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#876413 Yesterday at 01:41 PM
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Link: That Doesn't Make Sense

A brief review of some random thoughts about the year 2025 from the perspective of someone who is not particularly pleased with the current state of the world.
A quiet protest song.
And, yep, the intro of the video doesn't make sense.
That's exactly the point.

Comments, advice, and feedback of any kind are very welcome!

Some technical information:

Lyrical advisor and master of motivation: Marty

Style: _PIANOLN.STY

The band:
Drums, PopCountry16th, SkaSlow70sWes (without kick)
Bass: 1592
Guitars: 407, 522, 694, 852, 2x3931, 4158, 4388
Synths: 1265
Piano: 2024
Vocals: AI (at least I was told)

Tracks Stats for those interested:
BIAB: 13x
AI: 1x

You can find the lyrics in the next post.

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Title: That Doesn't Make Sense

(Intro)
Experts share insights into the camera light
With sponsored answers, dressed up as facts
Since when does truth start needing a brand?
That doesn’t make sense, their version of right

(Verse)
My country sends money to wars far away
And I have to check my balance before I fill my tray
No one asked me if I’m okay with that
That doesn’t make sense, no matter what they say

(Pre-Chorus)
They say it would be easy if we’d just agree
But I see fakes where facts used to be
Since when is doubt a crime?
That doesn't make sense, at least not to me

(Chorus)
I scroll, I pay, I nod and agree
I’m told it’s all normal, there's nothing to see
I try to keep up with the life I should lead
Yeah, that seems to make sense, but not to me

(Verse)
They change the rules and call it progress
But I am still learning last year's process
Is confusion part of the plan?
That doesn't make sense if this is success

(Bridge)
They say privacy is overrated these days
My phone knows more about me than my friends
It does not make sense

(Chorus)
I scroll, I pay, I nod and agree
I’m told it’s all normal, there's nothing to see
I try to keep up with the life I should lead
Yeah, that seems to make sense, but not to me

(Bridge)
I work, I wait, I do what I’m told
I buy the dream even when it’s old
I’m chasing a future that’s already sold
Yeah, that does make sense, or so I’m told?

(Chorus)
I scroll, I pay, I nod and agree
I’m told it’s all normal, there's nothing to see
I try to keep up with the life I should lead
Yeah, that seems to make sense, but not to me

(Outro)
I work, I wait, but now I'm too old
To buy a dream that’s already sold
And now it makes sense
At least I was told

Last edited by B.D.Thomas; Yesterday at 01:49 PM. Reason: Lyrics added
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Excellent song, Brian, and "That doesn't Make Sense" makes total sense to me in that the state to the world today is totally senseless! Re the MSM - Meanstream Media - there's a cartoon around of a news studio and just before the news begins the producer shouts, "Lights! … Camera! … Fiction!" laugh

Re your reply to my comment on "Winter, Berlin City West" where you mention my poem, "The Lost Ones", you've given me an idea for a future project. It would be difficult, but it could be rewritten as an epic song, or it could be spoken over an apt backing track - a female voice would give it best feeling - though as things decline I'd need to add 3 more verses (!) as the poem was written in 2008.


Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Very cool, B.D.

Such a poetic take on a year that's violently shattered so many norms. I'm an optimist, and believe in my heart that we'll come out of all of this stronger. But at what cost? Time will tell.

The sparce production is quite gorgeous. Love the pathos of your vocalist and the overall vocal performance. I might be hearing a bit more sibilance than usual, but that adds to the intimacy to my ears. Certainly doesn't detract from the beauty of the song in the least.

Didn't watch the video, but REALLY love your song. Songs about something important are...something.


DC Ron
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ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Hi B.D.!
A very thought-provoking song - and I was somewhat distracted by the issues raised in your lyric that I sometimes forgot to focus on the music - and maybe that's the point?

Musically, I liked your use of dynamics and arrangement change throughout the song to provide contrast - some passages in anger/frustration - others in reflection and resignation. I detected the I - V - vi - IV progression in parts but didn't follow through to see where else it went - that progression still sounds fresh.

What I don't understand - irrespective of the context - is why people can be happy to support (or at least comply with or tolerate) some of this stuff - and apparently there's a whole psychology to that.

Good song!

Andrew

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As protest songs go, I'd place it up there with the works of Dylan, Simon, Guthrie, and Paxton.
This one has a modern vibe to fit the times we are living in. Insightful and thought-provoking, the quiet, reflective mood of the music adds to rather than detracts from the hard-hitting lyrics (as did Paul Simon's "Side Of A Hill").


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B.D.,

An excellent emotional review of the times we are living in. Excellent lyrics, song production and video.

So well done.

Bob

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Brian, this is a masterpiece.
A protest song about what is happening set to music - brilliant.
Loved the arrangement.
The Synth vocal was fantastic as was the mix.
The lyrics took it over the top for me"
"Is confusion part of the plan?", I think confusion along with control is the plan. When an OB-GYM can't answer can a man have a baby and a Supreme Court Justice can't answer what is a woman I know that were are in big trouble. YMMV

Loved the song.


My boss calls me "the computer".
Nothing to do with intelligence. I go to sleep if left unattended for 15 minutes.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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