The story behind the song

I wrote Beanstalk in early 2003 when the US was publicly debating whether or not we should invade Iraq. I had family and friends in the military at the time, and I was concerned for them and the rest of our armed forces. I remember watching Colin Powell making the case for invasion and thinking, “He doesn’t sound like a confident man right now. Is this¹ really why we’re doing this?” It was an unnerving moment that increased the cynical feelings I had about the real reasons our country’s leadership wanted to go. Personifying the beanstalk from Jack and the Beanstalk² came to me as I was noodling on my guitar, and I quickly realized what I was writing about. The beanstalk was a mix of me and our entire society: how³ I felt about enjoying the privileges of where and how we lived and the possibility that we might be going for more monetary and comfort-related reasons than any others. “Now I’m bigger than dreams; the giant’s coming down. How⁴ does that make me mean?” The switch between the minor verses describing an easy, good life (I’m not a fan of how snobby I was towards Johnny in the verse lyrics, but it’s a snapshot, so I’ve left it as it was) and the major choruses where the beanstalk is pleading that it isn’t its fault, and the instrumental walkdowns between vocals – all that came naturally into the song as I wrote it.

Notes from the Studio

Mac Bartinelead vocals and rhythm guitar

Beanstalk was written to be a powerhouse of a song, and the 6 of us really came together on it in the studio. It was already one of our tightest songs live, but all the instruments really hit the instrumental walkdowns between vocal lines, and the harmonies came together nicely to magnify the major key shift in the chorus. There wasn't a lot of extra tracking on this song other than Rich spending extra time to get exactly the solo he wanted. For me personally, this one was one of my favorites to record.

Rich Adlinlead guitar and harmony vocals

I believe I either used my 2004 Aerodyne Telecaster or maybe it was 2017 Gibson ES, and also heavy chorus that makes it really wobbly sounding, and a little retro, and that’s using a cheap Aria chorus I bought in the 80’s because that’s when chorus was popular for guitarists. I keep it on my board partly because I don’t need much more from a chorus than what it does and partly for nostalgic reasons from when I first started playing guitar. Nobles ODR-1 for most of the song and my Ryra Klone OD for some added heat when needed. 1979 Fender Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion speaker.

I was struck by how melodically interesting this song is, and when that’s the case often there’s something that invokes the Beatles for me. And an interesting melody is exactly what appeals to me, seemingly becoming more rare in popular music, or at least hard to do well. Maybe it was the minor/major key change but the descending bass line in the chords of the chorus. This is undoubtedly why I chose a Beatlesque approach in my playing, maybe Walrus or Magical Mystery during verses, and thinking especially of George’s leads in the solo. I remember coming up with a solo that was a little more dissonant which I often do, and that Mac wasn’t a fan. So I changed it and I was much happier with it. (I assume he was too.) I was also fascinated by the idea of the Beanstalk being personified in a story that has attained mythic status.

Lyrics

Johnny burns the road, he drinks gasoline his girl smiles
He is crazy but he’s good to me
Big men crave the world, blood for all that’s green
Johnny shrugs, he’s got no interest ‘cause he doesn’t see

It don’t matter to me
I’m not the lightning rod
Come from an innocent bean
Now I’m bigger than dreams
The giant’s coming down
And taking what it needs
How does that make me mean

Good and bad men die, good and bad men lead
Nothings changed, there’s no future only history
Is it greater to hold, is it lesser to need
Johnny shrugs, he’s got no ‘pinions ‘cause he doesn’t read

It don’t matter to me
I’m not the lightning rod
Come from an innocent bean
Now I’m bigger than dreams
The giant’s coming down
And taking what it needs
How does that make me mean

It don’t matter to me
I’m not the lightning rod
Come from an innocent bean
Now I’m bigger than dreams
The giant’s coming down
And taking what it needs
How does that make me mean
How does that make me mean
How does that make me mean

Who played what

Brian Wooten — lap steel guitarHeath Nicholls — bass and harmony vocalsJ Miller — drumsJules Bryce — keysMac Bartine — lead vocals and rhythm guitar (1990s Fender Stratocaster and Fender Twin Reverb)Rich Adlin — lead guitar and harmony vocalsSeva — producer; recording, mixing and mastering engineer

What they’re saying about “The Beanstalk Speaks”

An epic slice of psych-inflected classic rock cut with bright lead guitar flourishes.
Plastic Mag

“The Beanstalk Speaks” slows the pace and introduces a more assertive yet enigmatic mood, softened by an underlying sense of hope.
Rock Era Magazine

With lyrics that express us, as if our thoughts were being put there. It's a song that represents us very well.
Indieoclock

All press & reviews