SONGWRITING 000: Love Theme From Opening A Vein

Songwriting 000 collects some of my sporadic attempts to write pop song lyrics. This ain't an easy task when you have less musical acumen than, say, Spiro Agnew, but we do what we can. I figure I need to get good (or at least passable) at this someday, if only so I can use the name Carlgems Records as my publishing company. (Why Songwriting 000? Let's face it: These don't rise to the level of Songwriting 101....)

Apparently, the fact that I'm not a songwriter isn't stopping me from attempting to write song lyrics. 

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THIS ONE: This is a creative work, not a confessional. We all have occasional skirmishes with our inner demons, but I've known too many people who chose to take the off ramp to exit life's highway, and that knowledge is a permanent GPS routing me away from ever traveling in that direction. My inner demons have learned to mind their Ps and Qs lest I bludgeon 'em into sniveling, bloody submission. Hey, demons! I have a big freakin' shillelagh, and I'm not afraid to use it on your Hellspawn craniums.

This would-be song began in August with the sudden random notion of its title, "Love Theme From Opening A Vein." The title seemed unique, its first two sections wrote themselves immediately, and I stashed them for later reference. I returned to the work on Thursday, and let my blithe 'n' merry muse finish the job. 

I hear this as a fast, hard-hitting rock 'n' roll number, armed with electric guitars and lotsa back-up harmonies. Most definitely not a ballad. I don't necessarily hear it as a Ramones song, but...maybe? Or maybe Cheap Trick, or even the Weeklings. I'm just the wordsmith, man. The musicians conjure the magic that makes it a song.

But here are the words, for what they're worth. My novel-in-progress Meet The Frantiks! will require me to write lyrics for several songs that do not exist. "Love Theme From Opening A Vein" doesn't strike me as the Frantiks' style, but one never know, do one? If nothing else, it's good practice in the craft of makin' stuff up.

LOVE THEME FROM OPENING A VEIN

Lyrics by Carl Cafarelli

I’m stuck here sitting all alone 
It’s no one’s fault, the blame is all I own
A harvest of the empty seeds I’ve sown 
Marvel at the bitter fruit I’ve grown 

I didn't want to achieve

I wore my heart on my sleeve

Then put on an overcoat so no one could see

What was I thinking?

What was I drinking?

We have met the enemy and he is me

But I'm not gonna try to end it all

I don't wanna cause pain

And no one would really gain

So I'll just let my emotion sprawl

Singing's the same

As opening a vein

In spite of all the weight I know

This vein refills

It sustains me still

Full speed ahead and look out below!

My life's not a hit

Still I ain't gonna quit

I've got damage to do and fools to prove wrong

I'll turn my soul up loud

I might even be proud

As I rise in defiance and sing my song

I'm not gonna try to end it all

I don't wanna cause pain

And no one would really gain

So I'll just let my emotion sprawl

Singing's the same

As opening a vein

Living is its own reward

No matter what I say

I'll keep the darkness at bay

And the light that I'm careening toward

Is all I ask for pay

And it's why I'm gonna stay

I'm not gonna try to end it all

What would I gain?

I don't wanna cause pain

So I'll just let my emotion sprawl

Singing's the same

As opening a vein

Stand back! We're open!

Get on the bus

In me I trust

Reflection ain't a crime

This bus is right on time

This vein refills

It sustains me still

This vein refills

It sustains me still

I'm not gonna try to end it all

What would I gain?

I don't wanna cause pain

So I'll just let my emotion sprawl

Singing's the same

As opening a vein

Singing's the same

As opening a vein

Singing's the same

As opening a vein

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I compiled a various-artists tribute album called Make Something Happen! A Tribute To The Flashcubes, and it's pretty damned good; you can read about it here and order it here. My new book The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1) is now available, and you can order an autographed copy here. You can still get my previous book Gabba Gabba Hey! A Conversation With The Ramones from publisher Rare Bird Books, OR an autographed copy here. If you like the books, please consider leaving a rating and/or review at the usual online resources.

This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl airs Sunday nights from 9 to Midnight Eastern, on the air in Syracuse at SPARK! WSPJ 103.3 and 93.7 FM, streaming at SPARK stream and on the Radio Garden app as WESTCOTT RADIO. You can read about our history here.