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SNAKES & LADDERS

by 52Pickups

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  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    10 track debut album (with with Snakes & Ladders board game inner sleeve) Cover artwork/painting by Jamie Mumford

    Includes unlimited streaming of SNAKES & LADDERS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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  • Liited edition compact disc
    Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    CD in Jewel Case with 6 page booklet .

    Includes unlimited streaming of SNAKES & LADDERS via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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1.
Johnny was a race car driver He drove an old white Chevrolet They say he’d won a million in prizes He’d burned up every line ‘cross every state Johnny’s his name – That’s Johnny Ciccane Well Johnny never had any rival There weren’t a man alive he couldn’t take Then one day there came a driver With 666 stamped on his license plate Drivin’ a red Firebird, the devil appeared The devil said ”Hey Johnny, I’ve heard you’re pretty fast n’all And that car of yours they say it can’t be beat Well I got a proposition see? How ‘bout you and me Go head to head and take it to the street? If you win they’ll call you the greatest of them all If I win I’ll have your soul to keep” Well Johnny thought a while and with a little smile said “Hey Bee-lzi-bub you got yourself a deal So let’s settle this in style and run the ¼ mile Down Main street for everyone to see Cos’this town sure as hell ain’t big enough for you and me” T’was a race of survival for Johnny Ciccane Let’s go Johnny-Let’s go Johnny-Go Johnny-GO! Well Johnny won that race and the title And the devil turned back to a ball of flame And they said that when Johnny retired In every racing town they knew his name So when you hear that engine roar and the spinning of the wheels or see the lights shine bright before the dawn Ya’know he’s out there racing with the devil on his heels That’s Johnny! “The greatest of them all” Johnny’s the name –Johnny Ciccane Johnny’s the name-The driver –Johnny Ciccane
2.
Promises will ring true, roses red and skies all blue If you promise that you’d let me do all the things I’ve wanted to. Promises between me & you Promises up through the roof crossin’ wires & bending truth Gonna send em’ up to cut em’ loose And cover lies of fire as flames are rising higher Promises between me and you. So don’t talk to me like I rained down in the last shower No I ain’t the one born every minute I was born on the hour Promises to get you through just one owner shiny-new If I promised all the world to you I ain’t nothin’ but a liar Liar liar liar, liar liar pants on fire! If I promised you a miracle, If I promised every cup was full Til’ it’s running over over you with all that you desire And all you can rely on, there ain’t truer words I’ve spoken To say promises are meant to be broken Promises between me and you
3.
Kite 03:50
The cutest and sweetest girl that’s for me is Coming around here and she’s coming to stay She’s my favorite everything I live and breathe in Til’ next time I see her I’ll be counting the days I’m floating in her sky up over the world high Just like a kite I’m blowin’ away She’s my sweet signorina, my garden of eve my heart skips a beat when she’s calling my name I try so hard to please her my knees they go weak I’m falling deeper for her everyway I’m floating in her sky up over the world high Just like a kite I’m blowin’away Around the earth and the sun the moon and the stars I hope to stay up and never land (yeah yeah yeah) She’s so mysterious I long just to kiss Her lips are as sweet as and soft as the rain She’s my favorite everything I live and breathe in From her head to her feet let me count up the ways
4.
She’s talkin’ some kind of riddle, I can’t understand at all She’s cussin’ like a sailor, I’m ducking her cannonballs Feels like riding a rollercoaster or fairground carousel Her lovin’s like snakes and ladders She’s either from heaven or hell She tells me there’s no other, I’m best yet of ém all Says we’ll be together for always and evermore Then she’s breakin’ my LP records, abusing all of my friends Her lovin’s like snakes and ladders And I just don’t know where I stand, where?? She’s a warm-loving soul then cold as ice She’s so hard to read it’s like rollin’ dice Monday she’s a monster,Tuesday she’s from heaven sent Wednesday she’s like a stranger, Thursday I’d best forget By Friday she’s like a tiger inbedding her claws in me On Saturday I’m just caught in a bind Cos’ Sunday we’ll start up again She calls me to say it’s over and thanks for the times She’s leaving on the next train,aint nothin’ can change her mind Then she rises like a volcano, her arms they pull me in Her lovin’s like snakes and ladders and I climb up every day She’s a cooling summer rain then the whirling eye of the storm Her lovin’s like snakes and ladders And I’m sick of playin’ all these up and down games Yeah I should be moving along
5.
Betty had her heart set on a boy so handsome She felt life could be all fairytales He left her for her best friend while standing at the altar Underneath the sound of wedding bells Pushed a dagger through her heart and that’s got to leave a mark. A sailor on the high seas just living out his life dream Kept his back to the wind and the wind into his sails He ran across some pirates and they hoisted jolly Rodger They tied his hands & made him walk the plank until he fell He was taken by sharks and that’s got to leave a mark Big city fire sparked by lighting was all too fast to outrun Flames grew wild it was all so frightening And burned hotter than the sun And people climbed to the top of the towers and prayed As smoke turned the blue sky to grey And If to hide and burn or jump either way We know that’s got, that’s got to leave a mark
6.
Test my love 03:18
Well I might be loving you just a little too much Maybe I’m in a little deep maybe I move a little fast You’ll see I’m not the one to do anything by half It’s all or nothing babe until you say that’s enough Come on and test my love come on and test my love If you want the best of love to rain from the heavens above ? Test me Well I’ve only just met you I don’t know anything Don’t want to push you too far or seem overbearing If I got more than need and you can’t fit it in You can turn the other cheek maybe take it on the chin Come on and test my love come on and test my love If you want the best of love I’ll confess my love to you Test my love Well sometimes I get crazy yeah I can’t help it much Maybe come on a little strong maybe I’m losing my touch So if my love’s too large or it’s too hard to take Well let me down easy baby don’t leave me this way Come on and test my love come on and test my love If you want the best of love to rain from the heavens above on you? test my love
7.
Nothin’ lasts forever and we all bleed or wither in time And you will turn to dust and yes-siree so should I It’s the same for everyone all saints and sinners alike You’re just throwin’ away good money if ya’ think that you can buy it Well some of us go peacefully and some who will go out with a bang Some of us are taken early that I can’t understand So if you’re with the devil or if you’re-a lovin’ Jesus Christ Stick to your guns and mettle with your last throw of the dice And when the world has stopped on turning when all the wells and oceans dry, when it’s all too late,if that’s our fate,I’ll raise a glass up to the sky In hope Cliff Richard must die Well if you like romancin’ or tasting the finest wines Or if you had the chance to ever lay a sweet virgin bride If you love to bend the law or you love ropes that bind Then find the one that does it for you and know that ain’t no crime If you find no heaven no burnin’ hell no after life And If you find that everything you ever learned was all a pack o’ lies But if you meet your maker then look him into the eyes And give praise for taking Cliff and baby don’t you cry
8.
Lately I’m wired I could sleep but I don’t I could stay in tonight but TV’s a joke I’ve been working real hard I can’t take anymore So I’m driving to my baby’s cos’ my baby can score We’ll get some up town, we can laugh and fall to the ground Get in close to the sound where it’s nice and loud we can jump & shout And it’s not too far to get down Feel the old school temperature rise Fever so high get ready to go where there’s No rules just whatever you like Babe we’ve gotta burn this city tonight Some cat in a grey suit is hanging about He’s the law in disguise, he’s checking us out He knows how to find all the kinds who want more In the line around the corner from the candy store We’ll get some and run around we can laugh and fall to the ground Get in close to the sound where it’s nice and loud we can jump & shout And it’s not too far to get down When it’s cold all the way through late May, June & July Just burnin’ love will keep us warm Stars and stripes, the TV’s so Americanized Wake up, wake up, we can sleep whenever we die Get it on, do the show & when the cops come one of us hide Get in close to the sound where it’s nice and loud we can jump and shout And it’s not too far to get down.
9.
You got me everything I wanted baby-But I got nothin’ from you You say you like the way I turn it on-Hey don’t go blowin’ your fuse You never could take it all -I never said that I would I wrote it down to tell you all honey-I said I already knew Your sugar ain’t sweet, the word’s on the street, read’em & weep You got a lot of nerve to tell me off sugar-Hey I got nothin’ to lose You make me want to scratch that itch bitch!-I must’ve got that from you With all the girls, I see you baby-Hey they all came on to me They turn you on I know you like that-Well I ain’t no dog at your feet Your sugar ain’t sweet, the word’s on the street, read’em & weep Yeah deal me out I’m cashin’ in love-You got nothin’ more I want babe Girl I’ll clean you out and I’ll be takin’ that shirt You been a’ cheatin’ under the table-Hey I was fixin’ my shoe That old trick don’t cut it here-Don’t play me like I’m a fool So lay it down all your dirty money honey-Ya’ know I’m playin’ for real My hand is strong so don’t string me along baby-Hey I’ll be closin’ this deal Your sugar ain’t sweet, the word’s on the street, read’em & weep
10.
Give me time give me hope give me love give me something Give me some til’ I find til’ I find my way Give me heart give me soul give me all or give me nothin’ And give me up give me up give me up today, give me it all I’ll give you stars that’ll shine if you’re lost in a desert I’ll give you some light to break through skies of grey You can rely on me so if there’s some kind of danger I’ll make it all make it all make it all just fade away I’ll give you it all If that’s what you want then say honey let it show When the cold rain is falling let me know And if you want stay, if you’re feeling low inside If that’s what you want. Give me a sign that you want that you want me to want you I wanna feel that you’re mine when you’re miles away Keep me up keep me strong I’ll give you some kind of shelter And I’ll keep you warm inside hide you from the rainy days I’ll give you it all If that’s what you want then say, honey let it show When the cold rain is falling let me know And if you want stay if you’re feeling low inside If that’s what you want then say
11.
Angel 03:42
Angel so good looking I was stunned when I met you Whatever was I thinking to ever dare let you go Oh angel I loved your dance and you sure were nice to me I’ve struggled to forget you I’ve trouble gettin’ sleep I don’t know how to reach you without ringing all the wrong bells I’m starting to break up I don’t know if I can wait too long Too long not to know. Angel I seek direction I cannot find my way through This dire situation Cos’ I don’t want you to peg me wrong No! Oh why did I ever let you run away? It’s a cruel lesson no less than hard to bear that I may never find you all again and so far from grace is such a long way to fall oh! Angel
12.
Hellbent 02:18
I’m hell bent and coming at em’ Gonna catch em’can’t let em’out of my sight You can bet I’ll grand slam em’ Win the jam and gonna make em’ cry So come on and talk derby to me I’m hell bent it’s automatic I’ve gotta have it,i gotta 1 track mind I confess it’s like a drug and I kinda love it when crossing over the line Like a dream I’m down on my knees…oh please! I’m hell bent on it baby Goin’ crazy all of the time It goes straight into my head and I need a medic to get it out of my mind The other girls ain’t in the running I’ll take em’ out yeah 1 at a time From the hip I’m gonna whip I can’t stop til I’m satisfied I’m gonna win yeah and it’s all in I’m hell bent you can bet I’m gonna win Yeah I’m hellbent!
13.
Hot rods cruisin’ down my street I hear their motors rumblin’ The guzzling of gasoline get’s the heart a’ pumpin’ But what I’ve been thinking ‘bout all along is all those pretty faces Of all those beautiful hot chicks with tattoos in spotty dresses Hot chicks with tattoos in spotty dresses hot chicks with tattoos in spotty dresses,for hot lips and hairdos I’m lost and defenseless Against hot chicks with tattoos in spotty dresses Cars and chrome ‘a shining have come from far off places Hotted up well-oiled machines all lining up for races Although I dig that kind of thing they ain’t really as precious As all those mighty fine hot chicks with tattoos in spotty dresses Just rock n’ roll playing all night long I hear the bass a’ thumpin’ The fever’s got me burning up oh Lord I tell ya somethin’ I get down on my knees and pray yeah I really must confess, yes! Oh’ boy I dig those hot chicks with tattoos in spotty dresses
14.
Day will break and the sun will rise It sure as ain’t no surprise Every breath in every life’s Handed down through every mothered-child It’s evolution yes everybody knows Fish will swim and the birds will fly It’s happened ever since the dawn of time In every ocean and country sky Under frozen lakes over mountains high Ain’t no illusion if everybody knows it Now tall buildings reach up and touch the sky Rumble and shake from side to side Old mother nature she’s growing tired Shake them money-makers from their all time highs There aint too much gonna come for free And there ain’t no lovin’ if you follow greed And there aint no easy way to take you higher And there aint no losin’ if you’ve never tried It ain’t no secret if everybody knows it That tree that stands up high and tall Fed on cemetery blood and bones The wind it howls through the branches low And every tiny leaf will die and fall What comes-goes yes everybody knows this Everybody knows
15.
I met Liza-Jane at a party that I’ve tried to forget I was like a moth to her flaming eyes and her lips And while I tried hard to not stare and be less obvious I heard a song in my head swing in time with her hips Something took me over I was knocked out, I was blown right away Immersed in her breathing I said “Lord glory be And have mercy on me in some way” I swear I fell Hook Line and Sinker We drank all night she said we had to sneak into her dorm She said she’s a nurse and that’s where she kept her uniform Well my pulse was high and my heart rate went risin’ up to the red The last thing I recall was feeling light in the head Without a sound I went down that’s all I remember When she woke me said I’d rose to the task that she’d laid out for me I’d swallowed the bait Hook Line and Sinker I asked Liza-Jane was I something? she said that wasn’t her name And she had lied and I’d played right into her hands She said we’d both been to the same school when we were young And all this time she’s collected all the boys one by one then She pulled out a switchblade and said her name was Wayne And “boy don’t you ruin my plan” I picked up my clothes and pulled on my boots then For my life I ran.

credits

released May 30, 2015

MURRAY JOHNSTONE: VOCALS / GUITAR / DOUBLE BASS / HARMONICA / PROGRAMMING
DAMIEN SANEWSKI: GUITAR
KYLIE LOVEJOY: VOCALS / BASS / PERCUSSION
MICHAEL SQUIRE: DRUMS / TRUMPET
WILLIAM MARSHALL: PIANO / ORGAN
With:
Glen Gibson plays drums on Hook, Line & Sinker
Paulie Bourke plays double bass on Hook,Line & Sinker
RECORDED BY MURRAY JOHNSTONE AT OLD MUTHA HUBBARD & ON THE RUN AND JEFF LOVEJOY AT BLACK BOX RECORDING
MIXED BY JEFF LOVEJOY AT BLACK BOX RECORDING.ALL TRACKS MASTERED BY MATTHEW GRAY AT MATTHEW GRAY MASTERING EXCEPT HOOK, LINE & SINKER MASTERED BY LEON ZERVOS AT STUDIOS 301 SYDNEY

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52Pickups Brisbane, Australia

Brisbane rockers 52PICKUPS rip through the gears with their debut album SNAKES & LADDERS.From the starting grid to the finish line it's clear that these guys 'n' gal mean business & their business is ROCK! Drenched in sweat'n'swagger & laiden with hooks these
tales of life & death,love & lust, hotcars & hotchicks swoon up against a backdrop of op- shop-retro twang & heartfelt thump.It's a winner!
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