Stories Behind the Songs: “Simone”
Every once in a while, I’m inspired enough to crank out a whole song very quickly, without having to struggle overmuch. “Simone” was one of these; coming out almost all at once in February 2005. I had always wanted to write a story song, and indeed had tried several times before, but this was the first one that really worked. Much to my astonishment, I could see the events unfolding in my head like a movie, and all I had to do was write down what I saw. Aside from applying the present tense more consistently, I didn’t really have to tweak the lyrics much.
As much as I like the song, though, I saw it would present a problem if Transposition was ever staged; Jack(ie) tells the entire story, leaving Simone nothing to do. In order to try to correct that issue, I had John sing harmony on all the parts where Simone speaks.
I’m not a great mandolin player but it seemed appropriate to strum along on the cheap one I had at the time. The lead guitar lines were played fingerstyle, without a pick, which is unusual for me; I was trying to approximate a Mark Knopfler feel, I suppose.
Incidentally, I was never satisfied with the name “Simone”; I thought it sounded made-up, probably because I have never met anyone with that appellation (how’s that for a 50 cent word). But it was the only feminine name I could think of that rhymed with “own”.