Cigarette

Album: Telescope (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • On this track from her third solo album, former astroPuppees singer Kelley Ryan likens her romance a cigarette, a wicked habit she keeps returning to no matter how hard she tries to quit. "So go ahead and lead me on, I'll love you til the smoke is gone," she sings.

    Ryan's longtime collaborator Marti Jones, who contributes backing vocals on the album, provided inspiration for the song. Ryan explained to Songfacts: "Marti sent me an image of one of her paintings and gave me the idea to write a song about the two figures knowing nothing of who they were or where they were. 'Cigarette' is the result. I imagined them as a couple that hooked up every weekend in a corner bar where they would negotiate the perils of their addictive relationship over a pint or three. After I wrote the song she told me that the painting was called 'The Green Room at the House of Blues' and that it was from backstage at a show Dixon was playing in Cleveland. When you see the painting it is mostly red… red, green or blue, that was the inspiration for 'Cigarette.'"

    The painting is featured in the YouTube video.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Fire On The Stage

Fire On The StageSong Writing

When you have a song called "Fire," it's tempting to set one - these guys did.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Penny Ford of Snap!

Penny Ford of Snap!Songwriter Interviews

The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.