't hear his sound, but his friends carry on anyway. Fuck 'em!" (and his ex-band members will then reply "I get along just singing my songs people tell me I'm wrong Fuck 'em!", oops, shouldn't make joke to all the events)

In the early interview, Peter always made reference to Love and so it's no surprise for having a Love's song, but Your Friend and Mine? It gave me goosebumps when I just heard the first line "Only you can bring back the good old days" and then "Only you still can see a memory, like what about the time you took my arm, said come with me you don't have to be strong, said here's a little something to relax your mind, now that we are two of a kind my friend, all we are is two of a kind".... I was thinking too much.

Yes, I was thinking too much cos' there're no good old days anymore. Only hatred remains. The last song What Katie Did, with the early 2003 Babyshambles Session, the version which I love most, I was somewhat disappointed to see the credit was given to Alan Wass!!! OK, Wass maybe a session man in recording this song and is talented in his own way, but I definitely do not believe that this song was co-written with Alan Wass!!!