I went looking for this thread so I wouldn't add a new one about the same topic.
Recently been watching Doug Grean's Quarantine Videos.
Some interesting info on this tune. Again, according to Doug's video.
It was originally a Scott song that was kinda out there, arrangement wise. He describes it as "really weird, ambient, avant garde version" of Learning to Drive. a Tom Waits kind of vibe
He brought it in to STP. Doug says during SLDD days, although according to our info here on Below Empty it was during No. 4 - which it does sound more like that.
The Deleos rearranged the song and recorded the version we know. But it wasn't going to make the album so rather than keep it as an outtake, Scott "took it back" and wanted to basically release the STP recording on his album. Doug didn't like that move and cautioned Scott and convinced Scott to re-record the song. So they tried to basically, note-for-note re-record the STP version. Doug added the "keeping up with the Joneses" part.
Needless to say, the STP camp was not happy about it when they heard it. Doug used the term "super mad". It was their rearrangement of the song that Scott ended up releasing.
Doug said that at first the Deleos thought it WAS them on the tracks. But if you examine closely, the drums, for example, are different. Kretz plays a lot of "ghost notes" that the other drummer, Matt O'Connor doesn't. But he did a faithful job.
That version, eventually on the Bug soundtrack and then HiG.
I'd be interested in hearing that early version though.
The band don't speak to Doug anymore. Not simply because of this, but this and other things, I suppose. (On this episode, Doug also says that Brendan O Brien hates him, but he doesn't know why)
Anyway, I've been enjoying these Doug stories and though I'd share.
