Bad Habits (2011)

This reminds me of the one about the man who, as he stands outside his house with his belongings raining down around him from an upstairs window, shouts up to his wife, “But honey – I gave up drinking for you… three times!” For truly, it’s not the quitting that’s the hard part. It’s the staying quat.

I was going for a Big Star-y, power pop sort of sound with this one. Your imagination will have the fill the yawning gap between my intention and the end result. The middle section breakdown was originally going to carry sung lyrics, but when I couldn’t think of anything good, the melody became part of a rather extended guitar solo.

There ain’t a bad habit that I can’t quit
Except for falling back on bad habits
I keep kicking against the prick
And falling back on bad habits

Oh, no! What’s this?
Poor little recidivist
Better hold on tight cos honey when it hits
There’s no new low like when a quitter quits

There ain’t a bad habit that I can’t kick
Except for falling back on bad habits
Like a rabbit gotta run, dog chase the stick
Those bad habits gonna drag you back down in the ditch

Oh, no! Who’s this?
Another poor recidivist
Better close your eyes and better close them quick
Cos there’s no sadder sight than when a quitter quits

There ain’t a bad habit that I can’t quit
Except for falling back on bad habits
I keep kicking against the prick
And falling back on bad habits

Oh, no! What’s this?
Poor little recidivist
Better hold on tight cos honey when it hits
There’s no new low like when a quitter quits