Category: Quirky

Tip of the Iceberg

I’ve had the idea of writing a love song about the tip of the iceberg for years. But FAWM 2025 finally gave me the kick in the bummock I needed to finish it.*

Discerning listeners will note overtones of They Might Be Giants’ “Don’t Let’s Start.” Indeed, TMBG have been a big influence on me. Mostly, it’s just a fun song that I could bang out quickly.

And that’s what FAWM is all about: 14 songs in 28 days. Over the years, FAWM has taught me to write quickly, reserving initial judgment. There’s always a chance to go back and edit a song–or even throw it in the rubbish–but you can’t do anything with a song you haven’t written. Ditto for the recording process. I could spend weeks on each demo I record, but instead I work ten times as quickly as most people and learn ten times as many valuable lessons that I can apply to “real” recordings.

But maybe I’m just trying to validate a kind of stupid idea. Your call.

1. Oh, Valentine, I just can’t hide
all the passion that I have inside me.
It makes me sigh–I don’t know why.
How do you woo me when you don’t even seem to try?

2. Hey, Valentine, I have to confide:
I never thought I’d fall for the brainy type.
We were friends and that was grand
and that is all it was when all of this began.

I wanted love that was firm and lasting
and I didn’t know
if I was being stupid and just typecasting.
And then you showed me that

That was just the tip
of the iceberg.

2. I don’t know, maybe I thought you were cold,
but soon my heart was melting what I thought was frozen.
I don’t want to make the point too fine,
but sometimes it felt you showed me only 12.5

percent of the real you–were you leading me on?
Below the surface there was so much more,
and I loved what I saw.

When you showed me the tip
of the iceberg.

BRIDGE

Oh, Valentine, it was all a surprise.
now that I’ve seen below the surface I’m ready to take a dive.

*Iceberg joke.

Demos FAWM 2025 Quirky Rock and/or Roll

It Could Have Been Worse

This song started when a single line popped into my head: “It could have been worse, but I’m not sure how.” Certainly a promising opening, right? As I played with it, “worse” rhymed with “hearse” and suddenly it turned into a song about a guy who has died, yet remains hopeful. What can I say? I go where the music leads.

If you love yourself some Ataris, this one’s for you.

1. It could have been worse,
but I’m not sure how.
We all arrived in a hearse
and they won’t let me out.

They said it’s all up from here,
but now I’m not so sure,
‘cause I’m gasping for air
and they’re shoveling dirt.

It’s been a year.
It’s all up from here.

I try to see things on the bright side
even when they’re looking bleak.
What’s the point in dramatizing
everything?

2. Things are looking up
even though I’m down.
I thought I’d had enough,
when it was just starting out.

But it’s not so bad.
(It’s also not so great.)
Maybe I should be sad,
but that can probably wait.

Chorus

3. As the crowd dispersed,
I realized
it was so well rehearsed
that nobody cried.

But it could have been worse
though I’m not sure why.
And even though it still hurts.
I’ll just give it some time.

Chorus

Demos FAWM 2025 Jazz Quirky

That Mr. Jazz

Shortly after Cindy Prince heard my music for her lyrics “Only Good Vibes,” she sent me a message: “Do you do jazz?” Clearly, in the short time we’ve known each other, she’s learned that I can’t resist a challenge! Yes, I do jazz. And I had a ton of fun working with her song, “That Mr. Jazz.”

Demos electronic FAWM 2025 Quirky Rock and/or Roll

Only Good Vibes

Now for something completely different…

I decided to (kind of) take part in FAWM 2025. That is, I’m not committing to writing all 14 songs (or the ensuant mania required to complete that task). However, I’m dipping in and out, contributing when I can.

The other day, I came across a cool lyric by Cindy Prince that was in need of music. I pounded out a dance ditty in about two hours, start to finish. I quite like how it turned out!

Demos FAWM 2025 Quirky Rock and/or Roll

Maybe

I’m going to be vulnerable and let you hear a song I’ve had rattling around in my brain for a while. You might assume that a person who has composed over 100 Psalm settings and has dozens of songs in hymnals would be a person of bullet-proof faith. The sad fact is that I, too, have my seasons of doubt.

The full title of this song is “Maybe (Hymn for a Reconstructing Friend).” There’s been a lot of talk about people “deconstructing” faith, often decried by those who claim it’s heresy to mature beyond the simplicity of Sunday School faith. I think it’s better to talk about “reconstructing” faith. But first, you have to lament the doubt that comes before rebuilding.

I wish I had more faith in faith,
but of late it’s hard believing.
It’s not like it was in simpler days
when the answer was always “Jesus.”
But now life’s gotten so complex
and I keep looking for some answers.
But the answers never seem to fit,
except, I guess, for “maybe.”

Maybe simple answers aren’t enough.
Maybe a hallelujah is too much.
Maybe honest doubt is my song of love.

Oh, the devil was a wily snake
when he offered Eve the apple.
Were she and Adam wrong to want a taste
of the fruit of truth and wisdom?
And is it really such a sin
to be curious and naked?
Do we have to run and hide again,
as if being human’s shameful?

Maybe simple answers aren’t enough.
Maybe a hallelujah is too much.
If I knew the tune, I would sing along.

I would love to hear that still, small voice
cutting through the constant chatter.
Have I grown deaf or has God gone hoarse?
I’m still listening for an answer.
What once enflamed my eager heart
no longer seems to move me.
Oh, I’d give everything I’ve got
to simply have some feeling.

Maybe simple answers aren’t enough.
Maybe a hallelujah is too much.
I can only sing the song I know.

Quirky

Unboxing Video Music

As you may know, the St. Sinner Orchestra has a new CD coming out. As I contemplated ways we might promote it, I reluctantly considered an unboxing video. For those of you who have been sequestered in a cave without access to TikTok, an unboxing video is exactly what it sounds like: a video of someone opening a box. Usually, the box has a shiny new tech product inside, but sometimes the focus is on clothing, toys, or games.

As much as I loathe these totems to consumerism, I decided to play along. At St. Sinner’s CD release concert on July 27, I will not only unbox the new CDs in front of a live audience–I will sing a brand new unboxing theme song, accompanied by the orchestra.

“How does he do it?” You ask. “How does he turn the mundane into art?!” A better question might be why I do it… While you’re pondering that question, you might want to peruse the long line of odd songs I’ve written through the years.

Unboxing video,
unboxing video,
we’re gonna open a box!

Unboxing video,
unboxing video,
come on, let’s open a box!

Let’s open a box!

Demos Jazz Quirky

But I Do

I’m a huge fan of Chet Baker, especially when he sings or performs with orchestra. One of my favorites is a mopey ballad called “Everything Happens to Me,” written by Tom Adair and Matt Dennis. It hilariously bemoans the unrequited love of the unluckiest person in the world: “I’ve telegraphed and phoned / I sent an Airmail Special too / Your answer was ‘Goodbye’ / And there was even postage due.”

I pick up a little of that vibe in my new song, “But I Do.” It all started with a musical phrase that suggested the lyric, “You don’t, but I do.” From there I spun the tale of a melancholic pessimist who is either lying awake thinking about the latest catastrophe or anticipating the next one. The only solace for our hapless protagonist is that living a life of angst and disappointment is more interesting than the lives of those who are confident and content.

So get your mope on with “But I do”!

1. Do you have sleepless nights?
Well, I do.
Wake up still in a crisis?
Me, too!
After all these years, you’d think
that I would have learned.
But every day I seem to sink
from bad to worse.
Oh, aren’t you lying awake
like I do?
Maybe you don’t,
but I do.

2. Have you figured life out?
Well, not me.
You’re so sure of yourself,
well, we’ll see.
You exude such confidence,
such charm, and such poise.
You’ve got the brains and looks, for sure,
but you’re boring.
Maybe perfect’s a tad annoying.
But maybe that’s just me.

3. No one wallows in angst
like I do.
Morose or just being frank?
Well, you choose.
If I walk the sunny side
of the street it will rain.
I try to see the glass half full,
but empty’s winning.
You don’t wait for the next shoe·
to drop, too.
Well, you don’t, but I do.

Demos Jazz Quirky

Brush Your Teeth

On Thursday, I’ll lead an assembly called “Help Me Write a Jazz Song” at a local elementary school. I’ll tell them what a composer does and what it takes to write a song. Then I’ll tell them about my plan to release a jazz album for children named Just Kidding. I’ll play them a few songs I’ve already written, then enlist their help finding subjects they’d like to hear songs about. Finally, we’ll take one of their ideas and start writing a song.

illustration courtesy of https://www.wannapik.com/

In preparation for Thursday, I’m feverishly finishing some song ideas that have been hanging around for far too long. Case in point: “Brush Your Teeth.” This delightful little ode to oral hygiene includes the word “gingivitis” and a melodica solo. Pretty much a slam dunk by any estimation.

1. Brush your teeth.
They are the only ones you’ve got.
Brush your teeth.
You think it’s hard, but it’s not.

You might think it hurts,
but dentures are far worse!
Brush your teeth, brush your teeth, brush your teeth.

2. Brush your teeth,
‘cause gingivitus is a drag.
Brush your teeth.
You need to listen to your mom and dad.

‘Cause, when you brush and floss
your mouth feels like a boss.
Brush your teeth, brush your teeth, brush your teeth.

Commissions Quirky

Interesting Thing

I have been a member of the Rascals, Rogues, and Rapscallions since its inception in 1989, though less active in recent years. In those early years, I designed the Rascal flag, created a documentary about Burgettstown, PA, and have even been known to smoke a ceremonial Rascal cigar.

One of my other roles was that of “maestro,” leading the singing of “My Last Cigar,” assembling male quartets and brass bands for various occasions, and most notably, composing the fraternal order’s theme song.

Greg, back when he had hair and smoked cigars.

“Interesting Thing” captures in song the group’s quest for knowledge, love of adventure, and fascination with the obscure, mundane, and offbeat. I was recently asked to record the song for posterity. The chorus is a rousing march that can be sung again and again with gusto. The verses…not so much. I originally envisioned writing a new verse for each meeting’s presentation. For example, one of the verses in this recording commemorates Dennis Looney’s presentation on the persistence of Dante in popular culture.

Demos Jazz Quirky

Stupid Things

Sometimes people ask me how I come up with ideas for songs. It can happen in a variety of ways: sometimes I’m working with a text that suggests a particular melody; other times a particular series of chords proves fertile for development; I’ve even been known to write songs based on wrong notes I played trying to learn another song!

But in the case of “Stupid Things,” my dogs were my musical inspiration. They must have been doing one of their trademark stupid moves like wanting to go on a walk so badly that they can’t stop jumping long enough or me to put their leash on. I exclaimed, “You are stupid things!” and a song was born.