Song of the Week: Mississippi Mud Pie Blues

You have no idea just how happy I was to learn that Mississippi Mud Pie Blues won the poll this week. I'd have been happy writing about any of this week's options, but I'm super happy about this one.

If you've had the misfortune of never hearing this song, you can rectify that sad situation immediately via the video below.

Ok, lets do this. I have my hastily scrawled notes from last night in front of me (I often hand write things while sat in bed, before transferring to my PC the following day) and I'm eager to get to work at the keyboard.

When asked which of The Skinner Brother's songs people use to introduce the music to friends and family, the top answer by far is Prawn Soup. Don't get me wrong, I completely understand why, but I think Mississippi Mud Pie Blues is an equally strong contender for that task. It has that catchy but grounded, feel-good factor that reminds me of songs like Our House by Madness. In a spiritual sense at least.

Had enough of lining up in fucking dole queues

Here's that grounding, right in the opening verse. Thousands, if not millions, will immediately identify with that statement. It's not something you want to identify with, but it's a fact of life for many. A bit like having to pay taxes - you acknowledge it's a necessary part of life but you really wish you didn't have to.

I won't spend too long delving into that line because this isn't really the focus of the song, it's just an illustration of how, no matter what, Skinner Brothers songs always contain that particularly working class reflection of reality which rings true for so many. I think it's a big part of what draws us to the music and keeps us firmly rooted in place, ears wide open.

Let me tell this story

By this point, we're already eagerly listening, but now we're settling in with a mug of hot cocoa in a comfy chair. Zac really does have some very interesting stories to tell, but even if you're not already aware of that, your ears are still primed for glory. Don't get too comfy though, you're going to be up and moving very, very soon, because shortly after this, that absolutely killer bass line hits. There's no sitting still from that point on.

Walk about the city
I'm depressed but you like me

As someone who has sat on both sides of the depression fence, I know it can be really hard to "like" somebody who is depressed. I don't mean in a general sense, but in the day to day, in the moment, sense. The difference lies, I feel, in those who love you enough to see past that. Again, not going to dwell on this, but I thought it was an interesting line!

'Cos everybody had a little phase in the 90's

Enough said, I think we all know what line means. I didn't really have that phase myself, at least not much of one. I liked the music but at that time I was mostly utterly consumed with metal, trying to write uni essays and bringing up a baby single handedly, so there wasn't much partying going on over here (unless singing lullabies very badly to get a crying baby to sleep at 2am counts).

After that little rave flavoured diversion comes that utterly killer, revved up and heavy hitting bass line, which is honestly one of my favourite things about this song! I suspect I'm not alone in that. No matter how many times I listen to it, it grabs me from the guts every single time.

"Double the guitars and we'll go again" - that (spoken) line comes right before the bass kicks in. Whoever was in charge of the bass got a little carried away I think and at least trebled it (no pun intended). This is far from a complaint - it's glorious, and carries us right through a chorus that's just utterly playful.

Now I'm out the back they smoke crack and blow back
Got me singing throwbacks I'm the Sega Genesis
Sipping on that jack black
In a black mac
In a black hat
You know I'm taking the piss
Cos I'm flying, wilin'
Looking at my watch super stylin'
When I mumble man I got Lou Reed smilin'

I haven't an earthly idea what any of that means as a whole, other than they're the kind of things you might think about while at one of the aforementioned raves, both in-between and during being hurtled around on the dance floor. I adore the playful word salad, though!

Let me try that again
Louuu Reeeeddd

There are so many oft quoted lines in this song, but this one probably takes top prize. It just never fails to make you smile, especially with the addition of Zac's infectious laughter. There's a member of the Facebook community with the same name (but different spelling), so it always reminds me of her and makes me smile even more!

Talk of the town, talk of the whole weather

Again, I have no idea what this really means, but I love it. I don't know why, this line just amuses me. It conjures an image in my mind of a group of old ladies in a small town, talking about Zac as he walks by and then quickly switching to talking about the weather. The latter thing being something I'm pretty sure actually happens on a daily basis, at least in the UK.

Trip to the chicken shop cost me a tenner
But when I'm in Paris that's crepes and Nutella

Another famous line. A lot of people seem to crave fried chicken after hearing it but personally it makes me crave crepes. Not with Nutella though, that sounds like a horrible combination. Then again this is coming from the man who invented eating raw oats and golden syrup off the floor, so I guess we should keep any culinary expectations pretty low.

Grim Sickers is the featured artist on this song, and I do really like his segment. He fits quite naturally into the song, as all of the featured artists on SB songs tend to do.

Two pints and a pack of fags

I'm not sure what to make of his lyrics as a whole, but this line always stands out to me. Taken in context, I guess it's meant to illustrate part of a typical British day. A couple of pints after work kind of thing. But it always reminds me of the comedy show Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. I've never even watched it, but it was hugely popular in the UK for ages, so the title is stuck in my brain.

Even if like me, you're lost with the lyrics, Grim adds a layer of texture to the song that compliments it really well.

The song is pretty quirky musically speaking, too. From the tinkling opening notes to the tease of rave music to the bass line that goes from satisfying to absolutely getting all up in your face (in the best way!). There's some twisty turny (not an actual word, I know) and groovy guitar parts in the mix too (I'm lol'ing at my technical terms), that help form those layers of quirky.

There's also some excellent drumming hovering around in the background. It's mostly kept light but very precise, matching that playful feel of the song beautifully, and is a particular pleasure to listen to via a decent set of headphones. Again, I'm feeling woefully inadequate in my knowledge of proper music terminology, but there's an array of sound and texture being added by the drumming. I've had a lifelong love affair with headphones because they allow you to pick out every single sound, and of all the instruments it makes the more delicate drum parts stand out a lot more.

This song makes for an incredible live experience. I've now had the pleasure of listening to it performed live three times, and I will never tire of it. It suits many situations but it has the energy to make a particularly good party song - that really comes to the fore in a live setting. It's just so much more fun when performed live, Zac and the band pour so much energy into it and it drives the audience wild.

Thanks to the recent live album release, recorded in London last year, if you've missed The Skinner Brothers on tour (my heart goes out to you) you can now hear a live performance of it for yourself! The whole album is a blast, and I'm so thankful we now have a proper live recording.

In closing, Mississippi Mud Pie Blues is just brilliant. It feels like a comedy in song form, the kind that's both cutting and wholesome, and that you never tire of watching. It's comforting, friendly, and never fails to make you feel better about the world.

If you can listen to this song without smiling, you might want to seek therapy.

Mississippi Mud Pie Blues is part of the album Soul Boy III, which you can buy from Bandcamp by clicking the button below.

Buy the album on Bandcamp