Action Man

racerat

Genre: Rock

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Description

When I was walking in the park I came across a discarded Mr. Incredible, a toy from the movie "The Incredibles". He was caked in dirt and a little scuffed up, but I dug him. I took him home and he became one of my living room mascots. He has a symbolic value to me. When I have a rotten day, I can look to him and feel like, even though I am caked in dirt and a little scuffed, in my own way I am still kind-of incredible, in my puny kind of way.

I recorded this song in about an hour and a half. The vocal is the first shot, as well as the guitars. Sounds like it a bit, but that's OK. I've been in a dry spot and had to break out. Sometimes direct is best. Just post it and move on.

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Lyrics

Action Man
Philip VanDusen ©2007
aka: racerat

Action Man
Imprisoned on the shelf
Righteous altered ego
Mirror image of myself

I try to do the right thing
Fly as fast as lightning
Get out and do my duty
In my puny kind of way

Action Man
Flying like a hero
I’m your biggest fan
But you know I’m just a zero

I am no comparison
To your model of perfection
Bubble-moulded and inspected
Pride of my collection

If I could fly, I’d rise above
And rescue all the ones I love
My plastic man is who I’d turn to
Everyone needs a hero

Action Man
Impervious to pain
In my dreams, I dream that I
Am wrapped in cellophane.

Song Stats

Hits: 2333
Comments: 30
Fans: 13
Plays: 314
Downloads: 94
Votes: 11
Uploaded: Mar 26, 2007 - 11:28:52 PM
Last Updated: Mar 26, 2007 - 11:28:52 PM Last Played: Nov 10, 2009 - 06:11:11 AM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Keywords:

Incredible (1), hero (11), plastic man (1), flying (20), action (16), zero (5), puny (2), duty (1), pain (72), dreams (81), cellophane (2), bubble moulded (1), collection (4), perfection (3), ego (5)

Hardware:

Fender Strat
Rode NT 2000 mic
Digitech Genesis 3 guitar modeler
Boss Dr-880 Dru Machine
Garageband percussion loops

Software:

Logic Pro 7

Comments

perceptualvortex	perceptualvortex said 971 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Mr. Incredible rocks So does this song. I like those chunky riffs. If you develop this tune, it couldn't hurt to break up the rhythm with sections that have very different accent patterns. This would be a crowd pleaser live. Check out my latest song called Machine Man (w Beastie Boys)

racerat

racerat said 970 days ago (March 27th, 2007)

alas
Alas, that is the problem, is it not? Spend the time making an interesting and varied drum track, or just take a pattern, make a loop and go. I am always torn. Yeah the guitar sound is from the Genesis 3 a discontinued amp modeler from Digiteck that was deemed un-roadworthy because of it cheapo plastic construction, but for the studio it is great. You choose 2 amp heads and 2 cabinets and you can "warp" between them--zillions of variations.

---
-Philip

Check out my latest song called Frank's Song

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 971 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	i like candy i mean action man. like the chuggy action guitar, rough and ready wear stand through it all. nice immediantcy in this song Philip, Check out my latest song called November

RacerX	RacerX said 971 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	Hot ...fast this is really cool. great bridge. lots of energy. I like what you have here. I think this is well worth developing. unique concept. I don't think I'v e ever heard an action figure song before. And..anyone with the word 'race' in their name has gotta be cool Check out my latest song called Fall Down King (Mcboy/RCAndrews)

racerat	racerat said 970 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	X And anyone with X in their name has got to be cool, too. Thanks for listening. 'toons unite! --- -Philip Check out my latest song called Frank's Song

	said 971 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	This is Way Cool Even if you update this, I'm keeping the 'demo version'.

racerat	racerat said 970 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	demo Thanks Mungo. I started out posting such polished stuff, I have been hesitant to put out the rougher song "ideas" and experiments. Thanks for the support. More to come. --- -Philip Check out my latest song called Frank's Song

mikkinylund	mikkinylund said 971 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	Hey No offense, but this has a lot of early Judas Priest to it, all said on a positive way! The vocal is great!!! I also love how you bring aboard the Aboriginal solo, very different! /Mikki Check out my latest song called Fairyland (Satumaa)

racerat	racerat said 970 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	organism Hey Mikki, Actually Garageband lists that sound I think you are referring to as "southern rock organ". But I see what you mean, it does have a decidely Aboriginal digereedoo (sp!) sound to it. --- -Philip Check out my latest song called Frank's Song

dolby	dolby said 865 days ago (July 11th, 2007)
	Excellent! I've got a half finished song about Australia that's crying out for a digeridoo! Now I have one:-)) --- Same Same, But Different Check out my latest song called You Can't Win Them All

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 970 days ago (March 27th, 2007)

I love the rhythm guitar...
...that's almost lead guitar in this... Really am enjoying hearing that go by...

I think, if you're having a dry spell, you need to contact Edna. Have her design you a new suit. And NO CAPE. I really shouldn't have to tell you that...

I hear a little sort of INXS... and, crazily, a bit of melody from the middle of Rocky Horror...

The more I'm thinking about it, the more I think that all MacJammers need to have a costume/suit. And then we all need to replace our icons with pictures of action figures modeled on us...

Really strong lyric, too...

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

racerat

racerat said 970 days ago (March 27th, 2007)

oh the horror....
Well, having seen the Ricky Horror Picture Show about 80 times as a wee teen stoned out of my little face, I am not surprised that something got imprinted on my brain that was one day going to rise to the surface. Better here than at work.

I love the costume idea. Fun fact: If you ever want a real kick, check out The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. from the 70's. The guitarist dressed as a harlequin and spauned countless Kisses and Coopers, the bassist wore huge platforms and stood in a pre-Gene Simmons stance, and Alice Cooper stole his entirer schitck from Alex Harvey, dirty back alley rock opera. These guys were the first to do any of that stuff, but they were from Ireland or Scotland--so noone here ever heard of them.....

Plus the band just kicks A$$ anyway. Check out the song "Faith Healer"

---
-Philip

Check out my latest song called Frank's Song

	said 970 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	This It just welped up feelings of losing my way for a minute or 2 then the wife polks her head in to tell you about the dog but you say not untill the song is finished and shes says now I know your stoned

racerat	racerat said 970 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	uh. uh, ok. what you said. --- -Philip Check out my latest song called Frank's Song

	said 970 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	Listen its Just great

ktb	ktb said 970 days ago (March 28th, 2007)
	best 90 minutes of your day. You can hear the spontaneity and energy just steam off this track. Nice funky, driving rythym section. Vocals cook. Good find Check out my latest song called off the deck (w/Z293)

racerat	racerat said 968 days ago (March 30th, 2007)
	90 minutes Thanks Karma, Probably the best 90 minutes I spent all week actually. Sometimes it feels good to just bang one out and not care too much about production values, overdubs, comping, etc., etc. Appreciated..... --- -Philip Check out my latest song called Frank's Song

paddler	paddler said 967 days ago (March 31st, 2007)
	COLOURFUL An excellent comic book feature toon! Love that didgeriedoo type noise near the end - very funky.I didn't have an action man - but I had a big tank think he was supposed to drive.Your guitar artistry is paramount! Check out my latest song called Tiger Flame (Halloween Challenge)

said 965 days ago (April 2nd, 2007)

Superhero tunes!
I remember watching Sat morn toons when I was a kid... goofy cheezy superhero junk like The Impossibles (Coilman? What kind of a frikkin' hero is that?), The Mighty Heroes (Diaperman, Cuckooman...??? WTF ???), Birdman (at least he grew up and went to law school...) What a great era.

I'm a sucker for any song about superheroes, lead guitars where the guitarist is clearly having fun, odd rhythmic touches here and there, trains, ducks, spaceships and Rueben sandwiches. You got the first three, and delivered with a what-the-hell-here-it-is energy that really kicks. Rock on, heroes.

bud	bud said 958 days ago (April 9th, 2007)
	Insistent and pulsing nice bass playing - and strong guitars. The lyrics are cool and your delivery is spot on. I could have heard a bigger breakout on the lead, or more of a bridge to mix it/punch it up a bit. Check out my latest song called eye for you (w/particledots and michael2)

Leon

Leon said 949 days ago (April 18th, 2007)

superman
Although you've had other rock songs that were more high-energy, this song brings out the clarity and strength of your voice more. Your superb vocals and powerful instrumental play really support each other, really tight and cohesive in its entirety.

Also, I truly like the message of the song. Maybe I should learn from this song. I need that attitude to overcome the challenges and insults of life, and there are plenty.

I'll be lifting weights in the gym listening to this in my ipod, and I'm gonna kick some.. uh.. ok not that much attitude I hope.

Check out my latest song called The Nightingale (music and lyrics by Oceans)

craft	craft said 938 days ago (April 29th, 2007)
	Great Philip Dig this happy song of yours... Well done my friend.. Check out my latest song called Blue Lights (feat. Spleenveil)

timothy devine	timothy devine said 895 days ago (June 11th, 2007)
	hey phil At some points I thought Bowie was singing...like something from 'Honky Dory' I really dig the chordal guitar solo, i could have used more of that in the mix, mabe as a long fade......... (my way of complementing you playing) cool tune thanks for stopping by and checking out my stuff nice work(I'll b back) Check out my latest song called Mankind Needs a Change/WoodstockII

racerat	racerat said 894 days ago (June 11th, 2007)
	Bowie Well there is a first time for everything! Never heard the Bowie thing before. I'm pleased, but also a little shocked.... Thanks so much for saying so. I think Echoroom is probably the most spot-on Bowie set of pipes on this site. I love his stuff. Thanks for taking the time to listen to a older cut Tim. --- -Philip Check out my latest song called Frank's Song

	said 815 days ago (August 30th, 2007)
	I liked it. Great vibe. The high end was almost... irritating at times (freq-wise). make sure you're taking a good LONG break before mixing (1 hour ) and check it on a few different systems (your car, home stereo etc). Nice job.

racerat	racerat said 676 days ago (January 15th, 2008)
	Freq Thx for the suggestion Rob. Yeah I think you are right. I pushed the limits on EQ on this one. The sibilance in the vox is a bit shrill. I appreciate the honest most of all. Many times there is just too much sunshine around here. Well received. Thx-P Check out my latest song called Frank's Song

FGarofalo	FGarofalo said 773 days ago (October 10th, 2007)
	It's true, as soon as I heard the first line I thought Bowie. Which is cool. Very cool guitar in this song. Frank. Check out my latest song called Chosen Few

BallisticTurtle	BallisticTurtle said 678 days ago (January 14th, 2008)
	x This song makes me groovy in the pants area. Excuse me while i bust some moves. Check out my latest song called 8Bit

racerat	racerat said 676 days ago (January 15th, 2008)
	Ball-istic Thx Nick for the comment...it's got to one of the best I've ever received! LOL P Check out my latest song called Frank's Song

Slashh!	Slashh! said 445 days ago (September 2nd, 2008)
	Damn! That riff and that guitar tone is no joke! Love it!! Slashh!! Check out my latest song called An Echo Never Lies (LIOLI 9 Entry)

Fan List

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Artist Info

Name: Philip VanDusen

I went to school for the fine arts, painting, and taught that for a while, but I am now a graphic design executive by day, and a musician most the rest of the time. I play guitar and bass mostly, do midi synth stuff, use drum machine... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

More songs in Rock:

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