Tommy’s Got a Gun

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Written by Ric Albano and Hunter S. Thompson Song Length: 3:09
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:Tommy’sGotAGun.mp3]
Lyrics
The Hunter could not stand it no more,
Couldn’t stand his Aspen slums
He pranced about like a dignitary
But his heart paled to that of a bum
It was so easy to travel the “Heming” way

He reached out with both arms and he embraced surrender
For he could see no solace in yet another cheap bender
No longer was it easy to face the setting sun

So Tommy got his gun, away from life he chose to run
Project him towards the setting sun in six months

The Hunter could not fake it no more,
He could not shift the blame
For football season is over now,
There will be no more games
No more bombs, no more walking, no more fun
Tommy’s got a gun

You are getting greedy now, act your old age

17 more than we needed, 17 more than we wanted
Relax, this won’t hurt…

Composition © 2005 Ric Albano and Hunter S. Thompson
Publication © 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on February 25, 2005
Recorded starting on August 10, 2009
at Saturation Acres (II), DuPont, PA
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Bret Alexander
Mixed and Mastered in 2009
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Released: September 9, 2009
on Imaginary Lines 33

Performers
Ric Albano
Piano, Bass Guitar, Vocals
Erik Trabert
Electric Guitars
Ron Simasek
Drums
Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: A simple but haunting song with lyrics that were fused together from different sources and points of view. Writer Hunter S. Thompson shot himself on February 20, 2005 and Ric Albano composed the original part of this song a few days later in response. Months later, the contents of Thompson’s suicide were revealed and much of that was lifeted ver batim for the ending of this song, including the final, chilling line; “relax, this won’t hurt”.

Song Trivia
Although Hunter S. Thompson has several music credits, mostly in the spoken word and “gonzo” genres, he is credited for composing songs for only two musical acts – Warren Zevon and Imaginary Lines.

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