“Dance” - a song about doing what you’re told
Being told what to do is an interesting feeling. Remember all those times you are about to do something, and get told by someone else, not knowing your intentions, to do that very thing?
What about when you are asked to do something, you do it as well as you are able, and it’s ignored and left for a better performance?
What about when you no longer get asked to do anything but pack up and go home?
Recorded at Trust Books in The Jenk's Building in Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Trying out a 360 camera. This was a bit of a process figuring out a new editing flow and file management (ooo file management, sexy). I am going to keep tweaking this process, and finding ways to improve the quality, because I love capturing an entire space/area like this. You lose the ability to hide behind editing with other angles, but that make it more fun. If anyone wants to nerd out a bit, this video file is over 30 gbs and it’s under a 3 min. song… that is crazy. Also if you watch this with a VR headset, it is so awesome… the FUTURE!
Backstory
This song came from a joint writing session with local great, Nick Hartman. We had just finished one of his songs, and had the energy of creation still churning, I had a little picking pattern that I stole mostly from one of my other tunes, and tweaked for an electric, and this song just started flowing out.
The words fell into place as we started thinking about what it can be like to be a performer being told what to do. On one hand it’s the job of an entertainer to do just that, and giving the “people” what they want is a potential avenue for success. On the other, when you create and perform on your own accord, (my opinion) is that honesty leads to a more approachable product but that road is full of very lonely moments.
This song can be seen as following one person through their creative journey, one they ultimately failed because they did only what people told them to do. They were seen as an escape, not as an artist. In the end they are asked to just leave so the empty venue owner can clean the floors.
Writing Process
Like I mentioned, this one was a co-write. Below is a memo from that evening, and one I did after to work out those in-between verse parts.
This song came together within an hour, and when one of us got stumped on a line, the other was quick to help/suggest.
A part that sticks out to me is the line “Thorn Thick Roses”. I love the image of bringing someone flowers, but covered in thorns. A mix of pain and pleasure, and a reminder of what a creative has to experience to get a final product. The idea of placing those in front of a dressing room mirror and day dreaming about someone also paints a sad, lonely picture. I am always drawn to those mental images. Even during a co-write, creating something is ultimately a lonely thing, as no one else can ever truly get into your head to “see” what you “see” while gathering lyrics.
The video I made is with an acoustic (because of trying out a 360 capture), but ultimately I enjoy this song on an electric. It may be the kick in the pants I need to start bringing mine and playing out. Or maybe I can get Nick to join me on some shows (if you haven’t heard him sing and play… holy shit).
Notebook Page.
March, 2022
Lyrics
Won't you dance for me monkey, dance for me fool
Here's another silver dollar
See you eying it with hunger
Make your nights a little longer
Dance for me fool
I could use a distraction
Dance
Won't you sing for me poet, sing for me fool
Here's a couple thorn thick roses
Place them by your mirror
The place you used to see her
Sing for me fool
I could use a distraction
Dance
Won't you die for me jester, die for me fool
The floor could use a sweeping
The people all are leaving
Looking for another grave
I could use a distraction
I could use a distraction
Dance