Mr. and Mrs. Particular

Posted on March 22, 2013 by acupofsongwriting

This is a story about a band name that we still laugh about to this day. Our first attempts to name our band were pretty rough. But this one in particular is funny still because it captures who we were once upon a time. Enjoy!

–

Mr. and Mrs. Particular

This is an emblem of what we once were

No longer do they exist

Vanished into the darkness and mist

Sent them off to the valleys and mountains

Never to be seen again

Every once and again we think of them

How everything seemed perfect back then

The sun would come up in the east

And settle in the west

In simple naivety we would live

It was all we knew

We thought it to be the best

Through travels and experience

We realized our views were much less

Then second best

We had grand ideas and no way to achieve

So the best option was for us to have them leave

So we packed up their things

And gave them our best wishes

We were both so young but willing to change

I never would have thought how things felt

Oh but so strange

And new

And confusing

This whole idea of changing was quite amusing

Even after we packed up everything in the van

There was one thought that came back

Again and again

What if we never find our way back

What if we let go and want our old selves back

We looked at each other and began to say

It seemed we were quoting each other

So we just stopped

Both of us felt the same way

Screw Texting

Posted on March 21, 2013 by acupofsongwriting

This is a song about the disconnect between someone on a phone and someone not. I was really inspired to write this song as I walked through a grocery store and almost got whacked by some guys shopping cart as he laughed and texted to someone. That shit is dangerous – and i see people texting all the time when I am driving. I would say that is just as bad as drunken driving. One time i stood on an overpass in LA and 13 out of 30 cars were distracted drivers. Just zipping by doing 80 and texting. Shit be crazy. So this song explores the texting dilemma in a the form of a confused love song. I felt this would make the song most intimate and revealing to do it in this way. I think I achieved what I was going for – you tell me. I will be posting the video tomorrow. Enjoy!

–

Stop texting

When we are talking

There is nothing

Better to do

–

Feel like I am dying

Cause I am holding

I am holding my breathe

for you

–

Your friends calling

Just ignoring

All l the little words

I try

–

It feels vacant

In this party

Yeah this group

Of just me and you

–

It just kills me to hear you say

–

Don’t go

I wont go if there is a reason for me to stay

Don’t stay

I won’t stay if there is a reason for me to go

(Repeat)

–

I fight feelings

We have outgrown these

Damn phones

Lets throw them away

–

What could make you

So happy

Looking at that

Box in your hand

–

Fingers punching

Always talking

While your lips

Have nothing to say

–

It so quiet

In the room now

That the phone is

all tucked away

–

We can just talk another day

Elkhart’s Eternal Flame

Posted on March 13, 2013 by acupofsongwriting

Late night band practice in Goshen, IN led to a midnight drive to South Bend. Even at the late hour you can see the flame burning off of the highway in Elkhart. It reminds me of how that thing burns 24/7 and how we are filling it with every step that we take. So this is a short poem about where it all took me.

Elkhart’s Eternal Flame

–

Elkhart’s Eternal Flame

Lights my mind up every time

Drives me insane

The heap of garbage burning bright

The smell that seeps out

Lets you know something’s not right

Trash carving it’s way in Midwest trees

Coming from all over the land

From the mountains and the seas

Landfills in Indiana seem to run a plenty

Follow your nose and you will find

One, two, and oh so many

As with all trash it must be disposed

Where exactly it goes

I can’t say anyone really knows

But on a Tuesday night the flame glows

On highway 20 when you see it

You will know

Blue flickers orange pops red in too

Depending on where the wind blows

Is where all the scent blows to

Racing over fields and famers

Streams and trees

Through our nostrils

Into you and me

Into our lungs and through our livers

Into your soul giving you shivers

Into our blood

Through the water that we drink

Bubbling up through the faucets and the sinks

Shame should fill the hearts of the waste

But toss it in the trash

And don’t really face it

The next time you waste

All the trash that you disclaim

I may see it burning one day

In Elkhart’s Eternal Flame

Wonder

Posted on March 9, 2013 by acupofsongwriting

This is the revised version of a song that I am currently finishing up. It is about being in the grind and trying to find meaning in your work. For me it is grinding through all of the social media/marketing day to day activities of running my own company. It is a simple morning – but my mind begins to wander. That is where this song comes from. Hope to have video up soon. Cheers!

–

When I wake up

Feeling fine

Get up put the coffee on

I’m in the grind

The TV rings out so clear

In subtlety

Weather man’s telling me

These thoughts are free

But you will find

You will find

That in due time

–

That OH

Don’t you just wonder

How the clouds can fade

They just fade away

And oh

Don’t you just wonder

How life it fades

It just fades away

–

It fades away

–

Every time I think of her

I fade away

All these people telling me

Move this way

What the fuck is wrong with you

He will say

You’re head is tucked in clouds

But I’m OK

Then again

And again

Love I will send

–

But OH

Don’t you just wonder

How the clouds can fade

They just fade away

And oh

Don’t you just wonder

How life it fades

It just fades away

5 am grabs me

Posted on March 8, 2013 by acupofsongwriting

Very informal late night ramble. Drove from 8:30 am until 5 am and this is basically where my mind was at. It is crazy how you almost start to hallucinate and you definitely need some time to recover. So here is to late night, cheers!

–

5 a.m. grabs me

not asleep yet

soon

maybe

probably not

the skies lift a heavy fog

from evening shoulders

passing lines

and green street signs

–

late night

driving all around

better prop up these eyelids

so they had not fall down

–

the next day is no better

wake up late

in somewhat of a lucid state

but 5 a.m will take some time

to recover

my mind works slow

slower on those days

it stumbles through

with a velvet glaze

–

my eyes bloodshot

all around

last night was late

and there is still a ringing sound

–

i muster up the courage to write

let the words fall and thoughts take flight

i feel alright as my muscles warm

to poetry I return

with no care for content or form

–

that is where I stop

as vision blurring mind distort

better put the pen down

on days like today

it is best

to keep it short

Shit My World is on Fire

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ9BhsYX4FU&feature=youtu.be

Here is a song that I wrote about how sometimes you let things go just a bit too long in your life before you decide that something has to be done. In a similar fashion as to that one time I was in college and left the pizza in the oven and forgot about it. I take a light hearted look at what an angel could do in that moment also – how it would really help because when shit hits the roof – you could definitely use some help in getting life back in order. So this is called “Shit My World is on Fire”. Enjoy!

Shit My World is on Fire

–

Well I’ve been thinking

About all this time up here

I’ve been wasting

The thing I do and say

Well I am no Angel

But if you see on please

Send her my way

She can save me from all of the trouble

I’ve been making

It would be so much fun

I’m just sayin’

–

Whoa oh oh

I look around and

Shit!

My world is on fire

Who oh oh

I can make it out

But only with an angel

Whoa oh oh

Look around and see

She can only take me higher

Whoa oh oh

Drink in that sun

My world is on fire!

–

That got me thinking

When God made this world

She was kinda funny

Now I am just running around now

Making Monday

But there ain’t no way

It ain’t that easy

Just take me and break me destroy me and build me up later

Take a quick minute and pass me

Your lifesaver!

–

Whoa oh oh

I look around and

Shit!

My world is on fire

Who oh oh

I can make it out

But only with an angel

Whoa oh oh

Look around and see

She can only take me higher

Whoa oh oh

Drink in that sun

My world is on fire!

–

Whoa oh oh

I look around and

Shit!

My world is on fire

Who oh oh

I can make it out

But only with an angel

Whoa oh oh

Look around and see

She can only take me higher

Whoa oh oh

Drink in that sun

My world is on fire!

–

Oh my world is on Fire

Fire

Oh my world is on

Fire

My world is on fire

I hope to have more videos and songs up with descriptions soon so stay tuned. I am casually working on a possible full length album as my first commitment is The Bergamot. A Pop/Rock duo and we play with a full 6 piece band so we can have killer dance parties. Check us out and listen to our entire catalog of work at http://www.thebergamot.com! Cheers!

Pajama Celebrity

Posted on March 1, 2013 by acupofsongwriting

This is written out of my bewilderment for my generations obsessions with themselves. I may be a part of the problem too – I am still trying to understand it all. I really tried to focus on the use of “me” and “I” in this poem and how the demeanor changes drastically into the last line of the poem. From a sense of self discovery to a tone of demand and control – which is what seems to happen to people obsessed with this idea of a self made celebrity. All of this is going on and it begs the question what is the overall purpose of this shit.

–

You mean even I can be a celebrity?

Take a couple pictures and soon you will see

That all this media can focus on just you and me

But what about all the people

Filling up the tabloid pages

Worry you must not now

They are gone with the ages

–

Just hit this button and post it online

It can’t hurt it seems like a fun time

A sign that reads something funny

A dog

A cat

Doing something witty

Such a low cost to pay

For such a pretty kitty

–

You mean even I can be a celebrity?

I can have the entire world revolve around me

Me the center and others revolving

I don’t care if no ones problem I am solving

As long as I fulfill the constant desire

The feelings will make me move higher and higher

–

When I get up to high must I get down?

I like the view up here I just look around

What is the real point of this all anyways?

I am going to exploit the shit out of it

I take advantage while it pays

–

Cause yeah

Even now I can be a celebrity

Wear crowned jewels into obscurity

Where the world revolves around me

What I say and what I do

I might even try to persuade you

Into believing that there is more here

That just a silly little kitty

That is why I am sitting pretty

–

Turn on the computer and say my piece

Might even do it wearing my favorite fleece

Pajama bottoms and rocking out

This is really what I am all about

The camera now loves me with all respect

Forget about leaving my ego in check

Cause all this pride has got me feeling good

Now sit down and listen like you should

On a lighter note – I have yet to post any songs to my blog. Tomorrow I am going to start by posting a video that I am very happy with and gives a nice introduction to my songwriting. I look forward to that posting it and more videos of songs to come. I hope to have at least 1 post a week that is a song – this blog will keep me working towards that goal. So stay tuned for some fresh tunes 🙂

Fervent Thrust

Posted on February 25, 2013 by acupofsongwriting

Imagine being in a bar, not during the high time, but at low times. We have spent countless hours in the bars setting up, sound checking, talking, and networking. I was really inspired by the floor of these places as they all seem to look exactly the same. In addition to that it has a very similar scent. To me it is a very bittersweet feeling but it always reminds me of a show that is about to start as it is the first thing we are greeted with when we walk through the doors for the night. I try to give you a sense of this feeling in the poem here called “Fervent Thrust”.

Bar floors tell much more

That what I could ask for

In the corners where the light shines dim

Away from sweepers on the outer rim

Tells a story of many a nights

Careless dancers and crazy bar fights

The smell of beer and must

Bellows from the vents

Greeting me at the door

With a fervent thrust

Beer caps lay with hair and mold

All the shit here is more that a day old

–

But this is the smell of music in action

I have found this true

Regardless of the disgusting reaction

This is where American music thrives

And discovers its sound

The walls have been broken in

It is a sacred ground

–

The bartender wipes the deck

Getting ready for another crazy night

Turns the lights on low

And sweeps the dust below

Sound checks ring with the

Check 1,2 in the background

The band gears up for the party going down

–

But in the corner of the bar

Is where you can find the filth of yesterday

The colors grown of black and gray

The sounds ring out and knock the dust from the table

Music rings out regardless of the label

Of genres and names things oh so irrelevant

Just a business note people need

And business people sent

–

But play it out loud

Ring it out clear

Bring the corners and floors alive

The dancing blokes

With clashing beers

The Incandescent Glow

Posted on February 20, 2013 by acupofsongwriting

I can tell a story of distracting things

It starts with a computer screen

A little heart and a big machine

Pulling the eyes away from progress

To give the soul infinite distress

This mess is more than a simple collection

If it serves me correctly

I have what the doctors call

A technological infection

Of the mind and skin

Hair and eyes

Kinda hard to see into the digital skies

–

It moves slowly but then with clever purpose

You would never know if you looked at the surface

But the eyes become strained with every glance

I must try to pull away in this eager chance

In a trance my muscles begin to twitch

In evenings embrace

Face the truth and furry

That time has been stolen in such a hurry

Fingers nimble to touch keys resisting

A couple of circuits and boards

That’s all that’s in this thing

–

But is there more just maybe a bit

Because it seems to move me when I sit

Through years and years of information

It is a gazing ball

A wonder station

But pull the mind away from sweet laziness

Yet it pulls me back with a lovers caress

Soothes my thoughts and relaxes my feelings

Illuminating what is around me

And casting incandescent light on the ceiling

–

Reeling and reeling

I am surely swayed but the drug this things dealing

Eyes bloodshot on every side

Who would of thought

Wasn’t this supposed to be a simple ride

A ride through information past and present

With the ease of touch and oh so pleasant

But surely there is more than one option

Get away from this infection I am stopping

Songs must be written and collected

My art will not sustain me

I must go now

The art must be resurrected

–

But at the flip of a switch

Turn of a knob

The computer is off and silent

The incandescent glow ceases

And the quietness around me grows

I close my eyes and rub them open

That must be some crazy shit

I be smokin’

Crook

Posted on February 13, 2013 by acupofsongwriting

Let your imagination run free on this one. Think you know what I am talking about? Have a guess? Post it as a reply and if you get it right I will send you a Free ‘The Bergamot’ album!

This is a story about a band name that we still laugh about to this day. Our first attempts to name our band were pretty rough. But this one in particular is funny still because it captures who we were once upon a time. Enjoy!

Mr. and Mrs. Particular

This is an emblem of what we once were

No longer do they exist

Vanished into the darkness and mist

Sent them off to the valleys and mountains

Never to be seen again

Every once and again we think of them

How everything seemed perfect back then

The sun would come up in the east

And settle in the west

In simple naivety we would live

It was all we knew

We thought it to be the best

Through travels and experience

We realized our views were much less

Then second best

We had grand ideas and no way to achieve

So the best option was for us to have them leave

So we packed up their things

And gave them our best wishes

We were both so young but willing to change

I never would have thought how things felt

Oh but so strange

And new

And confusing

This whole idea of changing was quite amusing

Even after we packed up everything in the van

There was one thought that came back

Again and again

What if we never find our way back

What if we let go and want our old selves back

We looked at each other and began to say

It seemed we were quoting each other

So we just stopped

Both of us felt the same way

Share this:

Stop texting

When we are talking

There is nothing

Better to do

–

Feel like I am dying

Cause I am holding

I am holding my breathe

for you

–

Your friends calling

Just ignoring

All l the little words

I try

–

It feels vacant

In this party

Yeah this group

Of just me and you

–

It just kills me to hear you say

–

Don’t go

I wont go if there is a reason for me to stay

Don’t stay

I won’t stay if there is a reason for me to go

(Repeat)

–

I fight feelings

We have outgrown these

Damn phones

Lets throw them away

–

What could make you

So happy

Looking at that

Box in your hand

–

Fingers punching

Always talking

While your lips

Have nothing to say

–