Inspired by a conversation on the Tavis Smiley show, combined with personal experiences, including being a victim of, and observing racism.
This is obviously such a hot topic, and adding to it, we chose to have the arrangement be something of a mutated rock/psychedelic hip-hop, so lines were walked and crossed with intention.
We both share an aversion to "preachy" lyrics, yet with this subject matter, a certain directness was needed, while using metaphors and double meanings, in a more hip-hop tradition/style. Obviously i tried to give the track, the feel, the recording, the individual performances of the parts, the lyrics, and the production as a whole, the sense of the integrity, genuineness, and vision, as solid as any of the artists or tracks that were an influence on me/us, that led to this recording.
We knew that we would have very few contributions to anything resembling hip-hop, so we tried to make it count.
Racism is one person judging (usually negatively) another person, based on their skin color or ethnicity. Every race and color oof humans, has been guilty of this primitive behavior. Humans are one race, we all share the same ancestors; this song is calling out that ignorance, in all people, regardless of color.
..so, that's what this song is about
Oh, and the "lack of information as to my skills/lack of skills" was a poke at hip hop lyrics often having declarations of superiority, and i (as a joke to myself), added in the self-effacing, opposite version, proudly declaring my lack of skills.
The bass was originally a Sebadoh Harmacy-style song, and was used here, to alter and de-emphasise that aspect; besides, i always wanted to hear a Sebadoh rock song, turned into a hip hop song, so i sort of did it for myself, so thanks go to Lou Barlow, Jason Lowenstein, and Tavis Smiley
And i really must mention that the lead guitar part was Tina; she nailed it on the very first take, so as a result, what you hear, is the very first time EVER, that Tina played the guitar.
I was not even aware of this, until AFTER we decided we had the take, and we were preparing to move forward to the next part, when she told me. I assumed she'd been practicing the part, but what you hear, was her maiden voyage on the guitar. Personally, i liked what i thought of as a "surf-y" element to it, though downplayed, in support of the bass and vocal focus.
It is rare that an artist's very first moments with an instrument are recorded, or even very "good", let alone "the take", so i felt it worthy to take note of this special moment.
lyrics
Colorbind
========
Wastin' all the time
that ain't so free
Stuck on the outside
surface of me
I wish I could give you
Good energy
But you're too busy judgin'
The skin you see
Pick a route other than the
same old way
Take off the blindfold and
greet the day
Bound and gagged,
or just won't say?
You know these thoughts
won't go away
Illusions distract
I feel the impact
The first thing you see
makes you react,
With all the rappin' 'bout
Injustice done
The same song each day
Still goes unsung
If colors are to
Be forgotten,
Better eat it soon
Before it's rotten,
You're holding the greatest
fruit in life,
Issues of words beyond
black and white
Bound and gagged,
or just won't say?
You know these thoughts
won't go away,
Pick a route other than the
same old way,
Take off the blindfold and
greet the day
How many blanks
did you fill?
How many moments
do you kill?
There seems to be a shade
that blocks you still
and lack of information
as to my skills / lack of skills
Feel the impact
Illusions distract
The first thing you see
Makes you react
Maybe if you only
Read my words
Would the meaning
still be a blur?
What wrong things
would you infer?
You can't drive, but
you chauffeur
.
credits
from Secret Second Sampler,
released October 31, 2012
Tina: Lead Guitar, Drums
Patrick: Vocals, Bass, Drums, Turntable, 4 Track
Formed in the beginning of 2001, Wide-Eyed is Tina Lambright and Patrick Pyne. Despite being a duo, they rotated instruments
for recordings to make full, band-oriented songs of varying sounds and styles. Their music can be generally described as experimental pop, or psychedelic rock, but avoiding cliches of any genre. Serious, funny, abstract or direct, despite the dressing, enjoyment is the focus...more
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