For quite a while I had been working on an album called Transitions, in which I was rerecording some of my oldest Song Fight! songs now that I sorta know what I’m doing. While doing this I decided to also do a second companion album, Deadnames, in which I would provide remastered versions of the original recordings.
I came to realize that a bunch of the songs that I was planning wouldn’t really fit Transitions, and that their original recordings didn’t really fit with Deadnames either — but those songs were still overdue to be released, and gosh darnit, I’d already gone through the effort to remaster them! One song in particular really wanted to be released in its original version as a single, and I came to realize that all six of those misfit songs could instead go on their own little EP. So I gave them a bit more love than a simple remaster.
The result: Here’s Notions, an EP in which one particularly silly song is joined by five other particularly silly songs. I hope you enjoy it.
Originally for Song Fight!, 2006
Back before the iPhone came out there were a bunch of early smartphones which were all pretty bad. This song was inspired by one of them in particular, and about how technology can be pretty awful and self-serving. I don’t think things have really improved all that much since then, putting it mildly.
For this one I decided to do a “collaboration” of sorts between Sockpuppet and <3.
(<3) I am not in love It is not what I am thinking of But my life is needing something more Somebody that I can care for
The morning is alright But by the time that it becomes night I don’t know what to do My empty nest is making me feel blue
(fluffy) Hey, sister, I got what you need It’s a robot baby that you don’t need to feed You just plug it in every night And it also doubles as a convenient light
It slices, it dices, it makes julienne fries And inside the box is another surprise It’s a diet pill that’ll make your hair long And the side effect is that you’ll break into song
(<3) I waited my four to six weeks But by the time it was getting bleak A package it came for me I plug it in, but then what I see
When I try to sleep it glows This is something that must too lay low I am getting annoyed At this silly malfunctioning android
(fluffy) That’s not covered by the warranty But we’ll sell you one for an additional fee The product went through a focus group And what everyone wanted was a big feature soup
You can’t expect everything to work right Our scientists made it overnight Just be glad you got it in only one piece Try our other product, a robotic niece
(<3) This is such crap, I am sending it back Everything you make is so totally wack And the diet pill had the opposite effect I now weigh fifty pounds, but my song is in check
I do not think you went to the FDA I will sue you all and make you all pay To get the address I call the support line In Indonesia on my very own dime
(Jane Barbe) The number you have reached Is not in service Please check the number And dial again
(<3) Oh, fuck…
Originally for Circle of Titles, 2020
One of the other Song Fight! traditions is Circle of Titles, where we provide titles for each other to write songs for in a one-on-one way. In 2020 I got this lovely title from T.C. Elliott (known better as Pigfarmer Jr. on Song Fight!) and decided to write a song that was inspired by another friend’s manic episode from their untreated bipolar disorder.
I haven’t spoken to them in a while, and I hope they’re doing okay.
(The bipolar friend, I mean. T.C.’s doing fine.)
Wait Wait right here There’s something I have to tell you Wait Wait right here It is a thing I think you know too well Wait Wait right here There’s something I have to show you Wait It’s oh so clear I can’t hear the ringing of the bell
Wait Wait right here There’s something I’ve only realized now Wait It’s so clear I think we all need our own real space, oh Wait Wait right here I’m trying to find a proper way, how Wait It’s so dear The world can be a big beautiful place
I can’t hear the image that you’re saying I can’t hear, I wish I knew you well I can’t hear the image that you’re singing to me I can’t hear, I know you wish me well
Wait Wait right here There’s something I have to show you Wait Wait right here It’s time for me to have my show and tell, oh Wait Wait right here Remember the thing that I tried to tell you Wait Wait right here Of all the people I’m wishing you well, so Wait
Originally for Song Fight!, 2024
Song Fight! has been running for a long time; it started in 2000, making it an extremely old website by today’s standards, and it’s probably one of the first and is almost certainly now the longest-running songwriting communities on the Internet.
In 2024, the 1000th title was posted, “A Grand Parade,” and for this we all decided to dig up as many past participants as possible to try to get to 100 songs. We succeeded at this!
At one point I was entering under an alter-ego, <3, a vessel through which I was trying to express some gender-related stuff, and she was pretty popular. So for A Grand Parade I opted to bring her back for another song.
I do not want you going outside right now There are so many things to see It’s going to overwhelm and how You will not be very happy
The giant duck is gonna quack And the dogs are gonna bark in back And the Marshall of the big parade Doesn’t care if you feel safe
And the TV man is gonna say It is such a lovely sunny day And I know you want to go out and play But I want you to say inside
I do not want you going outside right now There are so many things to see Why not stay inside and meow? I just want you to be happy
The clowns will juggle and the bands will play And the noise will scare you far away So let’s stay cozy all the day Inside where we are safe
I do not think you will want to be Outside out there away from me So let’s just drink a cup of tea In the morning we will play
I do not want you going outside right now There are so many things to see I am feeling overwhelmed and I just want to be happy
Originally for Song Fight!, 2022
This title went up when the Roe v. Wade reversal took place, and was a reference to the material change in constitutional law that had just taken place. Plenty of other people wrote songs about politics, so I felt okay with taking the title a bit more literally.
This song is dedicated to my friend Beltrami, who is featured alongside me in the cover art. May we someday cross paths in this reality, too.
Reupholster me into leather or pleather Make me watertight for every kind of weather Wouldn’t I be nice made of plush or of ice You have my permission, don’t have to ask twice
Take me apart and use me as a toy Make my only purpose to bring people joy Polish me up and make me shiny and clean I’m your willing servant, please be my new queen
Once was a human long ago But now this is all that I know Every change brings an afterglow What a wonderful way to go
Look me in the eyes and turn me into stone Chisel me down and sit on me as a throne Make this second skin someplace I can begin Reshape me into something with a dorsal fin
Carve me out of wood, make me a work of art Paint me with pictures of my old broken heart Please do not forget what I used to be And please don’t forget to always love me
Once was a human long ago But now this is all that I know Every change brings an afterglow What a wonderful way to go
Reupholster me it would bring me such pleasure Make me into a pooltoy for bright sunny weather Wear me like a costume so that you can be me Make all of my decisions so I can be free
You took me apart and used me as a toy I can’t remember if I was a girl or boy Please do not forget what I used to be And please don’t forget to always love me
Once was a human long ago But now this is all that I know Every change brings an afterglow What a wonderful way to go Oh woh
Originally for Song Fight! Live in Madison, Wisconsin, 2019
Song Fight! is a weekly-ish songwriting contest where a title is provided for everyone to write a song to. People write songs, they’re put up for a vote, somebody wins, and it’s all just a pretty good time overall.
Once a year we try to get together and do a little in-person concert where we get up on stage and perform our songs together. And part of Song Fight! Live involves a “live fight” where we’re given a title to write a song for and debut at the show.
In 2019 we went to Madison, Wisconsin, and the live fight title was The Supper Club. I was having Thoughts about Song Fight! at the time and decided to write a song about how Song Fight! as a community is a place where you should feel comfortable to express yourself in whatever way makes you most comfortable. I don’t know if anyone got that message from the song but it’s something I feel deeply all the same.
A place where you belong, a place to sing a song Welcome to the supper club Everyone is nice, giving you advice Every night at the supper club
We take you as you are, whether near or far Just come on down on in to the supper club No-one needs your name, we’re always glad you came All are welcome at the supper club
Be the way that you want to be Comfort is what sets you free We’re your friends and your family All night long at the supper club
We’re happy when you’re glad, saddest when you’re sad Please join us at the supper club Precious fish to fry, reminder of days gone by Every Friday at the supper club
We relish when you’re here, love when you drink our beer Please relax at the supper club Have a drink or three, connecting you and me The rest of your life at the supper club
Be the way that you want to be Comfort is what sets us free We’re your friends and your family All night long at the supper club
A place where you belong, a place to sing a song Welcome to the supper club We love you through and through, it’s something old and new Please enjoy the supper club We love you at the supper club
Originally for Song Fight!, 2010
This was a dumb idea I had right before the deadline and the original recording took me about 5 minutes to do, including composing it and writing the lyrics.
This version took me a little longer to do.
Open up your door Open up your door Open up your door Please open up your door
Open up your door Please open up your door Open up your door Please open up your door
Open up your door (Open up!) Open up your door (Please open!) Open up your door (Could you open the door please?) Please open up your door (I know you’re in there!)
Open up your door (I can see the light on through the window) Please open up your door (Could you please open the door?) Open up your door (The door, you should open it!) Please open up your door (I know you’re in there!)
Open up your door Please open up your door Open up your door Please open up your door
Open up your door Please open up your door Open up your door Please open up your door
Open up your door Please open up your door Open up your door Please open up your door
Open up your door Please open up your door Open up your door Please open up your door
Open up your door Please open up your door Open up your door Please open up your door
Open up your door Please open up your door Open up your door Please open up your door I need to use your bathroom
#CD #SongFight #Vinyl #Popular #Dance #Electropop #LoungeJazz #Rock #Lyrical ]]>Novembeat is an annual song-a-day challenge where folks from around the world are encouraged to make something musical every day in November.
For 2021’s Novembeat, Sockpuppet decided to stick to a theme: songs that capture the feeling of various coffee grinders.
For much of the month, the band was displaced from their recording studio due to a plumbing emergency, so they were only able to produce around an hour of music over 17 tracks, instead of the original planned two-hour epic coffee journey. It’s probably for the best, since there’s only so many feelings that coffee grinders can evoke.
Many of the tracks from this were also used in the game Hallowed Grounds, which was developed alongside the recording of this album.
Most of these songs are things done for Song Fight! or Song Fight!-adjacent contests, and represent a real turning point in Sockpuppet’s composition and production without forgetting the roots of where this music came from.
Two of these songs are covers, and are subject to standard copyright:
All other songs are Creative Commons BY-NC-SA.
Hippy likes Hippy snacks. Hippy thinks they taste so good. Hippy likes the Hippy snacks. They’re made of whole grain wholesome wood.
Hippy snacks make them better than me, make them better than you. Hippy snacks make them better than me, make them better than you. Hippy snacks make them better than me, make them better than you. Hippy snacks make them better than me, make them better.
Yuppie likes Yuppie snacks. Yuppie likes them made of meat. Yuppie likes the Yuppie snacks. Suck them from the Yuppie teat.
Yuppie snacks make them better than me, make them better than you. Yuppie snacks make them better than me, make them better than you. Yuppie snacks make them better than me, make them better than you. Yuppie snacks make them better than me, make them better, better, better, better.
Hippy don’t like Yuppie snacks. They prefer things made of soy. Yuppie don’t like hippy snacks. Would rather play with shiny toy.
Hippy snacks make them better than me, make them better than you. Hippy snacks make them better than me, make them better than you. Hippy snacks make them better than me, make them better than you. Hippy snacks make them better than me, make them bitter.
I was going through a breakup, with someone who really wanted me to do more than I was able.
You shouldn’t fall For anyone at all Eventually you’re gonna hit the ground
Everything you do Please do it just for you Because you are so great to have around
And if you should fall From something ten feet tall I’ll try to catch you and make it okay
But everything I do I can’t do just for you I won’t always be there to save the day
And then if I should fall From fifty stories tall I hope that you’ll be there right next to me
And everything we do We ask each other to Even if we sometimes disagree
But you shouldn’t fall For anyone at all No matter what you think that you have found
And everything you do Please do it just for you Because I don’t want you to hit the ground
I wrote this song the night after I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, based on the then-current understanding of the condition (before new research showed that it’s actually an autoimmune condition), and also about my long-time frustration with just how people who don’t experience chronic pain talk to people who do.
Every day I’m just a little older I feel a little twinge up in my shoulder Icing up my limbs until they’re colder Reduce the burning pain into a smolder
I’ve got fibromyalgia I’ve got fibromyalgia I feel a lot of pain but it’s Mostly in my brain I have Fibromyalgia
I’ve got Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia There’s something in my brain that makes me Sensitive to pain I’ve got Fibromyalgia
Well I think it’s pretty nice To eat turmeric and rice With a spicy Indian curry
And I get so much advice And I’ve heard it once or twice About swimming and Pilates and so much yoga (You should swim do Pilates and so much yoga!)
Fibromyalgia, I’ve got Fibromyalgia It’s excruciating pain That comes from my defective brain I’ve got fibromyalgia
This was the 2016 Live Fight entry for Song Fight! Live! in New York City.
It’s just a happy accident that these two Live Fight entries from the same city happened to go next to each other on this album.
This thing I found lying in the street Don’t know what it is but it’s pretty neat When I picked it up, it filled me with energy
Now everyone’s always lookin’ around Turning their head to see this thing I found Give me a look, I think that it’s jealousy
It’ll always be my lucky charm Keeping me safe and free from harm I know everything will always be okay
Everything all said, I’m good At least long as I’m touching wood My good luck charm will always save the day
It looks kind of like a rocket ship Keep it on my belt, held it with a clip And suddenly nobody wants to fight
Walking through the village green, Lots of people say “that’s keen!” Some of them even cheer and shout “All right!”
It’ll always be my lucky charm Keeping me safe and free from harm I know everything will always be okay
Everything all said, I’m good At least long as I’m touching wood My good luck charm will always save the day
A baker must be what I be Because everybody says to me Something about the dough made of dill that I wear
I’m not quite sure what they mean But I don’t want to make a scene Anyway they said to look out for a bear
I walked on by a man in blue He took one look and said “how do you do, I think I’m gonna take you into custody”
I wasn’t sure just what he meant But then it was clear this was heaven-sent Because that bear can never get to me
It’ll always be my lucky charm Keeping me safe and free from harm I know everything will always be okay
Everything all said, I’m good At least long as I’m touching wood My good luck charm will always save the day
It’ll always be my lucky charm Keeping me safe and free from harm I know everything will always be okay
Everything all said, I’m good At least long as I’m touching wood My good luck charm will always save the day
This was recorded in posthumous tribute to its composer, Seth Gibbs, who probably did not intend for this song to be about himself.
His old band’s original version is available on Song Fight!.
Space cadet, what can you bring us To bring us together
Space cadet, what can you bring us To bring us together
Space cadet can you see all of the planets and stars Lifeless and empty but they know who they are He is so alone But we are really alone
Fly away, leave us alone, we don’t want you anyway I hope you’re happy floating free up in space It’s so nice up there But it’s so rotten down here
Space cadet, what can you bring us To bring us together
Space cadet, what can you bring us To bring us together
You watch the universe go You wishing on the last star What do you think of us now How can you live with us now
Hey cadet, where do you think You’re going don’t float away Take us with you, we’ll miss you so
Space cadet, what can you bring us To bring us together
Space cadet, what can you bring us To bring us together
This song was written as a 20th anniversary celebration of the very first Song Fight!.
20 years ago I knew this guy, you probably know the type. His name was Gary or Greg or something, but everyone knew him as Golfpunk. His whole thing was breaking in windows of expensive cars using a golf club to protest the wealth gap or… somethin' like that.
Anyway, he called himself a performance artist, and some rich dude decided it would be funny to give him a Cadillac to drive around, you know, “ironically?” Golfpunk, he changed, man… He changed.
(Golfpunk, he drives a Cadillac) (Golfpunk, he drives a Cadillac) (Golfpunk, he drives a Cadillac) (Golfpunk, he drives a Cadillac)
Now that he had a Cadillac of his own he suddenly felt a lot of empathy for the other Cadillac owners and stopped smashing windows. He wanted to smash things, though, so… he took his golf club to the golf course and… he started playing.
You know, golf.
The rich peoples' sport.
And he was good at it.
(Golfpunk, he drives a nine iron) (Golfpunk, he drives a nine iron) (Golfpunk, he drives a nine iron) (Golfpunk, he’s gonna crash and burn)
He ended up entering into a tournament and won a lot of money, but then his past caught up with him and all these rich assholes, like, sued him for the windows he broke. And then he had to go on a big ol' apology tour, ‘cause it’s not like he hurt anyone or said anything racist, but God forbid some windows get smashed up.
Anyway, we all kind of lost track of him for a long time, but then a few weeks ago he reached out to me and was like, “Hey, remember me?” And I was like, “Hey, I remember you! Man, Golfpunk! It’s been a long heckin’ time.” Then he kinda went silent.
And then he says to me, “So, um, I’m not Golfpunk anymore. I got married, settled down, had kids… now I’m more of a… golf dad.”
And I was like, “Oh. Huh. Weird.”
And then he said the most offensive thing to me ever:
“And now I drive a Prius.”
(Golfpunk, he drove a Cadillac) (Golfpunk, he drove a Cadillac) (Golfpunk, he drove a Cadillac) (Golfpunk, he drove a Cadillac)
Anyway, I guess the moral of the story is it’s okay to grow up sometimes, and maybe you’re going to grow apart too. And that’s alright.
Just don’t become an asshole.
The original version of this song was written by King Arthur for the A Problem of Perspective edition of Song Fight!.
Here is the problem: The way I see you is Colored by all of the things we’ve been through. Here is the problem: The way you see me is All about the things that you think I did to you.
That’s how a problem of perspective seems to work; Gets in the way of love. We think we’ve been hurt, We say we’ve had enough, we lose the will to trust. That’s what a problem of perspective does to us.
Love keeps no score of wrongs, they tell me, but my Eyes won’t open and my heart won’t let go. I make assumptions, despite the things I see, I… I deny the evidence, I trust what I think I know.
That’s how a problem of perspective seems to work; Gets in the way of love. We think we’ve been hurt, We say we’ve had enough, we lose the will to trust. That’s what a problem of perspective does to us.
At least two sides to every story. At least one truth for every lie. The optimist afraid to disbelieve, The pessimist afraid to try.
That’s how a problem of perspective seems to work; Gets in the way of love. We think we’ve been hurt, We say we’ve had enough, we lose the will to trust. That’s what a problem of perspective does to us.
This song was written for Song Fight! Live 2020, and I don’t think people got the joke that it was a song about how 2020 was going to have been so much better than 2019 was.
(For those reading this from the distant future: It very much wasn’t.)
This year had its challenges All my flowers dead, my pain got worse, my brain got worse, there’s something wrong with my head
What happened to my career, it didn’t go my way Things feel bad, and I’m in fear I won’t live another day
oh, it can only get better oh, I know it will get better
we see the rise of fascists who think many lives don’t matter a president who’s on the brink, only cares to be flattered
where can our people go from here it all just seems too much famine devastation fear we need a human touch
oh, it can only get better oh, I know it will get better
but it wasn’t all so bad some of it was swell remember all the good times we had Song Fight! Live went well
We take the hand we have been dealt this year’s problems were a-plenty 2019 really smelt, so here’s to 2020
oh, it can only get better oh, I know it will get better oh, it can only get better oh, I know it will get better
My isle dauphine She’ll never come clean What does she mean She’ll never go clean Oh, isle dauphine
She walks down the aisle All of the while I’m thinking I’ll Walk single file Oh, isle dauphine
I heard what she said, and She’s turning all red Might as well be dead for Everything she said Oh, isle dauphine
She’s walking the border with everything in order and takes off the garter and Runs a bit harder Oh, isle dauphine
My isle dauphine She’ll never come clean What does she mean She’ll never go clean Oh, isle dauphine
This was written for Circle of Titles in 2016, when I was assigned the title “Strategies to Live,” which felt super relevant given the then-recent Presidential election which was at odds with my safety as a trans person.
It took me five years to release this album, and I kept on feeling like it was too late to release this topical song, and yet, somehow it manages to remain topical.
You can hide yourself down a deep, dark hole Or hoist yourself on a really tall pole Anything that’ll help you get away
You can do heavy drugs to numb the pain, or Ask a surgeon to remove your brain So you can fit right in and start to play
Change your face and change your name Hide everything that brings you shame Or go on a preemptive sneak attack
Dig deep into the viper’s pit Embroil yourself in petty shit Just commit ‘coz there’s no turning back
Oh, I wish I didn’t worry oh so much Oh, I wish I could feel fine Oh, if only all my hopes weren’t out of touch I wish my safety wasn’t on the line
If you’re accused of doing a bad crime Want to hide for a very very very long time Consider all the possibilities
Make a run for President Convince the people you are heaven sent You might just win and then you are home free
Even if you’re caught lying Everyone gives you points for trying It’s not that the bear stakes well, it skates at all
Even if you destroy the world It doesn’t matter, you can fuck every girl And then you can go home and take your ball
Oh, I wish I didn’t worry oh so much Oh, I wish I could feel fine Oh, if only all my hopes weren’t out of touch I wish my safety wasn’t on the line
In the long run everything will be fine It will just be a matter of time, in Twelve billion years this will all be gone
In the meantime just try to survive The world is better with you alive Outliving him is a reason to go on
This song was inspired by repeatedly tapping the tuning fork button on my portable amp.
it’s inimical inimitable and so predictable not a miracle
it’s despicable deliverable get irritable, with a thread to pull, feeling minimal
a seeming emptiness encroaching loneliness result of pettiness, try to redress the phoniness
acrimonious sanctimonious a former holiness, the brokenness melodious
finding time to spare sit in the broken chair being unaware, without a care all thoughts laid bare
a tantric suicide already dead inside climb up the hillside, across the divide, smell insecticide
there’s a new tomorrow, it’s falling into place there’s a new tomorrow, it’s running out of space there’s a new tomorrow, it’s all fucked up get your new tomorrow, you’re out of luck
get a steady job, and another piece of me get a big tv, and another take get a new degree, stuck in the machinery in the new tomorrow, you get what you make
it’s inimical counterfactual and so predictable not a miracle
it’s despicable deliverable get irritable, with a thread to pull, feeling minimal
and you simply cannot see what this all has done to me simply cannot see through the crooked lies simply cannot see everything that’s eating me nobody is looking through each others’ eyes
simply cannot see what this all has meant to me simply cannot see through the skin disguise simply cannot see all the greater piece of me walking through the hallway something on the rise
feeling critical and irritable analytical parasitical
apocalyptical stereotypical it’s predictable, hypocritical, a miracle
Everything you like, anything that gets you high Something there for everyone, something you can try Getting murry with a furry in the simulated leather Bondage in a dungeon where you can do it one better
Get your freak flag on Get your freak flag on
Everything is good in our carved out sexy spaces From the horniest of normies to the kinkiest of aces Post it on social if you’re into humiliation But remember to use content warnings – it’s just polite!
Get your freak flag on Get your freak flag on (Get your freak flag on)
Everything is good as long as everyone’s consenting Couple with some trans girls who are really into fencing Peg a strapping young lad with your strapping strap-on cock Only if he’s legal though, I’ve been around the block
Get your freak flag on Get your freak flag on (Ooh yeah, get your freak flag on)
You can be a top or bottom or an indecisive switch Take ‘em out for breakfast afterwards, if you feel the itch Safety first, remember to wear rubber, use protection And get it nice and shiny so you can see your own reflection Mmm, yeah…
Get your freak flag on Get your freak flag on Get it on and on Get your freak flag on
(freak flag) Safeword to your mother But not your actual mother (freak flag) 'Cuz that’d be gross
I mean, yuck
This song was originally written for Song Fight!, as part of the “Live Fight” challenge for Song Fight! Live 2021.
On the blog I have written up a detailed explanation of the lyrics and video.
Feeling lost in an elephant’s dream Caught up in the digital stream Cave of shadows, can’t say what I mean A million miles far from home
Best foot forward, take a step back Play defense while on the attack Sowing discord, can’t cut them no slack Everybody so alone
If everyone could see Themselves through some other eyes Innocent, caught up in the machinery An algorithmic disguise
Making everything great again Forget about your family and friends Looking for a means to an end Just don’t want to be alone
Fragile gem, split in two Internal dialogue of them vs. you Find acceptance with nothing to do The voices there are all your own
If everyone could see Themselves through some other eyes Innocent, caught up in the machinery An algorithmic disguise
A deeper body ache, and make a bad mistake A million jumping on Sharing a bad take, Nobody can quite shake The feeling that you’re gone
Feeling lost in an elephant’s dream Getting washed away by the digital stream If it feels better to share another meme Doesn’t make you less alone
If everyone could see Themselves through some other eyes Innocent, caught up in the machinery An algorithmic disguise
If everyone could see Themselves through some other eyes Innocent, caught up in the machinery An algorithmic disguise
This song isn’t about Portland, but it also isn’t not about Portland.
It’s also about Seattle.
But also it was just written for the Song Fight! Live Fight in Portland, in 2015.
We’re so happy that you want to stay But our city’s full please go away We don’t want to turn away your kind So come anyway, I guess we won’t mind
We know what you’ve seen on the TV How we live our lives totally fancy free But you really ought to know Portlandia is just a show
We are passive, and aggressive Sacred bike rights often start fights But we all drive, when you arrive We say you’ll never need a car
We have hipsters – Silly tricksters We’re ironic – Catatonic Brew our own beer, but please don’t fear ‘Cause there’s always PBR
So you live here now, you want a job? I guess that’s cool – you’re not a slob You could work at a restaurant If that is the kind of job you want
What’s that you say? You have a degree? A master’s in sustainability? That’s really great, but you oughta know I just got mine an hour ago
We are passive, and aggressive Sacred bike rights often start fights But we all drive, when you arrive We say you’ll never need a car
We have hipsters – Silly tricksters We’re ironic – Catatonic Brew our own beer, but please don’t fear ‘Cause there’s always PBR
I guess we can’t talk you out of it So welcome to Portland, We Give A Shit™ What’s that you say, you love the sky so blue? Well I guess I’ve got some news for you…
We are passive, and aggressive Sacred bike rights often start fights But we all drive, when you arrive We say you’ll never need a car
We have hipsters – Silly tricksters We’re ironic – Catatonic Brew our own beer, but please don’t fear ‘Cause there’s always PBR And there’s always PBR And there’s always PBR
#CD #SongFight #Vinyl #Popular #Dancepop #Electropop #IndiePop #Rock #Funny #Cover #Lyrical ]]>As is tradition I tried to record one short song every day in November. I didn’t get every day this year and some of the tracks really sucked but a lot of them were a lot higher-effort than usual for Novembeat so I’m satisfied enough I guess.
binaural microphone experiment
I don’t know what I’m saying But I’ll say it to you
I don’t know what I’m saying But I’ll say it to you
I don’t know what I’m saying But I’ll say it to you
I don’t know what I’m saying But I’ll say it to you
I don’t know what I’m saying But I’ll say it to you
I don’t know what I’m saying But I’ll say it to you
I don’t know what I’m saying But I’ll say it to you
I don’t know what I’m saying But I’ll say it to you
The Song Fight! version of Lumetri
try me you want to fall to sleep try me i’m better than counting sheep
try me you’ll finally rest at last try me don’t think about the past
try me it’s time to tuck you in try me you’ll be asleep again
what it says on the tin
smooshing keys until something interesting comes out
I needed a new outgoing voicemail message
[dial tone] [DTMF tones spelling out NOVEMBEAT#]
I can’t take your call right now Or I’m not picking up anyhow I will try to get back to you If you leave a message at the beep
I can’t take your call right now Or I’m not picking up anyhow I will try to get back to you If you leave a message at the beep
I can’t take your call right now Or I’m not picking up anyhow I will try to get back to you If you leave a message at the beep But I’d rather text
A song I wrote while waiting for the bus
it’s a bit long innit
an ode to what keeps me functional
i don’t know what i’m doing
this is problematic and appropriative
more garage than garage
like something from a vidya game
It all goes downhill from here
I don’t know what I’m doing But I’ll do it to you
images of childhood
A song done to celebrate the birthday of my friend Heather “moboid” Kelley.
Specific works referenced:
What’s going on there is nothing to do Everything I have makes me think of you What’s on the TV please give me a clue Maybe I’ll try to find something that’s new So I try to play a game But they’re all just all the same
Throw me some blocks flying through outer space Wearing a helmet that’s strapped to my face Something artistic, something with grace Something experimental that takes place In a world I call my own Makes me feel at home
I think that I’ve played that game I think that I’ve played that game
I think that I’ve played that game I think that I’ve played that game
Experiment with all the feelings inside Help me to find something i can provide Give me ideas, try not to hide from the Animals concrete the organs implied (I wanna pet the rabbit) (please help me pet the rabbit)
Look around corners that no-one could see Making a difference quite expressively Craving rapport as we drift to the sea What are we saying, let’s talk about me, ‘cause I’m Valid and I’m proud Quiet scream out loud
I think that I’ve played that game I think that I’ve played that game
I think that I’ve played that game I think that I’ve played that game
Falling down through space Make friends with a place Keeping a straight face Save the human race
I think that I’ve played that game I think that I’ve played that game
I think that I’ve played that game I think that I’ve played that game
I think that I’ll play that game I think that I’ll play that game
I think that I’ll make a game I think that I’ll make a game
Sort of a fitting conclusion to the month I guess
another video game soundtrack in my head
#Novembeat #SongFight #Instrumental #Lyrical ]]>in 2018 i tried to do my usual thing but i got busy and only made it halfway
A sort of sequel to Pawn Shop Bunny.
i don’t know what your problem is but i think you might be right no i don’t know what your problem is but i think you might be right
This album represents a return to our roots as an electronica and experimental band. Not a permanent reversion, of course; just think of it as a vacation to the homeland.
It also is was slowly being turned into a series of video games, although that project is on indefinite hiatus.
In my house In my house What is this person that I do not think I know Doing in my house
In my house In my house He must have snuck in through the bedroom door Living like a mouse
He says he is my husband I’ve never seen him before He knows everything about me I’ll have to show him the door
Not my spouse He’s not my spouse I think I would remember having brought him Into my house
It’s my house He’s in my house Why is this person laughing right at me Sitting in my house
So many pictures of us together The room is starting to blur He says he’s beginning to worry about me But I just can’t be sure I can’t be sure
In my house In my house What is this person that I do not know Doing in my house
Originally composed for Project Imperative, which was meant to be a multiplayer Pong in which the rules change every 20 seconds. This ended up not really happening during the original jam, but I revisited the idea when using it as the first track of the game album.
This song came to me in a dream about love and loss and growing up.
I didn’t know this song was about having undiagnosed ADHD when I wrote it, because it was not yet diagnosed.
I’ve been told this one’s super relatable, on that note.
Your head is in the cloud You don’t know who you are Try to do everything you can Spread yourself too far
Everything that you want to know How to come undone Boiling over, time to kill In the frozen sun
Everything that we used to know Has a zero sum Ice cubes in the goldfish bowl Where we’ve come undone
Nerves of tissue, lung of steel Sleep until we’re dead Warm the soul with antifreeze A frozen mind instead
1 2 4 5 10 20 25 50 100 125 250 500
hello, hello hello, hello hello, hello hello, hello hello, hello (hello) goodbye
two times two times five times five times five two times two times five times five times five two times two times five times five times five five times two times five times two times five
Originally composed for a game soundtrack.
#CD #GameJams #GlobalGameJam #OST #SongFight #Vinyl #Popular #Ambient #EDM #Ambient #Electronic #Electropop #Instrumental #Lyrical ]]>I look in your window and nobody’s there last night you told me you’d be doing your hair
I really do think if we’re going somewhere We should be honest About the feelings we share
but you tell another story or you tell another lie it is doing nothing for me i don’t know why you even try
I’m so very sorry I hope you are fine I worry about you Getting sick all the time
So I have to wonder Just give me a clue How you were out with friends While sick with the flu
and you tell another story and you tell another lie it is doing nothing for me i don’t know why you even try
I don’t want to hear it How your mother just died This isn’t the first time That you have outright lied
I know what you’re saying Isn’t honestly true Or did you believe the person I paid to tell you?
but you tell another story or you tell another lie it is doing nothing for me i don’t know why you even try
and you tell another story and you tell another lie i know you really abhor me i don’t know why you even try
I dreamt I was a husky in my youth It was very odd to be so uncouth I would run around with nowhere to go But to slip and slide in the frozen snow
All I did for every day was run around And try not to fall down upon the frozen ground Not caring what was a lie and what was truth I dreamt I was a husky in my youth
The world faded and changed until it was light Everything was simple and was such a sight An outline around everything that I could see And colors were simply not quite ordinary
I dreamt I was a husky in my youth Starring in a film by Donald Bluth The evil businessman tried to capture me After he ate the yellow snow I made for free
The movie went on and on It was two hours long Snow was everywhere In the yard and in my hair
As a child I did not like dogs very much They were always wet and messy to my touch So when I dreamt I was a husky youth I woke up in my bed needing to see the truth
I found I had changed overnight Into a husky pup much to my fright Just like in the dream I had fur and claws And little black pads on my four paws
I did not know how this change could be But then a joyous calm washed over me I could smell what was a lie and what was truth I dreamt I was a husky in my youth
It’s the last day on Earth I know Everything is coming down We run it to the ground I think we need another take
We didn’t understand the snow Thought our troubles were gone Conclusions were withdrawn Life was just a big mistake
I think we need another take
I think we need some shelter We deserve this weather But we’re flying to the sun Everything’s undone
And we’re lying on the ground Swallowed up in the sound What we get is what we make I think we need another take
It’s the last day on Earth I know Everything is coming down We run it to the ground I think we need another take
Why do we all have to be tan? Different shades of a single master plan It is all so boring Baby I am snoring Why do we all have to be tan
Black and white and zebra stripes! Red and green would be so keen! Purple blues and other hues! These shades of tan just will not do!
If I were a genetic engineer I’d do what I could to bring it here Discrimination would be undone If everyone were the only one
Why do we all have to be tan And just a woman or a man Neither both or something in between I think that would be pretty keen but Everyone is just… tan
Paisley plaid and polka dot! Colors patterns are so hot! Sure we could all get tattoos But if I did it why would you?
If my idea were everyday Of course my plea would go away But other creatures can all have it So we’re unique on this planet?
Why do we all have to be tan? Different shades of a single master plan It is all so boring Baby I am snoring, oh Why do we all have to be tan
So, there’s this pretty weird thing that happened to me recently. I was walking down the street, and this guy came up to me… he was wearing a blanket like a cloak, like he was some sort of wizard or something, but he smelled like pee and feces. I mean, that’s not the weird thing, that happens pretty much every day. But anyway he stepped in front of me and said, “Hey, you want a moscow?” I told him no and tried to keep going, but he kept on stepping in front of me, and he was all, “Come on, this moscow, it’s great.” And I noticed that he was holding this thing in his hands which looked like a clay cow, that was covered in, you know, that fuzzy plant, that looks like moss but isn’t. You know, that cheap sort of gift you get at the drug store for that person who you really want to make them aware that you like them but not enough to give a crap about what sort of gift you get them, right? Anyway, so this guy is trying to get me to take the terra-cotta cow and I just want to get home and he’s just saying, “Come on, man, take it. I gotta get rid of it, but I don’t wanna just throw it out,” and I said, “Fine,” and I took it, and then he just said, “Thanks!” and ran off really fast.
But that’s not really the weird part. So, I took this stupid thing home, and figured it would go okay next to my herb garden on my balcony, and so I thought I put it there, but when I went into the kitchen to fill up my watering can, the moscow was sitting next to the sink. Pretty weird, right? Anyway, I just watered it right there, and now… yeah, this is the really, really weird part. It actually turned its head at me – yeah, I know, right? – and it said “Idaho!”
Now of course this was really weird. I mean, not only was this little tchotchke talking, but you’d think that if a cow were to talk it’d say something like, “Moo.” I dunno, “Milk me.” Something like that. Right? But “Idaho?” So I asked, “Idaho?” And it said, “No, Idaho.”
So, I called this friend of mine and asked her to come over – she’s a biologist, I mean – and when she came by she asked what was so important. “Look,” I said, “I have this… this moscow.” And she said, “O…kay? It’s a cow, yeah?” “No, a moscow,” I said. “See, ‘coz it’s like, covered in moss, right?” And she said, “Yeah, I see those all the time. So?” And I said, “Well, this one talks.” She just kind of waited for me to say more, and I said, “WIth its mouth.” She looked at me funny and said, “You’re joking.” And I was like, “No, n–here, I’ll show you,” and I watered it again, and it said, “Idaho.”
So my friend was kind of weirded out too and she asked, “Idaho?” And then the moscow said, “No, Idaho. Youdaslut.”
Anyway, they’re best friends now.
See the little ants walking down the path They don’t know how to do anything they’re bad at math But a little tiny queen can make some more One and one make two, two and two make four
And then what happens next is the worlds collide When a little tiny ant finds the world inside And the little worker ants can all pass the test They all work together to bring everything back to the nest
And when someone finds out it doesn’t matter The little tiny ants have made their queen get fatter So she can lay her eggs all day So it doesn’t matter when the people get the spray
There are so many ants that they cannot die For every ant that’s in the house there’s two outside All that we can do is let them be Learn to love each other for the world to see
I feel safe without you I feel safe when I’m with you I feel safe when I’m near you But I don’t think that I need you
You know what it is like when you are alone Walking in the dark trying to get home Every little thing that can make a sound Scares you half to death and you look around
You cannot help but fear for your life What if somebody is there who has a knife But you know that in your heart you will be okay And that everything will let you live another day
When you get inside you look around Thousands of little black dots are on the ground They go on with life without a care Eating all the food that they find lying there
It is no matter what you do or say Nothing will make the ants ever go away The lesson that we learn is when the day is done The little tiny ants are the ones who have won
I feel safe without you I feel safe when I’m with you I feel safe when I’m near you But I don’t think that I need you
Wake up in the morning Before the alarm goes Trying to fall back to sleep Still in last night’s clothes Lying half awake, I still can’t get up when the beeping starts Why would I
Sleepwalk through the morning On the way to work That guy on the bicycle is Such a stupid jerk I think I should push him over Just to show him up But why would I
Sometimes it is very hard to keep yourself moving when it’s gone haywire
Monday morning meeting Going way too long Finished up my coffee but the coffee isn’t strong I feel like I need to sleep I need to keep moving but why would I
Tuesday PM meeting Life is way too short Everything I try to say cut off with a retort Why does this guy work here, he’s a jerk, here, I should shut him up why would I
Sometimes it is very hard to keep yourself moving when it’s all haywire
Oh, listen to me Think about the damage done How hard can it be Just to have a little fun
Wednesday morning dreary I get nothing done Thursday comes and Friday goes Still get nothing done I should reconsider my Career choice, find a new voice but Why would I
Sometimes it is very hard to keep yourself moving when it’s gone haywire
Put Cindy back on the bus She isn’t one of us I don’t care what you say She’s just gotta go away
Put Cindy back on the bus Don’t make such a stupid fuss Everything she did Everything she said Every way she messed us up
Put Cindy back on the bus Do it before I start to cuss Every way she hurt us bad Every way she made us mad Everything she did to fuck us up
Hey, driver! Hey driver take her away Hey, driver! Hey I got somethin’ to say Don’t let her talk to you, don’t let her say how she’s been wronged Don’t let her talk to you, don’t let her speak until you’re gone
Cindy needs to stay on that bus ‘Cause you know she ain’t one of us She won’t know a thing She won’t know a thing From now until she wakes up
Cindy needs to stay on that bus You really got to listen to us Everything she did Everything she said It’s either this or beat her up
Cindy needs to stay on that bus Please driver don’t make a fuss We paid for the trip There’s nothing wrong with it Please go before she can wake up
Hey, driver! Hey driver take her away Hey, driver! Hey I got somethin’ to say This guy don’t know a thing, this guy don’t know what’s going on This guy don’t know a thing, he don’t know why we need her gone (We NEED her gone!)
Put Cindy back on the bus She isn’t one of us Don’t care what you say, she’s gotta go away Put Cindy back on the bus
Relax, calm yourself, There’s nothing to be afraid of Relax, ease your mind The giant monster’s just in love
Nothing’s gonna change I know it might seem strange
Everything will be alright Everything will be alright Everything will be fine tonight Everything is always fine tonight
Nothing’s gonna change Nothing is so strange Relax, calm yourself He isn’t ever gonna hurt you Relax, ease your mind And if he does what could you do
Nothing’s gonna change The city’s gonna rearrange Nothing’s gonna change He’s here on a monster exchange
Relax, calm yourself There’s nothing to be afraid of Relax, calm yourself And show the monster all of your love
One hundred twenty miles per hour It sure is cold outside alone One hundred twenty miles away After an hour far from home
One hundred twenty miles between us Why did you have to hurt me so One hundred twenty miles and counting I’m sorry that I had to go
Why did you hurt me was it (turn around and glare) Something that I said (aware) I try and try (unfair)
Why did you hurt me why (turn around and stare) Did I have to leave Why do I have to love you (nowhere) ‘Till the day I die (prepare)
One hundred twenty miles per hour It is now time to move along One hundred twenty miles away From everything that was so wrong
One hundred twenty miles between us It is now crystal clear to me One hundred twenty miles and counting We simply were not meant to be
Why did I even put up with (turn around and glare) your stupidity Why did I bother with you (aware) Now I cannot see (unfair)
How could I let you lead me (catch me unaware) On so very long I hope to never miss you (we share) Now that you are gone (repair)
One hundred twenty miles per hour I’m sure to get away from you One hundred twenty miles away It has vastly improved my view
One hundred twenty miles between us I just don’t need you anymore One hundred twenty miles and counting Good riddance, don’t wait at the door
Thank you for your interest We hope you will be fine But we have decided Your candidacy is not on the line
Your permanent record states You were truant three times And then the incident Where you colored outside of the lines
Another record Of which we are aware A piece of gum that You placed in Miss Marshall’s hair
We know you are thinking It was so long ago But you were warned about Throwing a rock in a ball of snow
Your auditor noted GOOD BEHAVIOR for thirty years But we strongly believe Past actions will shape future careers
Due to these factors We’re sure you will agree Your best course of action A reeducation facility
This was a song composed when I had new neighbors moving in upstairs. They were loud all day, and then they were loud all night, and their bed was right over my computer.
Nice guys otherwise, though.
I think you ought to know I haven’t slept in days It seems I’m spending my time Wandering in a haze They say that patience is the opposite of sin But it’s wearing thin
When I close my eyes I Only see my fears This is the worst time I Remember in years Everything I know is In the rubbish bin I just cannot win
Everywhere I turn I Hear this thumping sound Even lying down I’m not on steady ground I hope that in a few days I’ll be sleeping in These walls are paper thin
#CD #SongFight #EDM #Electropop #IndiePop #Lyrical ]]>This was the first album I released as “Sockpuppet,” and was made up mostly of music I’d done for Song Fight!, with most of the songs reworked and/or remastered.
What are you doing to me In the name of being free I never liked you But you ought to know
The things I hold dear you break Everything I try to make You only wanted destruction You reap what you sow
Come on, baby Just think, maybe You’re not the person That you think you are but instead
Just take one minute To see the limit Please understand there’s Nothing going on in your head
And then you did it again To try to impress your friends I don’t think they really like you I thought you should know
The things you’re doing to me To achieve immortality You only wanted attention But please let it go
Come on, baby Just think, maybe You’re not the person That you think you are but instead
Just take one minute To see the limit Please understand there’s Nothing going on in your head
What are you doing to me In the name of being free It is a pointless distraction But what do you know
Come on, baby Just think, maybe You’re not the person That you think you are but instead
Just take one minute To see the limit Please understand there’s Nothing going on in your head
Come on, baby Just think, maybe You’re not the person That you think you are but instead
Just take one minute To see the limit Please understand there’s Nothing going on in your head
She doesn’t disturb me Confuses, perturbs me She just wants to know me While living below me
I know what she can see A robber she fancies I don’t know what I mean A daughter in between
She doesn’t control me Doesn’t quite know me I know what I can see In transparency
I’m giving it my all But I’m heading for a fall When all that I can do Is run faster
For something less than I am worth As I tumble down to Earth But all that I can do Is run faster
Please listen to the way I feel I need to get some more time to heal My lungs are getting ready to explode I can’t run any faster
I get the feeling I should leave It’s getting harder to believe You don’t know what it is I’m going through I’m running faster
How can you tell me what to do If I am dead I will not see things through What you want isn’t easy done or said I’d like to see you run faster
I’ve given you my all But I’m ready for a fall When all you let me do Is run faster
I’ve given you my all But I’m ready for a fall When all you let me do Is run faster
I don’t think You know how to be good to me I don’t think You have time to be reminding I don’t think Anything you do is good enough And I think The time for us is wrong
I don’t think That I should listen to you anymore Everything You say to me always makes me snore Everyone Says I should not so quickly doubt you What I think It doesn’t matter now
I don’t think You will be here for me I don’t think You even know how You and me Were never meant to be together I don’t think The time for us is now
I don’t think You should be watching so much TV It’s a thing You do too much and always every Thing I see Is nothing that can be too good for you I don’t think You remember what’s right
I don’t think You know how to be good to me I don’t think You have time to be reminding I don’t think Anything you do is good enough And I think The time for us is wrong
Standing on a stage where I’m rhyming with Lucia I have to admit that this wasn’t my idea Having too much fun while drinking much tequila I’d rather have coffee though
Watching her go with you, falling on the weekends Buy a new skirt made of edible sequins Wading through the pond, sitting down where it deepens Where do you want to go?
I’m feeling fine Taking time, try to rhyme She used to be trouble-free Can you see?
Standing on a lake is not such a good venue When it is cold food that we have on the menu Everyone tired of doing what we can do Please don’t let her down
When you have a friend, you never want to see them Hanging out to dry in a mausoleum You want them to simply carpe diem It is too late now
She came to me She will be set free What I mean, what I seen She had been in between
I’m feeling fine Taking time, try to rhyme She used to be trouble-free Can you see?
I’m feeling fine Taking time, try to rhyme She used to be trouble-free
I have a bad cat He is very fat He sat on my hat And then he shat He dragged the hat All over my mat Then he ate a bat And made friends with a rat
I took this bad cat To the laundromat Where we had a spat About the theocrat He’s a diplomat For this crazy dingbat Sent us off to combat Like a copycat
He’s a bureaucrat And a total asshat Shut down the laundromat Because he overheard chit-chat An aristocrat And a cosmocrat He’s a pornocrat Such a total prat
So I took this bad cat Back to my flat Gave up on the hat Dumped it with the mat We had a little chat He’d have nothing of that But I gave him a pat ‘Cuz he’s my pussycat
Wrapped up in a padded room Feels like I am in a tomb It reminds me of my mother’s womb And it leaves me time for thinking
Been this way since sometime in June Someone caught me howling at the moon Hoping that I can get out soon But this ship just might be sinking
Oh, I could use a little convalescence Oh, I need some convalescence
Shotgun shot in the dead of night Can’t sleep cuz the dark is way too bright See myself heading right for the light I guess I have been drinking
No idea how long I’ve been here Something ‘bout this place a little queer My mind is missing one more gear Little lightbulb blinking
Oh, I could use a little convalescence Oh, I need some convalescence
Oh, i could use a little convalescence Oh, how I need some convalescence
Wrapped up in a padded room Feels like I am in a tomb It reminds me of my mother’s womb And it leaves me time for thinking
There’s something in my eye But I feel like I could fly A bright light came to me in a dream Skies of pink, clouds tangerine
Everything I do or see or think Depends upon the stuff I drink
I think that it is killing me Everytime I take a sip of tea The stuff of dreams it fills in the seams Bright shiny lights inside my dreams
I cannot think without a drink or three But I feel it surrounding me
I could quit but that will not do Another dose for me and you
I grew up in the desert Dry air always made my eyes hurt Ran around with nowhere to go When I really wanted there to be snow Almost never got it in the desert
My mind made up I tried to move away But everywhere I got I couldn’t stay
I grew up in the desert All the people I knew they made my mind hurt
I went somewhere else got on a plane I wanted to get my five minutes of fame Everything I did I needed gin or ginseng I ran faster to get more of the same
I will always be from the desert No matter what, you’re covered in dirt
Where I’m living now there’s plenty of rain And everything I know is ijust more of the same Someday I might go back to where from I came
I grew up in the desert
There’s a house in my head A flea in my bed Everything I know is coming up red And the flea in my bed Is asking me why When I walk on water How I stay dry
I think It’s something to do with how I think My life isn’t mine somehow I try To be the best I can be I need To try to love me
There’s a house in my head A flea in my bed Everyone I know will someday be dead And the flea in my bed Is telling me why I feel these things like I wanna die
Everything I do I do it for you, but Nothing I do Seems to come through, so I think I need time alone, because I think My pain is my own
There’s a house in my head A flea in my bed Everything I know is coming up red And the flea in my bed Is asking me why When I walk on water How I stay dry
You’re lying awake in bed Something happens in your head You’re not sure if you’re alone Somewhere, somebody moans Voices that you hear take your breath away
You’re not sure what you see It keeps you in captivity An alien, a parasite Torturing you through the night You wake up and everything seems okay
The reticular activating system Controls if the nerve impulse reaches your hands Like an engine with a misfiring piston Things go out of whack You have a panic attack And the night terror seems so real you cannot stand
Serotonin overload Somewhere in your frontal lobe Dopamine suppression is to Always keep you guessing Hippocampus shouldn’t be on call
The brain is running like clockwork In a mechanical Turk Systems poorly factored and they’re Cheaply manufactured It’s a wonder anything works at all
And the reticular activating system Controls if the nerve impulse reaches your hands Like an engine with a misfiring piston Things go out of whack You have a panic attack And the night terror seems so real you cannot stand
And the reticular activating system Controls if the nerve impulse reaches your hands Like an engine with a misfiring piston Things go out of whack You have a panic attack And the night terror seems so real you cannot stand
#CD #SongFight #Country #Electrocountry #Electropop #IndieRock #Rock #Lyrical ]]>