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Emporium

from Lifer: Greatest Hits by Mark Weir

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about

Elements of this track existed for a few years before Mark brought the finished song to the band Shift in early 2000. It appeared in riff form in a March 1999 Gypsys jam session, later named "Son of Emporium". The song proper first began to be practised in the early part of 2000 as the band was already attempted to record it during an ill-fated recording session at Avalanche Audio in April of 2000. The track, initially a three-piece version, was expanded when first Ben joined the group as singer and then when Shay, Kerry and Bob's cousin joined the band for a month. This version, recorded in the end of 2000 at Marmalade Studio, is the only track to feature the basswork of Shay, the chromatic scale at the end of the song a highlight.

The song is based on the tale of "The Emperor's New Clothes" and is a criticism of men who often claim to have a particular taste for certain beers, but ultimately can't tell them apart.

lyrics

Look what we have here
The Emperor’s new beer
With a taste that was taken from the sun no mistakin’
It’s the best beer of the year.

And if you can’t taste it, then you’re a fool
And if you can’t taste it, you’ve lost your cool
Why don’t you try it, the Majestry buy it
The emperor himself says so

Sunkissed by the Gods
Poured down from Rainbows end
Brewed and distilled and then rushed over hills
To the capital my friend

I’ve marketed this brew most suitably
Only the smart and wise will ever see
The taste that’s created, its unprecedented
Most suitably royalty

Looks like I’m gonna win
Another town sucked in
Don’t know what they oughta cos they’re just drinking water
With a flavouring my friend

The marketing pitch worked so beautifully
Like sheep they flocked to taste such ecstasy
They’ll beg and they’ll differ in ignorant litter
But all beer tastes the same.

credits

from Lifer: Greatest Hits, released April 5, 2017
Keyboards by Mark Weir, vocals by Ben Stevenson, guitars by Kerry Logan, bass by Shay Markby and drums by Bobby Logan.

Written by Mark Weir. Produced by Mark Weir and Shift.
Recorded at Marmalade Studio, Wellington in 2000 and released on the 2003 Shift album "Happens"

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The RockLords New Zealand

A collective of 13 bands and artists that all form one musical family, ranging from jam sessions in lounges and garages in 1993 to full scale studio recordings and all that's in-between. Always interesting, and often amazing, please enjoy the RockLords! ... more

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