Songs I might have written

From the first time I listened to this album in its entirety I've had a deep connection with it. The majority of songs here have at least one part that sounds like I had thought it before or felt the same way at some point, and I love the way the entire album has these dark lyrics with a sense of humor sung over music that might play whenever you open a music box (well, plus guitars).

But rather than list every song on Beautiful Freak, I figured I should stick with the songs that feature lyrics I identify with most/all of...

"Guest List"

"Guest List" makes me think of my social status in school, and continues to apply today. I've never been popular or anything more than an acquaintance of a popular person. That's not a complaint, mind you, because once I realized I wouldn't be popular I quit caring about it...but at one point I felt the pain of not being as accepted as others, so I understand where this song comes from. So while I no longer "want to be of the beautiful people", the rest of the song still applies because I still don't fit in with the masses. Only difference is that I'm perfectly happy with that fact. So had I written this one it might have been an anthem instead.

"Flower"

I felt this way for many years growing up.

"Good Life"

Felt this way a lot too. And damn right I want sugar in my tea.

"Lost at 22"

My personal anthem when I turned 22, and when I first heard it I was shocked that the words didn't come from me.

"The Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack"

This is exactly the kind of friend I am.

"I Don't Wanna Grow Up"

I'm aware that Tom Waits wrote this song, but I heard the Ramones do it first & still prefer their version. I doubt this one needs much explanation...being young & without responsibilities is much easier than being an adult & accepting responsibility for things. Plus, you know, no bills to pay. ;)

Strange that despite almost 10 years difference in age, Trent Reznor has managed to perfectly capture my thoughts and feelings throughout his career. On this album his lyrics on the following songs hit even closer to home than I expected them to. I'd written some pieces in my notebooks that were very similar to both.

"Every Day Is Exactly the Same"

"Right Where It Belongs"

"Retreat!"

This pretty well sums up my thoughts on religion.

"Nobody's Lonesome for Me"

Admittedly due to the flow of time there's no way I could've written this song. Hank died in 1953 & I wasn't born until 1977, so unless I'm somehow a reincarnation of him (yeah right) there's no way. But still.

I've dated far more grrls than I've had relationships with, and the relationships I've had have been few & far between. This is one of my favorite songs about being alone with no worthwhile dating prospects.

"5 Years"

As I said in my Songs and what they mean to me list: Between 2003 and 2009, I had a difficult time finding someone to be in a relationship with. I dated plenty of grrls, but for various reasons things rarely progressed beyond a few dates and the girlfriends I did have didn't last longer than a couple months. Throughout that time this song frequently played in my head if not on my mp3 player.

"Pretty Girls (the Mover)"

Sounds like the majority of my dating experiences between 2003 & 2009.

Hombre Lobo came out shortly after I finally found the woman I'd been searching for all my life...which is funny, because it sounded like the soundtrack of my life relationships-wise for the years between 2003 & 2009. So either this is the album I would've written at some point during those years had my efforts to form a band worked out, or it's the album I could have written after I met my soon-to-be wife.

This trio of songs is most like me.

"Prizefighter"

"My Timing Is Off"

"Ordinary Man"

Violent Femmes became one of my favorite albums of all time the first time I listened to it. I came across it in high school, which is really the best time to first encounter it since all the songs apply to that time period and/or whenever your first heartbreak/rejection occurs.

"Promise" (see also "Please Do Not Go", "Prove My Love", & most of "Add It Up")

"Creep"

The only Radiohead song I've ever loved. If you haven't connected personally with this song at some point, well, I don't know what to say to you.

"Can't Bring Me Down"

No matter how bleak things have looked in my life, my constant optimism has always prevailed. Plus, I don't believe that anyone can truly understand you without having walked in your shoes for a while.

"summerholidays vs. punkroutine"

For several years I was dead set on being the lead singer in my own band, and during that time The Shape of Punk to Come came out. This song perfectly captured my mindset at the time (especially since I'd given up on college then), and I had to look through my lyrics to make sure it hadn't somehow been stolen from me. (It hadn't.)

Lyrics: I'm tired of losing myself to some
Stupid childhood dream of what I could have been
Money proves the point and I'm stuck between
Summer holidays & punk routine
I shoot off a 100 things to remain
More sorry than safe, you see
I only get this fucking chance once
And I just can't let it be

Well, I'm still certain that what motivates me
Is more rewarding than any piece of paper could be
Well adjusted & corrupt,
All those icons that stole our teenage lust
A scenario of simplicity, a scenario of you and me
A scenario of simplicity, a scenario of you and me

Rather be forgotten than remembered for giving in
Rather be forgotten than remembered - remembered - for giving in
Rather be forgotten than remembered for giving in
Rather be forgotten than remembered - remembered - for giving in

We're all tired of dying,
So sick of not trying
Scared that we might fail,
We'll accomplish nothing

Not even failure

Rather be forgotten than remembered for giving in
Rather be forgotten than remembered - remembered - for giving in
Rather be forgotten than remembered for giving in
Rather be forgotten than remembered - remembered - for giving in

"If 6 Was 9"

Again, the flow of time keeps me from being able to write this one. But had I lived through the 60s I might have written this one. Or maybe in this time if you drop the line about hippies cutting off their hair at least (not that I'd care about that either).

"Smash"

For similar reasons to The Eels' "Guest List".

"My Right"

Odds are I would never have heard this song or bought this album were it not for one of my high school friends being in a ska band that covered it. The first time they played it I fell in love with it, & I asked my friend what album the song came from. Soon as I found a copy I bought it, & this remains my favorite track as it sounds exactly like something I would have written.