This week's prompt was from Aaron and it's “a certain point of view”. Yeah, I have a point of view (as if you couldn't tell from some of the other entries in this blog. Warning; I'm angry. Damn political climate has me insane. The only way I know how to cope is by writing an angry song. There may or may not be (there is…) an F bomb at the end. I pulled it down in the mix a little but it's there.
I keep ideas, and lyrics in the notes app on my phone, as I imagine many songwriters do. This one started with one of those; “Your truth is not my truth”. I forget where i saw it. Billboard? Social Media? Bathroom wall? I don't remember. I don't keep that kind of detail. But there it was staring me in the face.
“Your truth is not my truth” is a certain point of view, and one I ascribe to pretty hard. The song kind of flowed from there and is, as alluded to above, based on my current feelings of the state of politics and the derision that's been sewn. Shit, this is the third pseudo-political/state of America song I've written during this challenge. Guess it's pretty evident where I stand and how much I'm agitated by what's been allowed/encouraged to be sewn into our fabric.
I've also lifted the wisdom of Bill S Preston, Esquire and Ted Theodore Logan in the form of Be Excellent To Each Other. Man we could use the triumvirate of the Three Most Important People In The World right about now. C'mon; Martha Davis, Clarence Clemons and Fee Waybill? Genius. I think I need to go put on a couple of Tubes records… I'll be back. Or maybe rewatch the Bill and Ted trilogy. LOL
Fun fact; the words Harmony and Melody are used. Harmony (first pic) was an adopted dog of ours that unfortunately died of complications from kidney issues a few years back. Melody (second pic) is our current rescue. Bonus; Melody is snuggling with Ziggy the cat.
When I was younger, specifically in the 80's during the Reagan years, punk rock railed against the conservative mindset. Just Say No, Trickle Down Economics, PMRC, and all that unrealistic, jingoistic bullshit. It's my personal belief that we are where we are today is completely the fault of Reagan and the 80's republican party. When they started mandating that teachers instruct kids to pass a standardized test it stripped away the ability for critical thinking. That's how you get widespread conspiracy theories, anti-science rhetoric, et. al.
I titled this song Thank You rather than Don't Be A Dick but honestly it could have gone either way. I guess I was going for the kinder title because we need more kindness in this cruel climate.
Instruments: Jem Jr, Thunderbird bass, Beta Monkey Drum Loops. Needed the Beta Monkey loops because I needed that punk feel as a base.
Link to the song
Lyrics
When i was a kid
I was taught right from wrong
and now that I'm grown
disgusted with what's condoned
Your truth is not my truth
we disagree in the polling booth
raised with a certain mentality
your world view offends my morality
Christianity or voodoo
both are valid points of view
wish on a cross or pray for good juju
but don't be a dick, thank you
Music is the medicine
for me it's what's genuine
we're all the same in the end
meat bags and skeletons
harmony and melody
drives emotion and revelry
it's a sadness killing remedy
when I need a bit of clarity
Be excellent to each other
be kind to your sisters and brothers
regardless of creed or color
or who they choose as a lover
Christianity or voodoo
both are valid points of view
wish on a cross or pray for good juju
but don't be a dick, thank you
agnostic or hindu
all are valid points of view
wish on the wind or to Vishnu
but please don't be a dick
thank you