In 1977, Friday was a founder of Virgin Prunes (legendary avant-garde post-punk group). 1987-2005 he composed & performed with, musical partner, Maurice Seezer. He released his 4th solo album CATHOLIC in April 2011.
Gavin Friday & The Man Seezer albums (with Maurice), inc: "Each Man Kills The Thing He Loves" (1989), "Adam 'N' Eve" (1992) & "Shag Tobacco" (1995).
Film scores & soundtracks include Get Rich or Die Tryin', In America, In the Name of the Father, The Boxer, Disco Pigs, Short Cuts and Romeo + Juliet. Gavin worked with producer Hal Willner on the music for director Abel Ferrera's movie Chelsea on the Rocks (2008). He has also collaborated with the English composer Gavin Bryars, setting Shakespeare's sonnets to music.
Stage Shows include the Kurt Weill Extravaganza Ich Liebe Dich, the one man show I didn't come up the Liffey in a bubble and Gavin's tribute to German music, Tomorrow belongs to me.
Gavin Friday played the character Billy Hatchet in Neil Jordan's film Breakfast in Pluto (2006). He recorded three songs for the film, two of which are featured on the soundtrack album: 'Sand' and 'Wig Wam Bam'.
Sites: Discogs, YouTube and Official Site
Shag Tobacco
Gavin Friday Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've outgrown the ways of the street and the nightshade
Hey! goodnight ladies... ladies bye bye.
I work odd hours, get home late most nights
She's upstairs, I'm downstairs,
Drinking coffee in the kitchen
Spoon in the sugar, knife in the butter... I want you.
Do you love me? Say you do, I'd like to see you undress
Let the light shimmer down, I've ordinary addictions
Whisper soft into my ear, secret words heaven sent
So you can read my mind
Hush dear... the night is always young
There's no day here, tomorrow never comes
Let colours fly, we're safe from harm
See orange glow, let our love flow
No Romeo no Juliet,
What we got is deeper than that
Lets stay in bed, watch t.v. and shag tobacco
I want you, I want you....
You're my amphetamine you're my lover....
And there's no other.... ....there's no other.... there's no other
The lyrics to Gavin Friday's "Shag Tobacco" describe an ordinary yet passionate relationship between the singer and their partner. The singer notes that they have "ordinary addictions," suggesting that their love for their partner is an addiction in addition to possibly having other vices. They have moved away from the dangers of the street and have settled into a more domestic lifestyle. Despite this, the singers have a deep longing for their partner, as evidenced by the line "I want you" repeated multiple times throughout the song.
The singer goes on to ask their partner if they love them and invites them to undress. They describe their love as being safe from harm and letting their love flow. The pair seems content with their relationship and does not desire the grandness of a romantic story like Romeo and Juliet. Instead, they choose to stay in bed, watch TV, and "shag tobacco," which can be interpreted as enjoying each other's company in a low-key and intimate way. This song celebrates the beauty and simplicity of an everyday love while still emphasizing the intense passion of the two people involved.
Line by Line Meaning
I have ordinary addictions
I have typical cravings that I have grown accustomed to.
I've outgrown the ways of the street and the nightshade
I have matured and moved away from risky behaviors associated with the street and drugs.
Hey! goodnight ladies... ladies bye bye.
I bid farewell to the women I will no longer be seeking for the night.
I work odd hours, get home late most nights
I have an unconventional work schedule which means I come back home late frequently.
She's upstairs, I'm downstairs,
My lover is on the upper level while I am on the ground floor.
Drinking coffee in the kitchen
I take my coffee in the kitchen where I am thinking.
Spoon in the sugar, knife in the butter... I want you.
I want to become intimate with you.
Do you love me? Say you do, I'd like to see you undress
If you love me, show me by stripping off your clothes.
Let the light shimmer down, I've ordinary addictions
The atmosphere is perfect for intimacy and I have typical desires that I indulge in.
Whisper soft into my ear, secret words heaven sent
Speak softly to me, tell me sweet things causing me to feel euphoria.
So you can read my mind
I am hoping you know what I want without me having to say anything.
Hush dear... the night is always young
Be quiet, my love, there is still plenty of time in the night for us.
There's no day here, tomorrow never comes
Time stands still in this moment of intimacy; there is no dawn and the future cannot touch us.
Let colours fly, we're safe from harm
Let everything go and we can be reckless because nothing can hurt us in this moment.
See orange glow, let our love flow
The orange light gives me a feeling that our love is free to grow.
No Romeo no Juliet,
Our love story is not like that from Romeo and Juliet.
What we got is deeper than that
What we share is more profound than the famous tragedy.
Lets stay in bed, watch t.v. and shag tobacco
We should remain in bed and cuddle while smoking tobacco.
I want you, I want you....
I am desiring you with all of my heart.
You're my amphetamine you're my lover....
You are my stimulant, you arouse me and you are the love of my life.
And there's no other.... ....there's no other.... there's no other
I am completely devoted to you and nobody else can compare to you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GAVIN FRIDAY, MORRIS ROYCROFT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind