Supa Brava

I was very lucky during the 1990’s to be invited to play bass for Chris Cain who was touring Australia for the very first time and needed a pickup band. Chris is regarded by his peers as a giant in blues and it was my good fortune to play, tour and learn from him over many years.

“Hands down my favourite blues player on the scene today. He’s an absolute blinder of a guitarist, with the voice of B.B. King and the chops of Albert King.” JOE BONAMASSA – Blues Guitarist.

I can’t remember exactly when I got the idea to write “Working On The Chain Gang”, but I do know that I was inspired by Chris and his incredible talent and understanding of the Blues. I wanted to write a tune that showcased the guitar and B3, two instruments that Chris played well and that features in many blues tunes.

Working on the Chain Gang started out with nonsense verse lyrics however my chorus lyric was solid; I would sing “Working On The Cain Gang”. I thought of writing about my time on the road with Chris Cain but that idea fell flat. I had settled on the music and the groove and just needed a strong. blues worthy story.

The Blues is a genre that encapsulates a distinct feeling; a feeling of loss, hardship and sorrow. For example if you’re down on your luck and things seem bad, you’ll feel blue; you’ll have the blues.

The subject matter of “Working On The Chain Gang” hangs figuratively off the song title. The lyric expands to tell the story of a fella down on his luck, with ever pressing responsibilities and obligations.

Verse 1 sets the tone suggesting the character works like a dog to met his relentless financial responsibilities and obligations as a Father of three while his best friend is sleeping in his ex-wives house. 

“Look at me. Do you see the same? Every day seems like yesterday” is the reoccurring pre chorus, suggesting that his bad luck is surreal and can’t be normal.

The chorus is the pay off and the title of the track. It conjures up the feeling of enslavery, being chained and made to work.

Verse 2 provides a little respite for the character as the scenes shifts with the whistle blowing and he stands down for the day. The story places the character not in the comfort of his own car but on a bus, alone with his thoughts, reflecting upon his sad situation. He fantasises of a better life. In reality he can’t even end it because nis Gas has been cut off. 

“Working On The Chain Gang” features the guitars of Jim Kelly, organ by Clayton Doley and a sax solo worth waiting till the end of the song for from David Cox.

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To follow is the lyric in its entirety. I hope my explanation gives you an insight into the story. Please comment and leave your own thoughts. I’d love to hear from you. 

Cheers, 
Jeff

Verse 1 

Get up Monday – wish it was Saturday. 
Trade my life for a dog any day. 
Been ten years, all work no play. 
Two shifts – three kids to feed. 
My best friend meets my ex-wife’s needs. 
I can’t lose this ball and chain.Tomorrow comes; do it all again. 

Look at me. Do you see the same? 
Every day seems like yesterday. 

Chorus 
Working On The Chain Gang 
Feels like I’m Working On The Chain Gang. 

Verse 2 

Thank God that whistles blown. 
I’m on the bus for home. 
Huh, ain’t got much that I can call my own. 
You see, got a notice – Disconnect the Phone. 
I gaze at the magazine. 
Dream I’m that guy on the jet ski. 
Lord knows this can’t go on. 
Wouldn’t be here if the gas was on. 

Look at me. Do you see the same? 
Every day seems like yesterday. 

Chorus 
Working On The Chain Gang 
Feels like I’m Working On The Chain Gang. 

© 1998 Jeff Camilleri. All rights reserved.

Bebe is a name my daughter called our toy poodle when she first began to put words together. Our little black bundle of fluff (the dog, not my daughter) was named Frankie after my Father, Francis. In way of background, the little black dog had a white tough of fluff on her bottom chin that looked like a little white goatee. My father had a Frank Zapper style moustache and goatee so the name fitted perfectly.

Bebe in French means baby. I didn’t know that until just now when I did an internet search. When I adapted this feminine name for my lyric I thought it sounded like it could be a nickname for Beatrice as in Bea or Bea-Bea. Again as I research the internet, Bebe is quoted as a suitable nickname for Beatrice so that’s fortunate.

The subject matter for Bebe was inspired not by a fictitious girl but by a fella I once knew. The persons short life and story that inspired this lyric was not dissimilar to many troubled souls. A life full of hope and promise but sadly short and unfulfilled.

In my storyline, Bebe is a troubled girl. The opening lyric describes her as a “dark chick”. This is not a reference to her skin colour but to her character. The verses go on to suggest that Bebe has some serious and complex issues. This subject is explored in more depth as the song develops.

I don’t think I’ve been overtly cryptic however I guess you might need to pick up on some figurative language here and there. You may also pick up on blatant and obvious references to addiction and sickness as well as the struggle Bebe is facing to break free from the damaging impact of abuse on her life.

The reoccurring pre-verse / pre-chorus introduces two characters; Catface and Babaloo. These guys are depicted as street toughs and hustlers. Read into it what you will, however my thought was to give you an impression that Bebe’s problems extended to being controlled by thugs and go-betweens.

The use of the words “brown sugar” and “china white” are not only there because they sing well and provide a sense of familiarity; but because they give significance to Bebe’s issues. These alternate titles are the street names of the substance she is struggling with and the underlining source of her problem.

Sadly for many who struggle with abuse and dependancy, the outcome is not good. Whilst the setup in the story portrays despair and desperation I wanted the punch line to Bebe to focus on hope. I write that inbuilt into her problem is a fix. But ultimately this fix needs to find a way from within. Further to that, the chorus sings of hope and support. I write “Bebe it’s waiting for you. Cut it away, start anew” suggesting that she needs to go cold turkey, a hard but often successful method that many use to break from addiction. 

In the bridge I introduce the idiom “to have a monkey on one’s back”. This is a metaphor meaning an addiction that cannot be controlled, as if to have a small annoying primate menacing you. (No offence, monkey lovers. Just a metaphor. I actually like monkeys.)

I first came across the “monkey on your back” metaphor when reading the biography of James Taylor. Being a fan of James and his music I later listened more intently to “A Junkie’s Lament”. The lyric speaks of the junkie being sick and the monkey being strong. In my lyric I suggest that Bebe can win the fight against her addiction. ” ….That monkey’s not so bright. Scratch him and kick him”.

As a musician first and songwriter second, the music comes to me more quickly. The lyric is what I labour over for weeks, months and sometimes years. With Bebe, I tried to write a story that is thoughtful, respectful with meaning. Bebe is a fictitious character however her inspiration is real and close. Anyone who is suffering from addiction or any type of illness be it physical or mental needs support. I took my time with this lyric and hope you think I hit the mark. 

To follow is the lyric in its entirety. I hope my explanation gives you an insight into the story of Bebe. Please comment and leave your own thoughts. I’d love to hear from you. 

Cheers, 
Jeff

Bebe she’s a dark chick. Gotta get her medicine or she’ll get sick. 
Where you gonna take him Bebe, you sure he’s gonna like it? 
Bebe it’s a real deal. Yeah he’s buying. 

Cat Face and Babaloo, they’re hanging on the corner. 
They wanna talk to you, scatting and riffing. 

Bebe, look and listen. Mister got a handle on your addiction. 
Of course you gotta work it just to get the benefit. 
You got yourself a problem with a fix it. 

Catface and Babaloo still hanging on the corner. 
They wanna talk to you, scatting and riffing. 

I hope you make it someday. Hitch a ride get far away. 
Bebe it’s waiting for you. Cut it away, start anew. 

Bebe, she’s hurting. They put her through the wringer and nearly killed her. 
Go and put the gown on Bebe, behind the curtain. 
Doctor makes it better? That ain’t certain. 

Hey, there’s no fooling you. You got the scars to prove it. 
Brown Sugar / China White.  Go on, forget it. 

I hope you make it someday. Hitch a ride get far away. 
Bebe it’s waiting for you. Cut it away, start anew. 

I hope you gain the energy to win another fight. 
That monkey’s not so bright. Scratch him and kick him. 

I hope you make it someday. Hitch a ride, get far away. 
Bebe it’s waiting for you. Cut it away, start anew. 
I hope you make it someday. You keep it real, you’re okay. 
Bebe I’m rooting for you. For now I bid you adieu. 

Songwriter: Jeffrey James Camilleri  
Bebe lyrics © 2007 Jeffrey James Camilleri. All rights reserved.