Doing The Eggshell Walk (version 1)

jiguma

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Description

Another week of new Australian anti-terrorism laws, new Industrial Relations laws, raids and arrests of alleged terrorists in Sydney and Melbourne, riots in France. The thing is, I suspect our governments (like the terrorists) have a big stake in making us all nervous. Doing the Eggshell Walk seems to be a part of life these days - or perhaps its just my paranoia!

Don't forget to dance in the refrain and sing along to the chorus!!

Guitars, bass, drums.

Song art: Walking on Eggshells by Kath Kornelsen Rutherford

PLAY IT VERY VERY LOUD (and keep an eye out for strange men lurking on the street).!

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Lyrics

Doing The Eggshell Walk
© 11/2005 Neil Porter

We lie awake at daybreak
And you ask me how the world gets on outside
Another shattered marketplace
Another scattered day of broken lives

Chorus
I’m scared to turn the news on
In the morning
Don’t know what might happen
In my sleep
They’ve got you and me
Doing the Eggshell Walk
Doesn’t seem like
Freedom much to me

Streets of Paris burning
Someone else’s city, could be yours
A signal of frustration
With the growing gap dividing rich and poor

Chorus
I’m scared to turn the news on
In the morning
Don’t know what might happen
In my sleep
They’ve got you and me
Doing the Eggshell Walk
Doesn’t seem like
Freedom much to me

They send ‘em home in body bags
2000 already, there’ll be more
We don’t count the other side
30,000 people, that’s the score

Chorus
Getting scared to wake up
In the morning
Anything could happen
In your sleep
They’ve got you and me
Doing the Eggshell Walk
Doesn’t seem like
Freedom much to me

Refrain
You put one foot forward
And you look around
You shade your eyes
And you test the ground
You jump at shadows
And you shy at sounds
If you wonder why you’re dancing
You’re doing the Eggshell Walk

Chorus
Starting to get angry
In the morning
Starting to have nightmares
In my sleep
They’ve got you and me
Doing the Eggshell Walk
Seems like an unholy mess to me

SEDITION
TERRORIST
SHOOT TO KILL
DETENTION CENTRE

Let’s think about it!

BALI
IRAQ
SUICIDE BOMBER
XENOPHOBIA

Just think about it

Song Stats

Hits: 2573
Comments: 36
Fans: 8
Plays: 316
Downloads: 138
Votes: 16
Uploaded: Nov 10, 2005 - 08:23:23 AM
Last Updated: Apr 19, 2007 - 11:44:36 PM Last Played: Nov 04, 2009 - 12:36:56 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs

Song Actions

Keywords:

politics (35), guitars (60), xenophobia (1), paranoia (7)

Hardware:

Seagull S6 Acoustic
71 Fender Precision Bass
Shure DM1000D mic
Behringer UB802 preamp/mixer
G4 iMac

Software:

Comments

Macaudion

Macaudion said 1474 days ago (November 10th, 2005)

Wow! is the word
Ah, yea... Neil, I see and hear that you're trying to break the pot by
betting JEWELS now...

Some powerful stuff here! It again has made it's way to my heart - All
of your music seems to wanna head there and I am gathering, that it is
because it's definitely being played from yours ...

Great job of emoting - Great job of conceptualizing and then executing
musically, an all too familiar 'scene'...

I love how this one grooves.

Danm! - You're good

Dion

Check out my latest song called 123 iGetU

jiguma

jiguma said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)

Wow! is the word
Hey Dion,
Thanks for the comment. I'm afraid there could have been any number of
verses about any number of bits of the world we're living in this year! And I
had a list of over 20 words for the ending. Things are grim, so what better
than a dance tune?
I'm afraid this one lost quite a bit of punch in translation from GB to iTunes -
I'll be putting up a more crunchy version soon.
Thanks for dropping by - jewels eh :)
Neil

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

Macaudion	Macaudion said 1471 days ago (November 13th, 2005)
	Wow! is the word Yes, and PHAT Jewels too! Hadda come back for another listen. Yeah, dats how good it is... Plus, I wanted to knab a copy of this pic. I forgot to tell you, it's pretty damn cool too. Again, thanks for sharing Neil. Yep, this one is definitely a gem! Dion Check out my latest song called 123 iGetU

thetiler	thetiler said 1474 days ago (November 10th, 2005)
	very powerful words. Thanks for expressing, cause it sure is effecting tons of people all over the world if not most. Hope your safe from them, so we have mjers to exress emotional hurt that these terrorist have caused. Thanks for sharing Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

jiguma	jiguma said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)
	very powerful Thanks for listening Bill. There sure is a lot of scary stuff going on! Cheers, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Jim Bouchard

Jim Bouchard said 1474 days ago (November 10th, 2005)

xenophobia!
That's the word I was trying to think of the other day! And now you've used it in a song!
Musicwise this reminds me a lot of early Genesis and the like, which is a good thing.
Lyrically it's difficult to do this type of thing without getting too preachy, but you manage to walk the line pretty well. I don't listen to news radio in the morning to wake up either. I used to listen to NPR but it got to be too much.

Check out my latest song called Weather or Not w/awigze

jiguma	jiguma said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)
	xenophobia! Thanks Jim - early Genesis is a comparison I'm happy with (it kind of has that Gabriel strut I guess). Xenophobia seems to be what's driving a lot of the bad stuff out there at the moment - all that we can do is try to remove it from our own attitude and hope others follow. Things can hopefully get better. Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

snowdragon	snowdragon said 1473 days ago (November 10th, 2005)
	Incredible chorus JG, It's gonna stay with me awhile. Check out my latest song called The Wolf 7

jiguma	jiguma said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)
	Incredible chorus Cheers Craig, But is the vocal loud enough? Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

jgurner

jgurner said 1473 days ago (November 10th, 2005)

I was waiting...
...to hear your response to recent events. (I knew it would be coming.) A
darker tone than usual. There's a sinster edge here, which, of course, is
appropriate to the subject matter. This is almost a quick reference version
of our times, maybe to stuff away in a time capsule to be opened when
sanity returns to our different lands. You make some wonderful, heartfelt
and significant music, my friend. It's a pleasure to listen to, even when the
subject is as dark as this.

Check out my latest song called Bourbon Street Dawn

jiguma

jiguma said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)

I was waiting...
Hi Joseph, as I said in my reply to Dion, there are probably an unlimited
number of alternative verses for this song - I just picked a few that rhymed
well. I really appreciate the nice comments you made - I'll put a new, harder
hitting (musically - same vocals) version up in the next week or so - I am
having trouble with compression in GB (Its making changes that I don't know
how to compensate for).
Cheers,
Neil

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

jiguma	jiguma said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)
	I was waiting... I just discovered that if you crank the volume up (until that point just short of your ears starting to bleed) the original punch comes through. Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

screamalexz	screamalexz said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)
	nice i like your voice. it sounds like it was as you said more powerful before the translation to itunes, because it sounds rather soft. i'll listen to the new version when you get it up. great song writing. Check out my latest song called Die (Album Version)

jiguma	jiguma said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)
	nice Hi Chance, Thanks for stopping and making a comment. These are dark times! A belated welcome to MacJams. Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

caroline	caroline said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)
	we danced... the bear and i! someone in our house wakes up to the news on the radio - so every morning is scary! that's why the bear and i prefer to listen to pink and fluffy stuff but... we enjoyed passing through here too - thank you jiggy x Check out my latest song called clink that link mjrf

jiguma	jiguma said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)
	we danced... Thanks Caro, sorry to have run - cats herded! Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Mcboy	Mcboy said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)
	commentary of the times is an essential role of art....and u have done a great commentary here....important issues well crafted to songform...for me this is artistry of the noblest kind.....! Check out my latest song called Heros( aclarke/mcboy)

jiguma	jiguma said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)
	commentary Thanks Mcboy for the kind words. Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Tadashi Togawa	Tadashi Togawa said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)
	Does Paris burn? Mr.Neil, I cannot understand your lyrics and am regrettable. I want to feel your prudent word. But,In my English ability, it is very difficult. The composition is wonderful as usual. Check out my latest song called Mexican taste

jiguma

jiguma said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)

Does Paris burn?
Hi Tadashi! Thanks for the comments - the lyrics probably don't make sense
if you try to translate directly. "Walking on eggshells" is a phrase that means
"being unsure of", "being nervous about" or "being extra careful about"
something. It's about being scared of world events in this case - riots in
France, the Iraq invasion, and suicide bombers in particular. Not pleasant
subjects, but important ones. Glad you liked the tune. Cheers, Neil

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

ziti	ziti said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)
	just the title is almost good enough....but then ya get the song TOO?? this is great stuff...i agree with mcboy...noble...but great kick ass playing....the bass is rocking...i could hear a guitar solo in there.... great work jiguma d/l and in the iPod thank you! z Check out my latest song called All Smokey

jiguma	jiguma said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)
	just the title Thanks Fran. This started as a reflective acoustic song a week ago - then the monster got it! The tune started to rock when I let my thumb loose on the Seagull. Solo welcome any time - I didn't feel I could manage a suitable solo on my own on this. Peace. Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

jesushairdo	jesushairdo said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)
	favourite track hiya jiguma! this got to be my favourite track of yours by far. very original. well done! Check out my latest song called Elephant in the Sky (Orchestra version)

jiguma	jiguma said 1473 days ago (November 11th, 2005)
	favourite track "I'd like to thank jesus.........." whoops, sorry, thought I was getting an award! :) Thanks JH - appreciate your comment - yes its a bit different from my usual stuff - partly as a result of a challenge from Johnny Katchoolik on one of my previous songs. Glad you liked it. Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

jiguma	jiguma said 1472 days ago (November 11th, 2005)
	favourite track Just realised that this comment may have been in bad taste - sorry, definitely not meant to be offensive! Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

stevel	stevel said 1472 days ago (November 12th, 2005)
	Smouldering sense of anger Great track...the lyrics eloquently address the rising tide of fear and paranoia that is unfortunately enveloping our world! Maybe it is about time that people realised that creating an ever more repressive society actually means the terrorists have won. Thought provoking stuff Steve Check out my latest song called Electricity

jiguma	jiguma said 1472 days ago (November 12th, 2005)
	Smouldering sense of anger Thanks for listening Steve. It seems that every day the newspapers are getting darker and darker. Hard to believe our leaders have led us here - I'm sure the whole business could have been handled much better! Cheers, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

paulhenrys

paulhenrys said 1471 days ago (November 12th, 2005)

Very good song. A coupla nitpicks...
First of all, just let me say that, I like the song. It's going on my iPod.
This song has elements that remind me of both King Crimson and
XTC.I like the song, the topic. I have 2 criticisms, but looking at the
comments you've answered, maybe this is just redundant:

1. You mention in a reply above that this started out as "reflective
acoustic song". I love the direction you've taken with it, but it's just
shy of its groove. It needs to be faster.

2. I like your singing in general, but your deliver is too laid back for
this song. You said in another reply that you'll be posting a "crunchy"
version. Cool. I'm looking forward to it. Make sure when you retrack
the vocal it has the intensity this song demands. Check out "Scarecrow
People", XTC.

The lyric is really good. You have a way of being concise and yet
getting a lot across. The arrangement is tight, though a bit slow, no
gratuitous showing off, you're putting your effort into the best way of
presenting the song.

I also appreciate the fact that you credited the artwork. That's a great
idea.

Check out my latest song called Song for Mother's Day 2007

jiguma

jiguma said 1471 days ago (November 12th, 2005)

Very good song. A coupla nitpicks...
Hi Paul,
I really appreciate you taking the time to comment so helpfully. The speed of
the song is a bit up from the original pace - 83bpm at present, up from
around 78. I agree that a trial at around 85-87 is worth doing.
Vocally, if you have a listen to my previous songs, you'll hear that this is
already fairly aggressive by comparison! I'm about to buy a new mic which
I'm hoping will help me get the confidence to put more "snat" (as we say) into
the vox.
The new version has a stronger bass sound so far, and I'm hoping for a
serious guitar break from a fellow MJer.
Like I said, thanks for the critical review - that's how we learn!
Cheers, Neil

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

MissChaos

MissChaos said 1471 days ago (November 12th, 2005)

paranoia
Neil, this is really exceptional songwriting here. Slightly "The Whitlams"-
sounding... especially when you switch to spoken word toward the end.
The first few seconds were really captivating to me particulary because
your chord structure is really unpredictable. I like that. And once I began
to hear the repeated chords, I was floored by the lyrics! "You shade your
eyes; And you test the ground; You jump at shadows; And you shy at
sounds" That's brilliant. I'd like to hear a bit more dynamics in the
vocals, but I think I read up there that you plan on doing another mix of
this one. Applause to you for tackling this subject. Powerful.

Check out my latest song called Mama Cries - Album Version (MJRF)

jiguma

jiguma said 1471 days ago (November 13th, 2005)

paranoia
Thanks for listening Miss C! I suspect the closest I get to the Whitlams is the
Australian accent!! They are one of my favourite bands.
I like using odd chords - its how I write. I start with a random fingering
position then look for a second set of notes which work with it, and so on.
Not very scientific (a bit like Diceman really), but it seems to be working so
far. As I've said in posts on earlier songs, this singing thing is very new to me
(only started this year) - this is the first song where I've really tried for a
stronger sound - I am getting more confident, and will definitely give more
vocal dynamics a try on the remix (hopefully with a Rode NT3!).
Cheers, Neil

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

	said 1471 days ago (November 13th, 2005)
	different? well Neil, yeah, this is another cool song with interesting lyrics. Like your singing style on this one and the bass is cold. This was fun to listen to, you always have songs that I like, and I like your mellow sound. Sing doch mal was in Deutsch :) CheeRs

jiguma	jiguma said 1470 days ago (November 14th, 2005)
	different? Vielen Dank Johnny. Glad you dropped by for a listen. Sing auf deutsch? - mich? - vielleicht wann ich genug deutsch sprechen (und denken) können!! Bis nächstes mal, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

mandolinquent	mandolinquent said 1463 days ago (November 21st, 2005)
	Just because we're paranoid... Such a nice tense parnoid spikey guitar line, laid against that more seductive backing. Consistently inventive. Some of the changes are quite abrupt, especially at the end of that talking section, "If you wonder why you're dancing"... but then they work too. Check out my latest song called Had We But World Enough

jiguma	jiguma said 1463 days ago (November 21st, 2005)
	Just because we're paranoid... Thanks Mando - if you think this is tense and paranoid, wait till you hear it after ziti got to it!!!!!! Up soon. Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Warren Smith	Warren Smith said 1462 days ago (November 22nd, 2005)
	One element One element of your singing I hope you retain in the next version is the way you drag out those last syllables in the first two lines of the verses - I like that. Lots of good lines in these lyrics - it will be interesting to see where the next version takes you. Check out my latest song called Pushing and Pulling

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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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