Without getting too wanky or precious about things, basically this song is just about capturing a mood. The hazy, love-buzzed days and nights that our pair of lovers share as they take care of what needs taking care of. We also get to see behind the curtains at a cafe for a verse. Just because.
The music came out pretty quickly (shout out to the A minor 6th chord), and the words were some type of nonsensical gibberish for a little while, until I finally found the right set of words that didn't drive me insane.
I remember working at a loading dock in Camden NJ when I came up with the words. I'd have to get there at 5am (hey, at least there was no traffic that early), and more often than not there wasn't anything to do but wait for trucks. And write.
It was an around-the-clock dock, so oftentimes the afternoon or late shift guys would leave their newspapers (remember those things?) or books around. One morning I was looking at the horse racing section in one of the newspapers lying around. That got me started, but I think the only thing I kept was what I used for the title. Maybe it was Night Eye's Sister or something. Who knows? All I know is there was a horse named Boca Mary that I regret not being able to shoehorn into this song somewhere. “Boca Mary breezed in…”. Damn. Maybe in the next life, Boca Mary.
Anyway I worked it for a few weeks, eventually landing on the “two lovers passing time” vibe. I just kept writing verses until the right ones presented themselves.
Also: No Chorus. Just some instrumental break that still is in need of some Johnny Smith-type guitar runs, or a breathy baritone sax or something. Guess we'll save that for the Hollywood Bowl.
Sister Nite Eyes Released
Sits half up in her seat
Says “you are a hangover”
Head aches with every beat
of a waking heart
They went to see Mr. Green
Bike ride ten in the morning
Over cobblestone streets
Through the mist again
The grill hisses and speaks
Myra wipes down the tables
Dishwasher gives his two weeks
Sign goes up again
A nightcap is spent
Drinking vodka and yawning
She tells him “you’re quite the gent”
He helps her with her coat
They ordered oranges and cream
Two snifters of brandy
She had a pink bathtub dream
Her toes were pruned and curled
Sits half up in her seat
says “you are a hangover”
Head aches with every beat
Of a waking heart
(Song availible to listen to on the main page of site)