Breakthrough (Take two)

I tried a little something different with this tune, i.e. laying down some bass, electric guitar and drum tracks first, then doing the acoustic guitar and vocals live over those pre-existing tracks. The synching of the video and audio is slightly off, but what can you do…

I actually recorded a version of this song a few years ago. As I blogged at the time, I had just flown to New Jersey from Mexico to have knee surgery, and I didn’t have access to a guitar. So I wrote and recorded this tune using a keyboard and the GarageBand software on my laptop. This is one of those tunes that just came to me fully formed from out of the blue. I took the photo above moments after that first recording, holding my crutches out in front of me like the prison bars they had become. Having been through four knee injuries and three surgeries, I’m hoping those fuckers don’t come out of the closet again any time soon. Anyway, as with all my creative projects, this song continues to morph as the years unfold. Perhaps next time I’ll just whistle over a beat box…

Breakthrough
I woke to the birds and the best of intentions.
I tried every way I knew to express them.
I get on the train and it’s taking me somewhere
Away from myself…
Away from this cell.

But I can’t get away from you.
I lock all the doors but you still break through.

Where did the time go? How did I get home?
When did I get old? Show me the slideshow.
Somebody told me: “It’s all as it should be.”
So I’ll keep on hiding, just so you can find me.

But I can’t get away from you.
I lock every door but you still break through.

Here’s the “album version” (i.e. mixed and trimmed), with an intro from the ghost of Alan Watts:

10 Replies to “Breakthrough (Take two)”

Creatively Sensitive says:

January 30, 2011 at 9:03 pm

This is awesome! Nice work Bob. Isn’t it interesting that “myself” sounds a little like “my cell”? Great lyrics. I might switch the first two lines into present and stick it up on a mirror or door as a mantra, and so everyone can ask me, who’s Isaac Dust. lol Love the outro.
1. Bob says:
  
  January 31, 2011 at 9:14 am
  
  Thanks a lot for the feedback, and for listening!
Shannon says:

January 31, 2011 at 12:58 pm

This is awesome. Love the lyrics. LOVE them.
1. Bob says:
  
  January 31, 2011 at 2:41 pm
  
  Thanks Shannon!
Jennifer says:

February 2, 2011 at 3:21 pm

I liked the lyrics too. The slight “offness” of the syncing got to me though….
1. Bob says:
  
  February 3, 2011 at 11:06 am
  
  Thanks Jen! I just attempted to fix the synching problem and I think now it’s slightly less “off”. I just have no skills (or patience) when it come to such things…
MDTaz says:

February 4, 2011 at 3:49 am

The lyrics, the music, the performance. It’s all kind of brilliant, actually. It’s a song I’d put in one of my A-rotation playlists.
1. Bob says:
  
  February 4, 2011 at 2:35 pm
  
  Thanks! The last time anyone used the word “brilliant” to describe something I did was when I put a baking dish full of salmon into the oven without taking the plastic wrap off. So, thanks!
Tizz says:

February 9, 2011 at 3:02 am

hey you! yeah, you! i’m just harassing you to let you know your posts are missed in the blog-o-sphere.
1. Bob says:
  
  February 9, 2011 at 10:45 am
  
  Thanks Tizz! Yeah, it’s been hard to find free time lately. I didn’t quite realize how much of my creative productivity was predicated on not being busy at work. When I actually have to work the entire time I’m at work, I can’t seem to get any writing done. Excuses, excuses…

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