BONUS MATERIAL for “The Long Kiss Goodnight”!

This is a tough one, but when I was thinking of my favorite songs on each album, “The Long Kiss Goodnight” has really emerged as a favorite in the 7 years since I recorded this album. So much so that I decided on a caffine-fueled walk at the beginning of quarantine that I would MAKE A MUSIC VIDEO FOR IT using rotoscoping and a Waccom pad. I managed to film myself on several separate days basically singing into my vanity mirror as I progressively got drunker, but after having fun shooting it, decided that ultimately the video was shit and no one would want to see it and I still haven’t cracked the packaging on the Waccom pad. This is very unlike me. I usually see things through to the finish, but…the video just didn’t cut it and then I got busy with livestream shows and recording a full Christmas album amongst other things, and now here I am, 10 months after thinking “I should make a music video for this song that I really love” and I GOT NOTHING!

And sure, I could have given you other songs off the album, like the fanfic favorite, “Somebody Call The Doctor”:

Or “Why Do You Love Me Now?”, a song about feeling utterly utterly alone and confused by any form of affection:

…which, funny enough, was supposed to be a dance track but my producer, Ian Schreier, insisted we slow it down.

But when it came down to choosing, I really, really wanted you to hear “The Long Kiss Goodnight”. I feel like it’s the unsung hero on the album and I want ears on it. It’s catchy. It’s sad but upbeat. I wasn’t hiding behind one of my masks when I wrote it.

The song is actually about a couple I once knew that was going through martial problems and ultimately wound up separating. One had asked for a split after 15 years, which left the other devastated. Then the one that asked for the split said they needed time apart to think things over and didn’t know what that would lead to, which was even more devastating to the other. The song is about that. And while I understand how hard of a decision that had to be for both of them, and I certainly don’t make light of it in the song, the way I felt about it at the time was “shit or get off the pot” (to put it as crassly as I can). And that’s what ended up happening. They’ve both moved on, and while I had a falling out with one of them quite unpleasantly after my dad passed away (man, I am really not good at dancing around details to protect people’s identities without opening up a whole other can of worms………….how is your dad involved in all of this, Kat? Eh, it’s personal. He’s not really. It was just a hard time for me and I wasn’t able to put up with much.)

Anyway, I hope they’re both doing well and better than they were before.

And also, just know that if you’re friends with a songwriter, they might write a song or two about you.

Oh hey! Look at that! Someone grabbed video of one of the rare occasions that I sang this song live! This is the speakeasy I was telling you about! This was for a 1950s themed night, hence the dress and hair.

Unfortunately, as soon as I finished recording the Darling Misfits album, I packed up and moved to SF, leaving my Raleigh band behind and very quickly finding out I could not afford to play full band shows and get only get paid $100 a gig. Soon after, Misfit Cabaret was formed and I started writing songs for the show, and the Darling Misfits songs don’t get performed much, sadly…although we did bring back “Somebody Call The Doctor” for our sci fi themed show, and “The Elephant Song” for CIRCUS. I miss these songs. I need and want to play them more.

Would you do me a favor? If you’re ever able to come to a Misfit Cabaret and you attend the VIP serenade after the show, will you please request “The Long Kiss Goodnight”? I know everyone wants to hear “Criminal” but I would also love to sing this song, too. :)

The Long Kiss Goodnight

If you want me now, say it now or just leave me
But don't say you need me to hold on
If you want me now, say it now or just leave me
But don't say you need me to hold on

Don't make excuses
Don't write me a book
About all of the things you are hoping to figure out
On your own
If you're going, then go

So ashamed by a harrowing half-life
Did I hear the phone?
Oh, my mind's playing tricks on my heart
If you'd bother to call
But you don't care enough
And if you're out with some other girl
At least have the decency to let me know
That it's done
And we're through
I'm so tired of being played by you

Don't make excuses
Don't write me a book
About all of the things you are hoping to figure out
On your own
Don't talk to me about new beginnings
When there's a possibility
That your plans don't include me

When I've had enough of
"I'm sorry, I miss you"
When I've had enough of
"I don't want to lose you"
When I've had enough of your long kiss goodnight
I will say good-bye
When I've had enough of
"I'm sorry, I miss you"
When I've had enough of
"I don't want to lose you"
When I've had enough of your long kiss goodnight
I will say good-bye
When I've had enough of
"I'm sorry, I miss you"
When I've had enough of
"I don't want to lose you"
When I've had enough of your long kiss goodnight
I will say good-bye