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SpinTunes #7: Round 4

by Various Artists

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  • Streaming + Download

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1.
RC - Home 03:14
a lot of things can happen in 30 years none of it unhappens and it really caught me napping I have been away too long it would appear the town still has its name oh, but nothing seems the same where the weeds grow through the cracks and the stones do not remember me I guess you can't go back because home's not what it used to be it's all to be expected I suppose you take a look around all the old stuff looks worn down and the much more tattered flags still flap when the wind blows and the new stuff isn't new it's just the best that they can't do where the weeds grow through the cracks and the stones do not remember me I guess you can't go back because home's not what it used to be entropy's remorseless from your eyes to your divorces we start falling apart on the day that we're born that's the way it's gotta be where the weeds grow through the cracks and the stones have all forgotten me and you never can go back because home's not what it used to be
2.
Sitting at a lonely station Waiting for my validation Nothing here but miles of dusty road No one at the ticket window Leaving me alone in limbo Rusted sign that says to crawl But I don’t know that anyone will come Said her name was Julietta Thirteen hours ago I’d met her Sitting in a booth all by herself Whiskey led to conversation Flirting to infatuation Outside world, it fell away And there we stayed Until the sun came up Then she shed a tear, Said she didn’t like it here Asked if I could take her away Far away Then she kissed me on the cheek And told me of a place to meet her Somewhere we could buy our ticket out A lonely station in the desert Where I’d meet my Julietta In the air that promise hung Until she turned and slowly disappeared So I sit and wait Wonder if she’s running late Julietta, are you near? Nearly afternoon Wonder if she’s coming soon So I will keep on waiting here Sitting at a lonely station Waiting for my validation Nothing here but miles of dusty road No one at the ticket window Leaving me alone in limbo Rusted sign that says to crawl But I don’t know that anyone will come So I sit and wait Wonder if she’s running late Julietta, are you near? Nearly afternoon Wonder if she’s coming soon But I don’t know that anyone will come
3.
Welcome!! Enter!! Buy your tickets!! Marvel!! Wonder!! Be amazed!! Follies!! Foibles!! Utter lunacy!! Raving insanity! Mindless inanity! Rank inhumanity! And it’s all on display! Right this way! Step right up and bear witness To the curious plight of the Food-Lockers! . . . With fruits on the trees And roots in the ground And creatures to hunt, There is food all around. But these curious people Do something profound -- The Food-Lockers Lock it away! They say, “You cannot have food without paying! You need money in order to eat! So don’t be a slob! You must go get a job So you don’t end up begging For food on the street!” So the Food-Lockers go and get jobs And spend their entire lives working like slaves. And they don’t even see How they’re helping collude With the culture that tells them To lock up their food. They just blindly accept it, And crassly conclude That until they get put in their graves -- They have to make money! Then they have to spend money! Then they need some more money! ‘Cause it’s all about money! But the thing about money Is that money flows upwards. So the richer get richer, And the poor just stay poor. And the Food-Lockers think That without any money, They’re worthless. The Food-Lockers think That without any money, They’re helpless. And they honestly don’t understand Why they feel so dejected... Why they feel misdirected... Why they feel so alone . . . And there’s more to be seen! Look inside, and Gaze with astonishment At the ludicrous lives That are lived by the Box People! . . . They seal themselves off Inside boxes they call “Apartments” or “houses” or “trailers,” Where they cut themselves off Watching boxes they call “tee-vees.” And they pack off their kids To a box called a “school” Where they mostly just learn to conform. And their infants must sleep In a box called a “nursery,” All by themselves Ev’ry night, While their parents just pray For the day When they’ll just go to sleep And stop crying. And they honestly don’t understand Why they feel disconnected... Why they feel so neglected... Why they feel so alone . . . And I promise -- You’ve never seen anything Like the Dividers! . . . They divide themselves up into races. They divide themselves up into classes. They divide themselves up By their status Or wealth Or religious beliefs Or political bents. They divide up their world into countries, Reinforcing the borders with laws. They divide into camps. They divide into groups. They divide into cliques. They divide into teams. And once they divide themselves up, The Dividers will argue . . . Saying, “My school is better than your school Because I attend it!” “My country’s better than yours is Because I was born there!” “Mine is the one true religion Because it’s the one That I choose to believe!" And if you don’t agree? Then you’re WRONG! And to help them defend These invented abstractions, They split themselves up Into armies and factions And rail against others’ Supposed infractions And thunder away Against others’ detractions ‘Til no one’s immune From these petty distractions And ev’ryone’s always at war! ‘Cause the rifts are too deep to ignore... And they honestly don’t understand Why they feel disaffected... Why they feel unprotected... Why they feel so alone . . . But there’s something They all do agree on. There is one thing that’s keeping them All in this mess. The one big assumption They hold to be gospel. The big misconception They’ve yet to redress. It’s the lie that is holding them hostage. It’s what strengthens the bars of their cage. It’s the tacit belief they repeat without knowing it, Age after age after age . . . They say, “This is the best way to live! This is the right way to live! This is the one way to live!” (etc.) “Look at all that we have! Look at all that we know! Look at all we can do! Look at all that we’ve made! Look at all we control!” (etc.) And they honestly don’t understand That they don’t have to live this way!
4.
It's been a while since I was in this town, but everything's the same, just not in black and white. There's the park where I had my first kiss, and the shop where I got my first cigarette. And the drive in theatre where I had my first date, With Alexandra Leon back in second grade. Until I saw a girl much prettier than her, On the bonnet of a silver 4x4. I apologise, Miss Leon. I didn't mean to break your heart. I apologise, Miss Leon. I didn't mean to break your heart. But I guess that's just one of those things. That only ever stops when you're not breathing. And there's the hill with the old oak tree, Joseph fell of it and broke his leg. As we carried him home to his mom, He told me to ask Alex to the prom. She wore a dress in red to match my tie, but by half ten I had disappeared. Down to the basements with Sarah Jane, and danced to the music in our heads. I apologise, Miss Leon. I didn't mean to break your heart. I apologise, Miss Leon. I didn't mean to break your heart. But I guess that's just one of those things. That only ever stops when you're not breathing. But I guess that's just one of those things. That only ever stops when you're not breathing. But I guess that's just one of those things. That only ever stops when you're not breathing. Down fifth avenue, I saw a sign "Flea Market Today: By The Old Drive-In". Ten minute walk through a broken. Windows were dark with dust and age. Selling necklaces, bracelets and rings, Was a woman I barely thought I knew. Picked up a trinket and asked for its price, she said "If you're who I think you are, there's no charge."
5.
I've got a digital eye I bought it from a guy Selling excitement in a blue shirt at Best Buy I'm gonna capture me Bits of eternity I'll freeze some life so I can have a life for all to see The world is so drab and boring Hey, but not for me, 'Cause I've got god-like powers, A telephoto lens - a Photoshop license key And I know how to HDR Don't have to deal with things as they are Supersaturated hues I've got the bluest blues In a sky that looks like the sea - yeah It looks just like the sea - yeah [instrumental bridge] I'll make a day-glo sunburst morning It's my ticket to a new world dawning I'll recreate the world I see Electronically, electronically, yeah! And I know how to HDR Don't have to deal with things as they are Supersaturated hues I've got the bluest blues The bluest blues! Yeah! The world is mine, I'll seize it! You'll see it as I please it! With every masterpiece My Flickr fans will worship me. Yeah! The world is mine, I'll seize it! You'll see it as I please it! With every masterpiece My fans will worship me! Yeah... They'll worship me! Yeah... I've got a digital eye They’ll worship me! I've got a digital eye They’ll worship me! I've got a digital eye They’ll worship me!
6.
The calm before the storm. The turning of my socket calls to mind An old-time barrel organ grinder and his... friend? A twist and there’s a stage. A twist and there’s a ferris wheel, the fair is real, It’s time! The lights and the music, excitement and fusion of Wonder and energy here in the carnival of my soul. I want to conduct the electrical motion A tamer, magician, or acrobat under the pole. Everything in control. Someday, I’ll advance to be the dancing monkey on display, Cause if it’s true that’s what you do, I guess it’s what you do Until it’s time for me to headline the midway. And someday, I am sure to be securing life as it’s designed. It’s just my part in reaching farther than the popcorn cart. I’m sure, I’ve nothing more to do but grind. Alonzo and his cats, Leela on the ring stock showing scars and limps In payment for their stars upon the bill. A drink to mask the ache, and deeper ache, As if the booze could disabuse my drive! And Buddy the zanie and Hooper the trainer Are under the thrall of a pitch that is almost convincing. And here all around me are people who know What it’s like to be one of the people who enter the ring. Which is the only thing. So someday, I might chance to be the dancing monkey on display, Cause if they say that’s what you do, then I'll believe it’s true. Just wait in line until my time to join the cabaret. And someday, I’ll be sure I can endure whatever life I find, Playing my part among the martyrs to a work of art. To start, all that I have to do is grind. Someday, as you’re glancing at the dancing monkey on display, Though it may fool you into ooh-ing at the big to-do, Spare a thought for one who’s taught this was the only way. And someday, when I ought to have forgotten options left behind, I could be smart and have the heart to give up and restart. Til then, I’m churning again my daily grind.
7.
It's a capital morning. I'm especially proud to be alive. I didn't know they were watching me. Not that I'm fond of my privacy. They tried to sell me tickets to the show. One to which I simply didn't want to go. The vultures wanted me for food. I wouldn't fight so I stripped down into the nude. I made them think I was out of my mind but I feel find. Bell of the ball at the 7-11 Took my temperature with the back of her hand. Now I'm King Kong. I'm Lou Reed. Come with me I'll teach you how to make believe. Lesson 1, sing along. Lesson 2, there's nothing you could do wrong. Deep in the desert in a stolen Benz We're making lots of colorful friends. I can't believe you left your alibi behind. Here, you can use mine. Holding your hand, it's the 4th of July. Cotton candy blooms in a lapis lazuli sky. Take all your doubts, banish them today as usual I'm in the mood to just fly away. Give me your sea-shell necklace. Take off your shoes. What should we listen to, the Beatles or the blues? If you get lonely, as we both sill be during my harrowing but brief captivity Baby don't worry, Baby don't cry. Just sing all your favorite lullabies. Sing all our favorite lullabies.
8.
Do ya remember that place? Across from the Roll’n’Ice, close to the Junior High Seems like forever since I was there- Last time was what? 35 years ago With my old boyfriend Bob… Didn’t see much of the movie Hard to see out with the windows all steamed up It has been years since the old place was open though Johnny’s All-Weather Drive-In Ahhh, but- When we were all kids it was wonderful! Load up the car with our pillows and blankets Mom making bags full of popcorn and jugs full of Kool-aid To save money, of course- Two parents, four kids and we dressed in our PJ’s in daylight! It felt almost naughty to wear them outside Play on the swings and the merry-go-round and the slide A mini-amusement park came with the price Then the tram took us back to our car When the sun went down Johnny’s All-Weather Drive-in On Sunrise Johnny’s All-Weather Drive-in On Sunrise Johnny’s All-Weather Drive-in On Sunrise Do ya remember that place? I remember the feel of the heat from the pavement Rising up like the spirit of hot summer days We would beg to sit up on the roof but mom always said “NO” In the back seat we’d go Munching popcorn and watching cartoons, then The start of the movies, and never quite seeing the end Cause we’d all be asleep in our nest in the back Until carried upstairs to our beds That wonderfully safe sort of feeling, half waking, When daddy tucked us in… Johnny’s All-Weather Drive-in On Sunrise Johnny’s All-Weather Drive-in On Sunrise Johnny’s All-Weather Drive-in On Sunrise Do ya remember that place?
9.
The morning meant as little As the ten thousand odd before We'd been ignoring signs for weeks and weeks And just went to work Then we drove out to the desert Thought we'd take a picture in Should have known journey ended Well before it could even begin The ticket booth was empty There wasn't a car in sight We couldn't come so far for naught There'd better be a show tonight There is no one at the projector There is no one minding the store This stage and this screen, long left behind No one to sing, no one to pretend anymore The sky opened up I just put your hand in mine We stared out at the empty lot And hoped the show would start on time The clouds, they danced around the portal We never once had dreamed we weren't immortal Most of us would look to opt out We could not maintain this dollhouse A future of rolling dust On a blasted land There is no one at the projector There is no one minding the store Heaven could be crashing to earth We'd still complain "that wasn't what we paid for" Stakes nothing less than our survival But somehow we still feel entitled To being entertained So long as someone can Okay... But there is no one at the projector There is no one minding the store This stage and this screen, long left behind No one to sing, no one to pretend anymore There is no one at the projector There is no one minding the store Heaven could be crashing to earth We'd still complain "that wasn't what we paid for" Is it too late to hope this is all is a dream?

about

This album is made up of songs from the "SpinTunes" songwriting competiton.

spintunes.blogspot.com

The Challenge:
Photo Finish - Write a song inspired by this Ronan Murray picture.
www.flickr.com/photos/17833492@N04/8614825737/
(2 minute minimum) (they had 8 days)

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released August 20, 2013

Album art by Matt Schubbe
Special thanks to Ronan Murray for letting us use his picture.

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Spintown Middletown, Ohio

I used to run a songwriting contest called SpinTunes. Most of the material hosted on this account is a result of that contest. The rest is mostly Minecraft related songs.

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