ajbrewer
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/07 19:13
eek! this has gotten long...I'm at work and have been pecking at this for a minute or two about every 10 minutes or so while I'm working, for about 2 hours, so this has become a stream of conciousnous thing almost...do that a lot here....screw it, hopefully this will all make sense...
Yes, the albums I've done gets some rather mixed reviews as well, as far as the general public. On one hand, I can't seem for the life of me to get my own sister to listen to my music, but a co-worker from last year actually was quite impressed by what I came up with. Although he did admit to a certain amount of initial nervousnous before he listened as to how good music that was created in a month could be. He still listened though, and as I said, was quite impressed. And apparently, he told me his wife's first reaction to hearing some of my stuff was something like, "he can play like this, and he's doing that? ("that" referring to my rat/maze/cubicle day job I have to do to pay rent around here). Then I've got one cousin who digs what I do, but another one who was just kind of 'eh....that's...whatever' when I told him about this and my other music endevours I'm trying to do nowdays. And the one who's kind of 'eh...' about it is the younger one too, just finished college, etc. I was figuring he of everybody would be the one to want to look into what I was doing more. Nope.
So why the various reactions? I've thought probably one factor in at least some of this is pure volume. The kind of "blowing open the gates" thing we've got as far as the cheapness of being able to make music and record music has been such a blessing in many ways. Unfortuantly, I think it's created an interesting conundrum. We've only got so much time in a day, and there's so much stuff out there. I know even I've gotten around to listening and checking out some stuff here at RPM, but there's at least two or three other artists I really want to check out more for every artist I do get around to. And then there's work issues, and bandwidth issues. It can sometimes be rather daunting when you've got so much stuff on tap.
Ultimately, I think sometimes when it comes to the general public, there's a certain amount of "another musican" syndrome. The ability of more people who can record and make music has made the musical landscape that much more cluttered. Good for musicians, and also for those of us who seem to have a million cd's stacked around or a million songs in our ipods that we try to seriously listen to on a regular basis. However, a lot of the general public hears about another musician making music and it feels like another one in a million to them. And of course, ultimately Americans are the most over-worked people in the world, what do you expect? We're not exactly taught to slow down very much, especially nowdays. If you're not chasing the penny down the street and kicking everybody else out of the way to get it, you're almost considered useless and lazy. Then you factor in cost of living right now going up insanely, etc. People work even more. We can't even properly sleep anymore. Dosen't help when it comes to trying to pay attention to so much music.
Another factor I think has to do with what you use music for, and personalities. For a decent amount of people, all music is pretty much background music, nothing much more. So if you can't get in the top 40, or more likely the top 5 or so nowdays, aren't being played to death after death on clear-channel, then a lot of people are going to just have the 'eh...that's...whatever' attitude. Many times, it's also tied into the time problem as well, I think. I am getting to a point to where I can almost tell how some people are going to react based on their personality too. My sister and my cousin who were not all that excited are more the type who are somewhat interested in music, but it's usually more background music to them. Also, the cousin is ADD (about as bad as it gets too) and my sister is probably borderline (well, technically she's closer to average American always going 24/7-you'd think she has coffee instead of blood in her, and somehow we're related...hmmm...lol, nah, still love her though, even if I'm going to have to shove an album down her throat to get her attention and listen to it). My co-worker and my other cousin are much more laid-back, and especially my co-worker, even though he dosen't do much artistically himself, is somewhat inclined to more artistic stuff, he has had/has a lot of artistic friends. Basically, they are the type of people who would sit down and give a random album a chance.
And...finally...some if it is just style. Some people hate anything that is even remotely close to folk. Some people really hate heavy metal, or hardcore, or the various mixtures of those, or they can't stand punk. Or they hate all of the above (err..well, hopefully not too many people hate all of the above, because then I'd be totally screwed). And I know at least one person who is bizarrely anal about quality. In other words, if the vocals are buried under the sound in an old-indie type of way, even a tiny bit, he automatically hates it. Or if a note sounds a little dissonant and not exactly spot-on right, he hates it. Basically, if it hasen't been compressed, pro-tooled and produced to the absolute height of modern-anal ways of producing music, he hates it. I on the other hand, tend to be more displeased with that kind of anal producing. I like my punk, my hardcore, my amazingly dissonant screwed-up metal/noise/whatever Converge and Lignting Bolt stuff more than anything. And some more folksy or pop type of stuff that similiarly is not produced to death, and/or sounds like there's the feeling like there's a pulse behind it all.
Well, there's probably enough there for a disortation. And if I think of any more, I guess I'll post it. (There can be more??  ) It happens....
Post edited by: ajbrewer, at: 2008/03/07 19:15
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brykmantra
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/07 20:14
From my experience with past projects that have gotten recognition, I've learned this: Friends, coworkers and family WILL NEVER BE IMPRESSED BY ANYTHING YOU DO. Part of it is envy that you've accomplished something that they haven't, or that you have skills that they never will; part of it is that to them, you'll always be just good ol' You, and acknowledging that you're more than that would require a major perceptual shift.
Jerry Seinfeld once said, at the height of his success with his sitcom, that his mom still wanted him to get a REAL job in case "this comedy thing" didn't work out ...
And even if they are impressed, they won't let themselves admit it. They have to keep you on their level.
So give up on impressing people you know and concentrate on total strangers. You'll be much happier.
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shallowpeeps
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/07 20:17
None of you are alone - but you all probably knew that right?
The hardest thing for me to get over was sharing my music. Artists seem to have an ongoing Love/Hate relationship with their work; at least i do. It's natural.
I think I'm finally over it - I'm starting to take on a fearless approach to making music and promoting it. This challenge was a definite confidence booster.
People all hear music differently. Some people are completely tone deaf. Some hate the mention of country, some can't handle distorted guitars, etc... I dig anything that makes sound. I can spend a saturday afternoon spinning vinyl and go from ABBA, to Merzbow, to the Carpenters, Judas Priest, Miles Davis, Boredoms, and Merle Haggard all in one day ;P
My dad who seems to be totally uninterested in any musical projects I do told me he wants to hear my latest RPM disc, even though he said he expects himself not to like it. Thanks dad! When I played Glenn Branca's Piece at the Walt Disney Hall in downtown LA 2 years ago I didn't even bother inviting most people i know. My parents would have walked out after 10 minutes. Geezers! 
I'm finally at the point of accepting the fact that some people will hate my music. The best thing about this is that most people will end up scratching their heads and completely miss the point, or the musical references and inside jokes that so many of my fellow musicians and good friends will catch.
anyhow... back to work. At least it's Friday right?
Michael
http://shallowpeeps.com
Post edited by: shallowpeeps, at: 2008/03/07 20:20
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mparker
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/07 20:31
I work in the music business itself in that I am lead software developer for the UK's largest music retailer - yes that includes downloads, no I can't get you into the catalogue. The reaction at my work has been a resounding "meh" so don't take it to heart. I work with a whole bunch of music enthusiasts (allegedly) and if that's the reaction I get here I can't imagine what it would be like elsewhere.
I'm convinced that the unimpressed reaction is born out of jealousy. They're all jealous because they haven't ever done anything as cool as making their own album.
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Gumbo
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/07 21:56
I tend to think that the unimpressed reaction is a combination of ignorance, and taste.
(they're all ignorant with no taste )
I'm kidding.
Ignorance in the sense that they have no idea what it takes to get an album out of the ether and onto a CD. Mind boggling. I've done this myself to people. I have no frame of reference for what they have done so I find it difficult to even come up with a vaguely coherent comment or question.
Taste is similar. If it doesn't grab them straight away that is a challenge, too. Especially if I'm nearby with my whole world poised in mid-air.
The best comments I've had so far are reported by friends, and weren't said to me at all.
"I played it for my mum and she laughed so much!!"
"Can I borrow it so I can really rip him to shreds when I see him!"
"He should do more of the slower songs" 
The main people so far who can check in to this reality and appreciate it are musicians.
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Joshua Wentz
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/07 22:06
Ignorance is definitely a key element to no feedback, now that Gumbo mentions it. I have friend that flat-out are afraid to give a critique because they feel they don't know enough about music to say anything of worth.
Reassurances that all you want is their opinion, not a "master learned critic" opinion typically do little to evoke results.
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tangmo
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/08 00:15
My first review on a creative work came from my grandmother. After reading a short poem I'd written (which I was certain was destined to change the worlds of both literature and religion) she pronounced it 'Cute'.
This past Christmas, at our larger gathering, a few (three) of the assembled actually sat down and gave my '07 album a complete listen, comlete with comments and even a little dancing. That's three more than have ever indulged me so before. And maybe three more than I deserve.
A wise man told me a long time ago concerning music: "I make the music I want to hear because I'm tired of waiting for other people to do it." That wisdom has guided me these past eight years of internet indy-ing and I wish I had known it when I was a little guitar-strummer intent on changing the world.
I have a small 'audience' and may not even deserve that much. Wasn't too long ago I had to wrestle grandma to the kitchen floor to listen. She's just easier to wrestle now.
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Kaichi
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/08 02:16
mparker wrote:
I'm convinced that the unimpressed reaction is born out of jealousy. They're all jealous because they haven't ever done anything as cool as making their own album.
I think this is true in many cases. It certainly is, among a few of my friends and family members. I know it's true, because some of those people admitted it. It's kind of sad that people will let jealousy turn them into insensitive people, but I guess that's just how people are.
The others who ignore my music or give it the old "meh" are not generally interested in music or other kinds of art, anyway. It can be very frustrating to put so much of your heart and soul into a project and then have those whom you care most about dismiss it as unimportant. It's hard not to take it personally, because often, we feel that art is US, and when someone rejects it, they are rejecting US. The trick is to remember it isn't US they are rejecting, but only something we DO. I'm still learning that trick.
tangmo wrote:My first review on a creative work came from my grandmother. After reading a short poem I'd written (which I was certain was destined to change the worlds of both literature and religion) she pronounced it 'Cute'.
I've gotten something similar from my mom, over a poem. She read it and said, "It's pretty but I don't understand it." 
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cartoonharmony
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/09 10:42
I really haven't talked about my album much even to my friends. It's more "I've been doing this and that's why I haven't left my apartment except to go to work all month".
People ask me to describe it. I don't really know how. Then again, people ask me to describe my city, my neighborhood, my apartment, my friends, and I don't know how to do that either.
I am terribly afraid to show my work to anyone, to push it or promote it. One of my brothers really prodded me to send him the songs and then even asked for the lyrics, so I know he listened and paid attention to it! And one of my friends that listened made a suggestion that we ultimately didn't implement, but was related to communicating the message and story of the song.
So I've been lucky to have great feedback from the few people that have heard the album. I'm sure not everyone will be into it like that once I get braver and send it to more people, but I probably should; I kind of feel like I'm withholding it from people because they won't understand it, and that's stupid and elitist.
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IronAngel Forge
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/09 11:27
Cartoonharmony and others:
Show people. The worst they can do is hate it. Big deal.
Ask them if they have put themselves in this position and done better? (don't ask rpm'rs though.. many did better than I did!). And here is another big thing:
When you don't know how to do something, someone else doing it is pretty dang impressive; be it air traffic control, underwater pumpkin carving or music. You will be surprised how many people are impressed at being able to do something that to them is that impossible in such a short time.
As a only vaguely related example: In my real life, I am a professional metal artist. I make things out of metal. People are stupidly impressed by the stuff I make goofing around. To me it really is nothing, nearly scrap. You may feel the same about your work in art or music. To them, the very muses reached down and touched you.
A lot of it is your presentation. I tend to be very condescending of my own work. People are a lot less impressed when I present it than when my wife does. My wife showed my album art to a couple people and they were amazed that her husband was so taleneted. A lot of that is presentation.
Don't talk yourself down (ok, I am a really bad example here... learn from my mistakes, K?). Present it with some solid facts that will blow their socks off. "Hey, did you know that such and such famous album was completed in 63 days? I did mine in 28!" Ok, so that may not be the most graceful way of doing it, but you are all creative people, I have faith in you.
I am off here to shamlessly promote myself. Wish me luck, hope your's is better than mine!
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mparker
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/09 15:03
As an addendum to my last post, I've just finished uploading my album to the iTunes Music Store (to appear in 6-8 weeks apparently). I did this not because I wanted to earn any money, but because it gives the whole world the opportunity to listen and enjoy without having to deal with any of the baggage associated with it (they don't know me and don't know the background of the album).
Interestingly, I let it slip to a couple of co-workers that the album will end up on iTunes and suddenly they were interested, whereas before they were entirely apathetic about the whole thing. I guess submitting to iTunes suddenly turns an amateur recording into a professional one, even though anyone can upload their stuff there for a nominal fee.
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deritastudio
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/10 23:08
To me, it seems like if it isn't connected to some big contest or has a big time name attached to it, people won't give it a listen. They tend to associate "home made" with poor quality. If I tell somebody "I wrote, recorded, and produced an album" they think "eh... ok." But if you said "My new CD was produced by D. Pitty or Timberland" or whoever, then obviously it has to be good.
To bring up American Idol again, my parents town had a local singer (whom my younger sister went to school with) make it to the final 10 in American Idol, and everybody went nuts. It was like being on TV suddenly made her a much better singer. I doubt anybody here would get press coverage for making their own CD.
Anyway, to sum it up, I think overall people (your average listener) are more in love with celebrity musicians/producers than with the actual music that is produced. If you are on TV, radio, etc. then you must be awesome. If not, it is because you're not any good.
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Gary Fox
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/10 23:50
tatt2wand wrote:
...The hardest hit however came from my ex wife...She inquired about my RPM experience as I was removing a bathroom sink for her. Here is me, elbow deep in plumbing, a few sentences into soul baring expostulation, says "thats nice" and walks out...
I guess that's why she's your EX-wife...
I mentioned this in another post somewhere, but here is my take. (I know you were waiting for my take...)
Most people aren't that adventerous in their tastes in music, or food, or clothes or anything for that matter. Anything new or off the beaten path may need to be 'vetted' before they will warm to it. It's a basic wiring thing we all have. It helped us to survive for thousands of years when taking a chance on new things could literally mean death. As humans, we do tend to operate with a herd mentality. Plus, music for most people is wallpaper, background noise. Most people don't ever really sit and listen to something. That's ok, we know it, we accept it and we move on. Or at least, we try...
A creative endeavor is different to the creator. There's a certain amount of exposure inherent in making something. You can be exposed for being a no talent hack, you could be exposed for wishing to be someone you're not (yet, anyway) And so in many ways, the display of your creation to a loved one or close friend is not usually done for honest feedback (even if you really think it is), it's done for support purposes. You want them to like it because they are supposed to like you. Your creation is just an extension of you, whether anyone else recognizes that or not (most don't). So, as I said elsewhere, I don't play my work for loved ones or friends. I don't want to impose on the existing relationship. If they ask to listen, sure, no problem, but not with me in the room.
The only exception is the friends I made while playing music. But in this case, they are either fans or musical peers. In that case, it's almost like a work event where you are going through your latest projects and seeing what worked and what didn't. It's...professional.
The reason your other, non-musical, friends and family don't always like or understand what you're doing is because they can't divorce you from the work. And the you they know is not the artist you. It's the guy in the cube next to them, or the kid they have grown up with who took forever to learn guitar, or the son or daughter who used to sound so cute when they were two and couldn't say their name right. I am sure these same people wouldn't quite get your other facets of life either. My folks would probably have a hard time reconciling my work persona with the personal one. Work people can't believe that I can be anything less than work-gary 24/7. Again, I accept that and move on. I have never understood why some people insisted that everyone accept them, 100%, for who they are. We're not the same person to everyone to begin with, so you set yourself up for failure.
Back to the music piece, most think that if what we were creating was that good, wouldn't we be rich and famous already? There was an old phrase, thousands of years ago "A prophet is never accepted in his home town." Think about it.
So, the solution: RPM and things like it. Find fans and peers. This is your creative profession. We all work here. (work at what we love) Here and locally with other artists is where you look for real thoughts, seek out meaningful discussions. Don't impose on your outside friends, they don't know what to do when you ask them to do it.
Ok, enough out of me. Can you tell I haven't posted in a while?
Cheers,
Gary
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BrokenPromiseKeeper
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/11 02:40
Gary Fox wrote:
Can you tell I haven't posted in a while?
but well said when you do
regarding this topic, I've just stopped caring. some folks get it, but most don't. so my approach this year is, if I'm serious about doing this (which I am), I have to be proud enough of the end result to show it to people who show any interest. so if somebody says "did you do that write-an-album-in-February thing again?" or even "you play guitar?" I now try to say, "yeah, here's a CD or here's the URL, check it out."
warning: don't expect feedback or you'll drive yourself crazy. just give it away and move on. if nothing else, you can start to change their perception of you as, well, whatever it was before (or help them at least add "records a record in February" to whatever else they think).
funny story, this year about the last week of February my wife (of 20 years, just to put it in perspective) mentioned in passing she'd been listening to my progress and was reading the blog. so I say, "and if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything?" she smiled and that's why we're still married.
some folks get it, and some folks really do like Matchbox 20. to give them another kick... 
or maybe your wife thinks you don't rock enough.
http://www.brokenpromisekeeper.com/
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Gary Fox
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/17 13:40
BrokenPromiseKeeper wrote:
or maybe your wife thinks you don't rock enough.
Now THAT'S funny...
Has anyone's significant other accused them of lacking cojones in the music department? (Keep it clean, but double entendre's are welcomed)
Cheers,
Gary
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sister_savage
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/17 14:07
I posted a link to two of my songs on my blog. Had no responses.
I CARE NOT! My cd is lost anyway...so I comfort myself with the thought of a lonely postal worker finding it in the bowels of the local sorting office, amongst half-eaten sandwiches and spiders, and cherishing it as a lucky find.
I'll let you know when I check back in to Reality Lodge.
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Gary Fox
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/17 14:32
sister_savage wrote:
I'll let you know when I check back in to Reality Lodge.
I hear they have an excellent roast beef with Yorkshire pudding. Let me know, I may consider a visit...
I think Mosfet is taking care of your other issue.
Cheers,
Gary
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Night Driving
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/17 18:52
GIANT-EST THRED EVAR.
that being said, i cant interest you guys by saying i agree with all of you and am very happy to be commiserating with or co-congratulating one another, even though it is true.
But what if I make a thread called "Listen to and give a few comments about the music of the person above you" and we could all listen to one another's work and simultaneously:
-get constructive criticism
-learn how to be bold enough to give and receive criticism in a public forum
-pump up our egos
-spread and discuss our music
?
Replies to this idea will dictate how quickly I decide to take my lunch break.
(and good thread, Indi)
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Kemmler
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/17 19:54
I think that's a good idea as long as people agree to be harsh and direct and it doesn't turn into a love-fest. It stings but the most useful reviews are the ones that point out the BAD things. If you were already doing everything right you wouldn't need a review... except for your ego.
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sister_savage
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/17 20:10
Kemmler wrote:
I think that's a good idea as long as people agree to be harsh and direct and it doesn't turn into a love-fest. It stings but the most useful reviews are the ones that point out the BAD things. If you were already doing everything right you wouldn't need a review... except for your ego.
Yes but some of us already have fragile egos. So "harsh" might be a bit hard to swallow. How about everyone gives an appraisal based on the "best bits" and the "bits that could be improved"?
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Night Driving
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/17 20:38
I agree with both of the aforementioned comments. As my man is right saying that "harsh" often helps the most, it is definitely tough and many of those receiving comments may not have the skin for it. So, I guess it'll have to be up to the poster to use their discretion.
Okay. Stand by.
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Joshua Wentz
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/17 21:22
Critique is often a hard pill to swallow. My advice to those willing to critique the work of others is:
1. Make sure that your critique does not come from a bias about the type of music you are listening to... let the artist's parameters become yours.
2. Negative and constructive are two different things. Know this and choose the latter.
3. Always Begin and end a critique with positive points. It helps remind the person who's work you are talking about that the critique is for their benefit, and not intended as an insult.
4. Be direct, but make sure that your directness comes from knowledge and not wholly from opinion.
And to the person whose work is being critiqued, remember:
1. It is hard to receive direct criticism, but in the end, it is helpful.
2. A glowing, all-wonderful critique will never help you grow. You are asking people to identify both the perceived successes and failures of your work, so that you can become better at your craft.
My experience in critique comes from six years of architecture school, a discipline known for its brutal crits. If you can remove your SELF from your WORK, you will benefit greatly from serious critique.
Post edited by: Joshua Wentz, at: 2008/03/17 21:25
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Kemmler
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/17 21:29
Yes, I agree with Josh's comments.
Basically what I try to do is whenever I hear something that could be done better without messing with the artistic vision of the piece, I point it out.
Or, if it's possibly just my opinion, I will call that out. An example would be "at 30 I notice myself wanting to hear more snap in the snare drum. But, that's my personal taste- I like snappy drums. You could add a transient shaper on this beat to make it snappy"
I guess my key criterion for critique is to try and assess to what extent someone is fully in control of the medium they are using. How well is someone bending notes, words and sound to the end of conveying an idea or feeling?
If I see holes there, I will try and suggest ways to shore it up.
I think, well, not harsh, but let's say 'brutally honest' critique is a good way to grow as an artist, because after many rounds of giving and receiving these types of opinions and thoughts, you'll start to internalize the process to some extent, and then use your more-critical ear to improve your work.
This was probably rambling, but yeah.
EDIT: yes, I wasn't suggesting that we not bother pointing out the good parts. Basically the idea is to give an honest impresson of the work as a whole. The problem is that in situations like these people tend to ignore half of it - the bad/less skillful/less polished/etc. parts.
A critique with only good or bad points is like a bike with one wheel. You have one important half, but you're not getting anywhere.
Post edited by: Kemmler, at: 2008/03/17 21:32
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Night Driving
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/17 21:36
Thread created.
And Josh makes some very good points. The ol' compliment sandwich (although it really should be called criticism sandwich, if you think about it) is a fine way to deliver pointers.
However, it does feel silly to DIG for compliments if you can't find any. And in the situation where we are not just an employer rating a boss or something, and we actually want valid compliments, maybe it would make it worse if people had to search for them.
Hm...conundrum.
Perhaps his best point, however is to wear the shoes the situation dictates. If you are not into metal but the person above you is a metalhead, you won't LIKE what they do, and you can't be expected to. But you can certainly keep in mind what they are going for and approach it from that angle.
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Night Driving
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/17 21:47
Another thing to note is that there are going to be people of all experiences in that thread (if it ends up working, that is), so we might have a new musician listening to a seasoned traveler, and they may not be able to provide anything specific about recording quality, or maybe nothing more than just "wow. i love it. holy poops. wow."
and that's okay. others will listen, and perhaps decide to comment on their own.
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Raleigh
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/03/17 23:04
Someone heard it and said, "I don't really like techno..."
And I thought -- but did not say -- good! My album isn't techno, if we wish to be technical. He can listen to it and enjoy if he wants to, or hate it. But that would be him and not me: I am not responsible for the feelings of other people. I am responsible for the contents of my album, and for people who allow themselves to like something that is not Top 40, I hope I can connect with their sense of wonder and joy.
My better half loves techno, and kept telling me to pump up the beats-per-minute. Maybe on the next album...
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sister_savage
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/02 17:08
My mum just said to me: "The reason your brother hasn't played on any of your songs is that he doesn't like them, and neither do I."
What happened to "That's nice, Dear..."? 
Post edited by: sister_savage, at: 2008/04/02 17:09
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Joshua Wentz
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/02 17:14
I sent a copy of my album to my Grandma. My cousin told me yesterday that her response was "I like it, but I'm sad that I don't know any of these songs..."
Guess who's going to be doing some Andy Williams covers next month
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sister_savage
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/02 17:18
Joshua Wentz wrote:
I sent a copy of my album to my Grandma. My cousin told me yesterday that her response was "I like it, but I'm sad that I don't know any of these songs..."
Priceless!
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kavin
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/02 17:20
I heard this song on the 'ol iPod today and it reminded me of this thread. Excerpt:
"Nobody stopped to hear him
Though he played so sweet and high
They knew he had never
Been on their t.v.
So they passed his music by
I meant to go over and ask for a song
Maybe put on a harmony...
I heard his refrain
As the signal changed
He was playing real good, for free."
Real Good for Free-Joni Mitchell
God I love Joni.
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