Visiting Hours

"Visiting Hours" is the eighth track on Time 'n' Place.

Composition
The music is based on an old idea Gus wrote for a friend's birthday using a Saisho MK 800, a shonky home keyboard (you can virtually hear the electrical components while playing it). It provides the bassline and some melodies. This is one of the few KKB songs Gus also provides backing vocals for. The Parakeets' "ooh-hoo-hoo!" is inspired by the vocalizations in '60s girl group songs.

Meaning
"Vising Hours" was written by Gus Lobban about when his father had been admitted to the hospital for an extended period of time. This song's lyrics are based on real conversations Gus' mum had with his dad as he was in hospital recovering from a serious brain injury. He craved yoghurt in his disoriented state. The type of trauma Gus' dad suffered is fatal in 50-90% of cases; only 20-30% recover brain function. The family's hopes were low, but fortunately, thanks to the doctors and nurses at King's College Hospital, Gus's father was able to survive.

Gus' aunt came down from Scotland, and after Gus was working on the "Visiting Hours" instrumental, she mentioned that she'd "liked the sound of that music you were working on earlier". It was then that Gus decided what this song should be about. The song shows the sick euphoria of seeing a relative in a high dependency unit, happy the worst was avoided but still traumatized, and matched by the patient's giddy neurological state, which can be deeply disturbing. Gus at one point said: "Just before the album came out, my mum came up to my room crying her eyes out. She said: 'Gus, I've just realized what "Visiting Hours" is about.' We hugged it out. We played the song at our Electric Ballroom show with mum and dad in the audience."

Lyrics
Hi it's me, how are you, is the food okay? Did you order the usual or something else? I remember you said you were after yoghurt so I brought two

Let's draw the curtains back to bring in the light Press the buttons so that you're sitting right All the people that I spoke to said They think you're doing great

Back home they're all asking They wanna come and see you real soon We're already missing you But please Take the time you need

Ooh-ooh-ooh

I've been thinking about you coming home I was asking them when but they don't know We can order a taxi on the day All the way

Is that the time I should let you go to bed Brush your teeth take it easy get some rest I'll be back here again tomorrow morning I'll see you then, night night...