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Author Topic: Drummy B  (Read 749 times)

Amandistan

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Drummy B
« on: May 13, 2015, 03:28:44 PM »
This is a very emotive song that reminds me of some events in my life but does anyone know what it's really about?
Who is Billy Mcaan?   And does the use of the word barricade refer to something political or is it a metaphor.
What has the narrator done for Billy to never forgive him?

Any answers would be great appreciated.

To me It sounds like a war or occupation of some sort
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Rusco

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Re: Drummy B
« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2015, 04:46:05 PM »
Good question. "Billy McCann" - it's one of the questions that has been asked many times. One of them.

Now, (Shush) where is the topic you mentioned where were all of these mysterious top 10 questions? I haven't find it yet.  :-\
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Amandistan

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Re: Drummy B
« Reply #2 on: May 13, 2015, 04:48:54 PM »
That sounds like and interesting topic. If anyone can dig it up it would be great.
I would if only I had enough time in the day.
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lotus

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Re: Drummy B
« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2015, 05:38:15 PM »
Source: BD7net (Chinese Whispers):

Who is Billy McCann?* According to Rob, it is either a fictitious person or an amalgamation of real people that Justin knew when he used to live in Ireland. All other details are unknown. (Source: Robert Heaton) [Last modified: 1/24/98]

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And me, I`ve got a black place in my heart
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Master Ray

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Re: Drummy B
« Reply #4 on: May 13, 2015, 06:43:35 PM »
Whatever the meaning, it's a stone cold ******* classic...
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Rusco

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Re: Drummy B
« Reply #5 on: May 13, 2015, 07:03:49 PM »
Once about 8 years ago I asked here what or who Justin sings about when he's referring to "her"? It repeats many times in most of the records... For example someone assumed Ambition is a song dedicated to Joolz herself.
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Shush

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Re: Drummy B
« Reply #6 on: May 13, 2015, 07:11:16 PM »
Joolz is "her" in  Mambo Queen of the sandstone City. Sorry Rusco, I do not know about the 10 questions. Sounds interesting though, if anyone else does.
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Rusco

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Re: Drummy B
« Reply #7 on: May 13, 2015, 07:23:14 PM »
Ok, sorry I remembered it wrong. But it was someone that said something like that.  :)
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lotus

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Re: Drummy B
« Reply #8 on: May 13, 2015, 07:24:37 PM »
"She"  is the one who has to be obeyed ?
 ;)
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And me, I`ve got a black place in my heart
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Perhaps - I am the master of nothing?

Danny

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Re: Drummy B
« Reply #9 on: May 13, 2015, 07:50:56 PM »
There was a time on the board when the stock answer to  'what does 225 mean?' was 'it's the number of times this question has been asked on this board', but I'm sure we're WAY past that number by now ;)
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Amandistan

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Re: Drummy B
« Reply #10 on: May 13, 2015, 08:44:40 PM »
So it's possibly about the Irish/British conflict.  If he represents people JS met when living in Ireland then that would make perfect sense.

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Johnz

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Re: Drummy B
« Reply #11 on: May 13, 2015, 11:00:39 PM »
Yes it is about Northern Ireland. This what it says in the B-Sides and Abandoned Tracks booklet:

"These weren't the original lyrics which everyone liked except Justin. He decided to make it the song about Belfast that he'd been trying to write for years."

Have a look at Stephanie's amazing annotated lyrics page for more background info on the song:

http://www.ne-ne.de/nmasongs/annotations/de.html#bonfires

Love the song although I do like the original lyrics even better.


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Master Ray

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Re: Drummy B
« Reply #12 on: May 14, 2015, 08:41:34 PM »
Great version of this wonderful song, just in case any of you lovely lot ain't heard it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD-dG9T3sWw

 ;)
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Rusco

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Re: Drummy B
« Reply #13 on: May 14, 2015, 09:26:28 PM »
I always remember a certain moment when I listened to DrummyB. It was beautiful summer of -97 and I was travelling with a bus full of friends to Roskilde festival. We drove through Sweden and I had B-Sides & Abandoned Tracks cassette with me. The bus driver let me to play the whole album from the bus' stereo system. I watched the beautiful countryside of southern Sweden and listened to DrummyB.  8)
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Guillaume

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Re: Drummy B
« Reply #14 on: May 18, 2015, 08:48:01 PM »
What an amazing song it is!!!
One of my favourite from NMA.
The way Justin sings it, it's an heartbreaking song about a broken friendship, i guess!
The long melancholy intro, very moody...i don't know why, remind me of U2"s "where the streets have no name?"...this track and then "Marry the sea" on the "B Sides "album, pure musical bliss!!
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