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Little Brother (The Ballad of Extravagant Wastefulness)

from Prodigals and Prophets by Clive

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about

I dreamed that I wrote a song about the prodigal son, written from the older brother's perspective. I woke up with the melody in my head and had to make sure it wasn't an old Elliott Smith song I had heard somewhere at some point. The lyrics fell into place fairly easily (I'm still excited that I managed to incorporate the phrase "a hankering for the leftovers of swine").

I lost my voice immediately after completing the vocal tracks, and it was worth it. This might be my favorite Clive song to date; every band member has a chance to show off a bit within the song. A fitting opening track for our final studio recording.

lyrics

Hey, Don't you look at me with that look in your eye
You have just gotten back and I have been here all my life
We just killed the fattened calf and it didn't deserve to die
Guess I'm not the favorite son anymore, am I?
I have never had a hankering for the leftovers of swine
But I'm given everything I need so I guess I'm doing fine
And at least I can walk this street with my head held high
You have quite a ways to go before you're dignified

It's gonna be a lot of fun...
It's gonna be a lot of fun for those involved
and with all your problems solved

I've seen all the agony that you've brought into this life
I've considered every angle and my heart's just running dry
I have gathered all the arguments, but I just don't have the time
To compare myself to you, oh little brother of mine

It's gonna be a lot of fun...
It's gonna be a lot of fun for those involved
But I hope you'll have evolved

So don't you look at me with that smile in your eye
You have just come to your senses and I've been there all my life
Here's to the fattened calf that didn't deserve to die
I guess I'm not the favorite son anymore, am I?
Saw Dad run out to you with his arms all open wide
Guess I'm not the favorite son anymore, am I?

credits

from Prodigals and Prophets, released November 23, 2012

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Clive Wilmington, Delaware

Genre-wise, Clive lands somewhere between 90s pop rock, gospel, sea shanties, and campfire folk songs. Catchy melodies sung over a backdrop of folk instruments craft musical vignettes ranging from British pubs to ghost town saloons, seafaring vessels and southern sanctuaries. Lead singer, Brad Almond has also had the honor of winning the WSTW "Homey Award" for best local songwriter in 2008. ... more

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