Very early one with a very obvious 60s influence. About a killer dealing with his guilt.
This is the only one of these songs that I'll still play. The others I'm still fond of and glad we did but this one was victim of two mistakes I made. The first was picking up its pace. It's much more effective slower and more contemplative. The second was my ignorant insistence on drenching the guitar with amp reverb going in. There was so much swash on the the signal that it had to be turned down to a tiny tinkling when it should have been a big bold chime.
Just before I gave my Maton Flamingo to a friend I recorded a version of this with it at the right speed and with the reverb added in the mix later. Much better. I wrote a sequel to it at the time which we played live once. It was really only an extension of the riff but it took it elsewhere. If I ever did re-record this for real (and it's the only one from this set that I would) I'd put both together. Anyway....
lyrics
LONGER THAN THE DAY
Your sister says she doesn't want you here
She thought she made it clear
And now the rapping on the door
Is louder than before
It's longer than the day
The thirteenth card told you what to do
Nothing you could choose
Now you sit staring at the blade
It's longer than the day
It's longer than the day
Now you're pleased. Now you're appeased
Inside you now the lion and the lamb
Are in a traffic jam
You look as though you need a rest
Perhaps it's for the best
It's longer than the day
Now you're pleased. Now you're appeased.
It's longer than the day.
credits
from Cosmic Street,
released October 1, 1983
Written by Peter Jetnikoff
Peter Jetnikoff: Vocals, guitar (Peter MacPherson's Fender Bullet)
Greg Wadley: Lead vocal, bass
Margot Hoyte: Vocals
Greg Gilbert: Drums
Recorded at Basement Studios, Brisbane, early 1983
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