THE BOMBADILS

The Bombadils reckon with the rising cost of living in their lively song, "Records and Rent." Sarah Frank writes, "Luke and I read 'Just Kids' by Patti Smith a while back, and she describes how artists living at the Chelsea Hotel would sometimes be permitted to pay their rent in paintings. This is our goofy daydream of doing the same with music." Frank got together with fellow songwriter Sarah McInnis, and they fleshed out tongue-in-cheek conversation between tenant and landowner: "Landlord comes around, asks if I got cash, I have Johnny and Rosanne and I recommend Crosby, Stills, and Nash." Musically, this one is straight-up bluegrass, with The Bombadils' spirited fiddle and mandolin accompanied by Nashville's highly sought-after bassist, Ethan Jodziewicz (Sierra Hull, Milk Carton Kids).
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Landlord comes around, asks if I got cash
I have Johnny and Rosanne
And I recommend
Crosby, Stills, and Nash
He says, "you think you're funny
You better show me the money"
Well I got plenty of bills
Bill Monroe, Bill Frisell, Billie Holiday

I need shelter from the sun and storm
A place to keep the records I've worn out
Listening on long nights through and through
I'm hell-bent on payin’ the rent
And keepin’ records on the table
And I won't be late
If you'll take gold or platinum

He says, "Rent is due, you must respond
I'll say it like they do across the pond
Give me Euros or a ten-pound note
Heck I'll even take a cow or a billy goat"
Landlord, don’t you understand
I’m giving you the best I’ve got on hand
He gets red in the face, "you're a bloody disgrace!
I demand you hand over the keys"

I need shelter from the sun and storm
A place to keep the records I've worn out
Listening on long nights through and through
I'm hell-bent on payin’ the rent
Keepin’ records on the table
And I won't be late
If you'll take gold or platinum

You say you want keys, how 'bout Alicia?
Songs in A Minor
Way Over Yonder in a Minor Key
Woody Guthrie and Billy Bragg,
Brag, I don't mean to brag
But if you're looking for dough
I've got plenty
Of do-re-mi
In the key of C

I need shelter from the sun and storm
A place to keep the records I've worn out
Listening on long nights through and through
I'm hell-bent on payin’ the rent
And keepin’ records on the table
And I won't be late
If you'll take gold or platinum
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Song written by Sarah Frank and Sarah McInnis
vocals, fiddle - Sarah Frank
vocals, mandolin - Luke Fraser
vocals - Sarah McInnis
bass - Ethan Jodziewicz
recording, mixing - Graeme Campbell
mastering - J. LaPointe
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Easy-Clear, The Bombadils Music,
music@thebombadils.com,
1-904-495-1150,
ISRC: CA7W42200006
Instrumental version available,
Female lead vocal with male harmonies,
Fiddle + mandolin solo sections,
Up-tempo,
upbeat, joke song, humourous, comical, cost of living, social issues, rising rent, Johnny Cash, Nashville, mandolin, fiddle, bluegrass harmonies

Composed and self-published by Sarah Frank (SOCAN) 50% and Sarah Catherine McInnis (SOCAN) 50%
Master owned by The Bombadils Music (Sarah Frank and Luke Fraser)