Danger Signs (version 1)

jiguma

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Description

This started out as an anti-war song, a protest against the Australian government's movement further and further to the right, and against our Prime Minister's "follow the leader" game with George Bush. When Katrina hit New Orleans, the lyrics changed, and Danger Signs is the result. From over here the lack of concern by the authorities regarding the plight of those left behind was a real surprise. This is a collection of thoughts.

Bass, guitar, drums and organ with 2 part vox. Needs to be played LOUD!

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Lyrics

Danger Signs
© 9/9/2005 Neil Porter

Woke up early morning
(Dreams) messing with my head
Looking out the window
Sky is red
Took it as a warning
Stayed at home instead
Tempted to go straight
Back to my bed

It’s been this way before
Don’t need it any more

Been turning off the media
They’ve been telling us lies
They say “they’re gonna getcha”
Channel 10 have seen the danger signs

Hit me without warning
Can’t believe I’ve read
Heartless wind Katrina
Eyes are red
Mississippi mourning
Mississippi dread
They’re waiting for redemption
Eyes are red

We’ve seen it all before
So near our northern shore

They’re dying in America
A nation cries
Living out a nightmare
How come George has missed the danger signs?

It’s been a long long day
In such a bad bad way
I don’t know what to say
It’s been a long long day
In such a bad bad way
I don’t know what to say

We’ve seen it all before
So near our northern shore

I’ve been watching the media
I’m seeing barefaced lies
They’re surely gonna getcha
You can run but you can’t hide

It’s been a long long day
In such a bad bad way
I don’t know what to say
It’s been a long long day
In such a bad bad way
I don’t know what to say

Never ending story
Filling me with dread
Helicopter moments
Fill my head
Poison in the water
Angry words are said
Can’t believe this story
Eyes are red

They’re mostly black and poor
What are they waiting for?

There’s murder in the stadium
A baby cries
Rooftop snipers
Surely these are the danger signs

It’s been a long long day
In such a bad bad way
I don’t know what to say
It’s been a long long day
In such a bad bad way
I don’t know what to say

We’ve played this game before
What are we fighting for?

They’re dying in America
A nation cries
Living out a nightmare
How come George has missed the danger signs?

Song Stats

Hits: 3304
Comments: 59
Fans: 8
Plays: 542
Downloads: 128
Votes: 23
Uploaded: Sep 16, 2005 - 08:13:50 AM
Last Updated: Apr 19, 2007 - 11:42:40 PM Last Played: Jul 24, 2009 - 12:41:51 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Song Actions

Hardware:

Seagull S6 acoustic
'71 Fender Precision Bass
Yamaha PSR300 midi keyboard
Shure DM100D mic
Behringer UB802 mixer/preamp
G4iMac

Software:

Garageband

Comments

thetiler	thetiler said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)
	voicing is terrrifc like that beat and the music sounds right on. Infectious pop- rhythm that certainly has a high quality to it to my ears. Cool! Check out my latest song called I't Been A While

jiguma	jiguma said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)
	voicing is terrrifc Thanks Bill, glad you dropped by to have a listen - hi to Betsy! Appreciate your comment. Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

	LemonsRawr said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)
	Awesome. Awesome song. Really nice rhythm.

jiguma	jiguma said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)
	Awesome. Cheers Lemons. Glad you liked it. Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

ziti	ziti said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)
	more smokin bass jiguma, your bass playing rocks solidly. The sound is fat and sweet. Nice production and compostition...a very nice listen indeed. Excellent work! z Check out my latest song called All Smokey

jiguma	jiguma said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)
	more smokin bass Thanks again Fran. Nice to get such a positive early comment. The bass on this was an absolute joy to play as it just rolls so easily. Always appreciate your comments, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

ziti	ziti said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)
	oh and right on, too! Check out my latest song called All Smokey

perceptualvortex	perceptualvortex said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)
	The sentiment is so right. Really good, Neil! I like the writing singing, playing and production. I hope both of our countries can get some good leadership. Here in the US, we're going to need it if we're ever to mop up after George's mess. Sadly, too many here miss the danger signs. Thanks for sharing this. Check out my latest song called Machine Man (w Beastie Boys)

jiguma

jiguma said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)

The sentiment
Thanks pv - yes, there sure is some work to do over the next few years!
Although I hold strong views on a number things, I usually have difficulty
expressing that combination of rage and incredulity - writing this helped.
Also learnt a few things about production for this one.
Thanks for listening and thanks for the comment.
Neil

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

drakonis	drakonis said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)
	great beat interesting bouncy tune & rhythm... soft voice, very listenable. Lyrics are chilling, reminders of the weirdness of humanity on the edge, anywhere, even in America this happens. Sigh. I don't know what to say either, except that you put together a great song about it. :-) ttfn, Drakonis Check out my latest song called Lullaby for the Inner Child

drakonis	drakonis said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)
	and another thing! forgot to mention the production was nice and crisp, I like being able to hear everything in its own space, this was great too! -Drakonis --- deja vu, it's the next best thing to being there Check out my latest song called Lullaby for the Inner Child

jiguma

jiguma said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)

and another thing!
Thanks for the comments Eduard. I took a bit more trouble with production
on this than I normally do - mainly because I was waiting for the lyrics to
come to me (lots came, many were rejected as being too strong). I learnt a
few things about producing and recording vocals from a less than wonderful
result on my last few songs, and I'm much happier with the vox now - just
have to learn to hit the notes more consistently!
Thanks for listening (and the chat post),
Neil

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

aclarke

aclarke said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)

This is EXCELLENT!
Great flow- very well arranged and performed. Harmonies
are sooo good. Words really hit home after all that went
wrong that shouldn't have with Katrina.

You've done a fantastic job expressing the frustration so
many of us felt/feel even being far away from this devasted
area. And we all know the fallout is only going to get worse
as time goes on and we hear all the truth.

Check out my latest song called Ballad of The Little Tiki

jiguma

jiguma said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)

This is EXCELLENT!
Thanks Adam, glad you liked it.

It sure was a surprise over here the way there
didn't seem to be much action to help when K hit. I guess after the Asian
tsunami people here expected the States to be able to do it all so much
better. Hopefully the lesson will be learnt, and things will be better if
anything like this happens again. I suspect you're right about the fallout!

I've still got lots of work to do on my vocals, but I feel like they're improving.
Thanks for the visit and the coments.
Neil

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

jgurner

jgurner said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)

Awesome
Some nice complex sounds going on here. Love the driving
feel. Great vocals and harmonies. The sound is so very cool. I
love the lyrics, though, I can't say it makes me very happy
that our nation's government is so mismanaged and uncaring
that someone a half a world away would be moved to write a
song like this.

Thanks for this, Neil. Not only for a great sounding song, but
for your concern as well.

Check out my latest song called Bourbon Street Dawn

jiguma	jiguma said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)
	Awesome Thanks Joseph, I was a little apprehensive about the lyrics - I didn't want to sound like I was sticking my nose into someone else's business. It's something of a relief that people concur. Musically, it's just another quick one, but I'm happy with it. Always appreciate you stopping by for a listen. Cheers, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

jackstone	jackstone said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)
	I like this refrain sound Beautiful! Check out my latest song called July Sky

jiguma	jiguma said 1532 days ago (September 16th, 2005)
	I like this refrain sound Thank you Jackstone, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Tadashi Togawa	Tadashi Togawa said 1531 days ago (September 17th, 2005)
	Treasure Your rhythm sense is peculiar. It is exactly unique. This is your property. And, it is our treasure. The way to sing is also peculiar. The drum is also pleasant. By the way, the storm comes to Japan. It is called the typhoon. It is the season now just. Mississippi is not others thing. To the friend in Australia. TT Check out my latest song called Mexican taste

jiguma

jiguma said 1531 days ago (September 17th, 2005)

Treasure
Thanks Tadashi,
Great to get your comments as always - when you play mainly on your own I
guess you tend to be less influenced to play the same as anyone else (hence
the different rhythm). The voice - I'm stuck with it, but slowly coming to
terms with it being OK.
Looking forward to another post from you soon Tadashi-san.
Cheers,
Neil

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Pauly-G	Pauly-G said 1531 days ago (September 17th, 2005)
	sweet hehe that was cool i'm australian myself so i liked a few of the references. Really good recording - good stuff!!! Check out my latest song called The Gooey Song

jiguma	jiguma said 1531 days ago (September 17th, 2005)
	sweet Thanks for the comment Pauly-G. Glad you liked it. You would have loved the way it was planned - lots of references to Johnny H! Cheers, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

J.A.Stewart

J.A.Stewart said 1531 days ago (September 17th, 2005)

Simonesque...
A lot of musical and lyrical elements of your song and
recording remind me of Paul Simon's later works. All
good.

What I think would make this tune even better is more
variation --- and emotion. With so much passion in your
lyrics, the arrangement and the vocals seem somewhat
static and understated. Musical and vocal punctuation
points could add a lot of impact to this thoughtful song.

Imbue them with the same passion that inspired your
obviously heart-felt lyrics and I believe you'll have one
very POWERFUL protest tune. ;)

Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

jiguma	jiguma said 1531 days ago (September 17th, 2005)
	Simonesque... Thanks for the listen and comments Joe H - much appreciated. I know what you mean about more variation in the lyrics and music. The music variations I can do, but vocally I have my limits. Unfortunately it's not understatement, just being realistic. Thanks again for dropping by Joe, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

snowdragon	snowdragon said 1531 days ago (September 17th, 2005)
	Dude You're a one-man rhythm section. And that bassline does raise the bar. This struck me as one of those unique tunes that could be cut down for commercial radio play with the full version available on CD and alternative stations. Excellent tune. Check out my latest song called The Wolf 7

jiguma

jiguma said 1531 days ago (September 17th, 2005)

Dude
Thanks for stopping to listen and leave a note Snow. I spent 99.9% of my
band time as a part of the rhythm section, so I guess that's why I look at the
rhythms as much as the melodic side of things. As I've said on other posts,
it's got a lot to do with playing 12 string by myself for so many years. Can I
assume that the vox are out front enough now snow?
Cheers,Neil

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

jiguma	jiguma said 1531 days ago (September 17th, 2005)
	Dude And by the way . . . . . . .Thank you ever-so-much from the bottom of my heart. Your insightful and brilliant observations completely made my day. : ) Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

snowdragon	snowdragon said 1531 days ago (September 17th, 2005)
	Dude lol. You're welcome and the vocals are fine. --- When philosophy and reality collide, reality wins Check out my latest song called The Wolf 7

Macaudion

Macaudion said 1531 days ago (September 17th, 2005)

Strikingly Jiguma
It is you, Jiguma. I can tell by the groovy dust trails in the
air, in and around my speakers...

A timely, message carried along by another stellar
arrangement. You know, I'm consciously trying to get
through this comment without associating this piece with
the phrase, 'deeply cool'..., but no matter what I do, what
is true, shall remain so regardless of my efforts...

So, congradulations again! This is another fine piece that
you've put together. Everything is 'right', and there just
aren't enough words for what right, is...

Dion/Cyd

Check out my latest song called 123 iGetU

jiguma

jiguma said 1531 days ago (September 17th, 2005)

Strikingly Jiguma
Dion, thanks for the positive feedback. Getting your comments is something
I always look forward to - it's so good to hear that someone out there likes
what I do (and I'm having so much fun doing it!).
Glad the magic dust is getting through on the mp3s!!
Thansk for dropping by and commenting. I have 2 in the pipeline which are a
bit different. Coming soon (I hope!).
Cheers,
Neil

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

bug67	bug67 said 1531 days ago (September 17th, 2005)
	Great! I liked this a lot. Very infectious groove goin' on. Check out my latest song called Follow the Bouncing Bear With the Kazoo Blues in E (MJRF)

jiguma	jiguma said 1531 days ago (September 17th, 2005)
	Great! Thanks for listening bug! Cheers, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

bug67	bug67 said 1531 days ago (September 17th, 2005)
	Great! I liked this a lot. Very infectious groove goin' on. Check out my latest song called Follow the Bouncing Bear With the Kazoo Blues in E (MJRF)

Mystified	Mystified said 1530 days ago (September 18th, 2005)
	Excellent groove... going on (as bug said!). Really nice use of percussion, too, along with the rhythmic elements. You sound, from replies in your posts, that you are a bit tentative regarding your voice, but you needn't be! Nice vocal work here. Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

jiguma	jiguma said 1528 days ago (September 20th, 2005)
	Excellent groove... Thanks Mysti, Glad you liked it. I've never really thought of myself as a singer until I started at MacJams, so haven't had much confidence - comments like yours certainly help! Thanks for the liten and the vote of confidence! Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

caroline	caroline said 1530 days ago (September 18th, 2005)
	how many times must a man look up?? we're still singing the same protests - thank goodness people like you are!! i look forward to a day when we can raise our voices in praise of our leaders!!! hmmmm?? until then, one love and thank you x Check out my latest song called clink that link mjrf

jiguma	jiguma said 1528 days ago (September 20th, 2005)
	how many times must a man look up?? It's been a long time since I looked up at our leaders - although we had a very tall Prime Minister once . . . . . . ! Thanks for listeniong, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

PelicanSky	PelicanSky said 1530 days ago (September 18th, 2005)
	Very good Very good & very different. i love the lyrics too i can relate to them because i feel the sameway. I Really enjoyed this song, it has every important instrument going and the drums are very good. quality is good too Check out my latest song called Take A Deep breathe, This Is The End

jiguma	jiguma said 1530 days ago (September 18th, 2005)
	Very good Thanks for listening PelicanSky and for commenting. Glad you liked it and that you share the feelings. Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

FEEL	FEEL said 1530 days ago (September 18th, 2005)
	Love the Acoustics Nice sounding song...easy going and I dig the groove. I like the way your acoustic guitar sounds with the calypso type beat. Very well done. Glad I dropped by. Check out my latest song called Pigs Fly

jiguma	jiguma said 1530 days ago (September 18th, 2005)
	Love the Acoustics Thanks for listening - I really enjoyed your latest also. Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

mandolinquent	mandolinquent said 1530 days ago (September 18th, 2005)
	What a great feel... Really locked down. Really lovely groove. Sort of JJ Cale- ish, but with this simmering anger. Check out my latest song called Had We But World Enough

jiguma	jiguma said 1530 days ago (September 18th, 2005)
	What a great feel... Hmmm . . . JJ Cale-ish sounds quite a compliment William. Thanks, glad you liked it. Must go back and dust off my JJ album for a listen. Cheers, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

jiguma	jiguma said 1530 days ago (September 18th, 2005)
	What a great feel... Simmering rage more like it - with generous lahings of incredulity! Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Rebsie

Rebsie said 1529 days ago (September 19th, 2005)

Excellent ...
Wonderful song, gorgeous lush sound. Your voice blends
into it beautifully.

Although we live on opposite sides of the planet you know
I share your anger at what's been happening in America.
How that idiot can convince so many people that terrorism
is the big threat and ignore the real dangers is something
I find incomprehensible. But I suppose while he's keeping
his people terrified he's keeping them servile.

Anyway ... I shouldn't be ranting on your songpage!
Musically this is excellent. I love it.

Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

jiguma	jiguma said 1529 days ago (September 19th, 2005)
	Excellent ... Rant as much as you like Rebsie. We are stuck with John Howard - a Bush lap dog if ever there was one! Thanks for the comment - appreciate your having a listen. Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 1529 days ago (September 19th, 2005)

Dancing down under
I really dig the groove. The whole feel has hip lightness,
dances along without become relentless, makes you want to
move. The vocals are the one thing that could be improved,
altho they do fit the idea of you just walking up or it being
the end of a long, long day, but they are perhaps too loose
and in a slightly different space (effects-wise) than the
accompaniment. The vocals make it sound like a demo, but
the rest is nearly alternative radio ready. I dig your
harmonies. Actually, I really dig the whole feel. Nice track.
Definitely my favorite of yours so far.

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

jiguma	jiguma said 1529 days ago (September 19th, 2005)
	Dancing down under Thanks Tobin, I really appreciate your honest and helpful comment - as usual. The more times I listen to the song, the more aware I am of some areas for vocal improvement. Maybe this is another one where a remix is called for - makes about 5 now I reckon! Cheers, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

stevel	stevel said 1528 days ago (September 20th, 2005)
	Great song Kinda reminds me of Crosby Stills and Nash with those harmonies going on. Distinctive guitar work too. Nice Steve Check out my latest song called Electricity

jiguma	jiguma said 1528 days ago (September 20th, 2005)
	Great song Thanks for dropping by and leaving a note Steve - much appreciated. I was planning for this to be a strat solo, but I wanted to get it up straight away and did the keyboard thing instead. Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

ka-klick

ka-klick said 1527 days ago (September 21st, 2005)

Great groove
great hook. Love the sentiment - I think we're on the
same train here. I'll jump on the wagon with Tobin here, I
agree the rhythm section absolutely rocks, and I wouldn't
change a thing. I would look back at the vocals a bit, I
think the lead is fine, the harmonies have some issues
here and there, they may be fixable w/ pitch correction,
but watch out - don't over do it or wind up sounding like
Cher. You might also benefit by bringing in a different
person to handle the harmonies. My wife likes to call the
effect (on my songs) "too many Bryans". I think his
comment about the vox being in a different "space" are
worth thinking about too. This song is well worth a bit
more tweeking.

Check out my latest song called Big Bad World - Live 1-16-2009 plus - MJRF

jiguma	jiguma said 1527 days ago (September 21st, 2005)
	Great groove Thanks Bryan, I'm already looking at a remix of this. The vox issues need a tweak for sure - maybe even taking out the harmonies in places. I like the "too many Bryans" idea! lol Cheers, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Myshkin

Myshkin said 1520 days ago (September 28th, 2005)

Timely!
I was only thinking the other day how there's very few protest songs in any of the charts. I think something like this could cut through. Like you, Neil, I am dismayed with the path Little Johnny has dragged us down. I am constantly amazed also how people don't see it. I've often thought that music could get that message across. I can't see Delta or 'Our Kylie' doing it though...
Great production on this. I would have liked to hear a 'big chorus' to push the song to another level. It's a very long song, which I like, but I think it needs a break or a change somewhere. That's just me though - I'm a bit of a pop head. Well done!

Check out my latest song called Iceland

jiguma	jiguma said 1506 days ago (October 12th, 2005)
	Timely! Thanks for the comment Myshkin. Maybe I could have a chat to Kylie about her doing a cover!!! Glad you liked it. Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

rtcooper

rtcooper said 1506 days ago (October 12th, 2005)

Damn Labels!
And I don't even read. I'm really glad I found this, but INDIE ROCK -
send help.

What a Fine "Hand" and feel the Fabric of this piece has. Woven by the
impecable balance of the intricate elements; each clear and close but
still having enough room in the overall Landscape (or Soundscape,
antq.) [Especially Lux in Tunes on my system (Download)]. Stephen
Stills (favorable) could learn a bit about the strength of
understatement, here.

There is a fine drive and groove throughout from which the
unexpected highlights emerge (e.g., organ appearances, percussion
sidelights) and delight.

The lyric is poignant, timely and the more alarming due to its calm
delivery.

Pro Production Values. Pro Level throughout, actually.

Really glad to find this one.

Regards,
Cooper

Check out my latest song called Intimate Anyway

jiguma

jiguma said 1506 days ago (October 12th, 2005)

Damn Labels!
Wow Cooper, thanks for the wrap! The label thing is something I struggle with - I know its not Indie, but when I tagged songs as "adult/soft rock" people seemed to ignore me a bit. On the other hand, some who used to regularly leave comments before(my "soft rock" phase) have stopped doing so since I changed over - life is strange!!
I have a new version of this coming out soon with Stevel on stratocaster and a lot of the vocal glitches fixed - I'll put it up as something else next time - look our for "Danger Signs - remix" in the next week or so.
Really appreciated you dropping by this one - you might also like my latest - "Homeland Insecurity" - another politically motivated song.
Cheers,
Neil

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

rtcooper	rtcooper said 1501 days ago (October 17th, 2005)
	Damn Labels! Count On It, Brother - I'm all ears. For "Damn Labels", this is way too good for the "Adult/Soft" thing, a label that scares me: images of Hendrix on the elevator Muzak track in the Bank downtown. I think more may find you under this Damn Label. Best, Cooper Check out my latest song called Intimate Anyway

Fan List

Artist Info

Name: Neil Porter

My old bio page looked pretty out of date, so it’s time for a new one: For the full story, see my interview in the MacJammer Blog "The Jiguma Is Up" by Tobin Mueller. I started to learn guitar when I was about 10 – but didn’t last long be... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

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