Killamangiro

by

Babyshambles

Edit

killamangiro is a tune that libertines fans have been familiar with for a while now. formerly titled "kill a man for his giro" it was first released - incomplete - to fans via the internet as part of the much beloved & now classic 3-CD set of informal songwriting sessions known as "babyshambles 1, 2 & 3".

those sessions were recorded in new york in the spring of 2003 when peter doherty and carl barat were still working together in the libertines and touring here in the states. mr. doherty gave the CDs to a fan to post on the internet for everyone to have free access to - or so the legend goes.

this remarkably generous interaction with fans is just one factor which endeared the libertines and mr. doherty to so many fans; the other factors are their songwriting abilities and riveting performances. peter doherty, both as a solo artist and with his new band, (which was also christened babyshambles), continues to display superior songwriting abilities, a natural gift for performing (or perhaps i should say beguiling), and a generosity towards fans that completely sidesteps the efforts of the press and record companies to keep a barrier of both distance and money between artists and oftentimes young and/or broke lovers of art.

the version on this single is, obviously, complete and was recorded with mr. doherty's new band, babyshambles. (there is a song of the same name, as well, recorded by the band babyshambles. it is also excellent. you should get that, too, while you're here.)

the a-side, "killamangaro" is a high-energy, infectious tune with a sunny spirit which belies the original title and the lyrics (both original and as they have evolved on this version) - in the grand tradition of rock 'n roll songs juxtaposing controversial lyrics with irresistable music. the lyrics here explore, among other issues, the dark side of fame and fans' expectations.

the b-side, "the man who came to stay", is a quieter, more obviously reflective tune. it's also, quite simply, a beautiful song. the lyrics explore the deeply personal, private, behind-the-music-industry-scenes effects of enormous success and sudden fame. it's a poignantly honest song, written by a very young man struggling with both the concept and the reality of well-deserved, very public success and with growing up to become someone he doesn't quite recognize himself.

i also want to point out that the artwork on this single alone is worth purchasing. buy it, listen to each song on repeat a few times - they're definitely growers. pick up the "babyshambles" single, the libertines albums and singles, and the new babyshambles single ("f*** forever") coming out next month. let your anticipation build for the full-length debut album due from babyshambles this fall. then go online and mine the absolute treasury of other songwriting gems mr. doherty has offered us music lovers free of charge. if you have ears, you'll be in heaven.