Artist: jethro tull
Song: big riff and mando
Album: Rock Island
Year: 1999
Marty loved the sound of the stolen mandolin. Somebody took it on a dare in the night-time. Run up to the radio, calling out to the wind. It was a souvenir, but it was a right arm missing. Now, bring it, bring it back at least an hour before flight time. Swap a woodwork rhythm for a humbucking top line. Run left, run right --- everywhere he look --- Big Riff, rough boy, wants to be a singer in a band. A little slow in the brain box, but he had a quick right hand. nobody watching, no, but that was all he took last night. Running on the power of a stolen mandolin. Steal a little inspiration. Steal a little muscle. Will he wake in the morning, wondering --- was it really worth it? So make a little deal, Yeah, make a little hustle. I'll make the sing-song --- you can make the background noise. Ringing on the radio --- got a proposition for those English boys. Give you back the mando, if you'll let this singer sing tonight. Marty loved the sound of the stolen mandolin. One, two, three, four --- one bar and in. Now it's four o'clock, and we're waiting at the sound-check. Big Riff took it on a dare in the night-time. Looking for a face staring in from the sunshine. Big Riff, rough boy, wants to be a singer in a band. We got two strong lawmen from the sheriff's office. They're going to lift Big Riff before he plays the first line. Yeah, help him on the stage now, put that microphone in his hand. Think hard, think right --- nothing in his mind --- So Riff did a runner, but he left the mandolin behind.