Utopian Track Breakdown: 3) Mesmerised

This was written late into the process. I often knock off something quickly when I think I'm about done with writing for a project. There are a few examples of this; Understanding Jane, Evangeline, I'm A Genius, Our Future In Space, You Stone My Soul. It's like a last dribble from the old todger before you zip up. They often prove to be the most popular too. Maybe it's because I'm not trying very hard and they have an easy going, what-the-hell fun element to them.

I came up with these chords in about as long as it takes to play them. Easy-going Yacht Rock - a genre I enjoy a great deal. I'd just bought a Brian May Red Special - I've always fancied one - a truly remarkable guitar, so far ahead of it's time when it was made (around 1963-64 I believe). The variation of tones is excellent - far more than a regular electric guitar in the same price range, due to the three Burns Trisonic pick-ups which can be knocked out-of-phase in any combination. It's effectively a single coil setup which can be turned into Humbuckers when used together (apologies to non-guitar people). I'm not sure how it would handle live as there is a lot of faffing about - I'm the singer as well as the guitarist and have a lot to think about onstage - singing in tune, remembering all the words, making sure you have the correct pedals on/off - controlling your guitar's output - throwing a few shapes. Anyway I came up with a nice lick, recorded it once (what you hear here is the only take I did) and BOOM - Isley Brothers/Peter Green hook-to-die-for. Recorded the vocal once (again, what you hear is the only take I did).

I was chatting to my old friend Jason Falkner (Jellyfish, Beck, Paul McCartney) on Facebook one night and he asked if he could have a listen to what I was up to. He liked what he heard and suggested I send him a few tunes so he could play some bass. I did and he did.

3) Mesmerised

You got me where you want me, you got me on your side,

you got my senses reelin' you got me mesmerised,

you got me with the first look, you had me with your eyes,

you got me in a headspin, you got me mesmerised,

and I know that this feeling is growin', getting stronger with every embrace,

every moment my mind starts to wanderin' is when I see your face,

and I hope that you're thinkin' the same thing and I pray that you're wantin' me too,

and I'm dreamin' that we'll be together, it's all I wanna do,

you got me mesmerised...

I see you when I'm sleeping, darlin' you're my prize,

it's a promise that I'm keepin', you got me mesmerised,

so don't you keep me waitin', cos each morning when I rise,

you're the first thing that I think of, you got me mesmerised,

and I know that this feeling is growin', getting stronger with every embrace, every moment my mind starts to wanderin' is when I see your face, and I hope that you're thinkin' the same thing and I pray that you're wantin' me too, and I'm dreamin' that we'll be together, it's all I wanna do, you got me mesmerised...

Written by R.I.McNabb © Peermusic (UK) Ltd. 2020

Ian McNabb: Lead vocal, electric guitar, acoustic guitar. Ciaron Bell: Fender Rhodes, percussion. Dixie Daye: Backing vocals. Jason Falkner: Bass. Drums: Nick Kilroe.