9 crimes

I know this song is so yesterday but I just heard it this morning in my iTunes. Ayn had been raving about Damien Rice a few years back and though I liked ‘The Blower’s Daughter’, ‘Volcano’, ‘Elephant’ and his other songs, they just weren’t LSS songs for me. Meaning, they’re not the ones I could continuously listen to in one week (or a month) nonstop.

‘9 Crimes’ was released in 2006 from Damien’s 2nd studio album, 9. Lisa Hannigan, Damien’s long-time vocal collaborator really did a chilling job with this song. I reviewed Damien’s other songs from his other albums and they are really great ones (‘Rootless Tree’ from 9 is another great track). I wonder why this brilliant Irish artist didn’t make it to #1 in the UK (‘9 Crimes’ only peaked at #24).

Here’s a video of ‘9 Crimes’, the concept of which reminds me of our Film 114 short film ‘Pulâ’.

Been wondering what ‘9 Crimes’ really meant, the lyrics are metaphorical. But I guess it’s about cheating and falling out of love but just can’t say it. Both Lisa Damien sing the same lyrics all throughout the song.

Leave me out with the waste
This is not what I do
It’s the wrong kind of place
To be thinking of you
It’s the wrong time
For somebody new
It’s a small crime
And I’ve got no excuse

Is that alright?
Give my gun away when it’s loaded
Is that alright?
If u don’t shoot it how am I supposed to hold it
Is that alright?
Give my gun away when it’s loaded
Is that alright
With you?