One Take... is it about Rob Cavallo?

[louielouie2000]

One Take is one of my very fav songs off the new album. Lindsey is obviously very disenchanted with whomever he wrote the song about. I've been trying to figure out who the song is alluding to this past week, and the one person who comes to mind is Rob Cavallo. Why? Lindsey has alluded to the dissolution of that long running friendship in recent interviews. Rob has been Lindsey's biggest (and probably only) champion in the record industry the past couple of decades. Lindsey has hinted in recent interviews that he didn't just strike out on his own from Warner Bros for Seeds We Sow... it sounds like they might not have been interested in releasing the work altogether. What are everyone's thoughts on my theory? Am I off base, or might I be on to something? :shrug:

Here are the lyrics:

One Take

I'm a soldier in the bandlands
Never looking out behind
When the feeling rushes over me
I do it for the company
My soul is hard to find
And I do good business
With the wastelands below
Giving passports to places
that you never really thought that you would
ever want to go

One take over the line
Everything's gonna be fine
Then what's yours will be mine (that's right!)
One take over the line
Somebody give me a sign
The mistress is gonna go blind
One take over the line (that's right!)
One take over the line

No I have no reputation
And I'm not on any list
That's because I've got a publicist
Who covers up the avarice of where I put my fist
And if you don't see me
It doesn't mean I'm not there
It only means that when I steal from you
I don't want you to know because I really really care

One take over the line
Everything's gonna be fine
Then what's yours will be mine (that's right!)
One take over the line
Somebody give me a sign
The mistress is gonna go blind
One take over the line (that's right!)
One take over the line

Aaaahhhh Aaaahhhhh

One take over the line
Everything's gonna be fine
Then what's yours will be mine (that's right!)
One take over the line
Somebody give me a sign
The mistress is gonna go blind
One take over the line (that's right!)
One take over the line

I'm just another madman
Looking for another fall
And I got to make a killing
Cause a journey of a billion
Always starts with something small
I'm just another madman
I turn it off, I turn it on
And I won't be denied
No I won't be satisfied
Til the middle class is gone.

Parts of the song that make me think it might be about Rob are numerous:

1) Lindsey has alluded to the dissolution of their friendship & professional partnership in recent interviews.

2) The parts of the song about doing terrible things for 'the company' would certainly fit a record exec.

3) The verse talking about the person not being on any list because of a publicist, etc certainly could fit Rob. He's not really a name known to the general population, even though he's a big player (unlike other execs such as Ahmet Ertgun, Clive Owens, Jimmy Iovine, Barry Gordy, Smoky Robinson, etc who ARE well known to many Americans).

4) The references to eliminating the middle class in favor of making a billion certainly fits the record industry now. They toss aside anyone who doesn't have successive big hits. There is no more nurturing of talent, or room for the more cult/underground artists in the current business model for major record labels.

[Nico]

That's an awesome interpretation Louie. I honestly never even considered it. But seeing the words right there, and in light of the recent interviews, it makes a lot of sense. Are Rob and LB really on the outs? And if this song is about him, I'm pretty sure they won't be hanging out much anytime soon.

I admit I'm not well-schooled in any of the record exec business- meaning I just don't know a lot about it aside from general. But I keep thinking what a bold move it was on LB's part to forge ahead with this album, totally DIY style, and on his own terms. He doesn't have anything to prove but he is still very committed to his philosophy and I respect that.

[Silver Springs]

Whenever I read such historical and analytical interpretations of music on this board I always feel a little inferior, because I don't know much about what happens beyond the music and the well known stuff. I thank you all for discussing these topics so I can have a further insight into the music I'm hearing. Maybe after a few years when I've learned from you all I can join in with these debates.

[elle]

my take is this - i think cavallo might be a small part of the character lindsey takes on in this song - but LB was saying in the interviews that they are good friends and that he can understand cavallo's stand towards SWS, although he might have implied that his position is making him drift morally a bit. hope i'm not misinterpreting what he said too much, i'm too lazy to go find the exact quote.

however, lindsey has also been very vocal in several of his SWS interviews against the greed represented by institutions like wall street and big corporations, and a need for an individual to not be carried away but getting back to their own moral compass. i think most of his character in this song is a big corporate exec (again big record company exec fits in as a small part of it in here, but it is not a specific person) who has completely lost his moral compass and doesn't see further then his greed and what others tell him is "good business" for his corporation. lindsey has also talked about effects of globalization, corporations and countries, and how one is taking over while others are dissolving.

lastly, i believe Tom Whaley (sp) has been more of a LB advocate in WB than Cavallo. i think Cavallo may have been a part of the mess up stopping the original GoS from coming out. but then again i'm extremely partial to original GoS and am probably overinterpreting. lindsey obviously considers cavallo a good friend.

[bangdrum]

From Billboard, this is the most direct quote I've seen:

"I actually started [shopping] with Warner Bros. [chairman] Rob Cavallo, who is a friend of mine and is in this new position over there. Rob liked it a lot, and then he had to go back and deal with the people in Burbank [Calif.], and when I talked to him on the phone, he started talking about the numbers he had to make quarterly, and I thought, "Well, that's the end of that."

[Peestie]

my take is this - i think cavallo might be a small part of the character lindsey takes on in this song - but LB was saying in the interviews that they are good friends and that he can understand cavallo's stand towards SWS, although he might have implied that his position is making him drift morally a bit. hope i'm not misinterpreting what he said too much, i'm too lazy to go find the exact quote.

however, lindsey has also been very vocal in several of his SWS interviews against the greed represented by institutions like wall street and big corporations, and a need for an individual to not be carried away but getting back to their own moral compass. i think most of his character in this song is a big corporate exec (again big record company exec fits in as a small part of it in here, but it is not a specific person) who has completely lost his moral compass and doesn't see further then his greed and what others tell him is "good business" for his corporation. lindsey has also talked about effects of globalization, corporations and countries, and how one is taking over while others are dissolving.

lastly, i believe Tom Whaley (sp) has been more of a LB advocate in WB than Cavallo. i think Cavallo may have been a part of the mess up stopping the original GoS from coming out. but then again i'm extremely partial to original GoS and am probably overinterpreting. lindsey obviously considers cavallo a good friend.
I agree. I think it's more about a generic big corporation/bank/company executive who's just out to make money. They've lost some of their morality when it comes to business decisions but aren't really bad people, they're just being told "make more money for the company" and so they do it because their jobs depend on it.

I think Rob might be a specific case where this is applicable and Lindsey has pretty much said that much. However, I think last line is definitely one of the lines that broadens it out to being an attack on a certain style of business rather than on any particular person.

[elle]

From Billboard, this is the most direct quote I've seen:

"I actually started [shopping] with Warner Bros. [chairman] Rob Cavallo, who is a friend of mine and is in this new position over there. Rob liked it a lot, and then he had to go back and deal with the people in Burbank [Calif.], and when I talked to him on the phone, he started talking about the numbers he had to make quarterly, and I thought, "Well, that's the end of that."

yeah, there was also one that came out earlier, about cavallo being a good person but he has to do what's best for company's bottom line. pretty similar to this one, although he didn't identify cavallo by name at the time - he just said "i have a good friend who i've known for 20+ years who is now very high up in WB" or something like that.

[michelej1]

I think Rob might be a specific case where this is applicable and Lindsey has pretty much said that much. However, I think last line is definitely one of the lines that broadens it out to being an attack on a certain style of business rather than on any particular person.

I agree with you, now. I was thinking Wrong type "suits" before I heard the entire song. Now, I think of it as broader and more sinister actually, where there's not just an intent to increase the bottom line, but also to do it at the expense of those on the bottom rung, to exploit to make money and to actively increase the divide between the rich and the lower classes, because it's quite profitable to do so, if you belong to the former category.

This is not like the the '20s and '30s where the depression hit all of America, across the board. For some people, the last 5 years have been extremely profitable, to the point where there's almost an incentive to keep people unemployed, real estate down, oil prices up, and loans scarce. It's not just a fallout result. It's the goal. To me, the song is about someone in the position of maintaining that destructive status quo.

Michele

[bombaysaffires]

It's interesting that Rob Cavallo participated to some extent in Stevie's new album, including playing on one of the tracks. She thanks him in the liner notes and jokingly refers to him as one of the band.

[elle]

I agree with you, now. I was thinking Wrong type "suits" before I heard the entire song. Now, I think of it as broader and more sinister actually, where there's not just an intent to increase the bottom line, but also to do it at the expense of those on the bottom rung, to exploit to make money and to actively increase the divide between the rich and the lower classes, because it's quite profitable to do so, if you belong to the former category.

This is not like the the '20s and '30s where the depression hit all of America, across the board. For some people, the last 5 years have been extremely profitable, to the point where there's almost an incentive to keep people unemployed, real estate down, oil prices up, and loans scarce. It's not just a fallout result. It's the goal. To me, the song is about someone in the position of maintaining that destructive status quo.
yes. and again, the roman empire line - it's not about countries anymore, it's about corporations - the line about passports fits with that too (large corporations are multinational). and lindsey's words in several interviews back it up - that this is what he's referring to in some of his SWS songs. i think it's really clear in One Take, but my impression is that it may be also weaved subtly through some others.

[Peestie]

I agree with you, now. I was thinking Wrong type "suits" before I heard the entire song. Now, I think of it as broader and more sinister actually, where there's not just an intent to increase the bottom line, but also to do it at the expense of those on the bottom rung, to exploit to make money and to actively increase the divide between the rich and the lower classes, because it's quite profitable to do so, if you belong to the former category.

This is not like the the '20s and '30s where the depression hit all of America, across the board. For some people, the last 5 years have been extremely profitable, to the point where there's almost an incentive to keep people unemployed, real estate down, oil prices up, and loans scarce. It's not just a fallout result. It's the goal. To me, the song is about someone in the position of maintaining that destructive status quo.

Michele
Yeah, I can agree with all that. The character is aiming to just bleed everybody dry even if that means everybody bar people in his class are left with nothing at all to their names.

[BaronVonBielski]

Regardless, it still doesn't help Warner's chances for landing the next FM release. Reprise may have released Stevies... for all I know she was still under contract, but FM isn't anymore and obviously neither is LB... I do think record companies will be interested in landing their next album. Gold albums are easy to come by anymore. The Mac is almost assured at least that.

[michelej1]

yes. and again, the roman empire line - it's not about countries anymore, it's about corporations - the line about passports fits with that too (large corporations are multinational).

But (as in Sleeping Around the Corner) why is this guy involved with passports. Clearly, he's not a Customs official. Illegal offshore accounts, I imagine. And maybe facilitating even violent crimes (or escape from liability for them).

Reminds me of the rumor that Mossad went into Dubai and committed that murder, but were using UK passports.

Michele

[louielouie2000]

Regardless, it still doesn't help Warner's chances for landing the next FM release. Reprise may have released Stevies... for all I know she was still under contract, but FM isn't anymore and obviously neither is LB... I do think record companies will be interested in landing their next album. Gold albums are easy to come by anymore. The Mac is almost assured at least that.

I don't think that's a bad thing at all. WB/Reprise really hasn't done FM any favors in well over a decade. They seem intent on repackaging old hits vs promoting anything new (not that there's been much new in a long, long time). I still think WB totally cheaped out on SYW, though. That album could have easily sold 3 times what it did with better marketing. Not to mention that Lindsey himself seems to be getting more print & tv time with SWS than UTS & GOS combined. I almost think it's a psychological thing within the band (Fleetwood Mac) being with WB. It's old faithful. They don't have to bust any new moves or prove themselves. With a new label, maybe the band would put out a better product? :shrug:

[elle]

But (as in Sleeping Around the Corner) why is this guy involved with passports.

b/c he needs to travel / oversee / work for various parts of the corporation, and these parts are all over the globe in different countries (perhaps not the countries that he'd necessarily want to visit)?

[elle]

I don't think that's a bad thing at all. WB/Reprise really hasn't done FM any favors in well over a decade. They seem intent on repackaging old hits vs promoting anything new (not that there's been much new in a long, long time). I still think WB totally cheaped out on SYW, though. That album could have easily sold 3 times what it did with better marketing. Not to mention that Lindsey himself seems to be getting more print & tv time with SWS than UTS & GOS combined. I almost think it's a psychological thing within the band (Fleetwood Mac) being with WB. It's old faithful. They don't have to bust any new moves or prove themselves. With a new label, maybe the band would put out a better product? :shrug:

completely with you on this.:thumbsup:

re LB's print and airtime now, i'm happy you mentioned that - i was curious about it b/c to me it also seems that he's been doing ok with SWS so far... and deal of the day marketing strategy was brilliant, as well as all different short RS articles and AP interview that's been carried by everybody else under the sun for 2 days now. but i wasn't a fan during the last 2 so i cannot really compare.

[michelej1]

b/c he needs to travel / oversee / work for various parts of the corporation, and these parts are all over the globe in different countries (perhaps not the countries that he'd necessarily want to visit)?

Yes, I know he needs to travel. But it doesn't sound like he's getting legitimate passports. I don't think he's going to the post office and getting photos taken and waiting for that passport in the mail. I think he's getting illegal passports to go places surreptitiously. You don't need a shady person to obtain passports for you, if you're on the up and up.


Michele

[elle]

Yes, I know he needs to travel. But it doesn't sound like he's getting legitimate passports. I don't think he's going to the post office and getting photos taken and waiting for that passport in the mail. I think he's getting illegal passports to go places surreptitiously. You don't need a shady person to obtain passports for you, if you're on the up and up.

don't know. my impression from that line was that it just means lots of international travel. i don't remember anything about obtaining them illegally.:shrug:

[michelej1]

don't know. my impression from that line was that it just means lots of international travel. i don't remember anything about obtaining them illegally.:shrug:

I feel the phrase "giving passports" is suspect. People apply for passports. You don't "give" passports to people, not if they're legitimate passports. You don't need a shady guy to secure a passport for you, if you're traveling legally.

And even going beyond that, giving passports to places that people never really want to go could be a euphemism for something much worse than just forging documents. Could be a "I'll buy you a nice pair of cement shoes," kind of thing.

So, when I said why is he obtaining passports for people, it was a rhetorical question. I know why he's doing it and it's not kosher.

Michele

[elle]

I feel the phrase "giving passports" is suspect. People apply for passports. You don't "give" passports to people, not if they're legitimate passports. You don't need a shady guy to secure a passport for you, if you're traveling legally.

And even going beyond that, giving passports to places that people never really want to go could be a euphemism for something much worse than just forging documents. Could be a "I'll buy you a nice pair of cement shoes," kind of thing.


hmm... i think it was meant more big picture / superficially than that but either way - it generated interesting discussion! great to hear all these different interpretations:wavey:

[michelej1]

hmm... i think it was meant more big picture / superficially than that but either way -

I don't really think the song is about one type of person, in one industry. I don't think it's more about corporate types than it is political types. I think it likens all of these respected, powerful people who never get punished for their dealmaking crimes against society, to the type of common criminal who does.

Michele

[elle]

I don't really think the song is about one type of person, in one industry. I don't think it's more about corporate types than it is political types. I think it likens all of these respected, powerful people who never get punished for their dealmaking crimes against society, to the type of common criminal who does.

agree :nod:

[louielouie2000]

I don't really think the song is about one type of person, in one industry. I don't think it's more about corporate types than it is political types. I think it likens all of these respected, powerful people who never get punished for their dealmaking crimes against society, to the type of common criminal who does.

Michele

I think everyone is probably right that the song is likely much broader in focus than just one person in one industry. I can't help but think that one particular event had to of incensed Lindsey to the point where he started to reflect on how mega corporations & greed are deconstructing society, though. I really have to wonder if that watershed event was WB, his home for the past 35 years, spitting him out. If that doesn't make corporate greed hit home, I don't know what would.

[Hawkeye]

I just realized that both Stevie and Lindsey sing that they are soldiers during track 8 of their albums. Except Lindsey felt that one time got the point across and Stevie... welll... didn't.

[Spikey]

And I do good business
With the wastelands below
Giving passports to places
that you never really thought that you would
ever want to go
Just on passports, I felt like this stanza could have a bunch of interpretations. Remember, Lindsey himself said after listening to the album for the first time he got a different slant on it, and said his lyrics were less specific, more open.

For example:

1. No tangible passport involved, but more the analogy of sending somebody on a mission.

2. Whether the passport is legally obtained or not is secondary to the sinister implication of what's transpiring at a place you "wouldn't ever want to go".

3. The simple inference of the business being done with the wastelands, them being the places you wouldn't want to go to, in question.

4. The wastelands "below" being the middle class the character is trying to get rid of/suck dry.

5. The places passports are given for are a place you THOUGHT you wouldn't want to go to, but given the business opportunities, and lower ladder-rung opportunities, you can get your share of the pie by screwing people further down than you (even if the 'character' is above you).

That's just all I can think of in 5 minutes. I'm sure there's loads more.

BTW, I love Lindsey's lyrics on this album. People are saying it's not as good as OOTC, and I probably agree, but I think the best lyrics are stronger overall than that album's best (say, Street of Dreams). Seriously, excellent lyrics.

[michelej1]

Just on passports, I felt like this stanza could have a bunch of interpretations. Remember, Lindsey himself said after listening to the album for the first time he got a different slant on it, and said his lyrics were less specific, more open.

For example:


4. The wastelands "below" being the middle class the character is trying to get rid of/suck dry.



For me, the wastelands aren't the middle class, but the people you make deals with in order to wipe the middle class out, like a contract to use sweat shop labor overseas to manufacture your products.

Send someone to the dark alleys of Hong Kong to make some kind of exploitative business deal.

Michele

[Spikey]

Oh, i totally agree with the explanations put forth in this thread. I'm a Michele follower without using Twitter ;)

I just wanted to make the point that even in one small stanza of a lyrically big song, there are so many different ways that you can interpret the song. This is different from a lot of Lindsey's other good work, like OOTC, IMO- I think I understand a lot of the lyrics on that album without dissecting too much.

[michelej1]

I just wanted to make the point that even in one small stanza of a lyrically big song, there are so many different ways that you can interpret the song. This is different from a lot of Lindsey's other good work, like OOTC, IMO- I think I understand a lot of the lyrics on that album without dissecting too much.

I agree with you. I think the lyrics throughout GOS are dense with meaning too. I think the lyrics are the best thing about UTS, but, as you said of OOTC, I don't think UTS requires as much dissecting. The UTS words are very evocative without being quite as enigmatic.

Michele

[Spikey]

To come full circle, this is why I like Lindsey. He can be enigmatic, like his Mirage songs, he can be to the point, like OOTC.

I think he's really evolved as a lyricist. I definitely feel his quirky stuff was less inviting, lyrically, and more to the point, his lyric writing at one point in his FM career was almost an afterthought to the music.

Now, with the post-Tango stuff, especially after the SYW/GOS merge, and the solo stuff since, I think he's redefined his career as a singer/songwriter, not just a guitar player who could write a neat song here and there. Let's be honest, you and I and some others might like "Law and Order", but it's not accessible to 99.9% of the populace.




Back to "One Take"- that song probably has the best lyrics on the album, although I like IOOT's as well. Although I'm somewhat of a die-hard liberal, so it's nice to see Lindsey showing his hand to the audience occasionally (I know he doesn't like to outright preach, and this is as close as you'll see to it, I think.).

I wish he'd play it live, but I know the shows will pretty much all be the Saban setlist.. sigh.

[BlueGrass]

Too bad Cavallo sold his soul to be another corporate bean counter. I liked what he did with Lindsey in the mid 90s.