FAWM: "The stuff of nightmares, not dreams"

The stuff of nightmares, not dreams

2025 by @mikeskliar

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 2025

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

@angelinapowersuit 2025

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 2025

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 2025

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 2025

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

@bradgates 2025

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 2025

clever lyrics, solid production, and a stirring performance.

@spidersinatrenchcoat 2025

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.