The Skeleton Getdown

Album: Underworld (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Tuatara is a long-running project led by Mad Season/Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin. This song features amongst others, regular collaborators saxophonist Skerik of Critters Buggin, guitarist Peter Buck of R.E.M. and keyboardist Scott McCaughey of The Young Fresh Fellows and The Minus 5.
  • Martin explained to Billboard magazine the tune, "was initially inspired by a particular beat, which is loosely built upon John Bonham's 'The Crunge' beat… Skerik started riffing that melody over the top of the beat with a baritone sax, and Peter Buck had this great wah wah sound dialed in on his guitar. Scott McCaughey played that funky Wurlitzer piano."

    Martin added the song "encapsulates the theme for the Underworld album, which is essentially a 20 song romp through the underworld, complete with a cast of characters that you would find hanging out down there. It's like Miles Davis' On The Corner or something like that."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.

Christopher Cross

Christopher CrossSongwriter Interviews

The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.

Howard Jones

Howard JonesSongwriter Interviews

Howard explains his positive songwriting method and how uplifting songs can carry a deeper message.

Def Leppard Quiz

Def Leppard QuizMusic Quiz

Can you name Def Leppard's only #1 hit in America? Get rocked with this adrenalized quiz.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.