Home Community Music Blog Old MJ More...      
Doing The Eggshell Walk (version 1) by jiguma [Email]
Genre: Acoustic Rock

Get Flash to see this player.


Having playback trouble, try the Quicktime player:

Attribution-NoDerivs
SONG STATS:
Hits: 2098
Comments: 36
Votes: 16
Plays: 312
Last Played: Jul 26, 2008 - 04:41:25 PM
Downloads: 101
Fans: 8
Uploaded: Nov 10, 2005 - 08:23:23 AM
Last Updated: Apr 19, 2007 - 11:44:36 PM
Fan List
Keywords:
politics (34), guitars (46), xenophobia (1), paranoia (7)
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).!

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



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

Software:
GB
You must be registered and logged-in to comment.

Wow! is the word &mdash 11/10/05 - 08:58:19 AM
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

[ Reply to This ]
Wow! is the word &mdash 11/11/05 - 12:09:03 AM
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

[ Reply to This ]
Wow! is the word &mdash 11/13/05 - 12:34:09 AM
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

[ Reply to This ]
very powerful &mdash 11/10/05 - 09:07:57 AM
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

[ Reply to This ]
very powerful &mdash 11/11/05 - 12:11:11 AM
Thanks for listening Bill. There sure is a lot of scary stuff going on!
Cheers,
Neil

[ Reply to This ]
xenophobia! &mdash 11/10/05 - 12:31:31 PM
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.

[ Reply to This ]
xenophobia! &mdash 11/11/05 - 12:16:22 AM
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

[ Reply to This ]
Incredible chorus &mdash 11/10/05 - 08:38:15 PM
JG, It's gonna stay with me awhile.

[ Reply to This ]
Incredible chorus &mdash 11/11/05 - 12:18:20 AM
Cheers Craig,
But is the vocal loud enough?
Neil

[ Reply to This ]
I was waiting... &mdash 11/10/05 - 08:40:10 PM
...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.

[ Reply to This ]
I was waiting... &mdash 11/11/05 - 01:35:27 AM
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

[ Reply to This ]
I was waiting... &mdash 11/11/05 - 04:01:00 AM
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


[ Reply to This ]
nice &mdash 11/11/05 - 12:15:12 AM
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.

[ Reply to This ]
nice &mdash 11/11/05 - 01:39:01 AM
Hi Chance,
Thanks for stopping and making a comment. These are dark times!
A belated welcome to MacJams.
Neil

[ Reply to This ]
we danced... &mdash 11/11/05 - 02:53:14 AM
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

[ Reply to This ]
we danced... &mdash 11/11/05 - 03:50:00 AM
Thanks Caro, sorry to have run - cats herded! Neil

[ Reply to This ]
commentary &mdash 11/11/05 - 06:34:38 AM
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.....!

[ Reply to This ]
commentary &mdash 11/11/05 - 02:41:31 PM
Thanks Mcboy for the kind words. Neil

[ Reply to This ]
Does Paris burn? &mdash 11/11/05 - 07:06:30 AM
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.

[ Reply to This ]
Does Paris burn? &mdash 11/11/05 - 04:04:26 PM
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

[ Reply to This ]
just the title &mdash 11/11/05 - 11:17:07 AM
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

[ Reply to This ]
just the title &mdash 11/11/05 - 02:49:07 PM
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

[ Reply to This ]
favourite track &mdash 11/11/05 - 01:34:56 PM
hiya jiguma!
this got to be my favourite track of yours by far.
very original. well done!

[ Reply to This ]
favourite track &mdash 11/11/05 - 03:52:13 PM
"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

[ Reply to This ]
favourite track &mdash 11/11/05 - 10:36:48 PM
Just realised that this comment may have been in bad taste - sorry, definitely
not meant to be offensive!

[ Reply to This ]
Smouldering sense of anger &mdash 11/12/05 - 03:32:39 AM
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

[ Reply to This ]
Smouldering sense of anger &mdash 11/12/05 - 04:06:25 AM
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

[ Reply to This ]
Very good song. A coupla nitpicks... &mdash 11/12/05 - 08:51:41 PM
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.

[ Reply to This ]
Very good song. A coupla nitpicks... &mdash 11/12/05 - 11:56:55 PM
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

[ Reply to This ]
paranoia &mdash 11/12/05 - 09:33:42 PM
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.

[ Reply to This ]
paranoia &mdash 11/13/05 - 12:35:43 AM
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

[ Reply to This ]
different? &mdash 11/13/05 - 11:39:44 AM
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


[ Reply to This ]
different? &mdash 11/14/05 - 12:09:08 AM
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

[ Reply to This ]
Just because we're paranoid... &mdash 11/21/05 - 06:38:49 AM
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.

[ Reply to This ]
Just because we're paranoid... &mdash 11/21/05 - 02:08:22 PM
Thanks Mando - if you think this is tense and paranoid, wait till you hear it
after ziti got to it!!!!!! Up soon.
Neil

[ Reply to This ]
One element &mdash 11/22/05 - 01:39:35 PM
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.

[ Reply to This ]
Copyright 2008 Simig Media, Inc.