Song Stories: Gerry Cinnamon: Diamonds in the Mud

Gerry Cinnamon has made a career about writing anthems for the every man, profound stories of working class pride. This one in my opinion is his best. A song written about his hometown and the people who reside there. 

The penultimate track on his debut album 'Erratic Cinematic' the song talks about the characters Gerry met and encountered whilst growing up in Glasgow. Reinforcing his pride and nostalgia he has for the place he is from.

With each verse describing various individuals with distinct personalities and situations. The shaman represents someone who can acquire anything desired quickly, while "a right dour-faced bastard" refers to a person who may seem grouchy but holds a deeper complexity. These characters showcase the diversity and colorful nature of the area, it also emphasies the point about not judging by a book by it's cover. These characters may seem simple at face value, but listen deeper and they are anything but.

The choruses emphasize the importance of the artist's upbringing and the strong connection to the Southside of Glasgow. The lyrics mention the changes in accents and the gentrification that has come to the area, since his childhood. 

In the final verse, the artist acknowledges having travelled around the world but emphasizes that nowhere compares to their hometown. The mayhem and unique qualities of Glasgow are seen as part of the artist's identity, and the use of the word "cunt" as a term of endearment reflects the local language and culture. The lyrics also mention the weather, possibly highlighting the unpredictable nature of Glasgow but affirming the endurance and spirit of its residents.
Overall, "Diamonds in the Mud" celebrates the charm and strength found within the flaws and challenges of Glasgow, emphasizing the deep connection the artist feels to their hometown and the unique characters they encountered throughout their life.

Its Gerry's best song in my opinion a beautiful piece of story telling about his life, childhood and the place he calls home. The song is relateable to us all, whether looking back on a specific time, a specific place or even a specific moment. We can somehow relate to the lyrics or what Gerry is trying to tell us.

Thank you for reading x

Jack