Single #2

[Space Monkey]

A comment Wibberley made recently stuck in my head, on the topic of the price of the limited edition CD:

(02-01-2010 07:00 PM)Dave Wibberley - Manager Wrote:  Frankly, we made more money from the 3 track 'sketchbook' eps.

I therefore suggest that we need a new single. Admittedly it sounds like the Ford/Wibberley cupboard may be bare, but if it's financially possible I would suggest that a 3-track single would be the best way to prise more money from the fan base (because, let's face it, that's the aim).

My suggestion:
Pick a stand-out track from LTHTR
Add an unreleased track (This Could Be The Day?)
Add a cover version. My vote here goes to Bat Out Of Hell. Nothing special - no production, no tinkering - just Ford at his piano, belting it out in one take like M&C7

Could it be coincided with, I dunno, some time in mid-April when Ford may or may not be playing a couple of big shows? Make a thousand and watch them fly off the merch table like particularly nice hot cakes for a fiver each.

It's just a thought, and I'm sure it's already been thunked. Then later in the year we go with single #3: album track, with two un-released/covers, maybe to coincide with an autumn tour.

Anyone agree/disagree?

[Gavin]

I think To Hell with the World would make a very nice single, a different version of it has already appeared on an EP though so not sure they would want to give it a third release?

As for B-Sides, I would like to see "This Could Be The Day" and "Heaven Knows You Will" as a redone Easyworld track as it's one of my favourite songs and a slightly updated version would fit nicely with his current style.

[monkeyinahat]

(02-05-2010 09:09 AM)Gavin Wrote:  "Heaven Knows You Will" as a redone Easyworld track as it's one of my favourite songs and a slightly updated version would fit nicely with his current style.

That would be brilliant - I love that song. Also we'd all feel better about buying a single if it wasn't an album track we already had. Can't see it happening though.

Can't see a single happening at all, actually.

[Space Monkey]

(02-05-2010 09:12 AM)monkeyinahat Wrote:  Can't see a single happening at all, actually.

Are times that bad?

How cheap/easy is it to release an iTunes-only single (like Pages #3 originally was)? Maybe a 3-track package; single + unreleased track + cover?

[david ford]

i think the problem with singles in the modern era is that they serve little purpose once the album is available - other than squeezing cash from people who already own most of the material in question...and that would be quite vulgar.

the album format is unfortunately dying but the traditional single format is well and truly buried. It used to be a device aimed at focussing the attentions of radio play around specific tracks in hopes of developing the commercial longevity of the cash cow that is the full album.

i think it unlikely that there will be another single from let the hard times roll... but we are hoping to present an all-new kind of studio project later in the year.

ford.

[Gavin]

Thanks for the update

So, if there is not going to be another single this time around then perhaps me and monkey can cross our fingers for "Heaven Knows You Will" on that upcoming studio project

[wibbler]

(02-05-2010 07:08 AM)Space Monkey Wrote:  Admittedly it sounds like the Ford/Wibberley cupboard may be bare

Is there any appetite for a "tip jar" on this site, that can help fund any Ford-related releases? Mind you, I guess it would be small fry compared to the EPs and any upcoming auctions...

(02-05-2010 10:01 AM)david ford Wrote:  i think it unlikely that there will be another single from let the hard times roll...

Initially, my reaction to that was deeply morose, as surely there's a chance a single could be found and played on a prominent radio station, turning Ford into the monstrous superstar he would hate to be. However, can radio stations play anything if they want to? Can they play any unreleased tracks?

[Dave Wibberley - Manager]

What happens these days in 'grown up' music is you pick out a 'focus' track and present that to Radio 2 etc. Fingers crossed they play it and that exposes the artist to new listeners who may buy that track or the whole album etc etc. This will happen. But the plan (there actually is a plan) has been to generate a story by achieving some small success with no advertising, without the album being in any physical shops and from just relying on the fan base. Having spent a week at Number One on the iTunes 'singer songwriter' chart that part of the plan is going well. The next aim is to sell out of the 'special edition' CD and then to sell out the 'big April gig' that we cant tell you about yet and that way there is a 'story' for the radio and press types to get hold of as 'polite middle class English boy makes stonkingly great album' is not enough of a story to write or talk about. As the founder of Q magazine once told me, "I dont want the sausage, I want the sizzle"
What do you think the 'focus' track should be? Suggestions warmly received.

[davidcotyalex]

I would say call to arms but that is sentiment speaking.......my guess would be waiting for the storm although there seems to be a bit of an issue.........I would also throw in making up for lost time for discussion

just one man's opinion........

[Dave Wibberley - Manager]

(02-05-2010 05:22 PM)davidcotyalex Wrote:  I would say call to arms but that is sentiment speaking.......my guess would be waiting for the storm although there seems to be a bit of an issue.........I would also throw in making up for lost time for discussion

just one man's opinion........

This man is brilliant at running hotels, but it is clear that he should never be put in charge of a radio station.

The choice is basically between 'She's Not the One' 'Sylvia' and Making up for Lost Time'. You need under 4 mins, you need a beat, you need a chorus that appears within 60 secs and you need uptempo.

[Cap'n John]

For what it's worth, my choice would be Making Up For Lost Time - it's upbeat, positive, catchy, lovely bassline... everything I'd want to hear on the radio. Maybe I'm a bit biased on that front 'cos it's by far my favourite song on the album (in fact, I declared it the best song I've heard in several years) but I seem to be the only one around here who thinks so.

Either way, I totally understand why a single is unlikely.

[Lalla32]

Oh... no Waiting for the storm then? It would have been perfect in my opinion...

Between the three you picked I would go for Making up for lost time!

[davidcotyalex]

mr wibberley you give me far too much credit!

I like any of the three - sylvia was one of my early favorites..............but I think the cap'n and lalla have it right

[ChrisFlynn]

Very encouraged by Ford and Wibberley's comments - a single would be a pointless waste of money I'm afraid.

As I kind of alluded to in my video topic, She's Not The One is the obvious focus track; incredibly accessible, yet with the Thatcher angle has a bit of depth and intelligence to it.

[wibbler]

(02-05-2010 05:29 PM)Dave Wibberley - Manager Wrote:  The choice is basically between 'She's Not the One' 'Sylvia' and Making up for Lost Time'. You need under 4 mins, you need a beat, you need a chorus that appears within 60 secs and you need uptempo.

God that's a hard choice. They're 3 stonking tracks! But I also vote for "Making Up For Lost Time", as it seems to be the one that I absent-mindedly sing when I'm doing mundane tasks. Gets stuck in my mental music machine.

I feel almost disloyal to the other two tracks though. They're both hugely fun and entertaining.

P.S. The Ford mashups idea is brilliant.