FAWM: "Regression"

Regression

2025 by @philnorman

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

@lcad 2025

Ouch, there's some really stinging lines in here. Super well crafted and I appreciate any song that navigates both politics and statistics. Vocals and guitar are gorgeous, this is a beautiful protest song and deeply biting

@mikedebenham 2025

'I've always wanted to ride a train' - oof. Love the whiplash between lyrics and delivery. The mean/cruel idea is a damn solid foundation for a song. Repetitive? I've got folk in my blood, so I think we have different ideas on that. If it isn't 32 consecutive verses about someone drowning in a river, you're fine.

@davidtaro 2025

Love how gentle and arch the delivery is against the (completely spot on) vehemence in some of the lines. There’s not one part of this that I disagree with, and the last verse is killer. Yes, it could support or do with maybe one musical change up to break the flow (hello middle eight) but also there’s quite a nice hypnotic effect to the repetition. Beautifully beautifully sung, as is your wont.

@mikegtz 2025

The "I've always wanted to ride a train" line kills me. Right there with you fighting this particular regression...

@deena 2025

So true, so true.... what are we going to do?!

@oddbod 2025

I’m really enjoying these mellow (musically) remonstrations against decency

@motorcitymusicman 2025

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

@bethdesombre 2025

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 2025

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 2025

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

@cd_caleb_duane 2025

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