“That’s
how a song should be,” Riley continued. “Doesn’t need a lot to get the feeling
through. Mix the important words with the music, and let it all speak to the
listener. Gimme it again.”
Curtis
wanted to refuse, but in the same heart beat, he didn’t. He muttered the first
line, then let the words roll out on his tongue.
There
is no gold, just old, and sold,
The
pavement cold.
On
my knees, selling me, telling me.
What
I deal, what you feel.
My
treasure, my pleasure, my need.
Say
please.
Say
please.
Riley
nodded, his concentration on the words rather Curtis’ face, for which Curtis
was grateful. This was bloody weird enough without being watched. Riley started
up a short riff and repeat, running Curtis’ words alongside, weaving them into
the beat and the occasional ripple of melody.
It
was an unusual and attractive sound–a pretty wrinkle of music then a line of
words, half-spoken. Riley began to sing as well. He remembered the words