Saving Grace
Back when dinos… Read Full Bio ↴Scott Kempner by Denise Sullivan
Saving Grace
Back when dinosaurs roamed rock stages, New York's the Dictators and Scott Kempner (aka Top Ten) came along with their pre-punk savage beat and contributed to their extinction. In the '80s Kempner wrote the songs and fronted the rootsier Del Lords, the kind of band you could rely on to deliver no BS rock 'n' roll in an age when carefully coiffed bands, from the hair metal variety to Flock of Seagulls, ruled the radio waves and MTV. An American guitar band could barely get arrested back then, but that didn't stop Kempner and his bros from running down the dream in jeans and workboats to the tune of a sweaty American beat.
I don't think I was the only one back then who had a hard time distinguishing the Del Lords' urban boogie from Boston's twang-tinged Del Fuegos (when it came to roots-rock I relied on my home state's the Blasters). But when the Del Fuegos lent their image and sound to a beer company, which was just about the uncoolest thing a band could do at the time, sides were drawn and the Del Lords bumped up a few notches on the real deal, roots rock radar.
Yes, that was all a frighteningly long time ago and today people of a certain age are more familiar with the Del Fuegos' Dan Zanes than they are with the Del Lords' Scott Kempner: Zanes is a children's music artist with old fans who play his records to their kids while Kempner's profile is significantly lower. He hasn't made a solo record since the early '90s (and when you think of it, that is also a frighteningly long time ago). But when he does step out, as he did with Little Kings—the band he formed when original Bronx rocker Dion ("The Wanderer", "Runaround Sue") called him up for a little co-creation—he doesn't stray far from his roots.
Dion and Kempner wrote "Heartbeat of Time" during those '90s sessions and Dion sat in on the recording of it for Saving Grace. Both "Heartbeat of Time" and the new album's "Love Out of Time" have that tentative, fluttery, and yet steadily rising Brill Building sound, like something Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman would write back in the day (and a little like a certain type of song Bruce Springsteen still writes). The Bruce connection runs deep round these parts: Bruce loves Dion and so does Kempner who also proclaims to be charged up by the Boss and their mutual influences, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. Which leaves Kempner open to further comparisons to East Coast rock types and a specific type of songwriting performer: One who combines sincerity with swagger, as Southside Johnny, Little Steven, and the two Willies: Nile and DeVille, all do. Of course Bruce was the one who made their genre his, by fusing retro song values with Byrds and Beatles-styled guitar and a workingman's point of view. And you can hear Kempner's version of that formula on the tough but restrained "Beyond the Pale" and "Baby's Room", with their guitars that sing out with a vintage jangle.
"Stolen Kisses" is like a punky boogie party. I want to say that throughout the album (gulp) J. Geils Band came to mind even though I know some people will hate me for just conjuring their name (personally, I can't deny their '70s hits). There's one song by an outside writer—"I'll Give You Needles" by Tommy Womack—a popular singer-songwriter that I'm afraid I just don't understand. Kempner takes seriously his American musical heritage and surrounds himself with longtime musical companions as well as session guys of some repute (bassist Bob Babbitt, drummer Ed Greene, and engineer Bob Olhsson).
"Passion Red", a song steeped in old world imagery complimented by an edgy arrangement, provides a refreshing chaser to the 10 otherwise straight shots of roots rock, while "Here Come My Love" provides another opportunity for Kempner to showcase his looser side. He plays great guitar on the album, and when he gets Link Wray-ed like he does on these tracks, it made me think a little more of that woulda been good.
Seeking redemption through real rock 'n' roll is a pretty old-fashioned and romantic ideal; it's rarely achievable in modern rock song unless your name is Joe Strummer or Bruce Springsteen. But you can't hold it against a guy like Kempner for trying; most rockers don't even bother attempting it anymore.
Romeo And Juliet
Scott Kempner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got a little something I want to do.
Gonna buy something I can ride in
Take my girl dating at the drive-in,
Our love's gonna be written down in history
Just like Romeo and Juliet
I'm gonna buy her pretty presents,
Gonna show her how much I lover her
Let her know that one way or the other,
Our love's gonna be written down in history
Just like Romeo and Juliet
Right now I'm speculating,
Wonder what to morrow's gonna really bring.
If I don't find work tomorrow
It's gonna be heartaches and sorrow,
Our love's gonna be destroyed by a tragedy
Just like Romeo and Juliet
Talk about love and romance,
Just wait till I get myself straight.
I'm gonna put Romeo's fame right smack dab outta date.
Finding a job tomorrow morning,
Got a little something I want to do.
Gonna buy something I can ride in
Take my girl dating at the drive-in,
Our love's gonna be written down in history
Just like Romeo and Juliet
The lyrics of Scott Kempner's "Romeo and Juliet" depict the desire from a man to have a better life for himself and his girlfriend. He is looking for a job to buy a car and take her on romantic dates, wanting to shower her with beautiful gifts and show her how much he loves her. He believes their love is special and will be written down in history, just like the famous star-crossed lovers from Shakespeare's play. However, the singer is aware of the reality that his plans could be thwarted if he doesn't find work, causing their love to end in tragedy like Romeo and Juliet. Nevertheless, he is determined to succeed and fulfill his romantic dreams for the sake of their love.
The song's themes of love, romance, and the pursuit of a better life are relatable to many people. The lyrics particularly emphasize the importance of economic stability in maintaining relationships, and the implication that love can fall apart due to the inability to provide for a partner. The song also references the famous tale of Romeo and Juliet, highlighting the cultural impact and universal nature of their story.
Line by Line Meaning
Finding a job tomorrow morning,
I will begin my job search tomorrow morning.
Got a little something I want to do.
I have something important I want to accomplish.
Gonna buy something I can ride in
I plan to purchase a vehicle.
Take my girl dating at the drive-in,
I want to take my girlfriend to a drive-in movie theater.
Our love's gonna be written down in history
Our relationship will be remembered and talked about for years to come.
Just like Romeo and Juliet
Our relationship will be like the famous love story of Romeo and Juliet.
I'm gonna buy her pretty presents,
I want to shower my girlfriend with gifts.
Just like the ones in the catalog.
I plan to buy her gifts that will compare to those seen in stores.
Gonna show her how much I lover her
I am eager to demonstrate my love for her.
Let her know that one way or the other,
I want to communicate to her that I am committed to our relationship.
Our love's gonna be written down in history
Our love will be remembered and celebrated.
Just like Romeo and Juliet
Again, our relationship will be compared to the famous story of Romeo and Juliet.
Right now I'm speculating,
At the moment, I am unsure about certain things.
Wonder what to morrow's gonna really bring.
I am thinking about what the future may hold and what could happen tomorrow.
If I don't find work tomorrow,
If I am not successful in my job search tomorrow,
It's gonna be heartaches and sorrow,
I will likely experience emotional pain and hardship.
Our love's gonna be destroyed by a tragedy
My relationship with my girlfriend could end in a tragic way.
Just like Romeo and Juliet
Again, this mirrors the story of Romeo and Juliet.
Talk about love and romance,
It's easy to talk about love and romance.
Just wait till I get myself straight.
However, I need to focus on important things before romantic pursuits.
I'm gonna put Romeo's fame right smack dab outta date.
Eventually, my love will be bigger and more well-known than Romeo's story.
Finding a job tomorrow morning,
Once again, I will begin my search for a job tomorrow morning.
Got a little something I want to do.
I still have something important I want to accomplish.
Gonna buy something I can ride in
My goal to purchase a vehicle still stands.
Take my girl dating at the drive-in,
I am still eager to take my girlfriend on a date to the drive-in.
Our love's gonna be written down in history
Once again, our love will be remembered and celebrated.
Just like Romeo and Juliet
And once again, it will be like Romeo and Juliet.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Freddie Gorman, Bob Hamilton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind