I use music as therapy. Whenever I get anxious or distressed or have something I need to work out, I sit down at my keyboard or grab my guitar and wail away until the insight comes or the mood passes. For some unknown reason, I recorded one of those sessions here.
Like most of these work-it-through experiences, this piece starts out all chaotic and frenzied, then gradually evolves into the beginnings of some sort of order and eventually peters out into a tame little conclusion once all the freneticism has run its course.
It don’t mean nuthin’ but it does raise the question, is this Composer’s Sketchbook the story of my music or the music of my story.
This is one of a number of songs I wrote in my teens and early twenties about getting old. Strangely, now that I’m old I have no desire to write songs about being a teenager. Go figure.
This is an alternate recording of my song, Judy, which was initially presented as track 74.
Nothing new about this one, so here’s the same write-up in case you skipped it the first time…
I believe this is the only love song I ever wrote. I loathe love songs, with a few exceptions. I’m more interested in quirky ideas and odd perspectives. I suppose, “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” is my ideal of a love song, or maybe “Lola.” Who the hell likes both of those?
Well, this one’s all schmaltzy and innocent and young (I was only about 18 and naïve as a newborn when I wrote it) – one of those shy introspective kids who led a sheltered life but tried hard to be all cool and “with it” but hadn’t a clue what that was. As Ziggy once put it, “Every time I figure out where it’s at, somebody moves it.”
Oh, and Judy? I can’t even remember who she is/was or whether I ever told her about the song, or whatever happened to her. Just another one of those teenage crushes that all blend together as an extended multi-year case of puppy love, the details lost in the mists of innocence.
Lyrics
Judy, you shine bright, and like the sun above, you brighten days, in a thousand ways. Now I believe in love.
Judy, I need you, but that can never be. So I resign my heart and mind, to faded memory.
And I knew you before I met you. And I had you in my mind.
Judy it’s you Judy it’s you Truly you, Judy
Now I return to singing, and live my life alone. But like a star so near and far, I’ll sing of how you’ve shown.
And I knew you before I met you. And I had you in my mind.
I always pictured an almost-rainy day when I listen to this one. I can see the clouds moving in, the sky darkening and the first droplets falling on the last crisp leave of fall, which twitch under the tiny impacts. The storm rises, but just as it appears to be a full blown shower, huge clouds part as the sun shines through, but only temporarily.
After but a brief moment of brilliant light reflecting off the shiny leaves, the rain returns, pummeling the final leaves to the ground. The song ends as the storm gradually moves off, leaving the trees now-barren against the threatening sky, a portend of the Winter to come.
This is one of the few complete songs I wrote in the 70s. Clearly influenced by Simon & Garfunkel’s unusual chord change-ups, this one shifts back and forth between major and minor keys and adds unusual sevenths, sixths, and diminished chords just to mix it up. I especially like the shift to the minor chord riff in the middle that almost has a folk ballad sound to it.
A youthfully optimistic song in which the mood acknowledges difficulties and obstacles but insists that determination and good spirits will ultimately overcome any problems and lead to the promised land of whatever goal you’re after. Poppycock.
I believe this is the only love song I ever wrote. I loathe love songs, with a few exceptions. I’m more interested in quirky ideas and odd perspectives. I suppose, “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” is my ideal of a love song, or maybe “Lola.” Who the hell likes both of those?
Well, this one’s all schmaltzy and innocent and young (I was only about 18 and naïve as a newborn when I wrote it) – one of those shy introspective kids who led a sheltered life but tried hard to be all cool and “with it” but hadn’t a clue what that was. As Ziggy once put it, “Every time I figure out where it’s at, somebody moves it.”
Oh, and Judy? I can’t even remember who she is/was or whether I ever told her about the song, or whatever happened to her. Just another one of those teenage crushes that all blend together as an extended multi-year case of puppy love, the details lost in the mists of innocence.
Lyrics
Judy, you shine bright, and like the sun above, you brighten days, in a thousand ways. Now I believe in love.
Judy, I need you, but that can never be. So I resign my heart and mind, to faded memory.
And I knew you before I met you. And I had you in my mind.
Judy it’s you Judy it’s you Truly you, Judy
Now I return to singing, and live my life alone. But like a star so near and far, I’ll sing of how you’ve shown.
And I knew you before I met you. And I had you in my mind.
This one reminds me of being stoned in a back alley off Times Square (not that I ever was, mind you). On the one hand, senses are dulled and life has slipped into slow motion. On the other hand, some overly energized tourist passes by from time to time and disrupts the whole thing with a momentary flurry of frenzy, only to slip back again in to same numbed ocean-wave undulations.
