Do Anything You Want To
Encyclopedia
"Do Anything You Want To" is a song by Irish rock band Thin Lizzy
, and the second single released from their 1979 album, Black Rose: A Rock Legend
. Black Rose was the only Thin Lizzy album recorded while guitarist Gary Moore
was a member of the band, although he left soon after. The song was recorded at Pathe Marconi EMI Studios in Paris, France.
, which gives way to twin-guitar harmonies characteristic of Thin Lizzy's sound. The lyrics include heavy use of rhyme and alliteration, such as the first three lines which include the words 'investigate', 'insinuate', 'intimidate', 'complicate', 'wait', 'hesitate', 'state', 'fate' and 'awaits'. The song fades out with lead singer Phil Lynott
doing an impersonation of Elvis Presley
which seemed to have little to do with the meaning of the song. Guitarist Scott Gorham
suggested, "I think he just wanted to use his American accent there."
. Mallet has said that the video cost £12–15000 to film, adding, "Most of the shoots I did with Lizzy back then only lasted a day, maybe eight or ten hours worth of footage." The video was the band's first attempt at a short film, rather than a simple video of a band performance.
, released in 1981; Dedication: The Very Best of Thin Lizzy
released in 1991, and Wild One: The Very Best of Thin Lizzy
, released in 1996. It was subsequently included on the Vagabonds, Kings, Warriors, Angels
box set in 2002, and the Greatest Hits and Definitive Collection
sets, among others.
The single's b-side, "Just the Two of Us", is a Lynott/Gorham composition that was not included on the Black Rose album, and was only available on the single until the release of Vagabonds, Kings, Warriors, Angels.
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
, and the second single released from their 1979 album, Black Rose: A Rock Legend
Black Rose: A Rock Legend
Black Rose: A Rock Legend is the ninth studio album by Irish band Thin Lizzy. Released in 1979, it has been described as one of the band's "greatest, most successful albums"....
. Black Rose was the only Thin Lizzy album recorded while guitarist Gary Moore
Gary Moore
Robert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
was a member of the band, although he left soon after. The song was recorded at Pathe Marconi EMI Studios in Paris, France.
Composition
The song opens with an African-style drum beat by Brian DowneyBrian Downey (drummer)
Brian Michael Downey is an Irish drummer.Downey is the drummer and a founding member of the rock band Thin Lizzy, and a friend from childhood of co-founder and frontman Phil Lynott. Along with Lynott, Downey was the only constant member of the pioneering hard rock group until their break-up in...
, which gives way to twin-guitar harmonies characteristic of Thin Lizzy's sound. The lyrics include heavy use of rhyme and alliteration, such as the first three lines which include the words 'investigate', 'insinuate', 'intimidate', 'complicate', 'wait', 'hesitate', 'state', 'fate' and 'awaits'. The song fades out with lead singer Phil Lynott
Phil Lynott
Philip Parris "Phil" Lynott was an Irish musician who first came to prominence as a founding member, principal songwriter, and frontman of the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy....
doing an impersonation of Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
which seemed to have little to do with the meaning of the song. Guitarist Scott Gorham
Scott Gorham
Scott Gorham is an American guitarist and songwriter who rose to international recognition as one of the "twin lead guitarists" of the Irish-formed rock band, Thin Lizzy...
suggested, "I think he just wanted to use his American accent there."
Chart performance and video
The single reached #14 in the British charts and remained in the charts for nine weeks. It reached #25 in Ireland, charting for two weeks. An accompanying video was filmed at Molineir Studios, directed by David MalletDavid Mallet (director)
David Mallet is a British director particularly noted for his work on music videos, including David Bowie's innovative "Ashes to Ashes", Rush's "Distant Early Warning, and Queen's "Radio Ga Ga" and "I Want to Break Free" videos. He has also served as a producer on television programmes including...
. Mallet has said that the video cost £12–15000 to film, adding, "Most of the shoots I did with Lizzy back then only lasted a day, maybe eight or ten hours worth of footage." The video was the band's first attempt at a short film, rather than a simple video of a band performance.
Subsequent releases
This track has featured on several Thin Lizzy compilation albums including The Adventures of Thin LizzyThe Adventures of Thin Lizzy
The Adventures of Thin Lizzy is a 1981 compilation album by the rock group Thin Lizzy.-Track listing:*All tracks written by Phil Lynott unless stated.#"Whiskey in the Jar" The Adventures of Thin Lizzy is a 1981 compilation album by the rock group Thin Lizzy.-Track listing:*All tracks written by...
, released in 1981; Dedication: The Very Best of Thin Lizzy
Dedication: The Very Best of Thin Lizzy
Dedication: The Very Best of Thin Lizzy is a compilation album released by rock group Thin Lizzy in 1991. The only previously unreleased track was "Dedication", which was reconstructed after Phil Lynott's death using an old 8 track demo recording of the song to provide the bass and vocal lines,...
released in 1991, and Wild One: The Very Best of Thin Lizzy
Wild One: The Very Best Of Thin Lizzy
Wild One: The Very Best of Thin Lizzy is a 1996 compilation album by Irish rock band Thin Lizzy. It was released ten years after the death of frontman Phil Lynott in 1986, and as a tribute to him....
, released in 1996. It was subsequently included on the Vagabonds, Kings, Warriors, Angels
Vagabonds, Kings, Warriors, Angels
Vagabonds, Kings, Warriors, Angels is a 2002 4-disc set by Irish rock group Thin Lizzy, which also contains a booklet chronicling the life of the band and music in some detail.-Track listing:Disc 1#"The Farmer"...
box set in 2002, and the Greatest Hits and Definitive Collection
The Definitive Collection (Thin Lizzy album)
"The Definitive Collection" is a 2006 compilation album from hard rock band Thin Lizzy.-Track listing:#"Whiskey in the Jar"#"The Rocker"#"Still in Love with You"#"Showdown"#"Wild One"#"Jailbreak"#"The Boys Are Back in Town"#"Cowboy Song"...
sets, among others.
The single's b-side, "Just the Two of Us", is a Lynott/Gorham composition that was not included on the Black Rose album, and was only available on the single until the release of Vagabonds, Kings, Warriors, Angels.
Personnel
- Phil LynottPhil LynottPhilip Parris "Phil" Lynott was an Irish musician who first came to prominence as a founding member, principal songwriter, and frontman of the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy....
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, lead vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Scott GorhamScott GorhamScott Gorham is an American guitarist and songwriter who rose to international recognition as one of the "twin lead guitarists" of the Irish-formed rock band, Thin Lizzy...
– lead guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker... - Gary MooreGary MooreRobert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
– lead guitar - Brian DowneyBrian Downey (drummer)Brian Michael Downey is an Irish drummer.Downey is the drummer and a founding member of the rock band Thin Lizzy, and a friend from childhood of co-founder and frontman Phil Lynott. Along with Lynott, Downey was the only constant member of the pioneering hard rock group until their break-up in...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....