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about
Written by Jacob Ridgeway, Kevin Bennett. Produced and Mixed by Gareth Hudson at Hazy Cosmic Jive Studio. Mastered by Leon Zervos at Studio 301.
Bullyman is the 2019 National Indigenous Story Award winning debut single from Newcastle vocalist Jacob Ridgeway.
Bullyman gives a nod to Jacob’s Worimi and Gamilaroi Indigenous heritage whilst utilising a chamber choir to juxtapose the contemporary arrangement of a modern story of hurt to an ancient people. The track opens with a Yidaki (Didgeridoo) and toy piano that builds with sweet choral harmonies and traditional percussive elements (Clapsticks, Kulap – Torres Strait Islander Shakers, Warup – Torres Strait Islander Drum) to lure you in to a false sense of security. Jacob’s solemn yet soulful vocals then sweep the listener away.
You’ll be lucky to hide or even run; but you’re protected from this slum //
Your brothers and your sisters are somewhere else; To protect you from yourself //
I missed my childhood, I never had a chance to feel; ‘Cause your protection was never real //
The track was co-written with Kevin Bennett during the 2017 DAG Sheep Station Writers Retreat. The gloomy lyrics describe a journey inspired by one of Jacob’s female elders in his community and her story through personal experiences through Stolen Generation. This story is character driven from transitional moments in her life from small child, young woman to a mother herself all whilst being fed lies and a false sense of security from the Bullyman (Government Official). As the story progresses with her exposure to the world and education, she realises the protection that she was told was never real and will protect her children at all costs.
Bullyman provides a contemporary pop and world fusion of soulful vocals, with country inspired storytelling unique to Jacob’s artistry and provides insight into his future release.
lyrics
Intro: Bullyman
Hush little baby, don’t you cry
I didn’t mean to give you a fright
We'll take you to a place
Where everything will be alright
Verse 1: Bullyman
You don’t know where you're going
You wont know where you're from
You'll be lucky to hide or even run
But you're protected from this slum
(Da da da da da da
Da da da da da
Da da da da da da)
Chorus: Small Child
I’m just a baby, they took away
Over the hills, so far today
Don’t know my family or where to look
I’m just a baby...
That the Bullyman took away x2
(Da da da da da da
Da da da da da
Da da da da da da)
Verse 2: Bullyman
We'll teach you how to read & write
Assimilate from dark to light
Your brothers & your sisters are somewhere else
To protect you from yourself
(Da da da da da da
Da da da da da
Da da da da da da)
Midtro: Bullyman
Hush little baby, don’t you cry
White mumma buy you a brand new life
We'll take you in
Your future's gonna be bright
Verse 3: Young Woman
Hard life full of trouble
Full of nothing but pain
Getting knocked down
Getting up again & again
I don’t expect you, to understand
I miss my family, I miss my land
I miss my childhood, I never had a chance to feel
Your protection was never real
(Da da da da da da
Da da da da da
Da da da da da da)
Chorus: Young Woman
I’m just a baby, they took away
Over the hills, so far today
Don’t know my family or where to look
I’m just a baby...
That the Bullyman took away
(Da da da da da da
Da da da da da)
That the Bullyman took away
(Da da da da da da
Da da da da da)
That the Bullyman took away
(Da da da da da da
Da da da da da)
That the Bullyman took away
(Da da da da da da
Da da da da da)
Outro: Mother
Hush my babies, don’t you cry
Bullyman wont come round tonight
Mumma wont let her babies
Out of her sight
credits
released July 12, 2019
Lead Vocal - Jacob Ridgeway
Songwriters - Jacob Ridgeway, Kevin Bennett
Producer, Bass - Gareth Hudson
Percussion - Adam Manning
Yidaki (Didgeridoo) - Raymond ‘Bud’ Kelly
Toy Piano - Caleb Toogood
Choir - Jacob Ridgeway, Komiti Levai, Crocqhenri Lucero, Gerda Temple, Bernadette Matthias, Eden Dennis, Imogen Bilinsky
Artwork - Amber Shipard
Award-winning singer/songwriter/performing artist and proud First Nations Worimi and Gamilaroi man, Jacob credits the
influential dose of 90’s/00’s Country and Hip-Hop/RnB that his mum would sing to him to provide a soundtrack to his uniquely inspired sound and storytelling.
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