"May 7, 2013"

I wrote this in my "Lyricist's Notebook" with a 6/8 meter, but doesn't it sound more like a semi-conversation or poem-that-doesn't-sound-like-a-poem rather than a song?

"Hi. That's what I said.

I make no commitment.

My name's Luke. Is that what you heard?

Good...walk on.

You may make my life

A million times better,

But I'll never know

Because I walked up to my room.

I wish I could go back, scratch out the missed opportunities,

The times I said, 'Go for it...wait no. Stop. It's too hard.

Just keep walking.'

Oh, I kick myself for no reason.

The most friends wins you the most hearts.

The most words - the most chances.

How do I make this living,

Charming people with nothing?

How do I do it? How am I supposed to do it?

My Perspective on "The Age of Innocence"

I finished reading The Age of Innocence the other day. It's given me some to think about for this "concept album" I've conceived. I really ran with Wharton's conveyance of conformity and the societal standard. I may have run too far. Who knows?
Finishing the book has given me some ideas on how to shape my lyrics to provide a still warped but more human approach to the often-touched but complicated-enough-for-new-angles topic of individual versus the group. The struggle to figure out not only how to stay true to yourself, but also to discern when you are following the crowd and when you are breaking off on your own.
I didn't invest much energy into writing for the love triangle Wharton puts at the center of The Age of Innocence. I figured I already told a despairing love story. Why tell it again? So, this collection of songs will hopefully not center around one love; it will be more about love in general. Falling in love in a world of explicit traditions and hidden expectations.
If I record them all, there should be a substantial amount of b-sides...for, you know...stuff.