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Mr. Midas

by James Tillman

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about

James Tillman is an artist influenced by many things, and his new single, “Mr. Midas”, is evidence of his collective inspirations. At first listen, because there will certainly be more, you get the impression this is a song about love, or at the very least, about a lusty encounter. Wrapped in a sexy, bossa nova-styled rhythm—topped off by Tillman’s signature croon—is a tale about a vigilante of sorts who used his illegitimately gained power to build up the community he simultaneously tore down.

“Mr. Midas” was inspired by a news story that happened in Tillman’s parents’ hometown of Gary, IN, but drug dealers-turned-philanthropists isn’t a novel concept. Selling drugs has often been seen as a means to an end, a quick come-up on the road to self-sufficiency and respect. Consider Frank Lucas, Bumpy Johnson, even the fictitious James St. Patrick, all crime lords who got their start trying to escape poverty but ended up hurting hundreds of people, including themselves.

According to Tillman, the most compelling part of these tales of the Mr. Midases of the world is that they view themselves as heroes and lovers of their community. Their ability to step up in place of strategic government abandonment should qualify them for sainthood. Unfortunately, the most profound impact of their misguided affection shows up as generational brokenness and community devastation.

It’s a sad tale, but Tillman sings in such a way that makes you feel like all is well, like everything you touch can turn to gold. But what’s the saying about all that glitters?

Listen to Mr. Midas wherever you listen to music.

lyrics

MR. MIDAS
ONE TOUCH WILL TURN YOUR WORLD TO GOLD
MR. MIDAS
WHOLE CITY UNDER HIS CONTROL
HIS NAME WAS MR. MIDAS
PUSHING SNOW WHITE SEX APPEAL
HIS NAME WAS MR. MIDAS
WITH THE GOLDEN TOUCH THAT KILLS

EVEN A KINGPIN--HE’LL MAKE TIME FOR LOVE

HE WAS A BAD MAN
BUT HAD A SOFT SPOT FOR LOVE
FULL OF BROKEN MELODIES
HE COULDN'T HUM THEM LOUD ENOUGH
ENOUGH TO KEEP THE TROUBLE AWAY
NO HIS ENEMIES WERE NEVER FAR

MOVING WEIGHT FROM COAST TO COAST
LEAVING NOTHING IN HIS WAKE BUT GOLD

HIS NAME WAS MR. MIDAS
ONE TOUCH WILL TURN YOUR WORLD TO GOLD
HIS NAME WAS MR. MIDAS
WHOLE CITY UNDER HIS CONTROL
HIS NAME WAS MR. MIDAS
PUSHING SNOW WHITE SEX APPEAL
HIS NAME WAS MR. MIDAS
WITH THE GOLDEN TOUCH THAT KILLS

TAKE THE INDUSTRY OUT OF THE CITY
PUT DRUGS IN ITS PLACE
THEN A MAN LIKE THIS
RISES ALL OVER THE PLACE
HE IS PUSHING HIS OWN FORM OF RELIEF
GOT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY STRUNG OUT


HE NEVER RAISED HIS VOICE TRUTH BE TOLD
BUT HE HAD A WAY WITH WORDS
EVERY POLITICIAN—SOLD
MOVING DRUGS UP THE BLOCK
FIXING UP BOARDED HOUSES FOR FUN
EVERYBODY UNDER HIS SPELL OF PURE CORRUPTION

HIS NAME WAS MR. MIDAS
ONE TOUCH WILL TURN YOUR WORLD TO GOLD
HIS NAME WAS MR. MIDAS
WHOLE CITY UNDER HIS CONTROL
HIS NAME WAS MR. MIDAS
PUSHING SNOW WHITE SEX APPEAL
HIS NAME WAS MR. MIDAS
WITH THE GOLDEN TOUCH THAT KILLS (OH)

credits

released December 17, 2021
Musella Creative 2021

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James Tillman New York, New York

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