Archive for the ‘Poetry’ Category

This was just a fun song in so many ways.  National news has always been a good source for ideas and material and Cut the Fat takes it all and smashes it into a kaleidoscope of political slogans to irrational fears.  In the recording I got everyone including neighbors, my kids and other relatives to sing and read news sections.  My wife Ellen did a quick run on the vocals to get a feel of the timing.  We never recorded another take.

Destined to walk in a city
That does not care or love.
My hope drains as I go
But, eventually……

With an uncontrollable urge to laugh
I can’t help but dance.
Look around: they’re just friendly faces
The feeling of romance.

Working endless hours is no way
No pay, no praise, no life.
Needing what I can’t afford
Goals are for another day.

You don’t have to know why
Simply let it move you.
The energy is powerful
Rising up from the groove.

With an uncontrollable urge to laugh
I just can’t help but dance.
Look around they’re just friendly faces
The feeling of romance.

You don’t have to know why
Simply feel how it moves you.
The energy becomes powerful
Rising up within the groove.

Destined to walk in a city
That does not care or love.
My hope drains as I go
But, eventually……

With an uncontrollable urge to laugh
I can’t help but dance.
Look around: they’re just friendly faces
The feeling of romance.

Lyrics with few words but lots of passion. Prophetic, in some cases but sad throughout. This kind of pain is even more difficult to watch. I put it to a slow bluesy ballad with sparse chords and vocals. It is still a haunting tune to me. I only have old reel-to-reel recordings copied and recopied over the years but it still paints the mood very well.

Here are lyrics I wrote to be as much a country song as a parody of country songs. Even back in 1981 I was reflecting on spending most of my time growing old. Another song of mine performed with my first real band, The Personal Touch.

Starting with my usual contradictory statement of the obvious, the chorus covers a curiosity I noticed as a teenager. If I was looking for a pen, for example, if I thought the pen was blue but it was actually a different color, I would never find it. Even if it was out in the open on a table in plain sight. I will blind myself to the object I am looking for by an incorrect memory of the wrong color.

I literally wrote the majority of this song soaking in a hot bath tub. I have always been an over-achiever. Play harder than the others, stay longer, think smarter, do it over again. Stuck in someone else’s loop. A feeling of putting all the work down. Stay warm. Quiet. Light as a feather. No deadlines.

This is nothing more than my usual ramblings at people that keep turning on lights every time they come into the room and I am sitting in the dark. Then to add insult to injury, they leave the bright lights on when they go out of the room! AARRRGGGhh. Keep your big bright ideas to yourself.