The Sound of the Word

We’re out of the pan and into the fire

Writing a song is a very different experience than wrtiting essays. Though it does require the same inner listening, searching, and puzzle solving as prose writing, writing songs employs the connection of emotion via music which taps into a whole ‘nother ocean of something beautiful, infinate and mysterious. Ask any songwriter… sucessfully synthesizing these all together is nothing less than a drug.

I’ve had three ideas for an essay this week, and I couldn’t get to any of them because this (damn) song has been consuming me. So now that Sunday morning has come around and I have no essay to share, but I do have a song… well then, here you go. Being only three days old, the song is not perfect. Still in beta, I suppose. I could very well change a line or two here and there, but welcome to my process.

The two chord riff that makes up the verse, you can imagine, was the first thing to emerge. I’ve had the major7 shape ever since I started playing guitar, but I don’t think I’ve ever used it in a song. The descent to the D figure with the F# bass felt like the natural companion.

So far as the melody and singing goes, I confess to channeling the style of a couple of English singing heroes of mine, John Martyn and Chris Wood. I don’t often go into this territory, but I enjoy it immensely and I’m glad to have a vehicle to return to it.

The lyrics have a lot to do with all the negative naysayers out there that I am up to my eyeballs with - and how to maintain a positive attitude in the face of it all. From racism, nationalism, and the overturning of Roe v. Wade, to the lies and hypocrisy in politics - I get exhausted by folks who define themselves by these things and drag everyone down into their mire. I suppose writing and singing a song is as good a way as any to shine a little love and put out some good vibes into the world.

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On a side note…

I was debating whether or not to put up a paywall for this song. If you appreciate my writing, or my music, I’d be grateful for your support. Musicians everywhere are still struggling to lift themselves out of the situation that the pandemic created. Myself included. We are looking for ways to recreate and recalibrate our lives. If you have the means, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Or perhaps give a gift subscription!

I hope you enjoy the new song.

In graditude,

Dana

The Sound of the Word

What do you do when they just say, No

They say No all the time

Maybe they just like the sound of the word

And the power it implies

What can we do but just say, Yes

And say Yes all of the time

I know that I like the sound of the word

And the joy that it implies

We’re out of the pan and into the fire

It’s up to you, what you do to go higher

I’ve got no use for fear

But I see it everyday

I’ve got no need for greed or for  speed

But it finds me anyway

I gotta be moved I gotta feel

And keep connected somehow

We gotta be strong by saying what’s wrong

And say it on the mainline now

I think we can pull out of this dive

It’s up to you, what we do to survive

We’re out of the pan and into the fire

Falling from the tightrope wire