bookmark_borderDawning on Me

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Piano, Deep Sub-Bass Synth, Acoustic Guitar, Organ Swells, Tribal Percussion, Electric Guitar]

[Intro]
Something’s changing
(What could it be?)
A little light
(Is dawning on me)

I looked away
(But couldn’t flee)
The thing I sought
(Was looking at me)

[Verse 1]
Woke up this morning
With a thought in my head
Something I’d heard
(Something somebody said)
Could be coincidence
Could be a sign
Could be the future
(Catching up with time)

I took a step
Then another one
Didn’t know exactly
Where I was going
But looking back
I can finally see
The road I traveled
Was becoming me

[Refrain]
Reality…
(It’s dawning on me)
I’m starting to see
(Self-fulfilling destiny)
… or…
(A knew trajectory)

[Verse 2]
I thought the future
Was waiting somewhere
Hidden in the distance
(Floating in the air)
Turns out the future
Isn’t somewhere to find
Here it is forming
(One choice at a time)

[Refrain]
Reality…
(It’s dawning on me)
I’m starting to see
(Self-fulfilling destiny)
… or…
(A knew trajectory)

[Bridge]
… if the question
Is part of the clue…
Look at the answer
Staring at you

See!
(See more clearly)

Think!
(Think differently!)

Choose!
(Choose carefully!)

[Break]
For sure?
(Not quite!)
Certain?
(Nope!)

Written in stone?
(Not likely!)
Open for suggestion?
(Absolutely!)

Reality!
(Reality!)

What’s dawning on me?
(The way that we see “we”…)

Can change what it will be!

[Instrumental, Psychedelic Jam, Saxophone Solo, Percussion Break]
Dawn…
(Dawn…)
Dawn…
(Dawning on me…)

[Final Chorus]
Dawning on me
(Dawning on me)
I’m starting to see
(Self-fulfilling destiny)
… the future
Isn’t destiny
… our choices
Become reality

Dawning on me
(What will it be?)
Something is changing
Inside of me

… getting a clue
… about “we”
Starts with what we do

[Final Refrain]
Reality…
(It’s dawning on me)
I’m starting to see
(Self-fulfilling destiny)
… or…
(A knew trajectory)

Reality…
(It’s dawning on me)
Now I’m beginning to see
What I thought was destiny
(Is becoming “we”)

[Outro]
Dawning…
(Dawning…)

On me…
(On me…)

I can see…
(I can see…)

Win or lose…
What we choose
(… what we choose “to be.”)

Dawning on me…

From the album “I Dunno“

bookmark_borderWax Museum

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Piano, Deep Sub-Bass Synth, Acoustic Guitar, Organ Swells, Tribal Percussion, Electric Guitar]

[Intro]
Step inside
(Don’t be afraid)
Everybody’s smiling
(Everybody’s made)

Standing still
(Standing still)
Waiting for the room to turn
(Waiting for the thrill)

[Verse 1]
I walked through the doorway
And something felt strange
A face not familiar
Yet nobody changed

Eyes looking forward
A smile painted on
I wondered for a moment
(Where had everybody gone?)

A hand on the shoulder
A pose frozen tight
You could swear they were breathing
(But they never moved right)

[Pre-Chorus]
Is this a reflection
(Is this reality?)
Am I just observing
(What I’m supposed to see?)

If everybody’s certain
(But nobody knows)
How do you tell the difference
(When nobody shows?)

[Refrain]
Do you feel
(Like I am…)
… in a wax museum?

Are you real
(The real deal)
… or muse-dumb?

[Verse 2]
Am I the statue
And you’re the guide
… we’re both pretending
(There’s nothing here to hide)

A little bit of vanity
A little bit of fame
A frozen little likeness
(And somebody’s given it a name)

But outside the museum
The real world carries on
The river keeps on flowing
(Even when the lights are gone)

[Chorus]
Wax museum
(Wax museum)
I’m supposing…
(Everybody’s posing)

Real deal
(Real deal)
Or just another copy
(That doesn’t feel?)

Muse-dumb
(Muse-dumb)
Lost inside the room
When you’re staring at the statue
(Who’s the statue… me or you?)

[Bridge]
Move!
(Prove!)

Blink!
(Think!)

Feel!
(Real!)

[Instrumental]
[Dreamy guitar]
[Quirky piano]
[Wobbling synth]

[Final Chorus]
Wax museum
(Or muse gone numb)
Do you feel frozen
(Or ready to move?)
Prove…
(The real deal)
Are you awake
(Know what’s at stake?)

Muse-dumb
(Muse-dumb)
Don’t let your mind become
A monument to yesterday
(When tomorrow’s just begun)
… to begin again

[Outro]
Blink!
(If you’re alive)
Think!
(Strive to thrive)

From the album “I Dunno“

bookmark_borderZap

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Piano, Deep Sub-Bass Synth, Acoustic Guitar, Organ Swells, Tribal Percussion, Electric Guitar]

[Intro]
There’s a spark in the air
(Can you feel it?)
Are you aware
(Even a little bit?)

A little connection
A little reaction
One tiny flash
(Can start an interaction)

[Verse 1]
From point to point
The signal flies
Across the space
Before your eyes

You touch a wire
The current runs
A little charge
(And then it comes!)

A sudden jolt
A little surprise
The world lights up
(Before you realize)

[Refrain]
Zap!
(What was that?)
[Handclaps]
Clap, clap, clap
(Reflection on connection)

Zap!
(There it goes!)
[Handclaps]
Clap, clap, clap
(Everybody knows!)

[Verse 2]
Energy travels
Across the line
Changing its form
(Time after time)

A flash of lightning
Across the sky
A spark jumps over
(You and I)

[Chorus]
Zap!
(Feel the reaction!)
Clap!
(Clap, clap!)
(Interaction!)

One little spark
Can start a chain
One little change
(Can change the game)

Zap!
(What was that?)
[Handclaps]
Clap, clap, clap
(Reflection on connection)

Zap!
(There it goes!)
[Handclaps]
Clap, clap, clap
(Everybody knows!)

[Bridge]
Zap!
(From here to there)

Zap!
(Stop and stare)

[Break]
Clap!
(Zap!)

Clap!
(Zap!)

Clap, clap, clap!

Connection!
(Reaction!)

Reflection!
(Interaction!)

Zap!

[Instrumental]
[Electric guitar pulse]
[Synth arpeggio]
[Handclaps]

[Final Chorus]
Zap!
(What was that?)
[Handclaps]
Clap, clap, clap
(Reflection on connection)

Zap!
(What was that?)
Feel the reaction
(Interaction!)

Clap!
(Clap, clap!)
Think!
(Think, think!)

Connection!

[Outro]
Zap!
(What was that?)
[Handclaps]
Clap, clap, clap
(Reflection on connection)

Zap!
(There it goes!)
[Handclaps]
Clap, clap, clap
(Everybody knows!)

From the album “I Dunno“

bookmark_borderSecret Ingredient

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Deep Sub Bass, Echoed Guitar Swells, Slow Tribal Percussion, Low-Frequency Drone Building From Near-inaudible Rumble]

[Intro]
What’s in the mix?
(Rock n’ hard place betwixt)
Not too thin… not too thick
(It’s sure to do the trick)

A little bit of this
A little bit of that
Stir it all together
(And see where we’re at)

[Verse 1]
… somewhere in the mixture
Something changes in the blend
A little bit of magic
(That you can’t quite comprehend)

[Refrain]
What’s the secret ingredient
(Can ya give me a hint)
What is it made of…
(Is it made of love?)

[Verse 2]
Could it be the courage
To prove what we know?
Could it be the willingness
(To let the new thing grow?)

Take a little knowledge
Add a little doubt
Mix it with imagination
(And see what comes out)

[Refrain]
What’s the secret ingredient
(Can ya give me a hint)
What is it made of…
(Is it made of love?)

[Bridge]
Hope?
(Maybe!)

Love?
(Surely!)

A little inspiration
A little perspiration
A little experimentation
(That’s a tasty combination!)

[Break]
Stir it!
(Mix it!)

Try it!
(Taste it!)

With a flavor
(You can savor)
Oh, no! Know…
(It just won’t quit)

[Instrumental, Psychedelic Jam, Percussion break]
[Playful guitar]
[Rolling bass]
[Saxophone solo]
[Sub-bass synth groove]

[Final Chorus]
What’s the secret ingredient?
(Can ya give me a hint)
What is it made of…
(Is it made of love?)

Love! Lots of love
(Not just a pinch)
More than an inch…
(Fill till topped…)
… above with love

[Final Refrain]
What’s the secret ingredient?
(What makes it go?)
What is it made of…
(How would we know?)

Add a little kindness
Add a little love
Add a little wonder
(And see what you’re made of!)

[Outro]
Love! Lots of love
(Not just a sprinkle)
Till the eyes twinkle…
(Fill to the top…)
(Don’t stop!)
… fill it above…
(… with love!)

From the album “I Dunno“

bookmark_borderNonsense

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Piano, Deep Sub-Bass Synth, Acoustic Guitar, Organ, Tribal Percussion, Electric Guitar, Drum Fills]

[Intro]
Maybe yes
(Maybe no)
Perhaps neither
(Or even either?)

Round and round
The arguments go
Everyone’s certain
(But do they know?)

[Verse 1]
There’s a line in the middle
(Where nobody stands)
One foot in reason
(One foot in the sands)

You can balance forever
(And call it a stance)
But sooner or later
(You still gotta dance)

[Refrain]
No, not on the fence
(Nonsense)
Consider the scope
(Walking a tightrope)
When after all…
(You fall)

[Verse 2]
The bigger the picture
The smaller the claim
The more that you measure
The harder the game

One little number
Can tell you a lot
But one little number
(Is all that you’ve got?)

[Refrain]
No, not on the fence
(Nonsense)
Consider the scope
(Walking a tightrope)
When after all…
(You fall)
[Bridge]

Left!
(Right!)

Dark!
(Light!)

Up!
(Down!)

In!
(Out!)

What are we talking about?

Near!
(Far!)

Oh, dear…
(Bizarre)

[Break]
On the fence?
(Circumstance stance)

Tightrope?
(Nope.)

Scope?
(Wide!)

Decide.

[Instrumental]
[Quirky guitar]
[Staccato piano]
[Building rhythm]

[Final Chorus]
No, not on the fence
(Nonsense)
Consider the scope
(Walking a tightrope)
When after all…
(You fall)

Go look!
(Go learn!)
Go ask!
(Go turn!)

[Outro]

Maybe yes…

(Maybe no…)

But if you’re going to balance…

(Watch where you go!)

No nonsense.

From the album “I Dunno“

bookmark_borderApproximately

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Piano, Deep Sub-Bass Synth, Acoustic Guitar, Organ Swells, Tribal Percussion, Electric Guitar]

[Intro]
Give or take
(Take or give)
Make or break?
(We choose to live)

[Verse 1]
You can measure the number
You can count it to the end
But the world keeps moving
(No, the numbers will not bend)

[Pre-Chorus]
What’s the margin?
(What’s the range?)
What’s the difference?
(What’s the change?)

[Refrain]
Approximately
(Give or take)
Relative
(Relatively)
… take or give
(How to live?)

[Verse 2]
Relative to what?
(That’s the question)
Relative to when?
(Consider the direction)

[Refrain]
Approximately
(Give or take)
Relative
(Relatively)
… take or give
(How to live?)

[Bridge]
Give!
(Live!)

Take!
(No! Make!)

Measure!
(The pleasure!)

Love over hate!

[Break]
No need to approximate…
(Love will gravitate)
Yes, love over hate
(Love will rise above)

[Instrumental]
[Playful piano]
[Rolling guitar]
[Syncopated drums]

[Final Refrain]
Approximately
(Give or take)
Relative
(Relatively)
… take or give
(How to live?)

Give! Give! Give!

[Outro]
Give or take…
(Take or give…)

When it’s make or break…
(Give to live)

From the album “I Dunno“

bookmark_borderUnfathomable

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Piano, Deep Sub-Bass Synth, Acoustic Guitar, Organ Swells, Tribal Percussion, Electric Guitar]

[Intro]
How far below?
(How far?)
Do you know?
(How bizarre?)

[Verse 1]
You think you’ve seen the bottom
(But there’s another floor)
You think you’ve found the answer
(Then you discover more)

[Pre-Chorus]
Don’t close the door
(Don’t shut it tight)
Leave room for wonder
(And a little light)

[Refrain]
Consider
(If you’re able)
Not a quitter
(Unfathomable)
… imaginable….

[Verse 2]
The ocean has its mysteries
The atmosphere has some more
The universe keeps asking
(What is this all for?)

[Chorus]
Unfathomable!
(But not impossible)
Unimaginable!
(Still conceivable)

[Refrain]
Consider
(If you’re able)
Not a quitter
(Unfathomable)
… imaginable….

[Bridge]
What if?
(What if?)

Why not?
(Why not?)

Could it be?
(It could be)

Look and see!

[Break]
Wonder!
(Wander!)

Explore!
(Some more!)

Unfathomable?
Imaginable?

[Instrumental]
[Whistling]
[Rolling bass]
[Building drums]

[Final Chorus]
Unfathomable!
(But here we are)
Unimaginable!
(And reaching far)

[Final Refrain]
Consider
(If you’re able)
Not a quitter
(Unfathomable)
… imaginable….

[Outro]
How deep?
(Go deeper.)

How far?
(Go farther.)

What’s next?
(Beyond perplexed)

So…
(Go to know)

From the album “I Dunno“

bookmark_borderWhat I Know

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Piano, Deep Sub-Bass Synth, Acoustic Guitar, Organ Swells, Tribal Percussion, Electric Guitar]

[Intro]
I’ve learned a thing or two
(Along the way)
Some things that were true
(Are different today)

I don’t know everything
(Who could?)
But I know a little something
(That is pretty good)

[Verse 1]
You can have a pocket full
Of dollars and gold
But there’s one kind of treasure
That can’t be bought or sold

You can build a castle
With a wall ten miles wide
But hope needs a doorway
(For love to get inside)

You can measure your fortune
You can count every dime
But money can’t purchase
(A moment in time)

[Pre-Chorus]
So when the numbers don’t add up
And the road gets rough
Look around you
(You may already have enough)

[Refrain]
This is what I know:
(Money can’t buy you hope)
Nope!

Come on… give ‘er a go!
(Love helps hope grow)
So…

Don’t be proud
(Love out loud)
Go on… live!
(Love! Give, give, give)

[Verse 2]
Give a little kindness
(Give a little more)
Open up your heart
(Open up the door)

[Refrain]
This is what I know:
(Money can’t buy you hope)
Nope!

Come on… give ‘er a go!
(Love helps hope grow)
So…

Don’t be proud
(Love out loud)
Go on… live!
(Love! Give, give, give)

[Bridge]
Pride wails:
“I’m the legend of the tales”

(Love sings:
“Look what the heart brings”)

Fear cries:
“All hope dies!”

(Hope replies:
“Open your eyes”)

[Break]
Give!
(Live!)

Give!
(Live!)

Give a little hope
(Give a little love)

Live!
(Strive to come alive)

Live!
(Live!)

Love out loud
(Part the clouds)

[Instrumental]
[Warm guitar]
[Big piano chords]
[Handclaps]
[Call and response]

What do you know?
(Love!)

What do you need?
(Hope!)

What can you give?
(Love!)

How do you live?
(Thrive alive)

[Final Chorus]
This is what I know:
(Money can’t buy you hope)
Nope!

Come on… give ‘er a go!
(Love helps hope grow)
So…

Don’t be proud
(Love out loud)
Go on… live!
(Love! Give, give, give)

[Final Refrain]
This is what I know:
(Money can’t buy you hope)
Nope!

This is what I know:
(Love helps hope grow)
So…

Don’t be proud
(Love out loud)
Go on… live!
(Love! Give, give, give)

[Outro]
Give a little hope…
(Give!)
Give a little love…
(Live!)

Give what you can…
(Give, give, give!)

And when you don’t know
What tomorrow brings…
(The heart sings)
Love

That’s the show…
(What I know)

From the album “I Dunno“

bookmark_borderInquisitive

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Piano, Deep Sub-Bass Synth, Acoustic Guitar, Organ Swells, Tribal Percussion, Electric Guitar]

[Intro]
What’s that?
(What’s this?)
What’s what?
(Pop quiz)

Look around
(What do you see?)
Ask again
(What could it be?)

[Verse 1]
I want to know
(I want to know)
Before I go
(Before I go)

What’s underneath
(The surface?)
What’s beneath…

[Chorus]
Are you…
(Inquisitive)
Or is your brain
(Like a sieve)

Do you…
(Think)
Or refrain

To sustain…
(Be inquisitive)

[Verse 2]
A little curiosity
Can open up a door
A little more attention
Can show you something more

Connect one dot
(Then another)
Look for the pattern
(Stealth… undercover)

[Chorus]
Are you…
(Inquisitive)
Or is your brain
(Like a sieve)

Do you…
(Think)
Or refrain

To sustain…
(Be inquisitive)

[Bridge]
Question!
(What?)

Wonder!
(Why?)

Suggestion:
(Kiss the sky!)

You don’t have to know
To start the quest
You just have to wonder:

(What’s next?)

[Break]
Think!
(Wink!)

Seek!
(Peak!)

Peek!
(Tweak!)

[Instrumental]
[Quirky synth groove]
[Driving bass]
[Rapid-fire questions]

What’s the cause?
(What’s the effect?)

Not “because”
(What’s the heck?)

[Final Chorus]
Are you…
(Inquisitive)
Or is your brain
(Like a sieve)

Do you…
(Think)
Or refrain

To sustain…
(Be inquisitive)

Are you…
(Inquisitive)
Ready to perceive?

Don’t just hear the answer…

(Question what you believe!)

[Outro]
What’s that?

(I dunno.)

Why?

(I wanna know.)

How?

(Let’s find out…)
… all about…

Be…

(Inquisitive!)
Live (inquisitive)

From the album “I Dunno“

bookmark_borderIn Question

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Piano, Deep Sub-Bass Synth, Acoustic Guitar, Organ Swells, Tribal Percussion, Electric Guitar]

[Intro]
Question, question
(What’s the manifestation)
Round and round
The questions spin
Where do we end?
(Where do we begin?)

[Verse 1]
You say the future’s certain
(How do you know?)
You say you’ve got it figured out
(Where did you go?)

[Refrain]
Is your future
(In question?)
Are you “for sure”
(Or open for suggestion?)

[Verse 2]
Don’t confuse uncertainty
With having nothing planned
Sometimes changing course
Is how you make a stand

[Refrain]
Is your future
(In question?)
Are you “for sure”
(Or open for suggestion?)

[Bridge]
Look a little closer
(See what you find)
Change the way you’re thinking
(Change your mind!)

Because “I dunno”
Doesn’t mean “I don’t care”
It means I seek to know
(I’m still aware)

[Break]
For sure?
(No!)

Certain?
(Not yet!)

Written in stone?
(Not quite!)

Open for suggestion?
(You bet!)

[Instrumental]
[Questioning guitar]
[Restless piano]
[Building drums]

[Final Chorus]
In question!
(In question!)
Let the question ring
In question!
(What will tomorrow bring?)

[Final Refrain]
Is your future
(In question?)
Are you “for sure”
(Or open for suggestion?)

[Outro]
Is our future
(In question?)
Is truth so pure
(Or open for investigation?)

From the album “I Dunno“

bookmark_borderWhat’s He Thinking?

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Piano, Deep Sub-Bass Synth, Acoustic Guitar, Organ Swells, Tribal Percussion, Electric Guitar]

[Intro]
What’s he thinking?
(Without even blinking?)
What’s he been drinking?
(Kool-aid sinking?)

Look at his face
(What a disgrace)
Talking so loud
(Playing to the crowd)

[Verse 1]
He says he’s got the answer
(Every answer!)
He says he knows the way
(He knows the way!)

But every time the facts arrive
He sends them all away

He builds himself a little world
Where nothing can go wrong
Then anyone who questions it
(Just doesn’t belong!)

[Pre-Chorus]
Is it reason?
(Is it fear?)
Is it something
(We should hear?)

When the warning signs
Are plain to see
Why pretend
(That they can’t be?)

[Refrain]
What’s he thinking?
(Musta been kool-aid drinking)
Seems a bit mad
(Strikingly sad)

Is his mind sound
(For that matter… even found?)
Better look around

Insanity
(Vanity)
Tragically insane
(Lame… inane)

[Verse 2]
He hears a warning
(Calls it noise)
He sees the danger
(Calls it choice)

He takes a little truth
And twists it out of shape
Then wonders why the evidence
(Just won’t escape!)

A mirror on the wall
Reflecting what he wants to see
But the image keeps on changing
(Back to reality!)

[Chorus]
What’s he thinking?
(What’s he thinking?)
Maybe we should ask
What’s he drinking?
(What’s he drinking?)
Before we give him the task

Of deciding for the many
What the many ought to do
When the consequences
(Come back through!)

[Bridge]
Insanity!
(Vanity!)

Certainty!
(Reality!)

Look around!
(Listen up!)

When the facts come knocking
(Will you begin… to let them in?)

Or lock the door
And turn away?
(Once more…)
… another day

[Break]
Is his mind sound
(For that matter… even found?)
Better look around

Insanity
(Vanity)
Tragically insane
(Lame…)
Really quite a shame)

[Instrumental, Psychedelic Jam]
[Churning bass]
[Transition to acoustic guitar]
[Whistle solo]

[Final Chorus]
What’s he thinking?
(Musta been kool-aid drinking)
Seems a bit mad
(Strikingly sad)

Is his mind sound
(For that matter… even found?)
Better look around

Insanity
(Vanity)
Tragically insane
(Lame… never to regain)

[Outro]
[Refrain]
What’s he thinking?
(Too much drinking)
… kool-aid…
(and throwing shade)

Gone bloody mad
(Tragically sad)

Unkind… his mind
(Never to be found?)
… too late to look around

From the album “I Dunno“

bookmark_borderIf I Would Do That

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Piano, Deep Sub-Bass Synth, Acoustic Guitar, Organ Swells, Tribal Percussion, Electric Guitar]

[Intro]
[Low Sub-bass Synth Drone, Spoken Vocal]

I dunno
(If I would)
Maybe I should
(Maybe not)

There’s a little voice
Inside my head
Saying, “Think twice!”
(Before you’re dead!)

[Verse 1]
… see the road ahead
Now we’ve made the bed
… see a warning sign
(By bad design)

Future’s hazy…
(“Come on, let’s go!”)
I say, “Are you crazy?”

(I dunno!)

[Refrain]
I dunno
(If I would do that)
It looks a bit dangerous
(For all of us)

Do what?
(That.)
It looks quite outrageous
(Not to mention… ominous)

[Verse 2]
The river’s rising
The bridge is shaking
The ground is moving
(The mountain’s breaking)

Someone says
“It’s probably fine”
I look around and say:

(Not this time!)

The warning lights
Are flashing red
But somebody’s saying
“Go ahead!”

There’s always someone
Who wants to try
But sometimes wisdom says:
(Don’t lie!)

[Refrain]
I dunno
(If I would do that)
It looks a bit dangerous
(For all of us)

Do what?
(That.)
It looks quite outrageous
(Not to mention… ominous)
[Bridge]
Do what?
(That!)

Why?
(Because!)
… what if it does

(What if?)

Hold on!

(Wait!)

Anticipate

[Break]
Dangerous!
(Whoa!)

Outrageous!
(Whoa!)

Ominous!
(Oh no!)

Maybe…
(We shouldn’t go!)

No. Know when to go
(With the flow)

[Instrumental, Psychedelic Jam, Percussion Solo]
[Driving guitar]
[Saxophone solo]
[Building drums]

[Final Refrain]
I dunno
(If I would do that)
It looks a bit dangerous
(For all of us)

Do what?
(That.)
It looks quite outrageous
(Not to mention… ominous)

I dunno…
(I really don’t know.)

But before you blink…

(Let’s think!)

[Outro]
I dunno
(If I would do that)
It looks a bit dangerous
(For all of us)

Do what?
(That.)
… quite outrageous
(Could kill all of us.)

From the album “I Dunno“

bookmark_borderWidgette

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Piano, Deep Sub-Bass Synth, Acoustic Guitar, Organ Swells, Tribal Percussion, Electric Guitar]

[Intro]
What’s that thing
(Over there?)
Fancy little widget
(Becoming scarce… rare!)

Is it useful?
(Is it not?)
Does it matter
(What you’ve got?)

[Verse 1]
A widget is a wonder
A doodad with a name
A gizmo with a purpose
(For just a bit of game)

But add a little fashion
And suddenly you bet
You’ve got a brand-new creature…

(What’s a widgette?)

[Refrain]
What’s a widgette?
(A female thingamabob)
As in a Rockette?
(A placeholder…)
(… for an economic job)

With fashion… bolder!

[Verse 2]
Could be supply and demand
Could be something on the shelf
Could be something you invented
(Just to entertain yourself)

[Pre-Chorus]
Put a price upon it
(Make it form a habit!)
Give it color and style
(So you’ll wear it for a while)

Call it what you want to
But when the money’s due…
(That little widgette
Might be looking back at you!)

[Chorus]
Widgette!
(What’s she got?)

Widgette!
(Quite a lot!)

Fashion, function
Price and pose
Who decides
(Who really knows?)

Widgette!
(Strut your stuff!)

Widgette!
(That’s enough!)

[Verse 3]
Maybe she’s a Rocket
Maybe she’s a Rockette
Maybe she’s a market
That hasn’t happened yet

She’s dancing through the data
She’s stepping through the stats
… pure accounting at the roots…
(In high-heeled combat boots!)

Price elasticity
(Shake it!)
Marginal utility
(Take it!)

Supply curve
(Dip!)
Demand curve
(Flip!)

[Bridge]
Is she a product?
(Is she a price?)

Is she a person?
(That don’t sound right!)

Is she an idea?
(Is she a threat?)

Or just a funny little…

(Thingamabobette!)

[Break]
Pick!
(Choose!)

Buy!
(Use!)

Sell!
(Trade!)

Who made…
(The grade?)

A!
(B!)

C!
(D!)

None of the above!
(Better stick to love)

[Instrumental]
[Fashion runway groove]
[Strutting bass]
[Piano and synth]
[Catwalk percussion]

[Verse 4]
Now fashion gets bolder
And economics gets weird
The labels get fancy
(The margins disappear!)

A widget becomes a widgette
A thing becomes a brand
A placeholder becomes somebody
(With a purse in her hand!)

And suddenly the market
Has something new to sell…

(Well, what do you call it?)
Well, well, well

[Final Chorus]
Widgette!
(What’s she got?)

Widgette!
(Quite a lot!)

Function, fashion
Price and pose
She’s whatever
(Who knows?)

Widgette!
(Strut your stuff!)

Widgette!
(That’s enough!)

[Final Refrain]
What’s a widgette?
(A female thingamabob)
As in a Rockette?
(A placeholder…)
(… for an economic job)

With fashion… bolder!

What’s a widgette?
(Do I get to pick and choose?)
Maybe she’s a widget
(With a different pair of shoes!)

With fashion…

(BOLDER!)

[Outro]
Thingamabob…

(Widgette!)

Economic job…

(Widgette!)

Don’t ask me what she is…

(I dunno!)

Wow! There she goes
(Oh, oh, oh)
She’s got style…
(Makes the shoppers smile!)

From the album “I Dunno“

bookmark_borderMultiple Choice?

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Piano, Deep Sub-Bass Synth, Acoustic Guitar, Organ Swells, Tribal Percussion, Electric Guitar]

[Intro]
A, B, C, or D
(Which one will it be?)
Circle one answer
(That’s the key!)

But what if none
Of the choices fit?
What if the answer
Isn’t written in it?

[Verse 1]
I got a question
But the question’s strange
The choices are changing
As I rearrange

[Refrain]
Is this multiple choice?
(Do I get to pick and choose)
Do I get to raise a voice
(Determine win or lose?)

[Verse 2]
Do I get to question
The question itself?
Put the answer back
Upon the shelf

[Chorus]
Multiple choice!
(Pick and choose!)
Raise your voice!
(You can’t lose!)

Ain’t it funny
How we know
Only after
Where we go?

[Bridge]
Choose!
(Win or lose!)

Suggestion…
(Question!)

If you don’t like
The choices you see
Don’t just complain
(Think differently!)

[Break]
A!
(B!)
C!
(D!)

None of the above!
(Put love above!)

[Instrumental]
[Call and response guitar]
Pick and choose!
(Pick or lose!)

Raise your voice!
(Make a choice!)

[Final Refrain]
Is this multiple choice?
(Do I get to pick and choose)
Do I get to raise a voice
(Determine win or lose?)

[Outro]
A, B, C, or D…
(Or maybe E?)

The choice is yours
(To see)
To be
(Set yourself free)

From the album “I Dunno“

bookmark_borderWho Fends for Themselves?

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Piano, Deep Sub-Bass Synth, Acoustic Guitar, Organ, Harmonica, Electric Guitar]

[Intro]
How much is enough?
(Enough for who?)
How much can the land provide?
(And who gets to stay inside?)

Count the acres
(Count the mouths)
Count the water
(Count the house)

Count the children
(Count the kin)
Then ask the question…

(Who’s out? Who’s in?)

[Verse 1]
A hundred acres
Twenty souls
That’s the number
That’s the goal

Food and water
Wood and heat
Enough to keep
The whole thing neat

… add another
And another
Pretty soon
You’re counting cousins
(Who’s in?)

[Pre-Chorus]
The spreadsheet grows
(The numbers climb)
The land stays put
(It’s still the same size)

You can’t create
Another acre
Just because
You need it later

[Refrain]
Where to begin?
(Who’s out… who’s in?)
Once it’s thought about…
(Who’s in… who’s out?)

[Verse 2]
Mom and Dad
(Bring them in)
Fourteen people
(Here we begin)

Sister, brother
(Bring them too)
Partners, children
(What do we do?)

Twenty-five
(And counting!)
The gate is closed
(The clock is sounding)

There comes a moment
You have to decide
Who gets a place
On the inside

[Chorus]
Who fends for themselves?
(Who fends for themselves?)
When there’s nowhere else
(And nobody helps)

Who gets the water?
(Who gets the food?)
Who gets the shelter?
(Who’s in the mood?)

It’s easy to say
(Everybody comes!)
When everything’s plentiful
(And there’s plenty for everyone)

But when the limits
Finally show…

(Who gets to stay?)
… I dunno just ain’t gonna go

[Bridge]
Do you choose
The oldest first?
(The youngest first?)
The ones who work?
(The ones who hurt?)

Do you choose
The strongest hand?
(The smartest mind?)
The ones you love?
(Or leave the choice behind?)

What does “family” mean
When resources run thin?

Is there an outside?
(Is there an in?)

[Break]
Who’s in?
(Who’s out?)

Who’s staying?
(Who’s going?)

Who’s got some?
(Who’s got none?)

Who’s got tomorrow?
(Who gets one?)

[Instrumental, Psychedelic Bluegrass Jam]
[Slow-building fiddle, bass and guitar]
[Harmonica Solo]

[Final Chorus]
Who fends for themselves?
(Who fends for themselves?)
That’s the question we ask
(When the numbers don’t match)

Twenty people
(Then twenty-five)
How many can we sustain?
(How many survive?)

And when the capacity
Finally ends…
(Who’s family do we send?)

[Instrumental, Whistle Solo]

[Final Refrain]
Where to begin?
(Who’s out… who’s in?)
Once it’s thought about…
(Who’s in… who’s out?)

Where to begin?
(Who’s out… who’s in?)

The hardest calculation…

(Is who gets civilization.)

[Outro]
[Instrumental, Whistle Solo]
Count the future…
(Are you sure?)

And, what comes above?
(Count the love…)

About the Song
Tonight’s homework assignment: How much land do we need for all our shit?

AKA: The “Who Will Fend for Themselves?” Experiment

Last night was micro: How much land do I need for just me?

Tonight is macro: How much land do we need for me, my family, and company?

In two different experiments—one in New Zealand and one in Pennsylvania—families have been trying to find the answer.

Interestingly, both case studies arrived at a remarkably similar result: if you can optimize the use of roughly 100 acres, you can support about 20 people, although toward the lower end of what we would consider a modern standard of living.

And that’s when the bigger problem became evident.

As part of our long-term planning, we had to determine who would be allowed to come live with us in a crisis such as climate change.

There were eight of us. We figured our parents would need to be among the first to come. That added six, bringing us to 14. Then we started adding siblings, their partners, and their children. We quickly exceeded 25.

So the real question became:

Who gets invited?

And who is left to fend for themselves?

That sounds like an abstract thought experiment when you have plenty of land, food, water, and energy. It becomes a very different question when those resources have a hard limit. And as climate change accelerates—and the number of grandchildren continues to grow—these questions are no longer really about “future generations.”

They are about our own descendants.

They are the people who may actually have to confront the new realities we are leaving them.

That’s the part of the experiment I find hardest to calculate.

Not how many people the land can sustain.

But who gets to be one of them.

From the album “I Dunno“