Home Music Articles Forums Blog Chat More...      

Strip Club

[Explicit]
by

jgurner

 Genre: Ambient

Get Flash to see this player.

Description
I got the idea for this song several weeks ago after spending some time on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. You can't swing a dead cat there without hitting a "Gentleman's Club," though I'm not exactly sure why anyone would be swinging a dead cat, much less swinging it in a crowded place such as Bourbon Street. I'm sure it would be very much frowned upon by everyone around.

Anyway, I got to thinking about the dark and dreary sides of these establishments rather than the fun, perky, smooth and well toned sides usually seen dancing around poles. Not that I'd ever frequent any of these establishments, unless, of course, the group I was with insisted. Then it's just a matter of common courtesy. I don't want to rock the boat...

Anyway....

This is the first tune I've put up in quite some time. The Muse seemed to have left me for quite some time. I haven't been around MJ too much lately, just stopping in every once in a while to catch a few tunes or just to see what was going on. Hopefully, the new year will be a more productive one.

This is a little different sound for me. I've put it under Ambient because, quite honestly, I don't know what else to put it under and I think it fits at least my understanding of what the category is.

This is also the first tune I'm posting using my brand new setup, including a new pre-amp, mic, speakers and a shiny new iMac. Woo Hoo!!!!

I hope you enjoy the tune.
Leave a Comment
You must be registered and logged-in to comment.
Lyrics
Strip Club

©2008 Joseph Gurner

Going to the strip club
tonight

I sit alone at the table
nursing seven dollar bourbon
hoping Brandy
can make the world go away

She’s so young and I wonder
what circumstances brought her
to me

She dances for me with her eyes closed
to hide the pain inside
I pretend not to see it
as my hands touch her skin

Going to the strip club
tonight

Hoping to find the peace
that left me so long ago

Outlines in the dark
dancing on the tables
As eager hands
seek out their tender touch

As she dances I keep my eyes closed
to hide the pain inside
She pretends not to notice
as her hands touch my skin

Going to the strip club
tonight

I try not to think about
the cruel world that brought us together
I just watch her dance
and try to get lost again



Song Stats
Hits: 1163
Comments: 23
Fans: 13
Plays: 87
Downloads: 50
Votes:
Uploaded: Dec 27, 2008 - 11:51:56 PM
Last Updated: Dec 27, 2008 - 11:51:56 PM Last Played: Jan 25, 2010 - 07:41:56 AM
Song License
Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Creative Commons

Song Actions
share on facebook share on twitter download song
Keywords:
Strippers (1), Strip Club (1), loss (54), longing (36), Brandy (2)
Hardware:
My shiny new iMac, M-Audio Mobile Pre, Peavey Studio Pro CM1 mic, Les Paul.
Software:
GB for recording
Logic Express 8 for mixing
Comments
Feter said 445 days ago (December 28th, 2008)
Strip Club
This is very deep and thoughtful ..as it carry a deep feeling story !
a true witness of real life there ...your vocal just so impressive
here ...the atmospheric sound bed just incredible ...hazy and foggy !!!
true ArtRock ...for some reason tis Roger Waters touch there ...just
so powerful ...thnx alot for sharin !!!!
jgurner said 443 days ago (December 29th, 2008)
Thanks Feter
There is definitely a little Roger Waters vibe in here. I wish I had a little more Tom Waits quality to my voice for this one. I think that would have been very appropriate.

As always, I appreciate you listing and you comments. Thanks much!
Check out my latest song called Scary Monsters (MJRF2010)
composerclark said 444 days ago (December 28th, 2008)
Great, original!
Well, I'm glad the muse came back, because this is very powerful, a really good song, with extremely powerful lyrics. The only technical suggestion I have is to somehow get your voice more out front; the words are so important here, and there's a kind of sonic saturation going on that slightly detracts from those great lyrics... It might be cool to have a sudden switch to a completely clean sound after a couple of verses... just an idea.

Anyway, this is great and very original, and you really should write more.
Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall
jgurner said 443 days ago (December 29th, 2008)
Chasing the Muse
It's almost a relief to be back into the swing of writing and recording again because it's such a major outlet for me. Hopefully, there will be more stuff coming soon.

As for the vocals, I had a hard time with them in the mix. It was really hard to get a balance that sounded good. That says more about my inexperience at mixing than anything though.

Thanks a lot for listening and taking the time to comment.
Check out my latest song called Scary Monsters (MJRF2010)
mikkinylund said 444 days ago (December 28th, 2008)
Very powerful
First, I can relate to this song on a very personal level and completely understand your words. The song; it is so different from what I've hard from you, but not any less powerful. This is great! I can agree with below, the voice could stand up-front a little bit more, but I am unsure, perhaps that would also destroy the mystique and dreaminess you are building up so successfully. The song has so many layers in it - I don't know, Sigur Ros comes to mind... I love the piano ending as well, it's like leaving the bar behind you, walk out, while they put the lights on and starts cleaning... Wonderful song Joseph!
Check out my latest song called Chelsea
jgurner said 443 days ago (December 29th, 2008)
It's funny..
...you should mention Sigur Ros because it was when you and I were sitting at Pat O's talking about them that the seeds for this were planted - something ethereal and dreamy. This whole tune really is inspired by that Bourbon Street trip. New Orleans is a very inspiring place. I definitely think the next time either of us is having trouble coming up with music, we should do another few nights in the French Quarter.
Check out my latest song called Scary Monsters (MJRF2010)
VicDiesel said 444 days ago (December 28th, 2008)
Disturbing
I made my first visit to New Orleans a year ago and I was quite surprised at the number of strip joints. I was expecting jazz clubs. Ok, I did find those, but the other kind of club was unexpected. I find them strange and disturbing. It's selling a fantasy, play acting with something that shouldn't be played with. This song expresses my doubts about them quite well.

The out of tune piano at the end is a nice touch.
Check out my latest song called Big man
jgurner said 443 days ago (December 29th, 2008)
New New Orleans
I've been going to New Orleans and the French Quarter since high school and let me tell you, the French Quarter and Bourbon Street are much different now, post Katrina, than before. Believe it or not it's cleaner and safer. Many of the side streets weren't necessarily safe, especially at night. And while there used to be a handful of clubs on and around Bourbon Street, now there are dozens. They are much nicer and much more mainstream, chain establishments, but it's an interesting change.

I think anytime you peel back the fantasy for the things we are sold, whether it's soap or sex, it's kind of disturbing to look at. While the fantasy of whiter teeth and fresher breath may not seem as powerful as that of sex and seduction, I think it's fascinating to get beneath the surface and look for some motivation.

Glad you stopped by and took a listen and I hope you make it back to New Orleans at some point. It really is a fun town.
Check out my latest song called Scary Monsters (MJRF2010)
davisamerica said 444 days ago (December 28th, 2008)
not that
just the words "strip club" would get my attention ... or that i would even know what they meant ... just saw a new post by you ... honest ... i would never swing a cat by it's tail ... much less on Burbon Street .. not that i have ever been there .... BTW the new set up sounds great and this is cool
Check out my latest song called Shine (MJ Collab)
jgurner said 443 days ago (December 29th, 2008)
I'm seriously considering...
Titling all my songs with provocative names. Maybe that'll draw in more listeners. :)

All I can say is that if you swing a cat by its tail, it'd better be a dead one. Otherwise, it will make you pay.

Thanks for playing.
Check out my latest song called Scary Monsters (MJRF2010)
Doadars Uncle said 444 days ago (December 28th, 2008)
Full!
Man, this is really wide! Surreal swirl. Must be the bourbon!
Check out my latest song called Growler
jgurner said 443 days ago (December 29th, 2008)
Bourbon Rocks!
Though none went into the creation of this, unfortunately. Maybe next time...

Thanks for listening.
Check out my latest song called Scary Monsters (MJRF2010)
Moviz said 444 days ago (December 28th, 2008)
very ponderous and
thoughtful. Your voice sounds very good especially against the harshness of some of the backing.... the plonky piano later, gives the right aura of a trace of seediness and the lyrics and arrangement are really good, regards M
Check out my latest song called The Hub of Life
jgurner said 443 days ago (December 29th, 2008)
Many thanks
I had the words before I had a clear idea of the music, though I know what I wanted to aim for. This isn't exactly where I was aiming, but I actually like it much better than what I was going for.

Thanks for the comments. Glad you enjoyed.
Check out my latest song called Scary Monsters (MJRF2010)
jiguma said 444 days ago (December 28th, 2008)
Nothing like ..
.. a shiny new iMac to inspire Joseph. Congratulations on getting over the brief creative doldrums.

This is very big - would like more vocal (or maybe less volume in the instruments. I have to admit that given the title I expected something a little "briefer" and perhaps more "transparent", but you've managed to make this work really well with the huge backing. This is such an amazing departure for you. This is a little like a heavy piece by Brian Wilson - just watched the Pet Sounds DVD and there are similarities in the wall of sound approach and the gentle melody overlay.

Boost the vocals and you have a seriously excellent post Joe.

Have a great 2009! So good to have a new post from you.

Neil
Check out my latest song called PBGB/jiguma Radio Interview
jgurner said 443 days ago (December 29th, 2008)
Heh...
I guess every time I hit an uncreative patch, I'll try to solve it by getting a new computer....

I had originally intended this to be a very sparse piece - droning synth, one guitar and voice - but it took on a life of its own while I was trying to come up with an appropriately gritty guitar sound. I agree the vocals should be out front a little more, but my attempts to do so put way too much separation between the voice and the music. I'm sure it can be done, I just don't know how. But if anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears.

Thanks for listening and all your support, Neil. It's greatly appreciated.
Check out my latest song called Scary Monsters (MJRF2010)
Macaudion said 444 days ago (December 28th, 2008)
well excuse me...
...for preparing for something... ummm... so huge!... More thought than my simple little glob could muster up of... ummm again..., of about anything!

I like the use of your voice in this, jG. Quite different for you. Sounds very mature. (nothing meant by the order of statements)

Don't know how you created the soundbed. Synth stuff, I guess, but it's just huge and quite serious.

Sounds like a soundtrack for a movie that you'd know you'd appreciate just by hearing the music for it.

Impressive.

Always nice to hear something new from you, sir. You just never know what treat awaits you when you see your name. And a treat it is. A very nice listen. Thanks alot, Jg. Dy
Check out my latest song called 123 iGetU
jgurner said 443 days ago (December 29th, 2008)
Me? Mature? :)
I don't delve into "gritty" too much thematically in my music, but it's kind of fun to do it every once in a while. I wanted something that would not only be different musically, but would require me to use my voice differently. This is much lower than I'm used to singing and to get the right effect I had to be right on the microphone.

All the various background noises were really fun. The drone is various types of synth and the rest is guitar with just about every effect piled on I could get. If you ever get the chance to listen to fellow MJer jackstone, he does a lot of very ethereal, ambient stuff using only layered guitar. It's great stuff.

Thanks as always, Dion, for you support. You are always very kind and encouraging and it is much appreciated.
Check out my latest song called Scary Monsters (MJRF2010)
haribo said 441 days ago (December 31st, 2008)
cool tune
the textures of ambiance is so unique it opened up my charcra and let me soak into the impression of this song - a sort of infatuation with the down, numb, drifting, blue kind of feeling and by going to strip club, just letting that go through

i sense something contrastingly, immensely sublime, hopeful going on in this tune at once
Check out my latest song called Fragment
that80sboy said 427 days ago (January 14th, 2009)
oooh yeah!
i'm always up for a little "longing" song...most of my tunes are that way too!...i really dig the end of this tune...piano outro...cool!

Check out my latest song called tomorrow or today
bronco said 424 days ago (January 17th, 2009)
Great stuff
I agree with all the others. Powerful stuff. Of course if you really touched you would not be standing upright in the club for very long as Bubba would have you out on your ass very quickly. The strip in Strip Club actually refers to the stripping from you of your money. There is really no sex and definitely no love only lust and greed! Of course you can find the same thing in Congress or any of the Fed banks!
Check out my latest song called Confusion
tokai said 414 days ago (January 28th, 2009)
Thought provoking
and eerie sound, which is perfect for this. Your lyrics are very good and apt for such a situation.
Check out my latest song called eiche/Gaylen75
Char said 365 days ago (March 17th, 2009)
I have never seen how
there could be any fun for the women who dance in front of men and rather that they are are really punishing themselves for something. I thought the melody was sad and that your understated vocal was appropriate to your mood. Very thought provoking. Thanks.
Check out my latest song called Intangible Bud mix
Fan List
Artist Info
artist photo
Name: Joseph Gurner
send a note
Under construction... (Which is a clever way of saying I'm too lazy to do too much updating on my page just now) Collabs: Neon and the Night and It's All Over Now The Dixie Mason Band (me and R.T. Cooper Meeting Disillusionment ... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info
Ambient music is a loosely defined musical genre that incorporates elements of a number of different styles - including jazz, electronic music, new age, rock and roll, modern classical music, reggae, traditional, world and even noise.

More songs in Ambient:

Chat
Who's Online
1tuneUS
5US
60US
59IS
45tuneUS
2tuneUS
60DE
16tuneCA
14tuneUS
17US
Invisible Members: 6
Visitors: 41
Links
Comcast Cable Deals