Last One To Heaven’s a Loser
Story Behind The Song by Andy Cairns (Sep 3rd, 2004)
The entire chorus for this song was written in Italy during a soundcheck on the High Anxiety tour (our Italian friends might be able to help us out. I’m not sure of the exact location, it’s a gig up above a shopping centre with porno wallpaper in the dressing room). Getting up dazed in a beautiful country with a dressing room full of Porn wallpaper and a head full of guilt from the previous night’s drunken and stoned antics just about kick started me off.
I wrote the rest at home a few months later and recorded it on my four-track with an ‘amyl nitrate’ pummeling heartbeat bass drum. Just to capture the carnal warmth of the song, you understand. Michael came over to stay at mine for a while and we developed the song further in a Revolting Cocks meets I Was Made For Loving You-era Kiss disco-rock direction.
Upon first hearing Neil was visibly shocked and suggested we lose the ‘Studio 54 beats’ and go for something more mid-paced. I added a guitar lick with ‘auto-wah’ on it which sounded strangely like a mix between harmonica and Jewish harp. Then we added the ‘Cossack’ middle-eight.
This, frankly ludicrous, mix of rock, gay-disco, redneck and Eastern-European funeral music still wasn’t rocking our boat. We liked the melody, we liked the lyrics, we liked the arrangement, we just couldn’t get a rhythm we loved.
At Stanbridge Farm producer Pete Bartlett turned on his full Tyler Durden from Fight Club persona: “I want you to play it as fast as you can.” And there you have it. Even more ludicrous. God, I love this band.
Lyrics
Last one to Heaven's a loser
Last one to Heaven's a loser
Last one to Heaven's a loser
Last one to Heaven's a loser
I'm damned for what I said
And the way I said it
I didn't think it through
And I don't think I meant it
Is it me that bothers you?
And will we live to regret this?
Too much air is lost already
Last one to Heaven's a loser
Last one to Heaven's a loser
Last one to Heaven's a loser
Last one to Heaven's a loser
Now you've fallen on hard times
You're ripped and torn like many
At the scene of all your crimes
You're guilty and they're plenty
Now you never leave the house
Unless you're really desperate
One last ticket to God knows where
Last one to Heaven's a loser
Last one to Heaven's a loser
Last one to Heaven's a loser
Last one to Heaven's a loser
Last one to Heaven's a loser
Last one to Heaven's a loser
Last one to Heaven's a loser
Last one to Heaven's a loser