I have a tendency to say limited, contained things like they are whole and big and already accepted as true. It helps me sometimes. Other times not so much and what’s maybe just as likely is that I'll tune out the part that doesn’t go along nicely with the rest. I don’t think I am alone in that. We all steer the narrative a little. There is no way to include everything so we omit. Sometimes there are lies of omission. Sometimes even unintended consequences of omissions not meant to deceive.
It is a trap of a certain sort. How do you choose between the good and the acceptable, I was recently asked. The question pertained to [in a round about way] what would possess me to record a song and then never share it, or play it out. It struck me as a good one to tumble in my head. Some things you just leave out.
The trap is in deciding to leave anything out on purpose. And that can pertain to what you take in as much as to what you put out, or don't. It's pretty easy to put blinders up and just roll toward a goal. In this case- write some good songs, get a band, make a record, build a following, make a venture out of the whole thing.
I was under 30 when I wrote this one. I’d bought a guitar I liked from the pawn shop a block closer to downtown than the pizza place where I worked and sometimes played. I had saved up a hundred bucks and bought a playable, tuneable catalogue guitar from the seventies- a 72 Stella. I am perfectly willing to believe that instruments have songs in ‘em already, that when someone who is pretty sure they can write songs has an unfamiliar instrument in their hands the little individuating factors, the hums and clicks and tones can dictate a songiness that comes out through it. It was a plywood parlour sized one with a steel tail piece, plinky and ringy.
I lived in a place with a living room and a TV and a couple other guys, but the only thing on TV or the radio [it was the mid nineties] was the fucking OJ Simpson trial … for a year. So I just checked out. I stopped consuming the news. I’d already relinquished any interest in sports and at the time that about summed up the media you could consume. I was just trying to write songs about real stuff. I had taken the guitar with me to work. I think I bought it on the way in and just had it up in the break room. And when I got done closing the kitchen, I picked the thing up and the whole first verse just fell out. I was embracing the wild young artist’s lifestyle and drinking the free beers I could get at the pizza joint. Someday I’ll tell about the So So Sailors, but not today.
When did I cease to pay attention
Is a question
I’ve been meaning to be asking myself
since I don't know when.
Started with my worries first I think
Soon followed
By the kitchen sink
Baby with bathwater
Tossed for the bathtub gin.
I won’t be taken under wing
I won't be lost under foot
I won’t believe a word you say
no matter how it’s put.
When did I cease to pay attention
Is a question
I’ve been meaning to be asking myself
Since I don't know when.
All there is is more
Until you’re sore
Because you cant believe yourself.
Everything is free.
Yell out,
Hey Kid! Buy my CD.
Saw you on the street today
And you look cool to me.
I won't be taken under wing
I won't be lost under foot
I won’t believe a word you say
No matter how it’s put.
When did I cease to pay attention
Is a question
I've been meaning to be asking myself
Since I don’t know when.
The second verse is about the whole pursuit of musical global domination in a sarcastic way. The band already existed. Then we made a record. We banged out a lot of songs in the studio in a day. Eleven I think. This being one.
This one and Go from the same record made me think, after hearing the recordings, hmm, we have something here.
I sure lucked out with the band.
A million years later the sentiment still applies. People are checking out. It’s too much. If you don't pay attention to what everybody else is paying attention to, you run the risk of being that guy at the bar who can’t be reached.
And I am still trying to get you to have a listen…. cuz the songs still work.
Here kid try this..
Johnny Crawford plays drums
Randy Davis Plays lead guitar twice on this one
Marty Christiansen Plays bass
Nate Bassinger plays accordion AND it’s great
I played a good guitar, not the one I wrote it on, but it's still plinky and ringy.
Thanks for listening
Purchase link:
https://samknutson.bandcamp.com/album/shame-train-and-the-devils-square-quilt
Hey kid but my downloads.
Season Two. It’s been a year. I feel like I should be more amazed.
