Video shoot pix by Emily Raw.
Fun-a-Day Song #13:
Walk Like A Girl
my mother knew
that there was something
different about her sissy boy
every night I prayed
that I would wake up the next day
and be a woman
I dreamed I was a goddess
of the silver screen
and I designed the dresses I’d wear
later when my boobs came in
but you walk like a girl
is what they’d tell me
you walk like a girl
boy wake up and smell the coffee
you walk like a girl
raised by girls like a little pet monkey
you walk like a girl
I planned my exit
I’d walk out the door
I’d walk out in my high-heeled shoes
I’d start a new life
where no one could find me
and I’d wear whatever dress I choose
but you walk like a girl
is what they’d tell me
you walk like a girl
boy wake up and smell the coffee
you walk like a girl
raised by girls like a little pet monkey
you walk like a girl
years have passed
and now I’m in the city
where I learned to be a star
my parents and my sisters
must admit they find it all
a bit bizarre
my hair is long and blond
as I walk down the street
I never did decide
what kind of person I should be
but now they say
you walk like a girl
no I mean it really
you walk like a girl
and girl you look so pretty
you walk like a girl
you know it makes me feel giddy
you walk like a girl
This song was inspired by Justin Vivian Bond’s memoir, Tango, as an assignment for the Bushwick Book Club, and performed live at the BGSQD bookstore on Feb 28, 2013. More songs from that show are here.
Fun-a-Day Song #12:
Days End
Days end
Time is swift cascading sand
Join hands
Makes me want to make plans
Breaks mend
Spread out to my wingspan
Wasteland
Blooming do you understand
It’s a miracle
We’re here at all
Reeds bend
Darling when the wind blows in
Till then
Will you be my best friend
It’s a miracle
We’re here at all
Days end
Till then
Join hands
Will you be my best friend
I’ve been trying to write songs that say something with fewer words. The piano intro is courtesy of my cat jumping on the keyboard right as I started recording.
Fun-a-Day Song #11:
Wind and the Water
Wind and the Water (Feb 1)
Finally getting around to posting the song I started on February 1st. I was stuck on melody and lyrics, but luckily Ellia from Sweet Soubrette came to the rescue.
What did I know
I was a fool
Wanted the world
But I lost you
Now I am older
I can see the truth
I’m so much wiser now
Can I come home to you
Wind and the water
Sun and the moon
Wrap up this whole wide world
And give it to you
Now I am older
I can see the truth
I’m so much wiser now
Can I come home to you
This was the second song for which Phil wrote the music and then I wrote the lyrics and melody. It’s working backwards this way for me since I usually write lyrics/melody first and then construct the rest of a song around that, so it was interesting to listen to the pattern of layered banjo parts Phil had built until I could hear a melody, then coming up with lyrics that would fit. He picked the title.
Charming Disaster presents a love song about a paranormal paramour…
Fun-a-Day Song #10:
Can I Be Enough
Can I Be Enough (Feb 8th)
A collaboration with Ellia Bisker of Sweet Soubrette. Classical guitar, acoustic bass and trumpet.
I will be your safety
I will hold your hand
If you need me baby
I’ll do what I can
I will treat you gently
Unless you need it rough
Can you be content with me
Can I be enough
If you need me baby
I’ll do what I can
I will be your safety
I will hold your hand
Phil wrote the music and then I wrote the lyrics to this one. For those of you keeping score back home (i.e., none of you), that means we both get credit for our song-a day projects.
Fun-A-Day Song #9:
Grifters
My mama always said
You can’t cheat an honest man (can’t con a con)
It’s not a lie my love if they believe you (it’s not a lie it could be true)
So tell them anything dear (just tell them what they want to hear)
And wrap them round your finger
And take them for what they’ve got before they leave you
I used to be a gambler
But the odds were never good (not in my favor)
My lucky stars were never my best feature (I rely upon my charm)
So I cut it out with cards (and dice and betting at the races)
I was working much too hard
I was born to live a life of leisure
Let’s take this sleepy town by storm
And when the sheep have all been shorn
We’ll be gone just like the gentle breeze of yesterday
With your skills and my good looks
Those fish’ll be begging for the hook
Reeled in by our seductive serenade
The Bible says god’s creatures
All look out for number one (it’s human nature)
This golden rule has been my bread and butter (what you do, do unto others)
You may plan to double cross me (slip a dagger in in the back)
But I’m sticking with this horse
If the con is long enough it doesn’t matter
I go by many names dear
And some call me a snake (bastard cheat and saint)
To others I’m the closest of their friends (I keep my enemies much closer)
When they ask about my living (exactly what is it you do)
I give them no misgiving
Cause what I trade in is their confidence
Since we met I don’t know if I’ve fallen for you baby
Or if you’ve set me up to take the fall
Love is just another con
A fairy tale to lead them on
But together baby maybe we could love them all
This one is a co-write with Jeff Morris, my songwriting partner in Charming Disaster. That’s him on guitar and vocals as well.
Fun-a-Day Song #8:
Better
Better out than in
Better you than me
Better or for worse
I think you’d better take a seat
There’s nothing better
Than the taste of bittersweet
Better to burn out
Better to be feared
Better to have loved and lost
Better be a hero
Yeah nothing’s better
Than the bottom dear
Better learn your lesson
Better play it cool
Better test the waters
Better admit you’re a fool
Better off without it
But that doesn’t make an empty bottle full
Better beg forgiveness
Better make amends
Better be the better person
Better off as friends
There’s nothing better than a battle when it ends
vocals, ukulele, harmonica: Ellia Bisker
bass, tambourine, harmonica: Phil Andrews
Fun-a-Day Song #7:
Ouija
Here are your instructions
First think of a question
If the pointer’s missing
A wineglass can fill in
Light as a feather
Feel it slide across the board
Is it just a game
Or a mysterious force
The spirits enter yes/no alphabetical
Hungry for contact as half-starved stray cats
Wary but they wanna twine round your ankles
And press against the glass
It’s only Parker Brothers magic
But it seems to work
Spill your little secrets
Like letters in a book
Spelling out the future
They can’t give you proof
But if you just let them work through you
They will speak the truth
Allow your hands to slacken
Let go your motor function
You’re an aperture an open door
You are just the passenger
If I miss the party
Don’t wait for me to show
You should start without me
I’ll send a message home
instruments: ukulele, vocals, egg shaker, tambourine, keyboard, and a fortuitous siren outside. inspirations: “concrete schoolyard” by jurassic 5, “URAQT” by MIA, “love will tear us apart” by joy division, stories by kelly link
