Other The East Village Vampire
Love Is A Scam

I love it when a song quotes directly from real life.

Take ‘Love Is A Scam’. Years ago I broke up with a girlfriend of mine. She was going to live overseas and our relationship came to an abrupt end. Of course she proved to be nothing more than a footnote in my life (shortly after I found real happiness with someone else), however at the time I felt cheated and disillusioned.

I was angry. Why did I invest so much time and effort into something that ultimately was going nowhere? Any connection we had was torn apart. To sound poetic it was like a castle of sand that was washed away. All for nothing.

A few months later after the dust had settled one of my friends asked me if I still loved her. I responded coldly, “Love? Love is a scam”. For some reason the line stuck with me for years and it popped into my head once again the other week. The result was this anti-love anthem.

The song is bit rough, but I think the raggedy performance captures the desired feeling. Also, I think I was able to inject a fair degree of passion into this one (if I don’t say so myself). It was one of those songs that was busting to get out of me. I like it a lot and it seems to have a strange effect on me each time I listen. I think it is because the music lends itself to a sweeping love song, but the lyrics are anything but.

I decided to sing in my native Australian accent on this one. I don’t do it very often but I thought it might add to a more honest vibe. I’d be really keen to hear if you guys think it is something I should do more often.

I said at the start of the year that I was going to strip my music back. This is no exception with just 2 or three chords. I think the simplicity helps the lyrics get across.

For those of you nursing a broken heart this song might be what you are looking for.

Hope you enjoy!

The Vamp

LYRICS…

Love, love is a scam
And you all are damned
For following your heart
And abandoning plans

Love, love may be blind
So open your eyes
See where you stand
In no man’s land

Love, it has no direction
Distorts all reflection
It keeps us from truth
And from where we should be

Love, it leads to rejection
No mercy or protection
It bleeds us of hope
And it robs us of time

Love, love is infection
It destroys all connection
It’s a castle of sand
It’s a mirage to the east

Love, love is a collection
Of lies and deception
You’re chasing the horizon
And clinging to a dream

Love, it has no direction
Distorts all reflection
It keeps us from truth
And from where we should be

Love, it leads to rejection
No mercy or protection
It bleeds us of hope
And it robs us of time