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  1. Good Time Charlies

From the recording Family Portraits (Volume 1)

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A love song...with a twist. Also a song about depression.

On the surface, it seems like an odd thing to say to a loved one: "We're good time Charlies" and "fair-weather-friends". Surely these aren't celebrated characteristics in any relationship?

But the protagonist suffers from episodes of depression (the "black dog" mentioned in verse two; as well as his "convalescence"). For him, "having fun" means re-joining the party; re-joining life; as "life's a party"...signals exactly that he is now NOT (no longer) depressed.

His raison d'etre is his joie-de-vivre. He wants to live.

So on a deeper level this is a real song of thanks...to his lover, the "other" "Good Time Charlie" who squeezes his hand and understands...who is there for him during his dark bouts. A love song from the patient to his lover and nurse.

Lyrics

Good Time Charlies

Rain on the window-pane
Drops run down, wash away
Like time itself
Like grains of sand
On the beach
Slip through my fingers and
Out of reach…

Out…and squeeze my hand
Presence felt, reassured
But there’s nothing more you can do for me anyway, love

Let me convalesce and then
We can resume the fun
You and I will
Last a while
‘Cos we’re “Good Time Charlies”
Fair-weather friends
‘til the very end
‘Cos life’s a party!

Sunshine from the outside
Seeps in, lights up my bedside and
Beams cast shadows on the walls
Look like prison bars
To the Black Dog

Please, until I feel better
Leave me be
Counter-intuitively
Viva la “joie-de-vivre”
I will recover and we’ll
Let the good times roll

You and I will
Go the mile
‘Cos we’re “Good Time Charlies”
Fair-weather friends
‘til the very end
‘Cos life’s a party!

So what if we’re no good in crises?
It’s easy to avoid drink driving

By walking
Like “lovers-in-arms”
Let’s just have fun whilst we still can

You and I
Are alike
‘Cos we’re “Good Time Charlies”
Fair-weather friends
‘til the very end
‘Cos life’s a party!

You and I
Get on fine
‘Cos we’re “Good Tim e Charlies”
Fair-weather friends
‘til the very end
‘Cos life’s a party!