LITLR - Mr Average - IanR original

IanR · October 26, 2016, 11:14:22 PM

Hi Folks,

I have really enjoyed the LITLR festival and I wanted to get this one in before its over.

I wrote this song a few years ago and forgot all about it until I was tidying up a few days ago and found the lyrics and chords on a scrap of paper at the bottom of a pile.

Its about a love/hate relationship between a Western consumer and an anonymous call centre worker.

I struggled with the recording because I am prone to playing the guitar too loud and so I had to practice it a lot to get the balance between the vocals and guitar at an acceptable level. The whole thing is one take on one track. I made a mistake in the last chorus but I left it alone.

I recorded the song through an Audio Technica AT2020 condenser mic into the BR800 (as audio interface) onto Sonar. I used Sonar to mix and balance - EQ, compression, etc and then it was mastered in LANDR.

Mister Average
Ian Robertson© 12 July 2013

Mister average is what I mean
You watch my downloads and monitor my screens
From a data base in Mumbai you analyse my dreams
As I congratulate myself that I'm wealthy and I'm free
But really from time to time I'm just an escapee
Mister average is what I mean

Do you live alone?
Or do you have company?
Are you satisfied?
Or are you in between?
Have you been late?
Or do you get there on time?
Do you pay your way?
Or do you risk a fine?

I don't live alone
But I've been young and free
I have a home
And I watch pay TV
I've seen your message
But it wasn't for me
Thanks for the chance
For me to say what I need

Because I'm mister average
I'm mister safe
I've got what you've got
And I don't want to change
I'll answer your questions
But you know how I feel
Because I'm mister average
The modern ideal

Mister average is what I mean
You watch my downloads and monitor my screens
My market profile gives away my long held secret dreams
As I congratulate myself that I'm wealthy and I'm free
But really from time to time I'm just an escapee
Mister average is what I mean

I've never met you
But I know what you need
You're getting screwed
On your internet speed
For one monthly payment
You can bundle your phone
You'll get free local calls
And much faster downloads (porno)

You told me your name
But I don't think it's real
You can offer me specials
But I don't like your deal
I won't make a decision
Until I've researched the field
You don't seem to know
How a man like me feels

Because I'm mister average
I'm mister safe
I've got what you've got
And I don't want to change
I'll answer your questions
But you know how I feel
Because I'm mister average
The modern ideal