(Following of the story of 'Smashing') Pete played me a song with his acoustic guitar and i started to sing the words i just wrote, improvising a melody. I didn't know then that he was recording it. Few weeks went by and one day he called me out of the blue, saying the libertines were recording a demo in the studio for EMI, and if i could come and sing on 'Smashing'. I replied that i couldn't remember what i had sung and he said he had recorded it (...)
This is not only a piece of art, but also a piece of history. This is one of my favourite piece of music, and to my knowledge, it has never gone beyond a demo. What a pity. If it weren't for Peter playing it as the opening song of an acoustic concert he gave, I would never have been aware of this song. Thanks @Lula Camus for the input you give on the birth of the song, this very private and amazing story, and thanks for your talent. From a fellow french citizen. Peace.
So many things have been written about 'Smashing', a lot of which is false, that i would like to tell the real story of how it happened. Pete and I were at his flat in Bethnal green, where he used to live with Carl. We were playing chess while talking about poetry. I was telling him that being french, i was finding it more difficult to write poetry in english. He then handed me his diary and asked me to write something in french. I wrote what became the lyrics of the verse i sing on Smashing ...
I could listen to story's about Pete and Carl in their Bethnal green flat all day, tell us more Lula... Hopefully planning to visit in Margate very soon, take care
(...) So i went to a studio in Sheperd's Bush and next thing i know was asked to go into a boot and sing my verse. I didn't even get a chance for a second take! The "Tu peux m'embrasser? C'est chouette!" is an impro. The laughing was caused by Pete coming inside the boot to tickle me. Just to be clear, the song is not about me. I just contributed to it by writing and singing the lyrics of a verse. Voila!
if they do another after the reunion i think they should go back to the pre rough trade sound, it was really individual. don't get me wrong, i love all the stuff they did. but with all the libs rip-offs around now i think this would stand out much more. Canea wait for leeds!
Bravo Peter j'adore :) ce mec est top c'est sur! Les gens qui s'arrêtent sur ces conneries sont des tocards ! Vive le rock'n'roll Albion forever vive Peter
