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Rat King

from Asteroids by The Moon and You

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Matt Martin's brilliant lead/rhythm guitar adds miles of swagger. The trumpet (Charles Humphrey) and clarinet (Hank Widmer) parts really class up the joint.

Overdub sessions for this one were particularly memorable! In a vocal session dedicated to Ryan, Kevin and Stephen's "pretty boy harmony" BGVs, Stephen had the idea to do some gargling takes. Who would say no to this?

Ryan's guitar solo went through a couple of incarnations before we decided to use just the sound of his pick scraping along the strings. Chicken noises and random exclamations were carefully arranged in a barely contained madness.

This track represents a tasty blend - perhaps we might go so far as to say a sound collage - of accidental and on-purpose silliness.

The song itself was a gift after a long period of writer's block. A dear friend having been recently deceived by a slimy fellow of our acquaintance, we (Ryan and Melissa) were moved by her story to help put all his shit out on the curb one evening while he was out of town. He'd moved it all into her shed without asking permission, and was planning to live there rent-free while seeing other women! He was a real dog, this guy. Worse - he was a RAT KING. I wrote this song for her when I woke up the following morning.

Fun fact: we later lived in that same (highly desirable) shed, for 3 months! We paid rent, though. And we had been invited. Unlike SOME PEOPLE/RATS.

lyrics

He swept you off your feet in Paris, then he moved into your shed
Flashed that pretty smile of his, make you wish that you were dead
He told that same sad story: empty pockets, empty bed -
He's a rat king, baby! Don't believe a word he says.

That handsome man in the swingin' band with the alligator shoes
Never gave you anything that didn't smell like booze
He'd take that shirt right off your back, he takes you for a fool
He's a rat king, baby! And you're all he's got to lose.

Let's run that slimy bastard out of town
Take back your shiny, perfect heart and gently set it down
Take off your earrings, girl - take off your kid gloves, too
Make your hand into a fist, blow the rat a little kiss and
Do what you gotta do

He swept you off your feet in Paris, then he moved into your shed
Swept you off your feet in Paris, then he moved into your shed
Swept you off your feet in Paris, then he moved into your shed
He's a rat king baby! Don't believe a word he says

credits

from Asteroids, released October 18, 2020
Melissa Hyman - Vocals
Ryan Furstenberg - Vocals, noise guitar, percussion
Andrew Platt - upright bass
Ross Montsinger - Drums
Matt Martin - Electric guitar
Ryan Lassiter - percussion
Kevin Williams - vocals
Stephen Murray - vocals, gargling
Charlie Humphrey - trumpet
Hank Widmer - clarinet

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The Moon and You Asheville, North Carolina

The Moon and You is a songwriter duo out of Asheville, NC. Ryan Furstenberg plays guitar, Melissa Hyman plays cello, and both sing. Come for the unusual string arrangements, fingerstyle guitar, duet harmonies and thought-provoking lyrics. Stay for the awkward stage banter. ... more

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