::This Is It (Your Soul) April, 04::
'This Is It (Your Soul) was released as a single from the album 'Songs From The Rain' in 1993. As of the other releases from this album, 'This Is It (Your Soul)' came as two single CD releases. 'This Is It (Your Soul)' was written with Dave Stewart of The Eurythmics. Unlike previous releases from this album the green version featured live versions and the orange version featured cover songs exclusive to these singles. The green cover was a limited edition Z-case which would hold both releases when collected.
HF.com: When was the song written?
LIAM: Straight after 'An Emotional Time' co-written with Dave Stewart.
HF.com: How did Dave become involved?
L: Dave came to see us in the Beacon Theatre in New York and he really liked the gig. I got word - I was in a hotel and he wanted to do work. I didn't know whether I wanted to or not but Dave Stewart...! So I called him. I was being cautious. I was asking, "Why us?" He said, "If nothing else we'll have a laugh." That was the magic word! If you're not coming with any serious agendas you're coming to the right place. He came to the Factory and wrote three songs; 'Your Soul', 'An Emotional Time' and 'The Beginning' which hasn't seen the light. His technique was for that particular session was to find the hook first - the guitar riff and then 'this is it' gave the identity. The guitar was a Duane Eddie effect, that kind of era. Then upon that hang the song - go completely different again. We recorded in 'Air' in the end of Oxford Street which is no longer there.
HF.com: Where did the lyrics come from? What was the approach?
L: The words came fairly quickly. That session had a great sense of industry. Dave brought in a constructive and playful atmosphere. No room to be critical. While everyone was sorting chords I could think of words. They came out quickly. No time to be laborious about them. The song knew what it was about before I did.
HF.com: What about the actual lyrical content?
L: It wasn't to write a song about your soul. Another part that Dave brought were these building blocks - The Stop - which I always love. I think it's very good for a band. Everyone's playing chords, beats, rhythms - when a stop comes it's one. BANG! A complete 'one'.
HF.com: When you took the song out live it changed to a funky intro with Peter slapping the bass and Jerry changed his drumline grooving away on a cowbell and then starting the song when you felt the time was right. How and why did it change?
L: We were playing around. I can't remember any decision. That song could go anywhere. That song could provide a few surprises as we go along.
HF.com: On the 'LIVE' album it changed again to an acoustic feel with Wayne Sheehy using brushes and Peter using an acoustic guitar.
L: It was a conversation. I needed less volume. I need to remind everyone I need a little less volume!
HF.com: Why 'F*** them all and listen'?
L: Just felt like saying it that way. I think I was conscious of people thinking about the sweetness of certain songs and some people giving out to me about the songs. Songs being too blue-eyed... The idea of 'Listen to the water' - that person was there. I knew that person was there that night. A person who I'd had that conversation with 5 or 6 years previous. My conscious was saying 'F*** them all' was the way to say it. An echo, if you like, of Brendan Behan's immortal line 'F*** the begrudgers!'
HF.com: Tell us about the video for the song.
L: We were in 'Top Of The Pops' and a guy, Michel Gondry, came into the dressing room. A pure Frenchman, thick French accent. Immediately, I'm cautious of people put upon us and their agenda but his personality and his sense of humour put me at ease. I thought 'We're gonna have fun with this guy!'
HF.com: Where was it filmed?
L: It was filmed in Dublin.
HF.com: And the overlaid effect - the refelctions of two situations in one view through shop windows and things?
L: ... Reflection.. it was a word he picked out and found it to be humorous - looking through shop windows. I can't remember most of the filming. I remember being in bed (the video begins with Liam scrambling in a bed in a street. This shot is overlaid on a shop window reflection with other band members looking at the bed in the reflection) and him telling me to wake up and then fall asleep!
HF.com: And now you're playing a new outro to the song. An anthemic climb? That came in Castlederg Festival, Aghyaran in 2003 if we remember correctly?
Peter: Sometimes new moments happen during a song when everybody's creative wheels are turning. It could be a certain look or a smile or somebody moving in a certain way but whatever it was this one night we suddenly found ourselves in the outro when new chords lifted their heads and started driving us, lifting us to new heights. First a simple Gm then up to Am then Bb and landing on C major and back again to Gm and around and around leaving us singing... 'Let the light inside... Shine! ...from the inside out.' A pure moment born from an unknown place....
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To watch a clip of the video go to:
http://www.jlbompoint.com/frameset.html
> Filmographie > Scroll down > Click on the square next to 'This
Is It' > Click on square next to 'Voir la video'. A new window will open.
You will need Quicktime to view this clip:
[http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/]
INFORMATION
CD1 (LOCDP346/UK)\
1. This Is It (Your Soul) (single version) 3:47
2. Sweet Marie 7:34 (Live - Royal Albert Hall, London, 4th May, 1993 recorded
by the BBC)
3. This Is It (Your Soul) 6:28 (Live - Royal Albert Hall, London, 4th May, 1993
recorded by the BBC)
4. Be Good 3:45 (Live - Royal Albert Hall, London, 4th May, 1993 recorded by
the BBC) - incorrectly titled as Give It Up
CD2 (LONCD346 / UK)
1. This Is It (Your Soul) (single version) 3:47
2. Suspicious Minds (James) 5:34
3. Forever Young (Bob Dylan) 5:49
4. Come Together (Lennon/McCartney) 4:38
* Drums on 'Suspicious Minds' were played by Ray Fean. Ray played on the 'Common Ground' album where Liam's 'Cathain' was included. He also played as part of the house band at The Kennedy Centre in 2001 at the Celebration of Irish Music Gala where Liam played 'Sí do Mhamó í' with Donal Lunny and Sharon Shannon amongst others.