Written in 2015 when yet another refugee crisis was emerging - this is from the album 'Pastures New'

A World That Should Be Free

Classical Canter

From the 2009 album So What's Up? by MJHQ. Written by Mike Hatton. Line up - Sam Rogers - sax, Tom Robins - gtr, Tim Amann - keys, Mike Hatton - bass, Andy Wheeler - drums.

01So What's Up

A revamped track recorded too late for my first solo bass album in 2015 but to be featured on the new one titled Bassic Salvation released 2019

Lagrimas Di Mi Alma - remix

A funky original from the soon to be released album - Bassic Salvation

Wah Sup Funked Up

Following my mother's death in November 2019, this is a tribute to her and her love of her family.

A Love That Never Dies

Prompted by the Positive Songs Project under a badge/brief titled 'Talent borrows, genius steals', this is a kind of thank you letter to Steely Dan's creative forces - Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, who began enriching Mike Hatton's young life in the 1970's with their music. The PSP brief -'Take the hook of a popular song, change one word and make that the title or hook of your song.' Well, the lyrical content may be lost on some who are either too young, or folks who are not fans of Steely Dan, since it's a kind of nonsense song yet it contains some personal truths and is peppered with references to Steely Dan Songs and albums. 
Cover art photo - Raja V on Unsplash
Backing vocals - Suzi Woods


1976 was hot, but aged 20 I was not
And though the world was dry, the music made me high
And thank you Mr Fagen, for the inspiration
And you too Mr Becker, you could not do better

You’re never going to do it without the hat on
I’ll ask myself which one I’ll wear today
A natural groove, that you both sat on
With the Royal Scam you really showed the way

I was reelin’ in the years, when I had tears for fears
Tried not to lose that number, that Rikki made me wonder
And though I was kind of raw, I was filled with awe
Then the next thing to see, was a countdown to ecstasy

You’re never going to do it without the hat on
I’ll ask myself which one I’ll wear today
A natural groove, that you both sat on
With the Royal Scam you really showed the way

Instrumental

If this band was a car, you know it has travelled far
I’d be driving a Stingray, to the caves of Altamira
With a song on the radio, do it again I know
The songs will stay with me, and keep me feeling free

You’re never going to do it without the hat on
I’ll ask myself which one I’ll wear today
A natural groove, that you both sat on
With the Royal Scam you really showed the way X 2

The Hat

The track originated from a brief in phase 2 of the positive Songs Project (positivesongsproject.org), called 'automatic for the people' - meaning, to quote - 'complete one page of free writing for 3 days, and use that material for your song.' That sounded like a tough brief to me but I persevered. Given my preferred method of songwriting is to make the music come before the lyrics, this was always going to be a challenge. However, when I wrote the line 'A constellation of surprises', it sparked an interest in the astral theme, and stars and black holes sprang to my mind and inevitably, Stephen Hawking.


Mr Hawking (lyrics)

The hand of fate struck the cruelest blow
And suddenly faced with an unknown foe
A new existence befell your future
But you survived and you grew in stature

Circumstances never pulled you under 
You gazed at stars with a childish wonder
In the face of adversity, a voracious curiosity

Leading by example, in your own quiet way
You were an inspiration, to so many every single day
Mr Hawking x4

You lived your life, you made your mark
And found a way through from the dark
What happens in life’s ebb and flow
Determines all the things we know

A constellation of surprises, some big, some small, all shapes and sizes 
We marveled at your ability, to make us embrace infinity

Leading by example, in your own quiet way
You were an inspiration, to so many every single day
Mr Hawking x4

Solving scientific mystery, presenting time as a brief history
We marveled at your lofty goals
When we saw stars, you saw black holes

Gravitation and quantum theory, were explored by a mind never weary
You changed the view on gravity, in a word: Singularity

Leading by example, in your own quiet way
You were an inspiration, to so many every single day
Mr Hawking x4

Mr Hawking

Written for the positive songs project under a badge called 'The truth about cats and dogs' - the brief states, 'write a song from the perspective of an animal'. Hence, we have here a dog-hating cat. She's not too keen on my wife either.

Lyrics
A skyward tail, as I slowly strut
Observe my grace, you stupid little mutt
You think you rule but hold on, wait
I think I need to put you in your place
And as for you, my so called owner
Don’t you get that I’m a loner?
I’m a cat okay? I’m a feline queen
I’m a cat okay? And I’m sleek and mean

This used to be a dog-free zone
Now that interloper, just won’t leave me alone
Well you’re Okay but I don’t like your wife
Now I get why you call her trouble and strife
When she shops she buys cheap brands
But when you go, you get tastier cans
I’m a cat okay? I’m a feline queen
I’m a cat okay? And I’m sleek and mean

You doze to the TV like a bump on a log
But tell me please, when do we lose the dog?
I always used to be first on the sofa 
But now I’m usurped by that canine loafer
This space is mine but it makes me bilious
This situation is making me supercilious
I’m a cat okay? I’m a feline queen
I’m a cat okay? And I’m sleek and mean
ROAR!

I'm A Cat. OK?

A pared down song offering love advice to a friend, using just voice and Furch acoustic bass.
Lyrics:
Time will pass you by my friend, 
If you always wait for blue sky
It’s the chances that you take 
And the promises you make

There’s just one life to live
You owe it to yourself to give
If you really love her
Tell her so

Don’t you mess around
When there’s happiness to be found
There’s a look in her eye
Her expression cannot lie

Opportunities are rare
You only have one life to share
If you really love her
Tell her so

I saw her last Monday
She asked me what you had to say
I told her that I’d talk to you
You know a broken heart can start anew

There’s just one life to live
You owe it to yourself to give
If you really love her
Tell her so

Tell Her So

A collaboration with vocal artiste, Suzi Woods, and for the Positive Songs Project - positivesongsproject.org
Lyrics
The Kite

Heavy hearted and head in hands
I was sitting by the bay
When I saw a little child running ‘cross the sand
The music of his laughter
Helped to ease my cares away
Then I noticed the piece of string he held in his hand
On the other end a diamond of red and gold
Was tracing crazy patterns up in the sky
It seemed as if I was watching my life unfold
As it flew down low and then soared up so high 

Chorus: I guess Life is a little like a kite
             You never know if it’s gonna blow to the left or right
              Upside down, it spins you around and then
              Dances with you for a while
              Then let’s you go again

Middle 8: Wrapped in the glow of the evening sun
                Feeling my troubles come undone
                Watching them melting one by one
                Like water in the sand
                Lighter of heart I lift my head
                To that dancing diamond of gold and red
                Whirling in circles overhead
                And now I understand

Chorus: Oh that Life is a little like a kite
              You never know if it’s gonna blow to the left or right
              Upside down, it spins you around and then
              Dances with you for a while
              Then let’s you go again
              Dances with you for a while
              Then let’s you go again
              Dances with you for a while
              Then let’s you go again

The Kite

The tenth of ten tracks written for phase 2 of the Positive Songs Project. A jazzy instrumental in 6/8 time. See positivesongsproject.org

Journey's End

The value of friendship - always needed in all eras

The Value Of A Friend

The music here is mainly a reflection of my development as a solo bassist. I have been playing since 1978 and am currently a member of three bands. My experience as a Jazz and Blues player has cemented my love of improvisation and in more later years I have been developing a wider understanding of chordal work and harmony. My latest album, my third, (first solo bass album) released in late 2015 titled Pastures New, is a collection of mainly instrumental works which have inspired the improvisational approach that has kept me endlessly fascinated by the challenges they present. I hope you like what you hear.

MIke Hatton solo bass

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