If I Had A Tail

Album: ...Like Clockwork (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This gritty predatory rocker features Dave Grohl on drums and some "ooh la las" with a gang chorus courtesy of Arctic Monkeys' frontman Alex Turner, Screaming Trees' Mark Lanegan and QOTSA alumnus Nick Oliveri. Josh Homme has known Alex Turner for a while, having produced his band's 2009 album, Humbug and sung backup on their track "All My Own Stunts." Homme told NME: "With Alex it was like, 'Will you come over here just for a few hours and drink tequila and maybe we could sing something?' and he's like, 'Yup.'"

    Ever since Oliveri was fired from the Queens in 2004, fans have clamored for his return to the band, Reuniting with his former bassist turned out to one of the easiest things Homme had done in a long time. He told NME: "Nick recorded his record (with his band Mondo Generator) at my studio, and he was dropping some vinyl off and was like, 'Er, need background vocals?' and I was like, 'Yeah.' So he sang on 'If I Had A Tail'. Him and Mark Lanegan are going 'Oooohohohooo.' It's just friends you know. And that's good enough for me."
  • Homme told Mojo magazine regarding the song's lyrical content: "Its combining 'Lady Marmalade,' and Shaun Cassidy. I don't know why, but the flip nature of that song brought out 'getcha-getcha ooh-la-la' and Shaun Cassidy's 'Da Doo Ron Ron.' It's not like chocolate and peanut butter, it's like chocolate and go-f--k-yourself."
  • The song has become a live favorite. Josh Homme commented to NME: "That's a song that people gravitate to. I don't know that 'If I Had A Tail' is cathartic, it's just the sort of tune that when you play it you feel like you're wearing your f—k-me pumps. Everyone in the crowd is dancing, singing, smiling, arms in the air: What more could you want?"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Lecrae

LecraeSongwriter Interviews

The Christian rapper talks about where his trip to Haiti and his history of addiction fit into his songs.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Early Days of MTV

Early Days of MTVFact or Fiction

If you can recall the days when MTV played videos, you know that there are lots of stories to tell. See if you can spot the real ones.

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.