Song #33: Without a String

Inspiration often shows up unexpectedly. Take this week for instance. A new friend of mine happened to share this quote with me during a conversation:

“Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won't adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is to sign on as its accomplice. Instead of vowing to honor and obey, maybe we should swear to aid and abet. That would mean that security is out of the question. The words 'make' and 'stay' become inappropriate. My love for you has no strings attached. I love you for free.” [Tom Robbins]

I knew instantly I needed to use it for song fodder. Almost every image and idea in this song is extracted directly from this quote, put into a blender and spit out as an acoustic reggae-rock sing-along jam.

PLAY: 

LYRICS:

It can't be chained

No telling where it's been

There aren't bars so strong

to keep this outlaw in

Won't play your stupid games

Won't follow any rules

No way to nail it down

Makes wisdom play the fool

There is no certainty,

No sure security;

All that is vanity;

It's done without a string.

Defies authority,

A statement of liberty,

Will fight until it is free;

It's done without a string.

Goes where it wants; don't try to stop it

The best we can do is to be love's accomplice

Song #32: Time of Day

This week's song is more of a style experiment than anything. I very much enjoy listening to a lot of Oldies and classic R&B and so I thought I'd enjoy writing my own modern spin on those genres. There's nothing profound in the least about these lyrics but that too was keeping in form (most of those old songs are really simple). This one's just for fun.

PLAY:

LYRICS:

You walk by me everyday

walking in your freedom

And I can't help but imagine the day

you give me all your lovin'

I can't help it I'm falling for you

Dream of all the crazy things we would do

But you don't even give me the time of day

You move ways that drive a man wild,

But only give resistance

Tight pants, tight shirt, show off your style,

but keep 'em at a distance

I can't help it I'm falling for you

Give me one shot, you'll want me too

But you don't even give me the time of day

I sure hope you don't get pissed

But it's past time you know I exist

I can't help it I'm falling for you

Dream of all the naughty things we would do

But you don't even give me the time of day

Song #31: Alexandria

"Well behaved women seldom make history." [Laurel Thatcher Ulrich]

PLAY:

LYRICS:

You blaze ways with a smile on your face

And when we reach downtown you reach for the paint

Alexandria

The street musicians all know your name

And the gamble is certainly worth the game

I'm in love

They don't know where to look

She's straight up off the hook

We all just fall in love with Alexandria

She's irresisistable

She's got this certain pull

She'll burn this city down, Alexandria!

The town winds down, the lights start to fade

But you can't stop now, that's not how you're made

Alexandria

I once asked how she got this way

She just laughed and she walked away

I'm in love

Song #30: Unbound

"There are two kinds of strengths: the strength to lead, and the strength to follow; the strength to control, and the strength yield. There are two kinds of power: the power to strip away another's soul bare, and the power to stand naked." [Yaldah Tovah]

LYRICS:

Her hand pierces the atmosphere

Her body's below the ground

Screaming and kicking for some air

No one hears a sound

An angel appears before her there

And pins her to the ground

Screaming and kicking for some air

The earth's at last unbound

Follow my hand, I will lead you

Put you in the places I need to

To know you even better than you do

Birds and planes falling from the air

She's taken by the force

A sharp surrender, a fist of hair

She trusts a little more

Drinking deep from the cup of life

A kiss becomes a vow

We know the edge but we walk the line

All time melts into now

Song #29: Be Free

There's always another side to the story.

A friend of mine this week reminded me that most "lost love" songs are from the perspective of the one who has been broken up with. What about the one who had to do the heartbreaking?

We often think that the one who ended things is in control and walks off mostly unscathed, but that is far from the truth. It can be a hot mess of emotions for both parties. The irony is - the singer here doesn't hate the person he's breaking up with... not at all. There's still genuine love and concern for the one he's leaving behind. But he also senses that it's not right enough to continue, even as the other person is trying everything they can to keep it from dying.

PLAY:

LYRICS:

don't let yourself believe

this is all easy on me

just because I'm the one who chose to leave

doesn't mean that I missed out on all the guilt and the grief

I don't want to be cold but I'm all ice

'cause if I let you in or even just be nice

you get your hopes up

and we both know

that this ain't right

so if it has to be me: I love you, be free

the truth is it was killing me to stay

so for now, dear, this is the only way

and though I've nothing bad to say

there's some walls I'm going to have to put into place

I don't want to be cold but I'm all ice

'cause if I let you in or just even be nice

you get your hopes up

and we both know

that this isn't right

and if it has to be me: I love you, be free

I don't think you're listening to me: I'm done

it was not meant to be, though we had fun

maybe one day you'll see: I still love you...

be free...

Song #28: Strange Love

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!” [Jack Kerouac]

It's been said that the opposite of fear is love. And though it's human nature to make the majority of life decisions based (subtly) on fear, I've been lucky enough to know a handful of people who have chosen to live a life that is moved more by the power of love. These are the unique ones: those who march to a different drummer, those who swim against the current and who make their own way. We find ourselves attracted to these people because they do what most are afraid to do: buck convention and make the choice to live freely from passion, or a deep love for life, rather than from conditioning.

This is a strange, unusual little song for those who need the encouragement to live out of that kind of strange, unusual love.

PLAY:

LYRICS:

There's something in the way that we move

Something in the things that we choose

Like how we live as if there's nothing left to lose

That stirs them up inside

There's something in the way that we live

Something in the way that we give

The way we turned our backs and took our own path

That gives them hope for life

So let the haters be hatin'

This is the road that we're takin

It's not the path they created

Like hell, we just made it

like cheese we be gratin'

On all the nerves of the straight

But don't be jealous or fake it 

We just used what we're made of

Watch us rock the stage we give everything we've got

We are everything you want, we are everything they're not

What are you afraid of? Would you like to join us?

So stand up make it known just what it is that you want

All we have is yours and all we have is fun

Then bury all that old stuff; come on now and join us

Those living with a strange love

Song #27: So Much

"The simplest things are often the truest." [Richard Bach]

LYRICS:

in place of all the things I don't say

here's a few words and chords that I know how to play

and a simple recourse

so I'll keep this short

there is so much I want to tell you

there is so much I need to say to you

don't know where to start, my thoughts aren't formed

just like a child with a thousand piece puzzle spilled out on the floor

but when the timing is right,

one day I'll sit you right down by my side because

there is so much I want to tell you

there is so much I need to say to you

there's my simple recourse

promised I'd keep it short, just know that

there is so much I want to tell you

there is so much I need to say to you

Song #26: I'm Ready

There's a lot going on in this song, but to me the essence of "I'm Ready" speaks to knowing that something isn't quite right but still being drawn to it. It's about making your bed in the confusion... the lure of the forbidden... the play between resistance and secretly longing to have your self-protective walls blasted through.

I was privileged this week to have worked with a cowriter - Orlando, FL artist, painter, model, yogini and all around beautiful soul Julie Sandifer, who penned these lyrics and helped in the creative process. Julie infuses wisdom and passion into all of her art, which is made obvious in these powerful words.  If you would like to see more of Julie's work, click to visit her blog or paintings.

PLAY:

LYRICS:

so here I am again. ready. I think I'm ready.

who ever said that love was supposed to be so pure and healthy?

there's love in the chaos; love in the greedy need

how do we forget the past when the memories are so deep?

some hearts open slowly

mine is open freely

but it shuts quickly

I invite you in. you don't want me. you want in.

I can't want you  - what is this?

  simple it is not. fearless it is not. intense it is.

so here I am again. ready. I think I'm ready

turn me on. turn it off. i need both.

earthy, lusty,  - more more more

stay close. encourage me to let go. my heart is full.

dedicated and all is love

somethings are not meant to be figured out, right love?

so tell me; I want you to tell me

I invite you in. you don't want me. you want in.

I can't want you  - what is this?

  simple it is not. fearless it is not. intense it is.

no symmetry, lovesick lover

be worthy. try harder.

you can't go wrong.

do more more more -

I invite you in. you don't want me. you want in.

I can't want you  - what is this? 

simple it is not. fearless it is not. intense it is.

so here I am again. ready. I think I'm ready.

I hope I never have to say goodbye.