An Open Letter to the Lyrical Trainspotter (Song)
| Mansun Song | |
|---|---|
| Name | An Open Letter to the Lyrical Trainspotter |
| Album | Attack of the Grey Lantern (Unlisted secret track) |
| EP |
|
| Track length | 4:01 |
| Writer/composer | Paul Draper |
| Recorded |
|
| Producer | Paul Draper |
| Mixed by | Clif Norrell |
| Released |
|
| Published by | Universal Publishing Ltd. |
'An Open Letter to the Lyrical Trainspotter' is a song by Mansun which was first released on 3EP as a B-Side to Stripper Vicar and as the hidden track on the bands debut album Attack of the Grey Lantern.
Release information
Three EP (EP) Stripper Vicar CD Part 2
3 September 1996 (UK)
Three EP (EP) Stripper Vicar CD: Special Mini Album (EP)
23 October 1996 (Japan)
Attack of the Grey Lantern
26 March 1997 (Japan)
28 April 1997 (UK)
(unlisted / secret track)
Song Credits
Paul Draper - Vocals, Guitars, Piano, Synthesizer
Dominic Chad - Lead Guitar
Stove - Bass
Andie Rathbone - Drums
Mixed by Clif Norrell
Recorded by Mike Hunter, Ian Caple and Ronnie Stone
Produced by Paul Draper
Written by Paul Draper and published by Universal Publishing Ltd.
Liner Notes:
"An Open Letter To The Lyrical Trainspotter was a song to leave a question mark about what the album meant. Although I put a lot of thought and time into all the meanings of the songs, I guess this was to trip up the listener and let them believe it was all a load of old rubbish. The previous sentence is a load of old rubbish."
Paul Draper, Attack of the Grey Lantern 3CD Collectors Edition
Alternate Versions
Part of this song was performed live by Mansun as a medley largely based on 'Ski Jump Nose'. This can be heard on 'Ski Jump Nose Live' on the Taxloss EP. Although titled 'An Open Letter To The Lyrical Trainspotter' on both the Stripper Vicar EP and on the Attack of the Grey Lantern 3CD Collectors Edition, in the Attack of the Grey Lantern Song Book the track is titled 'An Open Letter' with the subtitle: 'Maybe (To The Lyrical Trainspotter)'.
Cover Versions
The song was covered by Richard Lomax for 'We're All In This Together: The Songs of Mansun' and live at the 2014 Mansun Convention.
Lyrics
I'm writing these words like the fool that I am
Trying to say something good like the person
But it's all just a sham 'cos the writer I am not
Could say anything, you'd believe them
Just your A-typical Boy-girl-girl-boy androgynous
Play on a publican's decoy
'Cos I had to drop out 'cos the Art School was sad and
If you believe all of that you're a bigger fool than me
The lyrics aren't supposed to mean that much
They're just a vehicle for a lovely voice
They aren't supposed to mean that much
Lyrics mean nothing, don't right any wrongs
In fact I'm not having them on this
You say they mean nothing just gobbledy-gook
But just look at yourself you're not clever enough
Understanding the truth, you are so out of touch
You believe all of this, you can't see it's a spoof
Understand all the words when they don't even rhyme
And I'm losing the rhythm and the whole thing's getting wierder and wierder
They all believe me
It's all so easy now
