Open your window
and open your door.
For the season of skin
has returned like before.
Remove all your shoes
and run through the field.
The snow has departed
the chill is on yield.
Shorten your skirts
and pin up your hair.
The beach welcomes you
while songs loudly blare.
Remove those tank tops
when you toss that frisbee.
Let summer own you.
Now surrender, it’s free.
Audry, Audry,
You embarrass me so.
By draggin’ your butt
across the crisp white snow.
Your joy is so apparent.
Relief, it’s oh so coherent.
But where you chug around,
You leave a streak of brown.
Audry, Audry
How I miss you so.
No more butt to drag,
Across the crisp white snow.
A house just for two.
From lego’s of blue.
He built for his love, Eleanor.
This palace for thee.
They entered as we.
He then turned
And sealed up the door.
Frank eat your peas.
His mother said, “please”.
So strong you will grow.
The plate he did clean
Along with her spleen.
And now she’ll never know.
Minnie, Minnie, sweet and skinny.
Running for your life.
When will you stop
Sneakers replaced with a mop?
And become the devil’s wife.
Sneaky, peaky little mouse.
Scratching on my closet door.
Come out, come out to see your future.
And soon you’ll be sneaky no more.
My friend Jane
is really quite plain.
With green eyes
and long lashes.
One day she cracked
when home, she went back.
And surprised her lover
with thirty slashes.
Believe it or not, I finally watched “The Dark Knight” yesterday. It was specifically to witness the late Heath Ledger’s performance. As I expected, he was extraordinary - I felt creepy, uncomfortable and disturbed - which was awesome! Since this article is not about the movie per se, I’ll keep my comments about everyone and everything else to myself - I was able to let that all loose at the dinner table.
Ledger as the Joker
As I watched, listened and felt Ledger transform into the sinister role of the Joker, it made me think about something else very frightening. Many artists, at some point in their career must face the horrifying question, “will I ever live up to this performance?”. And I began to wonder and speculate whether Ledger was fearfully looking into the grotesque face of the Joker and asking himself this very question. Artists in general are constantly battling self doubts, insecurities and feelings of not being good enough. The pressure to create something new or surpass a previous performance can be intensely suffocating. These feelings and emotions are real and not for dramatic affect. Ask any painter, musician, writer, actor etc. and they will all agree the self doubts have the ability to cripple you - if you let it. Did the vicious side of the art world get the best of Ledger?
When you are just starting out in any art form you are blessed with the adventurous purity of being a discover. For years while creating early works we are constantly experimenting, and trying things out. Allowing curiosity to drive and see what works and what doesn’t. Often times, it is during this discovery phase of our career that the rawness and uncertainty within our work is the most endearing aspect. Slowly, however, we begin to cross over to borrowing against our previous experiences and using a bit of this and a bit of that. The voice of the discoverer gets softer while the experienced and more mature artist takes center stage. And yes, of course, the mature works are magnificent, but they lack just a hint of something pure. But the entire process in and of itself is meant to happen - it is it’s own life cycle.
Unfortunately, for so many artists, the reality is just too much. The list of creative casualties is an exhaustive one where the fear became too great. But as the big Hollywood quote in the movie goes, “you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain”. Did Ledger live and die by this?
If we look back over the years we can all easily recall embarrassing moments in our lives. Such as embarassing hairdos, clothes or people we’ve dated. To add to this list, I thought it would be fun, and therapeutic, to admit to the most embarrassing music I’ve owned - which was rather easy.
Back in the 70’s I was crazy in love with the show and the actors of Starsky and Hutch. Starsky was played by Paul Michael Glaser and Hutch by David Soul - yes a show actually existed - the movie was not original. Anyways, In 1976 David Soul wrote a hit song “Don’t Give Up On Us” which was included on the album “David Soul”. I clearly remember this being one of my “please Mommy, I must have this” birthday wish. Which, being the wonderful mother that she is, bought it for me for my 11th birthday.
He's so dreamy....
Two very funny things occurred while preparing this post. First, while researching the album and looking for an image, I discovered Mr. Soul actually released an album in 1994 “The Best of David Soul”. How did I miss that one?
But the most exhilarating thing came when I shared my idea about this post with my significant other, Mike Taylor. After explaining my idea and how David Soul had a “best of album” Mike disappeared to our basement, and returned with an old box. From this box he pulled out the 45 of “Don’t Give Up on Us”! Now, I always suspected he was my soul mate, but this absolutely confirmed it.
So, what is your most embarrassing music story? Remember, the first step to recovery is admittance.
This list goes out to my counterparts in the animation world. Enjoy!