“Muses Beg” - a song about need
Story Pairing
I really enjoyed rambling on about songwriting with the previous musing for Rutland Rain (which you can read here).
With this song, I was thinking more along the lines of inspiration needed to say something. What I mean by that is that we, as songwriters, are always borrowing whatever magic the muses can give us to make something that a personal experience has sparked. I think we end up shaping a lot of what we are gifted with our personal thoughts, experiences, and ability. I’m curious though about the muses “wants”. Whatever that big blob of creative magic is, does it share based on the desires of the listener/writer or does it ever gift art because it’s what the world needs?
I know it’s a bit out there, but hear me out. And I don’t mean to take away from all the amazing creators out there, but I think we put too much ego into what we make and pat ourselves on the back for something we are just stewards of. What I mean by that and what I have been wondering, is in times where the world feels crooked, that’s when we historically have really incredible art made. If you go back and you see people sharing this art or talking about it, they are talking about the individuals who created it and the situations that inspired it. I wonder though did the world need that art so it was the flavor that the muses shared?
So…
Option 1 (ego forward)
> songwriter notices situation > inspiration strikes > art created that reflects inspiration > situation now has affiliated creation.
Option 2 (muse forward)
> situation is creating friction > muses send out a salve in the form of specific inspiration types > artists who are listening feel that flavor > creation based on gifted ingredients > art shared is the necessary prescription of the “universe”
…whew, getting pretty far out and heavy when the term “universe” is thrown around. I wonder though, and feel sort of drawn towards the latter of the options. Are there more options? You bet. I have no clue what they are, but I could make something up I’m sure…
Option 3 (backwards)
> use Chat GPT and Suno to make everything from now on > jump off a bridge
(How’d I do?)
Snark aside, I think it’s really amazing how when people are feeling a void, it’s often art they turn to to fill it. I think it’s an especially amazing coincidence that the art we seem to need the most is the one we often find. All of the things created daily, and we can still find the ones that move us when we need moved. There is something to that.
Song Structure
Verse: Dm / F / G / Dm / F / G / Dm / F / Dm / F / G / F / Dm
Chorus: F / Dm / F / Dm / G / Dm / F / G / F / Dm
Bridge: C / Dm / F / G / F / Dm
Voice Memos
No Notebook Page
Sept 2025
Lyrics
They say my voice is shifting
I don’t sound like me no more
As I bequeath mine hearts utterance unto thine ears
And my tongue doth wander strange apart from here
If I speak a little different, If the words I say are strange
Is it me or do the muses beg for change
They say my steps are leaning
I don’t follow a familiar line
As I caper to a close left and forward right
And heel a traverse with a retreat to transfer light
If I dance a little different, if the measures all seem strange
Is it me or do the muses beg for change
Put your ear to the door if your wondering
but yours might be the next their busting down
For standing out of sequence, for clinging to a stance
Of letting all changes run around
They say my palette isn’t welcome
I don’t mix within the rules
As I saturate beyond the triadic norm
And my tone insults the analogous form
If I paint a little different, if the hues I use are strange
Is it me or do the muses beg for change
Put your ear to the door if your wondering
but yours might be the next their busting down
For standing out of sequence, for clinging to a stance
Of letting all changes run around
Inspirations fighting at a war it cannot win
If we twist the lock and never let her in
Put your ear to the door if your wondering
but yours might be the next their busting down
For standing out of sequence, for clinging to a stance
Of letting all changes run around
If I stand a little different, if the way I love is strange
Is it me or do the muses beg for change