Now it’s one thing for an artist from Copenhagen to enjoy success at home and in a few adjacent countries. But the release of Too Many Roads saw the seven-piece combo fronted by singer and guitarist Risager gaining widespread notoriety in the U.S. and being invited to play in locales as far away as Mumbai, India. The album took home the Danish Music Award as the Top Blues Album of 2014 and also earned Germany’s illustrious “Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik,” but perhaps even more impressively, it was selected as one the year’s best by Britain’s influential The Blues magazine, right alongside international stars like Robert Cray, Walter Trout and Joe Bonamassa. Clearly, Risager and his mates had taken their exhilarating mix of blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll to the next level.
Early in 2015, Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado celebrated that triumph by returning to one of their favorite nightspots – the Harmonie in Bonn, Germany. They would treat local fans to a one-of-a-kind spectacle, hitting the stage as a ten-piece mini-orchestra. After Thomas Ruf of Ruf Records introduces this deluxe edition of the band – including a three-man horn section and backing vocalists Ida Bang und Lisa Lystam – the colossal sound of Risager’s semi-hollow body spearheads the all-out attack of opening number “If You Wanna Leave.” He and his Black Tornado are off to the races…
The succeeding 100-minute concert, captured on CD and DVD for the newest addition to Ruf’s Songs from the Roadseries, shows off every facet of this unique conglomeration of musicians. There’s the sinuous funk of “Paradise” and the furious boogie of “The Straight and Narrow Line” (featuring big-time playing by piano man Emil Balsgaard and saxophonist Hans Nybo). There’s the twin-guitar blues of “Too Many Roads” and the rough-and-tumble attitude of “Rock ‘n’ Roll Ride.” There’s the chilling “China Gate” and the dark drama of “Long Forgotten Track.” Finally, the band whips the crowd into frenzy with their ultra-groovy take on the classic “Baby Please Don’t Go” and the timeless party anthem “Let The Good Times Roll,” the latter track showcasing the talents of lead guitarist Peter Skjerning. The funk workout “Opener” and the charming “I Won’t Let You Down” (performed as a duet with Lisa Lystam) offer some welcome after play.
More than anything, Songs from the Road shows that the success of Too Many Roads was no fluke. Thorbjørn Risager and his highly skilled accomplices have perfected a spicy blend of musical ingredients. The hundreds of shows they’ve played during the past few years have them running like a well-oiled machine. More great things can be expected of them in the future – but until then, we have this brilliant document of a band that is quietly revolutionizing the way we look at the blues.
The Black Tornado band
Thorbjørn Risager – leadvoc, gtr
Emil Balsgaard – keys
Peter Skjerning – gtr,voc
Kasper Wagner – alto-/barythonsax
Hans Nybo – tenorsax, voc
Peter Kehl – trumpet, perc, voc,
Søren Bøjgaard – bass
Martin Seidelin – drums, perc, voc,
The Tornadettes (guest appearance on “Songs from the road” and on special occasions!)
Ida Bang – voc
Lisa Lystam – voc
BAND FACTS
● Nominated for a British Blues Award 2014 & 2015
● Winner of the Danish Music Award 2013 & 2014
● The band was founded in 2003 and 5 of the band members have been there
since the start.
● In 2005 their cooperation with Annika Westman started who has booked
more than 700 concerts for them in 21 countries.
● Songs From The Road is their 10th album in 10 years!
You Better Pay Attention
Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
COME OVER HERE
SIT ON THAT CHAIR
I GOT SOMETHING ON MY MIND
THAT I WANNA SHARE 'CAUSE I'M
SICK AND TIRED OF THE WAY YOU'RE MISSBEHAVING
I DON'T WANT NO MOUTH FROM YOU
YOU BETTER PAY ATTENTION BABY
STOP WASTING MY TIME
'CAUSE I CAN'T TAKE ONE MORE MINUTTE OF YOUR JIVE
YOU SAY YOU DO
AND THEN AGAIN YOU DON'T
YOU SAY YOU WILL
BUT HONEY I SURE KNOW THAT YOU WONT
AND I PLAY IT COOL
BUT THAT DON'T MEAN THAT I'M A FOOL
SO YOU BETTER PAY ATTENTION BABY
STOP WASTING MY TIME
'CAUSE I CAN'T TAKE ONE MORE MINUTTE OF YOUR JIVE
IT'S WAY PAST MIDNIGHT WHEN YOU FINALLY COME HOME
THE WAY YOU BEEN ACTING GONNA BRING MY REPUTATION DOWN AND I JUST CAN'T ALLOW THE WAY YOU'RE BACK-TALKING
I YOU DON'T LISTEN PACK YOUR BACKS AND START WALKING
YOU BETTER PAY ATTENTION BABY
STOP WASTING MY TIME
'CAUSE I CAN'T TAKE ONE MORE MINUTTE OF YOUR JIVE
In Thorbjørn Risager's song "You Better Pay Attention," the lyrics depict a frustrated and fed-up protagonist addressing their partner's misbehavior and lack of attention. The singer urges their partner to listen and take notice of their words and actions. They express their exhaustion with the way their partner has been acting and the negative impact it is having on their relationship.
The first paragraph sets the scene, with the singer inviting their partner to sit down and listen. They begin by stating that there is something on their mind that they want to share. The singer emphasizes their dissatisfaction with their partner's behavior and makes it clear that they don't want any excuses or arguments. They demand attention and urge their partner to listen carefully to what they have to say.
In the second paragraph, the singer highlights the contradictory nature of their partner's words and actions. They emphasize that their partner often says they will do something but never follows through. Despite playing it cool, the singer acknowledges that they are not foolish enough to be deceived by their partner's empty promises. They once again stress the importance of paying attention and not wasting their time with insincere behavior.
The third paragraph reveals that the partner's actions have consequences. It is way past midnight when they finally come home, suggesting a lack of commitment and respect. The singer fears that their partner's behavior will tarnish their own reputation and cannot tolerate the way they talk back. The ultimatum is given: if the partner doesn't listen, they should pack their bags and leave. The singer emphasizes the gravity of the situation, reinforcing the need for attention and consideration.
The song's chorus, repeated throughout the lyrics, serves as a reminder of the singer's frustration and their inability to tolerate any more of their partner's insincere behavior. It conveys the message that the relationship is at a breaking point, and the singer cannot endure any more of their partner's empty promises and lack of attention. They demand respect and change in their partner's actions, highlighting the urgency and importance of paying attention.
Line by Line Meaning
COME OVER HERE
Please move closer to me
SIT ON THAT CHAIR
Take a seat on that specific chair
I GOT SOMETHING ON MY MIND
I have something important to talk about
THAT I WANNA SHARE 'CAUSE I'M
Because I am eager to share it with you
SICK AND TIRED OF THE WAY YOU'RE MISSBEHAVING
I am exhausted and frustrated with your inappropriate behavior
I DON'T WANT NO MOUTH FROM YOU
I don't want to hear any arguments from you
YOU JUST HERE ME WHEN I'M SAYING
You should only listen to me when I speak
YOU BETTER PAY ATTENTION BABY
You must focus and listen carefully, my dear
STOP WASTING MY TIME
Cease wasting my valuable time
'CAUSE I CAN'T TAKE ONE MORE MINUTTE OF YOUR JIVE
Because I cannot tolerate your deceitful words for another minute
YOU SAY YOU DO
You claim that you will
AND THEN AGAIN YOU DON'T
But then you change your mind and don't
YOU SAY YOU WILL
You assure me that you will
BUT HONEY I SURE KNOW THAT YOU WON'T
But my dear, I know for certain that you will not
AND I PLAY IT COOL
I portray a calm and collected demeanor
BUT THAT DON'T MEAN THAT I'M A FOOL
However, it doesn't imply that I am naive
SO YOU BETTER PAY ATTENTION BABY
Therefore, it is crucial that you pay attention, my dear
IT'S WAY PAST MIDNIGHT
The time is significantly late
WHEN YOU FINALLY COME HOME
When you eventually return to our shared residence
THE WAY YOU BEEN ACTING GONNA BRING MY REPUTATION DOWN
Your recent behavior will harm my reputation
AND I JUST CAN'T ALLOW THE WAY YOU'RE BACK-TALKING
I cannot tolerate the way you speak disrespectfully to me
IF YOU DON'T LISTEN PACK YOUR BACKS AND START WALKING
If you refuse to listen, gather your belongings and leave
YOU BETTER PAY ATTENTION BABY
You must prioritize paying attention, my dear
STOP WASTING MY TIME
Please refrain from squandering my time
'CAUSE I CAN'T TAKE ONE MORE MINUTTE OF YOUR JIVE
Because I cannot tolerate any more of your dishonesty
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: EMIL OLIVER BALSGAARD, KASPER MICHAEL WAGNER, MARTIN SEIDELIN, PETER J SKJERNING, PETER WEIENDORP KEHL, SOREN BOJGAARD, THORBJORN RISAGER
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