My wife and I wrote this song after I came up with the slightly Latin American style riff, which then made us think of South America, which then made us look at random place names in South America until we came up with the port city Manzanillo. It then became a song about a violent sailor on leave in Manzanillo, and the rest is history.. :)
On leave in Manzanillo
After twenty nights at sea
My shipmates are sending me crazy
What a night to be set free
I'm sick of meagre rations
I need some fillet steak
Give me a shot of whiskey
And a few slack jaws to break
And if you see me coming, you'd better get out of the way
(On leave in Manzanillo)
I've got a chip on my shoulder as deep as the Marinas trench
(On leave in Manzanillo)
I don't look for trouble, but trouble comes looking for me
(On leave in Manzanillo)
And we never give up,
Cos that's the code of the sea.
I've got a tattoo of my lady
Least that's what I tell each one
I can make that lady dance
After 15 shots of rum
But here in Manzanillo
I like to keep my options clear
For the only mistress I need
Is cheap American beer
And if you see me coming, you'd better get out of the way
(On leave in Manzanillo)
I've got a chip on my shoulder as deep as the Marinas trench
(On leave in Manzanillo)
I don't look for trouble, but trouble comes looking for me
(On leave in Manzanillo)
And we never give up,
Cos that's the code of the sea.
But now, the sea is calling
It's time to pay my debts
We're on our way to Acapulco
Where there's a hot brunette
And if you ask, how I can stand to
Live this life of violent sin
I'd say, you might like it
If you'd only been where I'd been
And if you see me coming, you'd better get out of the way
(On leave in Manzanillo)
I've got a chip on my shoulder as deep as the Marinas trench
(On leave in Manzanillo)
I don't look for trouble, but trouble comes looking for me
(On leave in Manzanillo)
And we never give up,
Cos that's the code of the sea.
@kvnwoodruff Feb 2022
Dang, I would watch this movie and I want this to be the theme they play every time the sailer gets violent.
@gordon Feb 2022
I do love a jaunty song with gritty lyrics about fighting sailors! Getting traces of Glen Tilbrook in the vocals (or was it the other one in Squeeze?) which is great. Most enjoyable listen
@lenigmusx1 Feb 2022
Wow… this is a really cool vibe. The opening riff definitely gives a TexMex vibe but the vocal is total 70’s British punk rock. Not a cross of sounds I ever imagined. It works so well especially for a nasty sailor gone wrong.
@st8st8 Feb 2022
It's a nice tone of voice to get those words pronounced when singing so deep. I was singing along to try to emulate the sound of your voice.... The songly grooves along, nicely arraged...
( If you're into old maritime stuff, then if you like video games, I recommend this: https://obradinn.com/ )