Jon sez: Bill posted these words and I grabbed them because I knew something good would come from them. I'm proud of how this turned out.
Lyrics: Bill White
Music: J. L. Nelson
Liquid steel
through my vein
pushes air
into my brain
It's not enough
i need a flood
to put more red cells
in my blood
(Chorus)
Nothing works
i'm not okay,
what is wrong
with me today?
Don't open me
i'm not a box
im like a pair
of dirty socks
Lying on
a bathroom floor
somewhere south
of Baltimore
Nothing works...
My arms are frozen
in a cramp
my head is hot
my chest is dam
I try to rise
up
from my bed
but only god
can raise the dead
Nothing works...
@berni1954 Mar 2022
I like how the light poppy feel contrasts with the hard hitting lyrics.
Good grief, Bill , if this is related to the low blood count situation it sounds horrendous. I've been vegetarian since 1971 - I don't know what I'd do if I had to give that up to survive.
@tjeff Mar 2022
Love the laid back groove and that sustained tremolo guitar chord. Fantastic chorus, great hook, love the call and response harmony voals.
The chorus bass line is killer. I love the relaxed matter-of-fact vocal. Tasty guitar solo. Fantastic lyric as well, I can relate so much to the overall message 'cause I feel that way sometimes. I particularly was touched by that 2nd verse - "Don't open me ..... Baltimore." Such a good collab!!
@richaaaay Mar 2022
Right off the bat a great vibe to this song. The lyrics are serious and intense (although not written in that way) but the music counters that with a feeling of lightness. Combined they work well together. Nice guitar work, solo and rhythm playing. Great vocal delivery. Great stuff...
@roddy Mar 2022
I think this is a perfect song. Well done both of you.
@moonraccoon Mar 2022
The curse of ageing, so well-captured both lyrically and musically.
@katestantonsings Mar 2022
The chorus is incredibly catchy! This is a professional production and arrangement. Nice work with the vocals and music, Jon! The guitar solo is excellent. Big fan of Bill's lyrics. One of my favorite lines is "lying on a bathroom floor somewhere south of Baltimore". It just flows so well...nice collab!!
@elainedimasi Feb 2022
The airy and contemplative treatment pairs with the raw lyrics in a very interesting way. I think Jon's repeating of the stanzas before the choruses is amazingly effective to intensify towards those choruses that sound oh, so emotional. I said airy and contemplative, but it doesn't at all diminish the rawness. Well done!
@tamsnumber4 Feb 2022
Now isn't that a relatable lyric, put so well and cleverly described. I think the more you went on, I was feeling the liquid steel in my veins. The music seems upbeat, but I'm feeling it... Love the vocal and melody, whatever is not working.....it isn't this song, it all works perfectly!
@rayboneor Feb 2022
This drew me in from the opening tremolo. That chorus is pure delight. The whole thing works, though it has such a happy, optimistic feel for such a bleak lyric. I love the melody leading up to the chorus, and the repetition of "only god can raise the dead." This is some classy, catchy songwriting--and a killer performance. I'm sort of left wondering if the protagonist is really sick or just wallowing in self-pity. It works either way. Like a pair of dirty socks--ouch, that's a good line.
@crutherford Feb 2022
what a dynamo collab!
this is a great lyric and you've done such an amazing job of bringing it to life.
these lines right here i think are absolute diamonds
don't open me
i'm not a box
im like a pair
of dirty socks
well done. so very good.
@coolparadiso Feb 2022
It's a very good lyric. Wondered how this would come up. It's musically very dreamy and pretty but hits the point. The use of backing and instrumentation really lift that and the change up is excellent. Very enjoyable listen.