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*Song Description By Noles*

I wrote the music for "One Man Band" on July 16, 2012. The song applies a strumming pattern I used frequently during this period. That same type of strumming pattern can be heard on "Saw You Today". The verses for "One Man Band" have chords that are played higher up on the guitar neck. Different variations of triad chords can be heard during the verses of the song. Interestingly enough, the music for "One Man Band" was inspired by John Mellencamp's "Jack & Diane". I also borrow a bit of the melody from the John Cougar track. Even though "One Man Band" doesn't sound like an 80s pop rock hit, I knew the music I wrote for the song would be congruent with my songwriting style.

The lyrics for "One Man Band" were written on August 11, 2012. The song is simply about masturbation. Before writing the lyrics to "One Man Band", I realized that there are a lot of popular tunes about masturbating. I took inspiration from songs like "Dancing With Myself" by Billy Idol, "Longview" by Green Day, "Pictures Of Lily" by The Who, "Captain Jack" by Billy Joel, & "I Touch Myself", by The Divinyls. All of those tunes are about self-gratification. So that gave me permission to write my own song about the topic. But "One Man Band" is also about being a one man band in music. Which I was for the Plaid On Flannel solo project at the time. My intention for the subject matter in "One Man Band" was to create a double entendre that's open to interpretation. Even though there are clearly some lyrics in the song about watching pornography.

I began producing the Mission Of Mercy album on September 4, 2012, and I started recording "One Man Band" on October 27, 2012. Much of the lead guitar in "One Man Band" uses a "woman tone". Which is a warm guitar tone with brightness and low treble. It's a guitar tone famously used by guitarists like Carlos Santana and Gary Moore. The bridge of "One Man Band" is accompanied by a guitar solo. This section is played in half-time in context to the rest of the song. So the drums slow down quite a bit to give the bridge a different feeling. There are a lot of 7th chords played during this section of "One Man Band". Following the bridge, the final chorus starts off with just a lead vocal, acoustic guitar, bass drum and tambourine. This is to give it a "one man band" type of feel. I imagined a busker on the street with a guitar in his hands, a tambourine on his leg, and a bass drum on his back. Which would be the traditional "one man band" setup. Backup vocal harmonies are pivotal in "One Man Band", especially in the choruses of the song. Piano and organ can also be heard in "One Man Band".

I finished recording "One Man Band" on November 5, 2012. 17 songs later, the entire Mission Of Mercy album was released on May 20, 2013. "One Man Band" is a tune I've performed live as a solo acoustic act many times. Here's an acoustic version of me performing the song... youtu.be/EjVr8D0eovg I've never played "One Man Band" with a band. But it's a tune I just might squeeze into Plaid On Flannel's live repertoire as a band in the future.

lyrics

Words and music by Nolan Randall

You try to control the calm before the storm
Although you're solo, you prepare to perform
What you expect is what you're gonna achieve
Having a good time watching a girl named Eve
Sitting alone while you fulfill your own hand
You're in control because you're a one-man band
Such a selection, gotta find the right mood
So many of them have already been viewed

To live without it is a life you can't stand
There's only one member of your one-man band
It's not the life you wanted or even planned
There's only one member of your one-man band
Whoa, there's only one member of your one-man band

What you desire is some girl company
Maybe two females or maybe even three
Your band can perform in perfect harmony
It can't be real when you live fantasy
Indulging in your favourite recreation
Becoming your number one obligation
People you won't meet are your admiration
How did you end up in this situation?

To live without it is a life you can't stand
There's only one member in your one-man band
It's not the life you wanted or even planned
There's only one member in your one-man band
Whoa, yeah
There's only one member in your one man band

To live without it is a life you can't stand
There's only one member in your one-man band
It's not the life you wanted or even planned
There's only one member in your one-man band
Whoa, yeah
There's only one member in your one man band

credits

from Vol. II: Mission Of Mercy, released May 20, 2013

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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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