Project Description

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THE SPITFIRES
“Life Worth Living”

A track by track review by
BILLY SULLIVAN
(Lead Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist)

Reviewer – Billy Sullivan

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The Watford 4-piece, fronted by chief singer-songwriter Billy Sullivan have truly outdone themselves on this one – this is the start of a new era, as they delve into experimentation and sounds they’ve never worked with before. It’s a really versatile record that was produced by Simon Dine (Paul Weller).

The Spitfires have a unique ability to effortlessly bend genres, and as a result have created a sound only identifiable to them. Whether it’s having a #1 album in the UK Independent Chart, performing on BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show, selling out London’s 100 Club two nights in a row or touring around the world non-stop, they’ve never failed to impress their loyal fans, who are definitely going to be surprised with this one.

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TRACK BY TRACK REVIEW

START ALL OVER AGAIN
Lyrically it started off as a bit of a dig against these singer-songwriters who write songs about sipping cocktails on beaches and complain that beautiful women won’t take any notice of them.
All that middle of the road pop rubbish. But then I included the ‘heritage acts’ in the second verse too, how they don’t care about what’s happening with music, as long as they can take the greatest hits show on the road and make a few quid. And the chorus basically says it doesn’t matter to people what either are singing about, as long as we can all stand in a field and sing along.

IT CAN’T BE DONE
The pessimistic drunk – the side which I think most people experience, when the drink doesn’t make you feel warm and fuzzy but aggressive and dark.
Definitely a part of myself in there.

LIFE WORTH LIVING

 

A character song about a lonely middle aged office worker. He throws himself into his job to somehow make up for his lack of a love and social life.
I was aiming for writing in styles like Damon Albarn / Terry Hall with a bit of humour thrown in. When I look at some of my lyrics from past albums – I just took myself far too seriously.

TEAR THIS PLACE RIGHT DOWN!

 

This track started as an angry rant about the government selling arms to Saudi Arabia but by the end was more of a general statement. Questioning why on earth this country still had so many homeless people, food banks etc. And most importantly why were people not taking it out on the elite instead of each other?!
Written with Theresa May in charge but probably works even more so for Johnson. And it can always relate on more of a global scale too.

HOW COULD I LIE TO YOU?
The lyrics to this track were written in the back of a van whilst we were playing in Germany. That morning we were all gathered in the reception area and one of our very close friends/crew member was telling us a story about a bloke he went to school with.
He was saying how he seemed to have the perfect life – the perfect job, house, family etc. But, one day he threw himself off a tower block. The message being you can never really know what’s happening inside someone’s head.

KINGS & QUEENS
This track is about the weekend – no matter what you’ve done all week wether be stacking shelves, working in an office etc. That once Friday night comes, for a couple of days you can escape it.
And be whoever you want to be. Whether your thing is drink or drugs – that feeling that the work you do in the week does not define you.

(JUST WON’T) KEEP ME DOWN

 

I suppose if Kings & Queens is about the optimism of nights out then (Just Won’t) Keep Me Down is the cold air hitting your face at 3am, realising you’ve spent all your money and having to walk home.
The sheer chaos of lads fighting outside kebab shops, police and the paranoia that someone is following you. In Watford they turn off the streetlights at a certain time for some ridiculous reason.

TOWER ABOVE ME
Another character song but this time about a young Northern woman who’s moved down to London, away from her family. And maybe the innocence and naivety is taken advantage of by unsavoury characters.
A real cinematic feel the music and suppose inspired by the films of Ken Loach & Shane Meadows.

HAVE IT YOUR WAY
A story about a bloke sitting in the pub, being told by his girlfriend that their relationship is over. However he’s trying to disguise the fact he’s actually relieved – As he has been shagging her best mate anyway. 

MAKE IT THROUGH EACH DAY
I love the lyrics to this. It builds on continuing themes that run through the whole record. Written about a woman being told they were to move away from where they’ve grown up, outside the city so they could afford a house as she’s pregnant.
But she’s starting to doubt the stability of her relationship and is realising she’s going to be very much on her own in a brand new place.

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Check out THE SPITFIRES below
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TRACKLISTING

Start All Over Again
It Can’t Be Done
Life Worth Living
Tear This Place Right Down!
How Could I Lie To You?
Kings & Queens
(Just Won’t) Keep Me Down
Tower Above Me
Have It Your Way
Make It Through Each Day

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AMNPLIFY – DB