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Ever had one of those times you and a buddy were reminiscing about your youth over a bottle of scotch one night, when simultaneously you both remember the first song you recorded together back when you were 18 years old, on a Tascam 4 track cassette? And then, just for kicks, you decide to re-record the song right then and there, drunk and sloppy? Yeah, that’s how this one went.
Pretentious and cheesy would be a good way to describe this “song,” which was the first song I ever wrote in my life, back in the early ’80’s. We used what we had: a Strat, a Boss chorus pedal, one drum stick, a newspaper, and an SM57. Can you imagine the horror show that produced?
“Why?” speaks to the negative effects of television on society at large, written from an 18 year old’s point of view. Lyrically, this song underscores both the idealism and drama that plagues teenagers everywhere. In short, they’re awful and I know it. I considered re-writing the lyrics, but what was the point, really? I mean, we were re-living our youth, right?
While I attempted to keep the vibe of the original, this version (recorded in 2000) has updated drums, added keyboards, and lots and lots of effects. I was definitely going for the Videodrome feel, if you know what I mean. I’d like to think my song writing has matured over the years, but this was a fun project for me, and so I thought I’d share.
All sound bytes were lawfully acquired for free at wavsource.com and freesound.org.
Corporal Beef: Roland V-session, M-audio workstation, voice
William: Guitar, Bass
What genre is this?
Pretentious and cheesy would be a good way to describe this “song,” which was the first song I ever wrote in my life, back in the early ’80’s. We used what we had: a Strat, a Boss chorus pedal, one drum stick, a newspaper, and an SM57. Can you imagine the horror show that produced?
“Why?” speaks to the negative effects of television on society at large, written from an 18 year old’s point of view. Lyrically, this song underscores both the idealism and drama that plagues teenagers everywhere. In short, they’re awful and I know it. I considered re-writing the lyrics, but what was the point, really? I mean, we were re-living our youth, right?
While I attempted to keep the vibe of the original, this version (recorded in 2000) has updated drums, added keyboards, and lots and lots of effects. I was definitely going for the Videodrome feel, if you know what I mean. I’d like to think my song writing has matured over the years, but this was a fun project for me, and so I thought I’d share.
All sound bytes were lawfully acquired for free at wavsource.com and freesound.org.
Corporal Beef: Roland V-session, M-audio workstation, voice
William: Guitar, Bass
What genre is this?
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Lyrics
Watching the box pulsate
Watching the mind evaporate
Eyes burn and hearts decaying, there’s no escape
Feeling the soul deteriorate
Now it’s got you, you’re in its power
Lies flow through fluorescent tubes and station towers
Running from nothingness, the electric wire
A twisted reality sets in, a must-see hour
Precious morals are erased
And a jaded reality replaced
The innocence of the human race
The consequences we shall face
Now the wasted product has come forth
Systematically destroying this mighty earth
Decency and honesty have no worth
De-evolution is here, bring on the worms!
Precious morals are erased
And a jaded reality replaced
The innocence of the human race
Watching the mind evaporate
Eyes burn and hearts decaying, there’s no escape
Feeling the soul deteriorate
Now it’s got you, you’re in its power
Lies flow through fluorescent tubes and station towers
Running from nothingness, the electric wire
A twisted reality sets in, a must-see hour
Precious morals are erased
And a jaded reality replaced
The innocence of the human race
The consequences we shall face
Now the wasted product has come forth
Systematically destroying this mighty earth
Decency and honesty have no worth
De-evolution is here, bring on the worms!
Precious morals are erased
And a jaded reality replaced
The innocence of the human race
michaeljayklein
I don't remember doing that exactly, but remember doing little multi-track vocal things on my little cheap teenage "stereo" (complete with 8-track player!) This was very cool--I particularly dug the mood created by the music in the back (would be a good one for a Dario Argento movie). The audio clips definitely give this a "Videodrome" flashback--good stuff here and fits the month of Halloween exceptionally well! Michael