“Nick” is the fifth song on Bachelors Anonymous’ eponymous six-song album, remastered and re-released digitally. Bachelor David Hughes tells the story behind the song.
The lyrics speak for themselves, about a guy who is full of himself and larger than life, attractive but the attraction wears thin; perhaps not thin enough.
I remember Nick was the name of a psychotherapist I had about ten years before, and so I chose that name, but the song has nothing to do with him. A friend misheard the name as Mick, assuming I was addressing Mick Jagger, which, come to think of it, is rather interesting.
Sonically, today the song sounds like Bronski Beat meets New Order, but it kind of built itself, once we decided on a dance beat.
Lyrics
Nick, you goddamn Elvis
I thought I’d got rid of you
But you’re that Elvis
You do your best
To keep yourself at arm’s length
It’s a test
To see which one has the strength
To see this thing through
This thing that I’m through
I’m supposed to be through with you
Nick, you goddamn Elvis
I thought I’d forgotten you
But you’re that Elvis
I don’t care
But do you have to flaunt it?
People stare
But I guess that’s what you want
It’s gone to your head
All my idols are dead
All my idols are dead, you said
Chorus
All black and white
A jaundiced yellow
I convinced myself
I’d stay a cappella a while
It’s not my style
Nick, you lousy Jesus
I thought you’d forgotten too
But you’re that Elvis, you Elvis
You’re so coy
Go try it out on the world
If they boys know
Then there’s always the girls
I know you’ve already tried
Take that thing outside
Let’s settle this thing outside
Chorus
Lyrics Reprinted by Permission
Credits
See album credits