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*Song Description By Noles*

"Keep It Alive" was originally titled "They Don't Know". With the phrase "they don't know" being used 3 times in the opening verse. This was inspired by the song "Who Knows" from Jimi Hendrix's 1970 live album Band Of Gypsys. With drummer Buddy Miles assisting on lead vocals, the phrase "they don't know" is repeated when the lead locals begin on "Who Knows". When I wrote the music for my tune sometime in 2006, I kept repeating those words when I was coming up with melodies.

The lyrics for what was then called "They Don't Know" were written on January 13, 2007. Most of what I had initially written for the song was kept when I started recording it on Plaid On Flannel's debut album Fairbairn Meadows. The original lyrics had f-bombs in it. There were only about 5 lines that were discarded when I updated the lyrics for the tune in 2011. The lyrical additions for "Keep It Alive" were the chorus and the last line of each verse.

"Keep It Alive" is about my parents. I had a gloomy relationship with my parents in the mid-2000s. I suffered from some traumatic episodes during this time. Coming close to homelessness and even suicide. Without getting into more details, "Keep It Alive" was written from the perspective of teenage angst. But one line I deeply regret writing in this song is "One of these days I'm gonna get a gun. And kill all those things that I shun". I am NOT an advocate for gun violence. I will never touch a gun and I support the anti-gun movement. I think I wrote that line because of the 1994 film Shawshank Redemption. In the movie, supporting character Brooks Hatlen talks about how he's thinking of getting a gun while he has "a job bagging groceries at the Food Way". And "Keep It Alive" also has a line in the 2nd verse that says "I got a job baggin' groceries at the food way, but it don't pay." Which was also inspired by some lyrics from The Clash's "Train In Vain".

After I wrote "They Don't Know" in 2007, it was on the shelf for over 4 years. But then I started recording Plaid On Flannel's debut album Fairbairn Meadows on September 3, 2011. Following the production of 2 songs for the album, I began recording "They Don't Know" with modified lyrics and the new song title "Keep It Alive" on October 29, 2011. The tune's arrangement was altered as well. In fact, the arrangement for "Keep It Alive" is unlike any other song in the Plaidalog. It goes verse-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus-solo. It's rare that I don't have a verse after the 1st chorus of a tune.

I finished recording "Keep It Alive" on November 13, 2011. The entire Fairbairn Meadows album was released the next year on July 1, 2012. I've never performed "Keep It Alive" with a band. But I did try the song out with my band Mr. Nothin' in 2007-08 when it was called "They Don't Know". I might've played the tune as a solo acoustic act at an open mic or two in 2009. But "Keep It Alive" is a song I will likely never play with a band or perform live again. However, it will live on as the 3rd track from Plaid On Flannel's debut album Fairbairn Meadows.

lyrics

Words and music by Nolan Randall

They don't know where I belong
They don't know a thing
They don't know how I get strong
It keeps them wondering
To be a young man is not as pleasant as it seems
Never trusting no one, no one can be trusted
They're plotting all their schemes
Take a look in my eyes
And you'll see there's no disguise within

I got a job baggin' groceries at the food-way
But it don't pay
Associated with a psychopath and a killer
Or some might say
Where do you stand as you stand in front of me?
Sometimes what's standing in front of you
is the hardest thing to see
Take a look at my share
And you'll see there's no despair within

Keep it alive, it's a half past five
And I don't know where I'm going
I'll go to the lengths to enlighten my strengths
And to keep this life I've chosen
Keep it alive, it's a half past five
And I don't know where I'm going
I'll go to the lengths to enlighten my strengths
And to keep this life I've chosen

One of these days I'm gonna get a gun
And kill all those things that I shun
Maybe that will get the job done
As long as I don't do it in front of my son

Keep it alive, it's a half past five
And I don't know where I'm going
I'll go to the lengths to enlighten my strengths
And to keep this life I've chosen
Keep it alive, it's a half past five
And I don't know where I'm going
I'll go to the lengths to enlighten my strengths
And to keep this life I've chosen

credits

from Vol. I: Fairbairn Meadows, released June 29, 2012

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Plaid On Flannel Toronto, Ontario

Plaid On Flannel is an alternative indie blues rock act from Toronto, Canada. With 80+ original songs recorded since 2011, singer-songwriter Nolan Randall has remained the sole constant member of the band. POF's music is known for guitar riffs/solos, memorable hooks, catchy melodies/harmonies, evocative lyrics, & superb musicianship. While keeping a focus on originality and songwriting quality. ... more

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