Saturday, December 3rd, 2011
After spending yesterday drinking outrageous quantities of Sailor Jerry and Jagermeister at the Artrocker Awards, today’s advent post comes a little late in the day, with a slightly sore head, but it is a beautiful thing regardless. Brothers and sisters! For the first time, it is my very distinct pleasure to present to you the legendary New York version of my celebrated song London!
This was the first version of London we recorded for my debut album When We Were Young, at The Shed in New York in 2005. This was co produced by myself and James Brown. Another, grander version, with Danny Saber, ended making the final cut of the album. This version is harsh and dark and ugly and rather industrial – James Brown had been working with Nine Inch Nails prior to When We Were Young, so the violent sonics are unsurprising.
London was either the second or the third song I wrote when I started writing whole songs by myself (music, words, everything) in 2003. It was composed around a loop of the drums from Gary Glitter’s Rock N Roll Part II. I looked up the chords for that song on the internet, and played the notes on a little midi keyobard I got for £30 from Denmark Street. As I didn’t understand the difference between a chord and single note at the time it came out sounding – to my frsytration at the time – not much like Rock N Roll Part II at all, which worked out pretty well in hindsight.
People often ask me if London is a true story and they are often surprised to find out that it is. I still feel bad about taking that TV as well.
Click the arrow on the Soundcloud to get your free download of this slice of history, and make sure you’re back here tomorrow for ADVENT DAY 4!
HO HO HO!
PS – don’t forget to check out a myriad of Swag Bags and Special offers in the ATD XMAS SHOP!
PPS – that photo was taken by Brother Saam Gabbay in LA in 2005.
OMG THIS IS SO MY JAM 
