“State Of Things” - a song about the state of things
Whew, curveball
Story Pairing
Perspective is a powerful lesson, one I receive often and I think it’s one of the greatest tools of an artist.
I’ve been trying my hand at more social songs this year. There is a part of me that constantly feels guilty about that. I don’t want to add more division to the world, and anytime you are speaking to an audience there is an element of the individual that won’t always agree with what you’re spouting. So for me it’s been a mix of guilt at possibly alienating a person looking to feel something, and also speaking on things that I’m not qualified to do so.
The latter was recently squashed in a lovely dose of the earlier mentioned perspective.
I was playing a house show in South Dakota, and got into a conversation beforehand with a gentleman who asked me if played any political songs. He had told me he was a pastor and I assumed he was asking because he didn’t want to hear me rambling on about things bigger than myself. There’s my mind jumping to assumptions and being proved wrong. When I told him it’s something I’ve been dipping my foot into, but I was transparent that I didn’t feel I had the qualifications to be political. He disagreed quickly saying "That's exactly what we need. Artists getting close to things they don't know so they can give us the new perspective that we need".
I had been sitting on this song and a few others that are unfinished, and his perspective was the exact one I needed to jumpstart my own. I love that sentiment and it’s the permission I needed to sniff out more things I am clueless about and then create when my fresh eyes are moved to see something new.
I want to pass that concept on to my fellow creators. It was a special nudge for me and could be for you. Lean in, who cares, share what you see. Your eyes are yours alone and there is always room for inspiration. Get close.
Song Structure
Verse: C / G / G / C / F / G
Chorus: Am / F / C
Voice Memos
No Notebook Page
Aug 2025
Lyrics
I wish all the skies were ten shades of sunny
All of my pockets were filled up with money
The whole world was singing notes sweet as honey
But it ain't
I wish all that were hungry could get food for free
All the bad turns went to things we should see
The whole world was talking and all would agree
But it ain’t
It’s bruised up and bitter, and begging for a change
I wish all the hands were held out in peace
All of the fighting would start to decrease
The whole world was walking down newly paved streets
Bit it ain’t
I wish all the bad leaders would just get kicked out
All the ignorant cronies would shut their damn mouths
The whole world was forgetting what tyrants would spout
But it ain't
It’s bruised up and bitter, and begging for a change
I wish all the people were starting to grow
All of the wars were starting to slow
The whole world starts to heal and wants us to know
That it might