The song is a tribute to Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band, a London-based soul band, in 1960s a big inspiration to songwriter Kevin Rowlands; an idol and possibly a crush?
“Michael the lover“ is a quote from the song Michael by Geno. It’s how Kevin saw him.
It is unclear whether they had an off stage personal relationship going, “ but they never knew, like we knew, me and you were the same“. Or, if the identification between them was purely in Kevin‘s head.
He recalls Gino fading from fame and his own rise with Dexys midnight runners.
Although Kevin idolised Gino he also saw a bit of competition between them. The student becoming the teacher. “And now just look at me as I am looking down on you“. “Looking down“ seems a bit of a harsh way to look at your old idol now that you are winning at the fame game. Condescending. There is definitely a touch of ego and bitterness to this. Whether it’s because of what occurred in their personal relationship which may, or may not, have existed or if it’s just Kevin‘s competitive attitude to surpassing his idol, I don’t know.
The song is a tribute to Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band, a London-based soul band, in 1960s a big inspiration to songwriter Kevin Rowlands; an idol and possibly a crush? “Michael the lover“ is a quote from the song Michael by Geno. It’s how Kevin saw him. It is unclear whether they had an off stage personal relationship going, “ but they never knew, like we knew, me and you were the same“. Or, if the identification between them was purely in Kevin‘s head. He recalls Gino fading from fame and his own rise with Dexys midnight runners. Although Kevin idolised Gino he also saw a bit of competition between them. The student becoming the teacher. “And now just look at me as I am looking down on you“. “Looking down“ seems a bit of a harsh way to look at your old idol now that you are winning at the fame game. Condescending. There is definitely a touch of ego and bitterness to this. Whether it’s because of what occurred in their personal relationship which may, or may not, have existed or if it’s just Kevin‘s competitive attitude to surpassing his idol, I don’t know.