Since I recently restarted writing and recording music I’ve written several new songs. However, there are a handful of older ones that I think deserve to be re-recorded, updated, and posted. (There are also many that need to be forgotten.) This song was written in the fall of 2001. I always imagine that everyone has a place, somewhere in their mind, where they can go to be alone. Sort of a private island where they can meditate. That’s what this song is about.

Special thanks to Chris who recorded the bass for this track way back in 2001 – and his bass line still rocks!

Private Island [LYRICS]

Lyrics for Private Island.

VERSE

Look in the mirror at myself, I can make it another day
Feeling for heartbeats and my health, and my trip’s still got a ways
To go to get there intact
Where will I end up in fact
My suitcase has always been packed
For the moment when I would go there

CHORUS
I’ll take you with me when I go
My private island told me so
Please trust me here, cause I should know

VERSE

Drawing the maps and diagrams, when I’m bored throughout the day
Where will I sleep and eat and read, and I’ll need a place to stay
When I go all in good time
The water’s warm and sublime
My suitcase has always been primed
For the moment when I would go there

CHORUS

I’ll take you with me when I go
My private island told me so
Please trust me here, cause I should know

BRIDGE

And if I walked into your room
Tickets in hand, our flight leaves soon
And if I said it’s time to go
You told me before so I should know

VERSE

Pack my CDs or take some food, and it doesn’t matter now
Not to just be a trusting fool, it’ll work itself out, how
I don’t know when but it’s clear
Each day the clock shows it’s near
My suitcase has always been here
For the moment when I would go there

CHORUS

I’ll take you with me when I go
My private island told me so
Please trust me here, cause I should know

I’ll take you with me when I go
My private island told me so
Please trust me here, cause I should know

Another lovely graphical exploration from the in-house art department here at Sugar Fix Music Industries (that’s SFMI to you!). This is for the latest song I posted. I particularly enjoy how angry the stewardess looks. My daughter had particular fun drawing this one. I think she’s living vicariously through the stewardess. Apparently at the age of 4 she has a lot to be angry about.

On a recent flight home from vacation we encountered a super annoyed stewardess. I don’t know that my asking her for the entire can of seltzer was the tipping point, but it certainly was the point at which I became the object of her naked hostility. Clearly there was something going on with her. I don’t know if it was alcohol, job dissatisfaction, or just a bad day. But to me she seemed “on the edge”. She had a bit of the “crazy eyes” if you know what I mean. (I’ll stop putting things in quotes now.) I should point out that this story may be entirely made up as well. (That last point was inserted by the Sugar Fix legal department.) Hope you like.

Terry (the Probably Drunk and Definitely Angry Stewardess) [LYRICS]

Lyrics for Terry (the Probably Drunk and Definitely Angry Stewardess)

I’d like a seltzer with some ice
And a wedge of lime would sure be nice
And the can if you can
Cause I know I’ll soon want some more

It’s either this or the cranapple mix
Which I usually get as my flight time fix
But today it is seltzer and lime
That I’d really like please

CHORUS

I think I’ve upset you
Maybe it’s me but you’re yelling
You woke up the baby
What’s that on your breath that I’m smelling

I’m sorry that I asked for the can
And I can see that you’re not a fan
Of working here

I know that it’s sexist and shallow too
That said I could swear that it used to be true
That the stewardesses were so young
And quite pretty as well

It’s not that I mind if that’s not you
I’m sure you’re attractive in your own way too
You just seem so pissed off
And I can’t stop from wondering why

CHORUS

I think I’ve upset you
Maybe it’s me but you’re yelling
You woke up the baby
What’s that on your breath that I’m smelling

I’m sorry that I asked for the can
And I can see that you’re not a fan
Of working here

BRIDGE

The guy with the broken headphones
The lady trying to pass your cart
You knocked into that kid’s elbow
None of them can melt your heart

VERSE

You’re working the cart and your partner’s scared
I think she is dreading the flights where you’re paired
Though It’s so hard to tell as she grins
Just a little too much

It seems like you may be slurring your words
Could it be at the bar that you ordered thirds
When you’re swearing out loud
It just seems like you may be off

CHORUS

I think I’ve upset you
Maybe it’s me but you’re yelling
You woke up the baby
What’s that on your breath that I’m smelling

I’m sorry that I asked for the can
And that your life wasn’t according to plan
And I can see that you’re not a fan
Of working here

Call Social Services. The in-house art department has produced not one, but two drawings to accompany thew new song — Rule 34. Have no fear, they are definitely SFW. Of course explaining to the kids what the song was about was interesting. I’m sure it will come up in therapy down the road.

First up is a relatively traditional piece:

But this next piece is not only more abstract but has the dragon and car with their backs to each other. Playing hard to get? Bored in their relationship? Involved in some sort of role play? Who could say.

Here’s another song for the the legions of Sugar Fix fans (the FaceBook fan count is now up to 10 — take that Beatles). If you don’t know what “Rule 34″ is, just pull out your trusty Urban Dictionary and look it up. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Got it? Good. Unfortunately, that’s not quite enough information to understand the song, as the song is about my favorite example of Rule 34, the illicit love between dragons and cars. I’m not sure that I need to point out that though I find it endlessly entertaining, it’s not a personally exciting scenario (not that there’s anything wrong with that — well, maybe there is). While the song is quite SFW there are some drawings of the non-SFW variety that will explain this phenomenon in more, ahem, detail. I really encourage you not to look at the drawings as you will never know blissful ignorance again — there’s no going back after looking. But if you must, here’s the link.

(On a side note, I do wonder how dragons “loving” cars can truly be considered NSFW given that dragons don’t exist, and even if they did I doubt they’d be attracted to cars. But that’s an entirely separate topic I suppose.)

At the very least, I think I can safely say that this is the first, only, and almost certainly last song you’ll ever hear on this topic.

Rule 34 [LYRICS]

Lyrics for Rule 34.

VERSE

There’s a dragon all alone with nothing but time
No matter how hard he tries, the concept enters his mind
Way deep down he knows, that he can never go back
He’s in love with a late model Pontiac

CHORUS

It’s a different kind of love between man and machine
Well he’s not quite a man, but you know what I mean
And if there’s a place to go
Where these lovers can just be
And love whatever they can love
Please don’t forget me

VERSE

Don’t be judgy and rude just cause it’s not your thing
I see true dragon-auto love, and it makes me sing
If you knew a dragon in this condition, he’d be
Out cruising bars for a sexy transmission

CHORUS

It’s a different kind of love between man and machine
Well he’s not quite a man, but you know what I mean
And if there’s a place to go
Where these lovers can just be
And love whatever they can love
Please don’t forget me

VERSE

Even in the best case, not every love’s a sure bet
Especially when, he sees that gorgeous corvette
Just like you and me a dragon follows his heart
Always looking for love and that special jump start

CHORUS

It’s a different kind of love between man and machine
Well he’s not quite a man, i think you know what I mean
And if there’s a place to go
Where these lovers can just be
And love whatever they can love
Please don’t forget me

And if there’s a place to go
Where these lovers can be free
And do whatever they call love
Please don’t forget me

Who says we don’t have fan generated content to post? Just because the fans happen to be in house artists — literally, four and six year olds in my house — doesn’t make it any less a show of support. Here’s the new song art for the first track — Let’s Sneak Off. Enjoy.

I love most of the HBO shows. Curb Your Enthusiasm especially. But we also watch Big Love the show about the non-Mormon modern day polygamists living in Utah. It’s so stressful. This song explores the practical considerations when polygamy gets out of control. Two wives? Why stop there? Why not multiple husbands? etc. It starts out with multiple spouses being a convenience, but things get confusing after awhile. You get the idea.

I played and sang most things on this track except for the acoustic guitar which was excellently provided by Chris. Thank you Chris! Also, this was my first end-to-end song done with the new Mac gear. Things will go more smoothly down the road (I hope).

Let’s Sneak Off [LYRICS]