2025 Competition Entry:
Duke of the Island by Alex Sterling
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Genre
Rock
Artist
Website
Co-writer(s)
no
Performer(s)
My band, Desoto Reds: Jeremiah Johnson on drums, Dan Lieberman on bass, Scott Yowell on lap steel, and me on vocals and guitar.
Description
Imagine that in middle age you encounter a person who begs you for help, but this person had bullied you when you both were children.
Bio
East Bay indie rock band Desoto Reds features literate and catchy songwriting, unpredictable arrangements, and psychedelic lap steel and organ. Desoto Reds have released multiple albums, made it into the CMJ top 200 once, and have played countless shows in the Bay Area, including, many moons ago, an opening slot with Of Montreal. We’re too rocking to be jangle pop, too melodic to be prog rock, too angular for classic rock, and not young enough to be emo.
Reformed in 2021, the Reds have lots of new songs, recorded by a teenaged producer named AddieSteri. The band features Alex Sterling (guitar/vocals), Jeremiah Johnson (drums), Scott Yowell (lap steel and keyboards), and Dan Lieberman (bass).
Reformed in 2021, the Reds have lots of new songs, recorded by a teenaged producer named AddieSteri. The band features Alex Sterling (guitar/vocals), Jeremiah Johnson (drums), Scott Yowell (lap steel and keyboards), and Dan Lieberman (bass).
Lyrics
Dear old friend, can you spot me a fiver
Looks like you’ve been a rider on the old Westchester line
I got lost, somewhere this side of 40
Looks like you can afford me a Franklin from your stack
I throw myself at your feet
Have some mercy on me…I’ve fallen low
Oh no no, as kids you were one of the bullies
Squeezed me in a racket press of simmering disdain
“Dear old friend” what sort of con are you running
Don’t bullshit me with your grinning false humility
Tell me now you were wrong
Tell me how you were traumatized as a child
Dear old friend, I once was Duke of the island
Clay court Gatsby in white shorts,
Some trouble back at home
But let it be, sunk like a stone in the harbor
Don’t you love thy neighbor …like Judas eternally
La la la la la la …
Looks like you’ve been a rider on the old Westchester line
I got lost, somewhere this side of 40
Looks like you can afford me a Franklin from your stack
I throw myself at your feet
Have some mercy on me…I’ve fallen low
Oh no no, as kids you were one of the bullies
Squeezed me in a racket press of simmering disdain
“Dear old friend” what sort of con are you running
Don’t bullshit me with your grinning false humility
Tell me now you were wrong
Tell me how you were traumatized as a child
Dear old friend, I once was Duke of the island
Clay court Gatsby in white shorts,
Some trouble back at home
But let it be, sunk like a stone in the harbor
Don’t you love thy neighbor …like Judas eternally
La la la la la la …
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