Balloon

from Backwords by Dale Wicks

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about

I had just written this song when recording started and I was curious whether it would work or not. I visited a free sample library, found suitable tambura and tabla loops, and it started to take shape. I asked Eric Boyea if he had any effects that would mimic a sitar, and he tried an interesting modal slide thing that worked even better. It was getting too Eastern, anyway.

He never really did a solo; I just took a bunch of interesting bits he'd played on the other parts of the song, ran them backwards, threw them in the middle, and they fit perfectly.

lyrics

It takes a lifetime not to live a lifetime
You'll decide who you decide to be
Or talk yourself through any condemnation
Enlightenment's not worth this misery

Head so wide
Nothing inside
Stretching to the limit with all the hot air in it
Clear the stars above to make some room
for this balloon

Don't cry to me that there's no-thing worth believing
When all that you believe is nothingness
Who will save your soul when you've turned your heroes mortal?
Float away upon your bloated head

Head so wide
Nothing inside
Stretching to the limit with all the hot air in it
Clear the stars above to make some room
for this balloon

Take a holiday from the way that you've been
If all the world's against you,
there's probably a reason
& it's not just me
You vilify your money but insist that it judge you
You call yourself a thinker,
but it's miles above you
to do more than repeat
the flavor of the week until it's next week

Head so wide
Nothing inside
Stretching to the limit with all the hot air in it
Clear the stars above to make some room
for this balloon

credits

from Backwords, released April 13, 2020
Eric Boyea: Slide Guitar
Dale Wicks: Everything Else

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Dale Wicks Grand Rapids, Michigan

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