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about

Bad, Hard Town
Again, troubling incidents in Toronto inspired this song. In this case, it was the killing of Sammy Yatin on a Bathurst Streetcar, at the hands of a Toronto police officer. This shooting really pissed me off and got me thinking about the city we love and how, in too many cases, there are dark sides to the bright lights. It’s particularly galling when the cops turn out to be part of the problem.
I wrote "Bad Hard Town" a few years ago with John Crosbie and was about to release it as a one-off single during Rob Ford’s mayoralty. When he died, the timing didn’t seem right. But now that his brother Doug is fronting the Thugs at Queens Park, we're still coping with mean spirited attitudes from vengeful ass-hats who think Toronto needs to be punished.
I introduced BHT to Brett, and then recruited Duncan McBain on drums and Omar Tunnoch on bass. The song jumps from the get-go with a live, off-the-floor vocal and a killer Third Line breakdown that “GO Train” McBain nailed.
My brother Sergio Faluotico stepped in to do percussion creating a wild street party soundscape that was so important to the track.
An additional treat on "Bad Hard Town" was building a horn section with my son-in-law, Scott Bannister, on trumpet and his pals from the Ska-Doos, Donnie Harper on trombone and Zach Forbes on saxophone. These three young guys took their direction from Brett, and lay down a solid track.
Once again, Kate and Gail, my wonderfully talent daughters, shouted out their background vocals to make Bad Hard Town, as good as gold.

lyrics

Bad Hard Town
(Wayne S. Roberts, John Crosbie)

Verse
I hear that rocket, just rumbling by
Groanin’ and grindin’ along
Down the line, well da boyz
are on the chase
Somebody’s crazy,
they gonna use a gun.

Chorus
Cuz we’re livin’ in a bad hard town
Yeah, we’re living in a bad hard town
Well the boyz are on the loose
And the people take a bruisin’
We’re living in a bad hard town

Verse
Streets are locked, can’t find no key
Seems that’s the story bein’ told
I hear people’s voices all breaking’
Fists up and all shakin’
Sound like that lie’s getting old

Chorus
Cuz we’re livin’ in a bad hard town
Yeah, we’re living in a bad hard town
Well the boss is on the pipe
And the rot is getting’ ripe
We’re living in bad hard town

Bridge
If you think I could be wrong,
you could right
But I think we like to dance,
takin’ our chance
We hope the music don't end tonight
We hope the music don't end tonight

Verse
I go out, to the places I know
I keep seein’ what I’m seein’
I see that the people know the deal
They know the fake from the real
Streets where we walkin’
getting mean

Chorus x 2
Cuz we’re livin’ in a bad hard town
Yeah, we’re living in a bad hard town
Well the boss is on the loose
and the people getting’ goosed
We’re living in bad hard town

credits

from Three's a Charm - Full Album, released September 30, 2019
Vocals: Son Roberts
Guitars & Keys: Brett MacMillan
Drums: Duncan McBain
Bass: Omar Tunnoch
Horns: Scott Bannister, Donny Hopper, Zach Forbes
Percussion: Sergio Faluotico
Background Vocals: Gail Roberts and Kate Roberts

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Son Roberts Toronto, Ontario

“Breathtakingly fresh, adventurous and emotionally satisfying songs that take the Blues genre in new directions while staying true to its roots and rhythms.” Blues Matters UK

Toronto-based, award-winning singer songwriter creating Blues for the here and now. ... more

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