This week’s tune, “I Do Little Things“, forms part of a continuing series of the word becoming the flesh, i.e., a song’s title unintentionally informing the recording process. In this case, it was for the good. I had some time this week for a change, and also, I was working here with a relatively simple idea. The result was, I was able to do a little thing well, or at the very least, in a fully-realized way.
But enough of this self-satisfied drivel already… it’s unbecoming. On to what you’re really here for: shop talk. “I Do Little Things” is a tribute to oldies radio. Lots of Spector-esque string flourishes (he’s on my mind, what with the murder trial wrapping up), as well as hidden thefts from “Time of the Season” by the Zombies, and “You Can’t Do That” by the Beatles. More than anything else though, I’m borrowing from Del Shannon’s “Runaway”, to which I owe both the tone and the cadence (one-and-TWO-AND-three-and-FOUR-and, if you’re keeping score) of the organ part.
I pared down the lyrics until I had just enough to get by. Lots of repetition, and a nice, simple story of emotional indentured servitude. What are your thoughts?
P.S. Go see the new David Cronenberg movie “Eastern Promises”. It’s delicious!
