My Sunday Song – “Whistle for the Choir” by The Fratellis

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic

My Sunday Song #83 is “Whistle for the Choir” by The Fratellis.  The song is off their debut album ‘Costello Music’ which peaked at #2 on the UK charts and gave us a few hits including “Chelsea Dagger”.  However, I really liked this song the best.  “Whistle for the Choir” was their third single off the albums and it reached #9 giving them their 2nd Top 10 hit in the UK.  I don’t see where they did very well in the States which is a shame.

The Fratellis are a Scottish trio with a very retro feel and garage rock sound.  This song for me is more of the retro feel as it is a slow ballad using only an acoustic, bass and drum (well it’s a trio – what else are they going to use).  The song has a Beatlesque quality to it and even a little Ray Davies vibe.  I think for those reasons, the song struck a chord with me.  The simple sound and hypnotic beat pulled me in and put me in a trance where I swayed back and forth while listening.  It was encapsulating.  There is a little guitar solo, but also a nice whistle solo as well.

The song tells the story of a guy, who after a night out on the town, meets a girl that is way out of his league.  This doesn’t stop him.  He is going to try and get her anyway.  The nice thing is it doesn’t tell you if he gets the girl or not.

WhistleForTheChoir.jpg

The song was originally called “Knickers in the Basket”, but due to pressure from the label it was changed to “Whistle to the Choir”.  As you can see from the artwork above, the visuals lean more towards the original title, however, she might be whistling as well.

One last fun fact about the band.  The band members all use the last name the Fratelli.  If you have seen the movie the Goonies, then the name Fratellis should be familiar to you as it was the last name of the bad guys in the movie and that is where they got the name for the band.

Give it a listen and let me know what you think.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.  Have a great Sunday!

“Whistle For The Choir”

Well it’s a big big city and it’s always the same
Can never be too pretty tell me your name
Is it out of line if I was to be bold to say “Would you be mine”?Because I may be a beggar and you may be the queen
I know I may be on a downer I’m still ready to dream
Though it’s 3 o’clock, the time is just the time it takes for you to talk.

So if you’re lonely why’d you say you’re not lonely
Oh you’re a silly girl, I know I heard it so
It’s just like you to come and go
And know me no you don’t even know me
You’re so sweet to try, oh my, you caught my eye,
A girl like you’s just irresistible

Well it’s a big, big city and the lights are all out
But it’s as much as I can do you know to figure you out
And I must confess, my heart’s in broken pieces
And my head’s a mess
And it’s 4 in the morning, and I’m walking along
Beside the ghost of every drinker here who has ever done wrong
And it’s you, woo hoo
That’s got me going crazy for the things you do

So if you’re crazy, I don’t care, you amaze me
But you’re a stupid girl, oh me, oh my, you talk
I die, you smile, you laugh, I cry
And only a girl like you could be lonely
And it’s a crying shame, if you would think the same
A boy like me’s just irresistible

So if you’re lonely, why’d you say you’re not lonely
Oh you’re a silly girl, I know I heard it so
It’s just like you to come and go
And know me no you don’t even know me
You’re so sweet to try oh my, you caught my eye
A girl like you’s just irresistible

Written by Jon Fratelli

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