Page 50 of Our Song

‘That’s exactly what he said when I eventually I asked him,’ says Sam.‘Anyway, I hadn’t heard your name for years, and then today I got a call saying you’re back working together!So I had to come and meet you.And my wife’s picking our daughter up from school so I can stay as long as you like.What was that song you were playing when I came in?It was really good.’

‘Just something I was messing about with,’ I say.‘But I don’t think it’s right for Tadhg.’

‘Well, it doesn’t have to be right for Tadhg,’ says Sam.‘It could be right for someone else.’

‘What do you mean?’I say.‘I can’t sing myself …’

‘You could sell it to another artist,’ says Sam.‘You know, I work with a lot of producers – I could put you in touch with people.’

‘Seriously?’I say.

‘Yeah, of course,’ says Sam.‘If you’re half as good a songwriter as Tadhg says you are, you could make a real go of it.’

I feel a tingle of excitement.Could I really do that?Could I actually be a professional songwriter?

The door of the studio opens and Tadhg walks in with a face like thunder.

‘Are you okay?’I say.

He takes a deep breath.‘Yeah.It’s fine.Just Hugo being Hugo.’He rubs his chin.He’d clearly shaved since I saw him yesterday evening but it looks like the stubble is growing back already.‘Anyway, he’s gone now.Sorry to keep you waiting.You’ve met Sam?’

‘I sure have!’I sound ridiculously chirpy.

‘Great,’ he says.

‘Sure you’re all right, bud?’says Sam.‘You look a bit rattled.’

‘I’m grand,’ says Tadhg.‘Sorry.It’s just … ah, it’s nothing.Just another reminder that I really need to get a new manager.’

‘You’ll find someone,’ says Sam.‘Right!I’m going to get set up.’

While Sam arranges the drum kit to his liking, Tadhg says, ‘I think I’ve got Hugo off my back about working with those other producers.So don’t worry, he’s not going to make a fuss about us working together anymore.’

‘Oh,’ I say.I hadn’t known for certain that hehadbeen making a fuss about us working together, but I guess now I do.‘Well, that’s good.Isn’t it?’

‘Yeah.Yeah, it is.Sorry, Lol.Let’s forget about him for now.’He picks up his bass.‘How are you doing there, Sam?’

Sam gives us a thumbs up.‘All good!’

His jovial vibe helps dispel the cloud cast over Tadhg by whatever Hugo said in the house.Tadhg smiles and says, ‘All right.Lol, will we try playing this morning’s one?And Sam, just come in when you feel like it.’

It only takes Sam a few bars before he’s right in the song with us.I can see why Tadhg’s been playing with him for all these years – he’s a dream band member, staying connected to both of us rather than just doing his own thing.When we finish the song – Sam plays one last drum roll and somehow ends with a perfect tight bass drum beat just as I play the last chord, despite the fact that he’s never heard the song before – I feel the same way I felt in that band room back in 1999.A joyful amazement that I’ve just been part of something that sounded that good.

‘Not bad!’says Sam.‘Not bad at all!’

‘Sam,’ says Tadhg, ‘you’re a godsend.’

‘Can we try another song?’says Sam.

‘We can trylotsof songs,’ says Tadhg.

That’s what we do.

And for the whole afternoon, Tadhg and I are in a band again.

Chapter Nineteen

2002

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