JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback MP3 Feedback Forum Mr. Flitcraft

One of my favorite books is The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. Partway through there is a strange interlude where Sam Spade relates the details of an old case of his, the Flitcraft case, to Brigid.

I always thought the story of Flitcraft was fascinating in its own right. If you're curious about it, a google search on "Flitcraft Parable" will bring up links to the excerpt.

Anyway, I had a melody handy and no ideas for a lyric but Flitcraft appeared in my mind. So I borrowed from Dashiell....

Mr. Flitcraft is here:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=377550&songID=7677778

The lyric is below. Apologies in advance for my lead guitar skills...

Any comments or suggestions welcomed.

Thanks,
Scott


Mr. Flitcraft
(C) 2009 by S.W. Campbell

He woke like any other day
Ate his grapefruit, brushed and shaved
Kissed his wife and hugged his two kids
Hopped the subway to the office
He had a business in real estate
He spent his morning hours confirming dates
At noon he left for lunch all business
A falling beam missed him by inches

Well Mister Flitcraft you were shaken to the core
You’ll never be the same again
And on the day the beams aren’t falling anymore
How will your world spin then?

Ten years later I ran him down
He had a different name in a different town
He didn’t seem the least bit sorry
As he told me his story
A life of order had left him blind
To random acts of the tragic kind
So his response was no less random
He up and left it all behind him

Chorus

While we talked he took a call
And I scanned the pictures on his walls
A different wife, a brand new business
A couple children blowing kisses
All at once it occurred to me
He was right back where he used to be
But the thing I think I liked the most was
I don’t think he even noticed

Chorus

Hi Scott,
This is so cool...the way you just told basically the whole flitcraft parable in a very sweet but short song.It seems that no one would have to read the parable because you have done such a fine job of retelling it here.very cool indeed !
Michelle

I liked the lead guitar, would actually ask to bring it up on the solo. Pretty catchy tune overall. Reminds me alot of Coldplay's Clocks with a country spin. The theme is very thought provoking.

If I have to critique, would say add some reverb or overdub verse and add another instrument or more depth on chorus.

Really good song!

Thanks.

Hi Scott,

Very enjoyable, the lead guitar was also !
I liked it all but....here's my favorite lyrical sections...

A falling beam missed him by inches

and this...

A different wife, a brand new business
A couple children blowing kisses


Thanks for this mornings entertainment.

Calvin


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

I guess I've never read that book -- might have to. This side story of Mr. Flitcraft is quite interesting. Well the music and lead guitar was just fine to my ears and overall song was really carried along by this great story. I thought it was all quite inventive.

The idea of sneaking in another instrument is a good one. Trumpet, trombone or a brass section comes to mind.

Kevin

I wouldn't venture to nit the music. It sounds good to me, Scott.

Love the lyric! The story's well told, with plenty of good, simple imagery.

You've made me want to re-read Dashiell Hammett.

Donna

Hi Scott

Well this Aussie girl hasn't got the Patience to read a book, but hey, who needs to read the book, when I can listen to a great song like this, very clever, and I love it, it's very Catchy, you done great.

Aussie fan
Michele

Hi Scott,

I think your creativity is boundless, and rather "post-modern" for such a folky guy, to hear "song" in a Dashiel Hammett digression.

That last verse is my favorite, with a nice twist provided by the narrator, who "jumps out
of his narration long enough to say "I don't think he even noticed" -- very nice touch.

Mike

I would not over analyze it, Scott. The point is that it sounds good and is very effective. This song works. It is appealing and interesting.

Tom

Thanks Michelle!

I tried to capture some of the subtlety but it's not easy in three verses and a chorus.

Scott

Thanks Dean!

Yeah, I know Coldplay uses that A to Em chord change a lot. I tried to take it somewhere else after that.

Agree with you on the lead guitar. I'm gonna remix it.

Thinking about another instrument also. Something is missing there....

Appreciate the suggestions!

Scott

You're welcome Calvin. Glad it had that effect!

Scott

It's a great book!

Hmmm - I like the idea of a trombone! Seems appropriate somehow...

Thanks for the idea, Kevin.

Scott

Thanks Donna!

There are very few times in life that I wish that I had a helmet that would make me forget everything. But I sure wish I could have the pleasure of reading Hammett and Raymond Chandler for the first time again!

Scott

Thanks Michele. Any other books you've been wanting to read and haven't had time for? Maybe there's a song in it

Glad you like it!

Scott

Thanks Mike - if only that were true (the boundless part)

Fortunately, while I can see the bounds of my creativity, I haven't found the bounds on fun yet

I like that last part too - is much the same as in the book.

People have been interpreting this story within a story for a long time. The most popular theory is that Sam Spade was indicating that, even after a major shock, people return to their usual nature. That didn't bode well for Brigid

Thanks Mike!

Scott

Thanks Tom. Yes, it's a hazard. I usually avoid it by starting to work on a new song

Glad it works for you.

Scott

Hi Scott

As I was listening to this, my wife came in and started dancing to it - she says she likes this Scott Campbell music, especially his voice.

Dan

Hey Scooter!

Wow, what an excursion! Cool harmonies, great vibe....had me thinking a bit of the Grateful Dead!

And hey, the guitar playing worked for me -- you simply must stop being so humble! I'm thinking that in some cases ( ) perhaps humility is disproportionate to talent -- how else could I continue tooting my own horn, when I know my doctors are all vehemently opposed to it!?

Anyhoo, haven't read the book either, so I have something fun to look forward to.

Thanks for sharing -- both the history and the musicated interpretation! I was going to say it would make a great movie, but....

See ya around!
Beth

P.S. EDIT: I forgot to add your line "I ran him down" thru me off for a sec. In conjunction with the falling beam, I had mayhem on my mind -- as in, he hit him with his car. Don't know how you might clarify that, or perhaps it's just me. ...

Hi Scott,

What a great idea for a song! And your instrumentation and vocals make it all the more enjoyable. I was drawn in by the title and stayed for the talent. You never disappoint!
"And on the day the beams aren’t falling anymore
How will your world spin then?" Just wonderful story telling.

Ricki

Hi Dan:

I consider that to be one of the nicest compliments I have ever received in regard to music. Thanks Pal!

Scott

Hey Beth:

If you knew how many takes it took me just to get something that simply passed the non-embarrassing test, you'd call me honest rather than humble

Yes, is a good book - I would have suggested it to you when you were looking for suggestions but it didn't seem to fit in with what you liked. Sadly, I think he only wrote four or five books so, if you do like him, there isn't a large body of work.

In a couple of takes, I sang "tracked him down" rather than "ran him down". Maybe I should use one of those

Thanks Beth!

Scott

Thanks Ricki

I find that it's a whole lot easier to write a story song when someone else has already come up with the plot. Does take some effort in figuring out what to leave out though.

The ultimate challenge would be to write a Flitcraft haiku.

See ya,
Scott

Scott,

Went to listen and I couldn't get the SOundclick player to load the song. The javascript box just remain white and blank. I tried serveral other links form JPF as I was going to nit half a dozen songs, or so. But, all of them gave me the same reasults. So, I'll be back later to try again.

Alan

Thanks for trying, Al!

Scott

Just dropped in for a listen. I've been missing you guys and a Scott Campbell song is a good pick-me-upper (not that I've fallen down) This didn't disappoint. Very peppy and a delight to listen.

I've been throwing out my songs on the karaoke site (Singsnap) and getting a whole new audience.

How'd I miss this? Don't read much, but I should, this is cool. Flitcraft, what a name

Scott,
I haven't read the book but a couple of years ago I came across a cartoon version in a local arts magazine in Tacoma, WA. Through some miracle I was able to find it and reread. Interesting guy. It was part of an article on Hammet's time in Tacoma. Apparently there actually was a building with loose rivets holding a beam although it didn't actually fall.

Anyway I liked your song. The subject reminded me of "Solitary Man". Then I remembered "Most Peculiar Man". It's almost a sub-sub-sub-genre. 8)

Take care,
JW

Hi Scott

I love the plot and that you could make a song so neatly of it... I enjoyed the lead maybe the most.... if you re mix --- pull it up a bit - don't be shy......

What I found that I was looking for was more bottom drum beats.... maybe single strokes in time with the cymbal and in between for a main drum line...... wouldn't hurt to try it anyway.

Nice overall, though and very unique.

jm

Hey Rick:

I was just thinking about you the other day - wondering what you were up to. I miss hearing your stuff.....

Glad you enjoyed the listen!

I'll get over to Singsnap when I get caught up on things (family visiting for a week) and check out your stuff. Sounds like a cool thing.

Later,
Scott

Thanks Louis - Yeah, I really like that name. I remembered it years after reading the book even though I'd forgotten the names of some of the main characters

Scott

Hi JW:

Thanks for that tidbit about the building. Cartoon sounds cool too - Maybe someday I'll get to see a copy.

Glad you liked the song. Yeah, I'm a niche kinda guy

Scott

Hi Joice:

Thanks. I brought up the lead after the first round of comments. Just didn't repost it

Will take a look at the drum track too - frankly, I kind of rushed that stage when putting this together.

Appreciate the suggestions!

Scott