Edward Piercy

A Billion Years Away

Wednesday, 4. November 2009, 15:45:23

I’m not normally given to writing song lyrics, but back in
the 80s I came up with the words for a punk rock song. Here’s
the song:

“Write One Song”

by

Edward Piercy

Write one song and play it to death
Write one song and play it to death
Write one song and play it to death
Write one song and play it to death

Write one song
Play it to death
Write one song
Play it to death

Write one song and play it to death
Write one song and play it to death
Write one song and play it to death
Write one song and play it to death

Write one song
Play it to death
Write one song
Play it to death

Following upon the success (in my own mind) of that song,
I wrote another one:

“Write Two Songs”

by

Edward Piercy

Write two songs and play ’em to death
Write two songs and play ’em to death
Write two songs and play ’em to death
Write two songs and play ’em to death

Write two songs
Play ’em to death
Write two songs
Play ’em to death

Etc. etc etc. I think you get the idea.

I never did write a third punk song for some reason. Though
I’m pretty sure that I could.

Also back in the 80s I wrote a song called “Heart Parasol.”
I wrote it while visiting my sister and brother-in-law at
their house near Grissom AFB in Indiana. My brother-in-law,
John, ended up setting the words to music. And eventually,
recently, he recorded it. You can listen to the song on
John’s MySpace page if you care to.

I don’t remember the lyrics to that one. So I can’t put them
down here. I do remember vaguely what my life was like back
then, what I was thinking and feeling. Lots of ancient Roman
history. Lots of beer. Xanax. Echo and the Bunnymen. And of
course the seemingly ever-present depression over some girl
or another.

It seems like so long ago. But of course it wasn’t. It always
gets me when people meet and one will say “Gee, it’s been a
long time.” And the other person will respond “Yes, it has
been. Too long” or something to that effect.

But it hasn’t been a long time. A billion years, now that’s a
long time. All our time is but the blink of a star’s eye.

The Corona Borealis super cluster of galaxies, located
approximately 1 billion light years away from us.

Internet Junk Drawer 10Into the Wild

Comments

Allan # 4. November 2009, 21:25

You know I love your writings - punk included.

Linda # 4. November 2009, 21:50

Edward, I enjoyed that song. I too have written song lyrics (doesn't everyone at some point in their lives)? None of mine ever published on My Space though! It wasn't around when I was writing poetry and lyrics.

Edward Piercy # 4. November 2009, 21:54

Thanks Allan. Very much.

Maybe...I ought to write that third song.

@ Linda

MySpace wasn't around when I wrote them, either. And in fact I didn't even know that John had recorded the song until he sent me to his MySpace page. What a surprise.

scott cumming # 5. November 2009, 00:39

i was just wondering what the third song would be like.

Stardancer # 5. November 2009, 00:45

Cool! Now I personally know a songwriter!

"All our time is but the blink of a star’s eye."

Nice thought, Edward.

Linda # 5. November 2009, 00:46

Maybe it should be C&W. Ballad of a Red Headed Woman. hahaha

Edward Piercy # 5. November 2009, 01:51

@ Scott.

You gotta give the public what it wants.

@ Star.

Thanks!

@ Linda.

You mean there's not already as song called Ballad of a Red Headed Woman?

Huh, that's odd. I would have thought there would be a whole slew of guys writing depressing songs about redheads.

You know you just reminded me of a song that I was thinking of the other day but couldn't remember the title of -- Black Magic Woman. So thanks!

Linda # 5. November 2009, 02:12

Glad to be of service. I know Red Headed Stranger by Willy Nelson, but no red headed woman songs.

Angeliki # 5. November 2009, 02:44

"Write one song and play it to death
Write one song and play it to death
Write one song and play it to death
Write one song and play it to death"

these were the kind of songs I was listening when I was learning my English,
simple with words to be remembered easily and repeated verses ...

thanks for sharing Eddie,
knowing a writer is a privilege,
knowing a song writer is a treat!

Angeliki # 5. November 2009, 02:52

PS

when I got classes at NYU I had to analyze this :
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/20967
I wish it was yours instead

Edward Piercy # 5. November 2009, 03:05

Angeliki that one beats mine hands down.

Angeliki # 5. November 2009, 04:14

analyzing it it took a class of geniuses,
and about 100 Greek curses by me!

at the same time Michael was snoozing next to me in class...

PainterWoman # 5. November 2009, 04:53

I'm not quite sure what Punk Rock is. Was thinking Marilyn Manson is Punk Rock but maybe he's more Gothic Rock. Looked on YT for a video but all the visuals are a bit too disturbing. So is he for that matter.

Linda # 5. November 2009, 04:57

Marilyn Manson is indeed a punk. Not sure it's punk rock, though. Heavy Metal I think.

Darko # 5. November 2009, 06:02

Ed, nice punk song. My friend wrote one too:

Toilet seat!!!Toilet seat!!!Toilet seat!!!
Toilet seat!!!
Toilet seat!!!Toilet seat!!!Toilet seat!!!Toilet seat!!!
Toilet seat!!!Toilet seat!!!
Toilet seat!!!
Toilet seat!!!Toilet seat!!!

It goes with a wild and fast music

"All our time is but the blink of a star’s eye."

Star, stop blinking!!!

Pam, take a look

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLEoxUf-KUM

Stardancer # 5. November 2009, 06:45

Originally posted by gdare:

Star, stop blinking!!!

I keep thinkin' that if I blink just right, I won't have to wash those blasted dishes.

Edward Piercy # 5. November 2009, 14:45

@ Pam.

I'd say that Green Day is about as close to being a well known punk group these days. Although there is definitely a pop edge to their punk. The first great well known one was the Sex Pistols. Nevertheless true punk has never really been mainstream.

@ Star.

You have to cross your arms when you blink, Star. That's why it's not working.

And oh, wear a skimpy little outfit.

@ Darko.

That's a good one!

When I actually wake up and get the laptop going, I've got one hell of a punk toilet seat photo for you. Since we're on ther topic.

Martin K # 5. November 2009, 22:34

Reminds me of this one. Those profound, intellectual lyrics roughly translates: 'I Know A Song Which Will Drive You Insane' and the band is the legendary Humleridderne (Knights of Hop).

Edward Piercy # 5. November 2009, 23:45

OMG danish punk? Well as soon as I emerge from the trip and the bloody marys, I will check it out.

BTW, do you know the Dead Kennedys? One of my fav punk songs is one by them called "Let's Lynch the Landlord"

Angeliki # 6. November 2009, 21:39

@ Darko,

ROFL nice!

Edward Piercy # 6. November 2009, 21:47

Well Martin I just listened to the song. One of the most irritating songs (?) I've ever heard. Where's the guitar? I thought there was some sort of a rule about that...

I can just imagine that song being used as music that comes on when they put you on hold.

dirk # 6. November 2009, 22:35

Ed, listened to that song on the my.space site of your brother-in-law ...

I like these raw guitar riffs ... that's very down to earth ... and yes, kind of dragging me down to the roots ... very impressed hat a lot of fun with ...

Edward Piercy # 7. November 2009, 00:34

Glad you liked it Dirk. I'll relay your impressions to John -- I'm sure they will please him.

Darko # 7. November 2009, 07:37

Angeliki, you should listen him "singing" it

John Leonard # 9. November 2009, 04:27

There was something about "Heart Parasol" that compelled me to try something with it musically. When I did, it seemed natural. I love playing it and the response has been great. I hope it wasn't TOO much of a surprise for you, my Brother, when you found it in the jukebox. Thanks for sharing this with your friends and thank you ALL for checking it out. Much Love!
P.S. Sorry I did not set it to a steady and distorded, heavy hammering, pile of PUNK!

-John

Linda # 9. November 2009, 05:16

So, John, where's Ed's royalty payments?

John Leonard # 10. November 2009, 21:27

Originally posted by L2D2:

Ed's royalty payments?

You mean you haven't seen the checks yet either?

Edward Piercy # 10. November 2009, 21:30

All right all right you two, enough of this royalty nonsense. We do it for the deep personal satisfaction to be derived from being poor penniless bastards.

Linda # 11. November 2009, 03:25

And we sure know a lot about that subject, huh?

Edward Piercy # 11. November 2009, 03:47

scott cumming # 19. November 2009, 03:29

Originally posted by edwardpiercy:

All right all right you two, enough of this royalty nonsense. We do it for the deep personal satisfaction to be derived from being poor penniless bastards.

you took the words right out of my mouth.