A Single Thing

by @philnorman

Liner Notes

Culturally, we tell hero stories when it's really movement work. As in Rosa Parks had been the secretary of her local NAACP for twelve years before she sat down on a bus. She showed up and contributed what she could long before she became a cultural icon. The hero narrative helps us avoid responsibility, "oh, I'm not a hero," when the reality is that we can show up in lots of small ways to help.

There's a corollary to "the bad guys," too. Despite where I aim my frustrations in this song, it's not just one or two guys doing all the harm.

So, what things can you think of to do to help?

This one wants a big production, but today it's just one take and one mic.

#thismachinekillsfascists #folk #folkrock #folkpunk #political #protest

Lyrics

I shoulda known you had your hand in it Shoulda known you’d be half-cocked and loaded Making everybody sick to their stomachs You announce that you’re removing the toilets

You ever think about saving the world Might feel better than serving yourself? Must be something to have so much of nothing You can’t think of a single thing that you could do to help

Funny, everything you call a problem Gets in the way of you lining your pockets Abundance means that you build a bigger table But you just wanna go play with your rockets

You never think about saving the world You only think about serving yourself Must be something to have so much of nothing You can’t think of a single thing that you could do to help

Wish on a star but they're all linked up watching You can go to hell I got just the truck you can ride in

Comments

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@gb9

Wow! Everything about this is so spot on and perfect 🙇‍♀️

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love that ending. and the production needs nothing more than your voice and guitar. The song is spot-on indictment of just about everyone in government, regardless of the country (excluding Václav Havel and Salvador Allende, but they are no longer with us)

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really love the Abundance means that you build a bigger table line. really says a whole essay in one phrase. that quick chord shift after the longer held chord really gives it great momentum. cool melodic change on the chorus too. nicely done.

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Actually, I like the simple presentation. Love the melody and the anger (including "Must be something to have so much of nothing/ You can’t think of a single thing that you could do to help"). Love "I got just the truck you can ride in" too!

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Fired-up Phil is what the world needs right now. Get out there and perform this live. I know I was pumping my fist at the chorus.

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@jinx

Man, I could just sit and listen to your music the way some other people go to church and sit and listen to the preacher. You are telling it like it IS, but with gorgeous melody and groove that makes it even more fun to listen to. (Amazing vocals on this one, too!)

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Love the literal plea of "help" at the end. The digs towards the head of DOGE are always welcome; I never liked that guy. I'm not sure why so many folks are convinced that billionaires are on their side or fighting for them...as you rightly point out, there's so many other, more productive, ways he could help

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Love the power in the vocals. Song has a 90s alternative vibe to it too. Protest songs! Keep 'em coming!

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Super write perfect vocal styling ,with a great chorus a song that certainly pricks your conscience the acoustic guitar is handled so well, I really enjoyed the listen thanks for sharing.

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@jonmeta

Love the Woody Guthrie #tag. The 'so much of nothing' description of a billionaire, and the other winks and nods at the co-President. 'Half-cocked and loaded' is a brilliant line.

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@lcad

Ooh, awesome vocals and some real fire in this one. Great lyrics, they get straight to the point but stay general enough to not be dated. Love that minor iv on the bridge and the sheer conviction in your voice. Thanks for this

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@oddbod

Got a fire under you. Stick it to the man. I hope you're taking up @davidtaro's offer to produce. I know he'll do it justice.

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@deleted

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@deena

I agree with every word and the way you sing them, too! Get this out into the world now!

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I really love the part where you say you could go to hell and that you have the truck for it. That line gave me such a good giggle.

I also love the structure of this song. The melody line is extremely catchy, and I really enjoyed when those harmonies came in—they truly serve the song well.

It's definitely a poignant piece.

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I definitely hear it begging for a full band. Could even go the country route too...

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Nice one, love that second verse- 'gets in the way of you lining your pockets'....also that lead in to the bridge is really nice. And a nice play with saving and serving, really like this one!

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@klyma

It's gonna be hard to post this comment while I have a fist in the air. Woody Guthrie said to sing what you see. And THAT'S how you do THAT. Rock and roll is my favorite kind of folk music. Great groove, fabulous melody.

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@beacon

Damn, this is everything. I'd definitely take @davidtaro on his offer. This needs to be heard everywhere. This is the strongest I've heard your voice (and that's a high bar). Tremendous.

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Hey if you need a producer… ;)

This is some wonderfully cathartic and utterly righteous anger being directed at, well I can’t begin to think who. Those falsetto notes are so good. Love the chords at the end (on ‘help’ and ‘hell’). Testify, Phil!

[FAWM]