Get all 6 Lou Mclean releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of KILLJOY EP (2024), Rbf (2022), Shelf Life (2022), Locked Down in Leith (2021), Good Morning Easter Road (2017), and September to December (2016).
1. |
Empty Cans
02:44
|
|||
|
The way we met, unromantic absurd.
I caught you eye, you never uttered a word.
It took time I was the happiest I’d ever been,
And ‘you’ve got the clearest eyes that I’ve ever seen’.
Now observe the mess my heart is in,
I’m still sleeping in your jumper ‘cause it smells of your skin.
But I, I don’t wanna go back,
To the way it was before.
Trying to find the bedroom door.
Empty cans are cascading out the window,
You wanna stop but you just can’t though,
‘cause this is the way you’ve always dealt with it.
So take my hand and put me into your car,
Drive us out to the coast like all the times you have before,
When my world ended we drove to Dunbar
So that I could watch the sea.
You knew enough to know it was the only way to soothe me.
But I, I don’t wanna go back,
To the way it was before.
Trying to find the bedroom door.
Empty cans are cascading out the window,
You wanna stop but you just can’t though,
‘cause this is the way you’ve always dealt with it.
But this time’s different,
I know I’ll get along
‘Cause I’ve got my girls around me
And I’ve been writing songs
You once said I couldn’t see us, for the person that I try to be,
I tried to be.
I spent too long trying to make you see
That I need to be, who I need to be
And not just exist to make you happy.
So now, now you’re gonna go back
To the way it was before
And he’s trying to find my bedroom door.
And empty cans are cascading out your window,
You wanna stop but you just can’t though,
‘cause this is the way you’ve always dealt with it.
|
||||
2. |
Bedtime Reading
02:35
|
|||
|
It’s Friday night and I’m under the covers,
With a hardback book about star- crossed lovers.
Depends on the night – what tickles my fancy;
The Female Eunuch or flicking through Banksy?
Other people are out on the town,
Loading up on shots and getting down
But it don’t fuss me ‘cause I’m tucked up cosy
Cuppa in my hand enough cheese for a toastie
Oliver Sachs, chilling with Viv Albertine,
Why waste my time just flipping through a magazine?
Worlds to discover, between the sheets,
The lyrical genius of Tempest and Keates.
Oh it’s easy to see why people would mock me
Staying in with Bran and that mysterious heart tree,
Don’t get me wrong, when I go, I go hard…..
But sometimes I’m happier with beadle the bard.
So I turn on my lamp, and switch off my phone
Don’t need company, I’m fine on my own
It might seem dull on the face of it,
But life moves fast and I don’t give a shit.
What you think of what I’m missing
There’s plenty time for piss ups and kissing
So sorry son, but I’m not conceding
‘cause tonight’s the night
For bedtime reading.
|
||||
3. |
Play Dead
02:56
|
|||
|
Verse 1
A hundred people vying like vultures,
for the carcass that he left.
All she wants is some peace of mind,
But her battlescars left her bereft.
He smelled good, his smile was inviting
“your friends are nice, but the taxi’s arriving.”
Clasped hands, they cut through the crowd,
All eyes on them, spot-lit & proud.
Verse 2
A picture paints a thousand words,
But the filter was all wrong.
You leaned in, whispered a name
And forgot our favourite song.
You bartered over me like I was your property,
And no-one ever found out what you did to me.
Chorus
So baby I’ll just lie here,
And play dead,
And try not to listen to the voices in my head-
act like I don’t get it but I’m pulling at the threads
It’s all come loose, I tied my own noose.
The more I struggle, the more I see,
That love isn’t pain & it wasn’t meant to be
I’m not yet strong enough to break free,
So I’ll play dead, pretend you love me.
Verse 3
He told you you were beautiful,
The first night that you met.
His hands were in your hair and you’ll never forget.
But the thing is that he’s too complex
& if he doesn’t get his way then he gets vexed.
Eventually you make a choice:
Toe the line or lose your voice.
Chorus
So baby I’ll just lie here,
And play dead,
And try not to listen to the voices in my head-
act like I don’t get it but I’m pulling at the threads
It’s all come loose, I tied my own noose.
The more I struggle, the more I see,
That love isn’t pain & it wasn’t meant to be
I’m not yet strong enough to break free,
So I’ll play dead, pretend you love me.
(Repeat)
So baby I’ll just lie here,
And play dead,
And try not to listen to the voices in my head-
act like I don’t get it but I’m pulling at the threads
It’s all come loose, I tied my own noose.
The more I struggle, the more I see,
That love isn’t pain & it wasn’t meant to be
|
||||
4. |
Green shirt, blue eyes
04:02
|
|||
|
I was crying in the KFC on South Clerk Street,
Telling my friend: “this is the end”.
All I wanted was to stay in bed,
But she told me to go out instead
And have fun, take a break from your own head.
You need to take back control, of your body, mind & soul
for once in your life, take what you want don’t think twice.
Well that’s sound advice!
Took a while for me to get there,
I set out east in the cold night air,
And I thought of how I missed her, the girl I used to be
Told my reflection in the window, tonight I’ll just be me.
Sat down, got myself a pint, I told myself it’ll be alright
I’ll survive this, for just one more night,
Then in you rolled, delayed by a last minute goal.
There you were, standing before me.
Making conversation that didn’t bore me
Of all of the bars, of all of the guys,
I had to admit you took me by surprise,
Oh my. Green shirt, blue eyes.
There you were, standing before me.
Making conversation that didn’t bore me
Of all of the bars, of all of the guys,
I had to admit you took me by surprise,
Oh my. Green shirt, blue eyes.
|
||||
5. |
Poets & Flat Caps
02:22
|
|||
|
This one goes out to all the poets in the flat caps,
Procrastinating cover versions,
boys clubs & backslaps,
Despite your assumptions,
I wasn’t born yesterday.
I’ll decline the invitation,
I won’t pay to play.
You’re artfully avoiding all mention of the Mrs,
Backhanded compliments,
swap handshakes for kisses,
Trying to convince me all the things I’ve heard aren’t true
Well it’s no worries (piggybacker/motherfucker) cause we don’t like you.
Your ego is huge, can’t fit your head through the door,
I’m faking my smiles, conversations a bore
So churn out another song ‘bout how your ex is a whore
I can’t stand, comprehend, won’t pretend any more.
I’m sorry about your art
(I’m sorry bout it)
I’m sorry about your art
(I’m sorry bout it)
I’m sorry about your art
(I’m sorry bout it)
I’m sorry about your art
(I’m sorry bout it)
“Don’t worry baby, I love your sound
And I’m sure you’ll do well it’s an all-female crowd.
Oh you’re a girl? We were expecting a guy,
I don’t know how you’ll do,
But I’ll give you a try.
You’re pulling my leg that’s your boyfriend’s guitar
Well I just had to say that you play really well
For a girl.”
|
||||
Lou Mclean Edinburgh, UK
LOU MCLEAN is a singer/songwriter who sprang from the GRS Edinburgh collective. Taking her place as the riot grrrl scene’s token pop princess, she writes darkly comedic feminist bangers, always focussing on lyric & melody. Her musical journey has been as eclectic as her influences, spanning genre and ignoring convention. She is currently studying MA in Songwriting at UWS. 'Killjoy' is her 4th EP. ... more
If you like Good Morning Easter Road (2017), you may also like:
Greetings and Salutations
by Haleluya Hailu
A fantastic synthpop EP from Haleluya Hailu that pairs delightfully fizzy instrumentation with gorgeous vocal melodies.
go to album
This record from Melbourne's The Lucksmiths pre-dates the current Australian jangle boom by over a decade.
go to album
Elizabeth Morris of Allo Darlin’ returns with a new group! “Winter Sun” is a tender blend of pastoral folk and diary-like lyrics.
go to album
Blissfully narcotic dream-pop inspired by real dreams.
go to album
featured on Bandcamp Radio Feb 6, 2024
go to album
Introducing...C.B. Blues
by C.B. Blues
Surreal robopop from C.B. Blues assembled from gleaming guitars and layer upon layer of dreamy synths.
go to album
Coping Fantasies
by Power Plush
Power Plush wind catchy candyfloss melodies around a wiry post-punk base for an irresistible indie pop sound.
go to album
