Retro Man (theme)

Who's that private eye who's more hip than other guys?
(D-W...Shrift!) Yeah
Who's that private dick who's gonna hit you where you sit?
(D-W...Shrift!) Aw, yeah

He's helpin' all the brothers, though he works for the man
To ladies, he's a lover, and he loves what he can
But then the boogie hits him and he grooves with the band
He's a retro man
(He's a retro man) Yeah
He's a retro man
(He's a retro man) Yeah

I'm talkin' 'bout D.W., so better start no trouble
You better... (watch out) Aw yeah
He's one bad mutha-- (shut your mouth) Girl, shut when I'm talkin'!
You better... (watch out) Hell, yeah

His life's so complicated, that you can't understand
And if you're mean, he'll greet ya with the back of his hand
But if you like to boogie, you can groove with his band
He's a retro man
(He's a retro man) Yeah
He's a retro man
(He's a retro man) Yeah

(solo)

So list when I sing to you, that crime don't mean a thing
when you've got... (D-W...Shrift) Yeah
And if you get too bad, he's gonna show ya who's your daddy
'cause he's... (D-W...Shrift) Aw yeah

He's always fightin' crime, but he's got time for the chicks
And when he's done with lovin', he goes dancin' for kicks
So if you wanna boogie and can groove with the band...
Be a retro man
(Be a retro man) Yeah
Be a retro man
(Be a retro man) Yeah

Be a retro man
(Be a retro man) Yeah
(D-W...Shrift)
He's a retro man!

HISTORY: It was Thanksgiving break during my first semester at SUNY Fredonia. I was hanging out in Beaver Dams and its surrounding areas with friend Kevin Hurley, and his friend Dan Birnbaum. On the evening of November 23, we were visiting the home of one of Kevin's friends (and her son). While sitting in this house, I began to write the lyrics to a possible theme song for my movie "Retro Man".
The following evening, I finished the lyrics, then convinced Adam to come up with a funky riff and backing chords for this the song. And the next morning, while shooting scenes for the movie (which involved me, Kevin, Dan, Adam, and Amelia), Adam and I (with a little bit of Amelia) recorded a demo of the song (Kevin and Dan had left by this time).
Unfortunately, the song never got past the demo stage, but the movie was finished the following month. The theme, meanwhile, remained mostly unheard until its demo was released on "The Free Ride Anthology", a CD I made in April 2000.

PHOTOS: See the "Retro Man" page.