Billie’s Vamp Phase

“Billie’s Vamp Phase” is sad and funny at the same time; common elements of my “Flounder” material. After performing it live I learned from the audience feedback that it was assumed by many that this song was a personal account from my own life. While I identify with many of the characters in “Flounder” they are based on Gunter Grass’ book. JB of “My Hero” thought the end of this song from “Flounder” would fit well in one of those “after-school-TV-specials.”

Billie’s Vamp Phase – Lyrics
When I took up with Billie in 1990
She was a curly-blond law student
Voluptuously rounded.
Sometimes hard-working
Sometimes moodily lazy

We considered ourselves
engaged.
Then she suddenly (and deliberately)
turned Vamp
While casually preparing
for her exams
She drained and dropped
at least a dozen men
What do you really want?
Can’t you make up your mind?
How many wishes have you got left?

So quick as a flash
because I thought it would help
I made her a child
but the kid was in the way
and got turned over to her grandparents
Quick as a flash
Motherhood nauseated Sybelle
Her vamp phase was petering out

She lost weight
She began to look like a skinny old maid
She wouldn’t let me
or anyone else
near her
just talked about existentialism
that kind of thing
but once she mad her decision
I’m different’n’that’s that
She let me in now and then
We got along much better than before
(You’ve got to expect these contradictions)
We used to visit the monkeys and the seals
once a month at the zoo
We looked (in photos)
like “real” parents
a little family

Credits
from Broken Glass Promenade, track released 15 June 2012

Track Credits
Composed by The StiKman
Lyrics inspired by Günter Grass
Produced and Engineered by The StiKman
Arranged by The StiKman with Wally Scharold
Mixed by The Stikman
Production consultant: Nicholas Dobson

The StiKman: Vocals
Wally Scharold: Guitar and Vocals
Rob Reich: Keyboards
John Brooks: Bass Guitar
Robin Reynolds: Cello and Vocals
Craig Dukes: Trap Drums

Basic tracks performed with My Hero :
The StiKman, Wally Scharold, Rob Reich, John Brooks, Robin Reynolds, Craig Dukes