Is There An Upside To Down?
by @analogj
Liner Notes
This song came from a theme proposed for a weekly online open mic I co-host. The theme was playfully "Upside Down". Yet, it occurred to me whether there is or what is the upside to down when there's an awful lot of down right now in our country, the U.S. In fact, it's frustrating. Yet we individually can't contract and do nothing. We need to figure out how to make a difference and foster a sense of community and welcome.
The song is, to me, both beautiful, haunting, and sad, yet not resigned either.
Lyrics
When I read through the papers And look all around Is there an upside... An upside to down?
They're pathetic, so mean No compassion's profound Is there an upside... An upside to down?
There's so much betrayal To humans on down Is there an upside... An upside to down?
I see the affected I see lots of frowns Is there an upside... An upside to down?
And still there's the glory of glorious sights to behold But how can we stand there and watch when they're all getting sold?
There's a man in the White House A man who's a clown Is there an upside... An upside to down?
He wants to be king And for us to bow down Is there an upside... An upside to down?
He continues to fraud Tries to shake us all down Is there an upside... An upside to down?
He's always audacious He always astounds Is there an upside... An upside to down?
And there's still all the wonder in wondrous places abound Yet they're hell bent on owning and running those great places down.
There's one consolation That he'll be Hell bound That's not enough upside... An upside to down.
And the rest of them evil, They're also headed underground It's not enough upside... An upside to down.
There's an abundance of spirit and spirited people around Try as they must, they can't grind all of us to the ground.
So we can't go under We must keep our minds sound There must be an upside... An upside to down.
We'll do more than tread water We can't let ourselves drown There's going to be an upside... An upside to down.
Comments
I love the line “upside to down”. Very clever! … the piano riff perfectly matches the mood and the tone of the song, with those musical refrains adding weight to your great lyrics. Stunning piece - well done!
Great first song Jeff. Very simple format, but well delivered. It does have that droning quality, just like the never ending buzz of tragedy. Well constructed, and I like the breaks, with a little bit of hope in there despite the minor key.
I am here for the protest songs these days! I love the piano and heartfelt delivery. Trying to find an upside to down with this clown in the White House feels impossible, but I do love that you're not feeling resigned.
I love the piano arpeggio, the way it meanders up and down. Poignant lyrics and melody. Nicely encapsulates the spirit of these (sad) times.