This was entirely recorded "live" on an arranger keyboard (except for my added solo guitar work - still at the primitive stage).
It was written using the original 1990s Korg-i3 Arranger Keyboard.
(C) You wake up every morning
Saying you'll reach up for the stars
But you (F) wind up every evening
Down and out in bars
You (C) put the blame on everyone
With whom you disagree
Like you're (G) just a chunk of driftwood
Floating on their sea
(Bb)When you gonna learn that it's you who's in con(C)trol?
(Bb) You who makes the choices
You need to get out of that (C) hole
(Em) What you blame on others is often an own goal
You'll (Dm) never see the stars
With your (F) head dunked in the punch (G) bowl
You act like you're the victim
Of some villain's evil plot
Believing in conspiracies
Dreamed up by some crackpot
It's always someone else
Who has got you in that mess
Will you ever face the issue
You do need to address
CHORUS
When we were kids
You weren't so easily led
But now your spouting nonsense
Like some burnt out acid head
I should give up on you
But we used to be good friends
It's hard to see you racing
At top speed down those dead ends
CHORUS
@kiffa Apr 2022
Oh, that arranger keyboard sounds like something I could have had a TON of fun with back in the '90s. Or now lol. I had keyboards that had similar functions, but they didn't sound anything like this. Very nice.
Sad story. Substance abuse is a problem I think about an awful lot for a person who's never had a substance abuse problem. I have my own addictions (television, for one), and I suppose I use them the same way a drunk or a junkie does, to avoid real life and to dull the pain. But I'm so thankful that I never got into substances, because if I dove into those the way I dive into other mind-numbing activities... well, there'd be one less comment on this song, if you know what I mean lol.
@guatecoop Mar 2022
Yup. I get 90s right off. Oh my, we would have a lot to talk about with these lyrics. So true across the board. Maybe I should have my in-laws listen to this...but, then again they would just make you out to be a villain, too. Haha.... Really well done and you have certainly captured the era--complete with lyrics that would have worked then, but work even better today. Very good.
@bjunker Mar 2022
Great pop groove! The lyrics grew on me as the song went on... Now, there are definitely people I'd like to give this message too! Don't know much about keyboards but that Korg sounds like it's fun to play with!
@hmorg Mar 2022
The lyrics are very relatable, I bet we all know at least someone like this. Is "head dunked in the punch bowl" a reference to "drinking the kool-aid"? Catchy song and now I'm going to have to find out what an arranger keyboard actually is.
@nateger Feb 2022
Great groove! You got so much utility out of the arranger keyboard. This gave me vibes of Bruce Springsteen. Killer singing and harmonies
@janeg Feb 2022
“Head in the punch bowl” is great imagery. You have created a realistic character we have all known, or been, and embedded an important message in a good song.
@lifewithtomcat Feb 2022
I feel attacked - I always refuse to own that I am in control of anything. Great tune.
@klaus Feb 2022
Biting lyrics go well with rocking backing. Good vocals too. Especially the drums sound lively and punchy. Hurrah for Arranger Keyboards.
@audrey Feb 2022
Great lyrics Berni, and you've got a great sound going on here to go with this nice rock melody.
@the3queens Feb 2022
Great lyrics describing humanity right now. so many choice lines. Love "racing at top speed down those dead ends!" Way to go on the arranger challenge. I stopped in to listen for that in case I might want to add that challenge.
@cblack Feb 2022
Major anthem vibes here. Very nice. Great lyrics and vocal delivery. Really enjoyed this!
@kenmattsson Feb 2022
Like the drive of this, and it's got a great message of us not wanting to give up on people, but not going to kill ourselves trying to save them. Nice mix and vocals.
@ductapeguy Feb 2022
The role of the songwriter is to speak truth to power... and the powerless willful ignorant. This is an incredible groove with a fantastic tale to tell
@kahlo2013 Feb 2022
Well written biting lyrics with a powerful kick in the butt message. Great hook, catchy chorus, and wonderful groove drive those words of wisdom home. Great music and cool solo!
@skylermf Feb 2022
“You’ll never see the stars with your head dunked in the punch bowl” is such a good line. You do a great job of zeroing in on this character!
@jtsteam Feb 2022
Arranger keyboards sound fun! Must stay off ebay...
I like this one - I can think of a few too many people who could be the target of this song, or at least some parts of it. Like... "It's always someone else who has got you in that mess" - ouch!