FAWM: "The stuff of nightmares, not dreams"

The stuff of nightmares, not dreams

2 weeks ago by @mikeskliar

The stuff of nightmares, not dreams

mikeskliar

00:00

Liner Notes

#political #folk This is the 4th song I've posted this challenge, and the second political/topical themed one. Sadly, I guess, these types of things seem to write themselves in these crazy times. For the recording, I did a guitar/vocal pass (Taylor 814 acoustic guitar) and then a pass on harmonica (playing an A harp for the verses and a D harp for the solo). #harmonica
I think i need a less clunky title line - I'm not crazy about 'the stuff of nightmares, not dreams' but it'll have to do for now.

Bonus points if you catch the little shout out to a certain song by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter...

Lyrics

The truly depraved have taken control
Not much left to do, but sit and doom-scroll
The sunshine of our past has become a black hole
Its even worse then it seems
The stuff of nightmares, not of dreams

Pick an insane asylum, take the craziest inmate
Put him in charge of all fifty states
It would still be better then this evil incarnate
Its even worse then it seems
The stuff of nightmares, not of dreams

I can’t listen, I can’t hear
Justice and democracy have all but disappeared
Its even worse then I feared
Its going to be a long long four years

I can’t look, I can’t watch
There’s not enough gin, not enough scotch
My friend took an edible five miles wide
Now he only breathes pure nitrous oxide

There are no words, only screams and tears
Even a distant echo would burn off your ears
The karma of the universe has been commandeered
Its even worse then it seems
The stuff of nightmares, not of dreams

Comments

@janeg 2w

This song captures how I feel better than anything else I have heard. Sadly.

@angelinapowersuit 2w

OH, these things don't write themselves as well as YOU write them, Mike. You've got such a gift of telling things like they are, but in song. Much more fun that way, at least. I actually really like, "The stuff of nightmares, not of dreams" it's so comically true (but I know, not funny in real life). So many great lines, of course. And the harmonica playing is excellent. I don't have to say this but - keep it up!

@jonmeta 2w

You do this swing folk style really well. Some painfully acute lines here, and some painfully funny ones too. Good move to end on the minor.

@guatecoop 2w

Sadly, I’m fully aware of the state of things….this song captures it very well. Your harmonica playing is great! Very well done.

@chill4matt 2w

Easy breezy, right? Not so much. Nice lyrics, vocals, and a great production!

@bradgates 2w

I'm impressed by this song. Musically well put together, and the lyrics sum up how a lot of us are deeply worried about the US is going, even as an outsider.

@billwhite51 2w

clever lyrics, solid production, and a stirring performance.

@spidersinatrenchcoat 2w

The harmonica is nice. Very subdued. And your mixing is great. Your singing style also reminds me of Randy Newman.
P.S. It's hard not to wallow, but find your communities and try and form a bulwark. We all saw this coming three years ago, so at least various orgs and people have been doing what they can. Look to other countries for inspiration. Like Yemen. They already resisted this president, as well as the last.