(3.7 megs mp3)

Radioactive Man

[You're listening here to radio WXYZ at rock n' roll]

I can't listen to the radio no more
I found it's all become a bore
Someone's left my radio on too long
Now I've become a radioactive song

I've become, what you've begun
A radio, oh, oh oh oh

A radioactive man, a radioactive man
A radioactive man, a radioactive man
A radioactive man, a radioactive man

[We're having a rock n' roll day here at WXYZ, radio at rock n' roll, yeah]

The doctor told me I could not be saved
From an overdose of radioactive waves
Einstein said you don't got that long
My radio's dead but I still hear that song

I've become like a million suns
A radio, oh, oh oh oh

A radioactive man, a radioactive man
A radioactive man, a radioactive man
A radioactive man, a radioactive man

One, two, three, four

I broke my radio
You broke your radio
I broke my radio
Zappin' into hyperspace

A radioactive man, a radioactive man
A radioactive man, a radioactive man
A radioactive man, a radioactive man

One, two, three, four!

Words and music by Peter Forrest

Year Written: July 1988 (Montréal)
Date Recorded: 1989 (4-track, Montreal, Québec CANADA)
Musicians: Peter Forrest (vocals), François Dubeau (guitars, bass, drum programming, vocals)

Song Notes:  This song was written by Pete, late at night in July 1988.  With too much time on his hands, he thought he would make up the ultimate pop song making fun of the radio. 

The DJ intro in the song is meant to poke fun at Pete's early days in Sarnia, Ontario, and listening to Detroit radio.  François did an excellent job as a DJ.  The song itself was sent to a local radio station's "Battle of the Bands" contest. It was our catchy submission but the gods were definitely against us.  hehe  We had also made up a new band name for the contest "For Pete's Sake" to disguise our band.  It was a clever ruse but we lost pitifully.  hehe  Here is a picture of the proposed "For Pete's Sake."  We even had a guy called "Sci-fi Man" on the bass.

Despite losing, the song is pretty good as a pop song.  "Radioactive Man" was made up before the Simpsons used it. 

The solo was composed by Pete and originally meant for the harmonica, although a guitar was used on the recording produced by François Dubeau. This was the last Vee Gates song.  Thus, ended the silent reign of the Vee Gates.  hehe

Basic Guitar Chords: 

Opening: A, D, E
Verses: A, D, E (4x)
Bridge 1: A, Db, D, E
Chorus: A, E, D, Dm, E, E7 (3x), A, E, D
Bridge 2: E, A, E, A, E, A, Dm, E7