seattle has a great history of women in rock and roll, and Laurie Lyons stands with the best of them. I have been wanting . to work with her since the first time i heard her sing.. She did all the music here and sings the part of a cuban peasant, I wrote the lyrics and sing the part of an american mercenary
THE LAST TIME I WENT TO CUBA
chorus 1 6
the first time i went to cuba
to assassinate fidel
the bullets bounced right off him
and he ate the empty shells
verse 1
you cry poverty
in luxery's lap
i live in a country
that is off the map
no beds for the sick
no food for the poor
we knock and we knock
no one comes to the door
chorus 2 1 09
the next time i went to cuba
to spin the roulette wheel
i got married to a prostitute
who practiced the art of the steal
verse two
your tower of bottle caps
and pieces of glass
stand tall while our bricks
in the earthquake collapse
a bridge falls to the river
there's no one to retrieve it
when you poison our orchards
nobody believes it
chorus 3 2 11
the last time i went to cuba
to see the rollling stones
i moved through the crowd
like a james bond clone
@timfatchen Mar 2022
Two worlds and two wholly different mindsets. This is a very cleverly written and produced song, throwing Bill's cynical (but truthful) lyrics into the sharp contrast. (And, I should have spent a lot more time studying rhythm and world music. too late!)
@andrea Mar 2022
I love the lyrics. V1 grabbed my attention right away. Vivid and interesting imagery throughout! Your voices complement each other so nicely in this duet. Such a cool vibe overall. I enjoyed this very much.
@gwyn1234 Feb 2022
Great lyrics and vox from @billwhite51 as per but the added magic of @vegansongs makes this extra special...wonderful collab!
@gubna Feb 2022
tHIS IS IS CRAZY. LOVE THE LYRICS and how the vocals almost sound like they are being sucked through reverb.
@rayboneor Feb 2022
Wow, this was a surprise. It's so dramatic. That line about Fidel eating the empty shells caught me off guard and made me laugh for its bombast. Anyway this is effing awesome. The verse could be the chorus, and vice versa. Hats off to you two--this one is amazing. The simple drums are fantastic, but this could get big and explosive
@gm7 Feb 2022
Another great story..great imagery. I have never been to Cuba but i would love to see it how was went they made those 50-60s movies and then go to those place ...which i hope haven't change too too much so i could experience that same era.
@katestantonsings Feb 2022
I just went to a Cuban museum exhibit on Sunday--the 50's cars, the cigars, the rich culture--Havana is on my wish list to visit! Time warp. I can hear this song escaping back alleys with it's sharp witty Bill lyrics and gospel music.
@berni1954 Feb 2022
Great Collab. What a different flavour this version has to how I imagined it.
@p3t3h4rv3y Feb 2022
rasping out the gospel, hallelujah Bill
@sbs2018 Feb 2022
Awesome storytelling! Really dig this! Not sure I can put it into words. But that vibrato and chord progression combo is pretty epic!
@mikeskliar Feb 2022
This is epic, and really quite a blast to hear. Love that Cuban-themed rhythm track in there, and the two vocals work well together- the chord progression of the verses has such a great forward momentum, with the vocal phrasing and the provocative lyric its really compelling, leading into those intense choruses. Love how you got the sweep of Cuba, from Fidel to hosting a Rolling Stones concert.
@jibbidy34 Feb 2022
I read the book on frock rock in Seattle. Great collab fusion of Cuban influence and edgy lyrics.
@coolparadiso Feb 2022
funny coincidence I was listening to a famous aussie song called April sun in Cuba today and the singer told the story which no one new about why thats its name (its a 1970 song) This is very good, Vegan songs does a terrific job singing off you with this fine lyric. Very good!