“Gin with Pete” is a poignant powerhouse of a rock song. What’s not immediately apparent within the first few verses, is that the words of the song are written and sung from the perspective of a man or woman who have died and passed over to the world that lies beyond – singing now from heaven to the ones they’ve left behind on Earth. They now spend their days beyond the pearly gates, in paradise, drinking with Pete, or as many know him, St Peter.
The big organ intro provides the wind for the twangy, Louisiana bayou-inspired guitar licks to soar on. The haunting female vocals sprinkled throughout add an unexpected flavour that reaffirms the originality and diversity on this album. After a beautiful, quiet bridge, the track tears into one of the more aggressive sections on the album, with muted guitars and drums that absolutely ooze rock ’n roll. The middle-to-end of the song masterfully restrains itself, ending with a comfortable groove driven by the bass and drum line, and a classic acoustic guitar outro.
No matter who they were, how they lived, or how they died, the message from beyond the grave to those left behind on Earth would probably be universal.
lyrics
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Theres palm trees
Like the way we used to dream
Just like we used to dream
Silver beach
Met no one yet
Here the sun never sets
But don't get here just yet
Tears in your eyes,
I can see it from the skies
You always hated goodbyes
Oh, don't cry
Don't you worry about me,
There’s still places you gotta see, be free
cause now I'm drinking gin with Pete
down there is all they talk about here
Don't cry
don’t be a mourning shadow of yourself
I hope you live this life
like we did
like I said I would
And I did
Go burn bright
spark that fire in your soul
like I'm by your side
Always
go on and fly
you're holding me too tight
So don't you worry about me,
I’ve been great, chilling, way more than I did
now we're drinking in the sea
To the stories that we loved and lived
Don't cry,
Don’t be a mourning shadow dear,
I hope you live this life
Like we did
Like I said I would
And I did.
Go burn bright
Spark that fire in your soul
Like I'm by your side
Always
Go on and fly
You're holding me too tight
And don’t you worry about me,
I'll be drinking Gin with Pete
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