FAWM: "Regression"

Regression

1 day ago by @philnorman

Regression

philnorman

00:00

Liner Notes

What do you do when the power is out and you're huddled around the wood stove? Make good on telling your wife you're going to write a song with the line, "will they let me have my guitar in the gulag."

I like some of the one-liners, but the repetition is a little much. I should spend some time finding anther melodic section, but the power's back on so back to work...

#thismachinekillsfascists #acousticonetake #folk #protest #political

Lyrics

You say this is an anomaly
so expect regression to the mean
tell me what did you learn in school
about regression to the cruel?

Create a problem so you can solve it
start with someone to blame
ignore the man picking your pocket
at least that trans kid's off the team

You're right, I'm overreacting
they'd never do such a thing
I'm sure it was just an awkward gesture
he was just saying, "heil to the king"

this is just an anomaly
so expect regression to the mean
tell me what did you learn in school
about regression to the cruel?

Let's take apart what isn't broken
so they can privatize the means
lift sixteen tons for only a crumb
because the work sets you free

Only the weeds will be affected by the round up
just go about your day
will they let me have my guitar in the gulag?
I've always wanted to ride a train

Comments

@motorcitymusicman 12h

Some really cutting and smart lyrics here, delivered beautifully in song. Great job with this. Love the Woody Guthrie tag as well.

@bethdesombre 17h

Such a lovely soundtrack to the dissolution of our democracy. Love your the first two lines of the stanzas generally ("Create a problem so you can solve it/ start with someone to blame," "You're right, I'm overreacting/ they'd never do such a thing" and "Let's take apart what isn't broken" and the last verse. Sigh.

@cmharwood89 18h

Sonically lovely and emotionally gutting as always. The statistical play on words also had my attention as somebody who just last week was making puns in the classroom about regression, outliers (out, liar!), etc.

Big fan of the music you've been creating this month, Phil.

@tcelliott 19h

What's the quote? Beautiful music telling me terrible things? I think it applies.

@cd_caleb_duane 1d

the play on mean and cruel got me right away --- this is one of the best commentary on the current mental scape in the country, pulls my heartstrings --- it sends a sinking feeling to my stomach as I thought it was going to end where the lyric ends, which is on point to current feelings that I've had, even to the dark humor --- you might be right about the repetition, as it might be stronger without that last chorus --- I don't think it needs another melodic section --- but we need some hope these days, so I'll suggest if you write it, see if you can eek a bit of daylight in there