The Screen Door

from Subourbon Road by Side Street

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about

Songs are inspired in different ways. Sometimes it's a phrase. Sometimes it's an emotion. Sometimes it is a story. And sometimes, it is a sound. That's what happened with The Screen Door.

A few years ago, my wife and I were in rural Vermont for a mountain biking trip. We were staying at an old lodge that had a funky screen door, and a very creaky wooden door. For some reason, I recorded each on my I-phone, thinking they might come in handy some day. And then, of course, I forgot about them.

Back in the spring of 2016, I discovered those sounds anew. The creaky door just reminded me of Halloween - and that didn't spark anything except a craving for candy. But the screen door... there was something about it that was hypnotic and ambiguous. It got me thinking about two young people living out in the middle of nowhere. What might their life be like?

This track started off as a home demo with just guitar, vocal and a scratch drum track. I wasn't sure it was a Side Street song. In fact, I wasn't sure it was a "keeper" at all -- many songs I write aren't. Nevertheless, we brought it to Hollow Body Studios where Bob recorded the ethereal fiddle part, and George sang some harmony vocals. That made it a bit more interesting.

In the intervening week, Doug was inspired to replace the original rhythm track and added the rest of the instrumentation. The next time we were at the studio, he played it for us with some trepidation. What did we think? We didn't change a thing.

lyrics

When the screen door slams I’ll be out that door for good
When the screen door slams I ain’t out back chopping wood
It’s been far too long since we’ve had peace
No matter what I do you scream and it don’t cease
When the screen door slams

When we built this home I said “babe It’s just for us”
When we laid the stone we were new and full of trust
Then the thunder came and the roof it leaked
The dog went lame had to put him down that week
When we built this home

With everything to live for things began to die
And if the end is nearing we’re still the fools who tried

When I call on God and promise I will change
When I call on God belief seems mighty strange
It’s been far too long since we’ve known peace
No matter what we do we make a mess of things
When I call on God

And if the end is nearing am I a fool to try
When the screen door slams I’ll be out that door for good
I’ll be out that door for good… I’ll be out that door for good…

credits

from Subourbon Road, released May 1, 2017
Eric Luskin - Guitars and vocals
Bob Littman - Fiddle
George Pultz - background vocals
Doug Kwartler - Drums, kitchen percussion, bass and dobro

Produced by Doug Kwartler @ Hollow Body Studios, Chelmsford MA

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about

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Side Street Boston, Massachusetts

Bob Littman: Mandolin,Violin & Vocals. Along with George, a charter member of The Maple Street Project. Currently plays with Roaring Jelly & area Celtic ensembles.

Eric Luskin: Guitar, bass & Vocals. Joined The Maple Street Project as the bass player because... who needs 3 guitars in a folk band?

George Pultz: Guitar & Vocals.
Performed with Bob in the late seventies in an acoustic duo. ... more

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