JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback MP3 Feedback Forum The Machineries of Joy

Another song from my Bradbury project (songs that have titles of Bradbury stories or collections but are inspired by my own childhood memories).

The Machineries of Joy is here:

https://youtu.be/X2jV0YU7T8w


I'll stick the lyric below.

Thanks for any comments,

Scott



The Machineries of Joy
(c) 2017 by S.W. Campbell

Man on the sidewalk smiles wide
As a pedaling whirlwind flashes by
“Look at the boys
On their machineries of joy!”

Sissy bars and banana seats
Wheelies on suburban streets
When he was a boy
On their machineries of joy

And from breakfast ‘til the sun had set
They’d ride as far as their legs let
Just to live the dream that never dies:
Freedom under summer skies

Man on the corner waves his hand high
As a souped up street rod cruises by
What a glorious noise!
From those machineries of joy

In their GTOs and Super Bees
Smokes in the sleeves of grease stained tees
They were no longer boys
In their machineries of joy

But when the work bell rang ‘til midnight passed
They’d drive as far as they had gas
Just to chase the dream that never dies:
Freedom under summer skies

The man whistles as he wheels home
On his chair of levers, knobs and chrome
He’s like a boy
On his machinery of joy

And he’s out before day grows hot
And he wheels until his arms are shot
And he lives the dream that never dies:
Freedom under summer skies

Hi Scott,

The link wouldn't play for me.

steady-eddie

Thanks, Eddie - edited to change the link. Hope this one works.

Scott

Hello Scott,


LOVED IT ALL, very well put together & CLEVER.
I wanna be like you when I grow up !


Calvin


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

Thanks for repairing the link, Scott:

You made that look like you were having a blast. Enjoyable listen to a great story-line.

Yeah, what Calvin said! ----Dave

LOL - and I want to be like you!

Thanks Pal,

Scott

Thanks, Dave - yes I was having fun. I like it when an uptempo number comes together.

Scott

Hey Scott,

Yeah, the new link is working obviously. I remember this one I believe from FB a year or so ago. Loved it then and now. I think all men like remembering their youthful play & endeavors. Well done!

steady-eddie

Hi Scott,

The music and lyric are a perfect match. I love a song that spans generations like this, and the wheelchair verse is my favorite. The song takes me back to my childhood, it's got a "secret agent" vibe to it that's really cool..

Very enjoyable.

Mike

Hi Scott
Enjoyed this great production and everything about it.
Travis

Cool song, and fun video.

Where is the section showing you play the bass?!? And the drums! You need IT ALL, lol.

I really liked the harmonies, by the way.

Peace,
TC

Awesome! Your band has never been tighter, Scott and your storytelling abilities still shine. Well done!

Ricki

Thanks Eddie. Yes, it occurred to me I never posted this here.

I don't think back that much - but this project is forcing me to

Scott

Thanks Mike. I usually have to labor over the keyboard to come up with a melody. This one came to me in the shower. Always a danger....

Scott

Thanks Travis!

Scott

Thanks TC. The bass player and drummer are shy. I'm trying to get them to lighten up but no luck so far

Scott

Thanks, Ricki. We keep practicing!

Scott

Scott,

I'm late joining the party on this one. You may remember, I am a huge, huge fan of "The Moon Be Still as Bright"--I still wake up sometimes with that tune in my ear. And this one is such a cool accompaniment with it--they really mesh as a whole, and if your aim, as I take it, is an thematic Bradbury album--then these fit so nicely together. Very awesome!

Regards,

Deej

Scott,

Very cool!
I love how his toys evolved and even in old age you could still see the boy, living to play with his toys.
The music was reminiscent of childhood days and your voice and the music made me think of Harry Chapin.
Well done, I enjoyed this one!!

Thanks
Paul

Thanks Deej. That is indeed the aim. Glad it's working.

Scott

Thanks Paul - exactly what I was shooting for with this one

Scott

Hi Scott,

Loved the song and video. Has special meaning for me as I loved Bradbury not to mention those banana seat bikes and everything else you mentioned in the song. Lots of memories came back with this one so thanks for that. I've been away from this site for over a year and I'm glad to see some of the greats--like you--are still here cranking out the great tunes. Take care,
Roger

Hi Scott,

“Freedom under summer skies”....love that line and the whole sentiment of the song. So many relatable details that bring back a simpler, easier time! And the images are vivid, right down to the levers, knobs and chrome....great story-telling.

The video was fun to watch with those triplets! I enjoyed seeing the separate instruments highlighted as well. Looked like you were having loads of fun! Well done!

Kristi

Always enjoy listening to your songs, Scott. Well written and performed. Has a "comfortable" sound - like hits from 60'a AM radio - the Lemon Pipers come to mind..Enjoyed it..

fj

Thanks Roger. I'm hit and miss here myself. Mostly because music is hit and miss. Glad the song resonated with you.

Scott

Thanks Kristi. Yes, childhood was indeed a simpler, easier time.

And yes, I was having a lot of fun with this.

Scott

Cool. This project involves my memories of growing up in the 60s and 70s and I'm trying to use music that calls that period to mind. Glad it came across. Thanks Floyd.

Scott

Just lovely Professor.
Something caught my eye that I hope you would share with your band mates.

I know you say they're shy but maybe when you're all on the screen at the same time, you don't look in the same direction or the same spot... (in the chorus #1 everyone's looking to the right and down)............ I just saying. Maybe move the lyrics when U change your shirt.... just saying.

Once again it's great to see everyone getting face time.. especially the harp man.

BTW... I always admired your talent with lyrics.
Reminds a bit of Dr. Seuss, how you're able to create such a vivid environment
and the way your music supports and carry's it all along, brilliantly...... is quite inviable.

Hat's off 2 U Sir.

Ha - that's interesting. I never noticed!

Probably because those parts are recorded at different times.

I don't have the lyrics pinned up. Not because I don't want to - but because I can't read them

It's probably just that I'm comfortable looking in a particular direction and I just keep doing it.

Thanks Nelson - something else to pay attention to

Scott

This just works. It was itself a joy to listen to.

Haven't been around here for a while and I'm not surprised that You're still doing it right. Great song, great production.

Very clever Scott.

I see you are still at it - kudos to you,
I fondly remember banana seats, sissy bars, playing cards in the spokes, etc.

and you are right...we were free under the summer skies.

I like it!

Thanks, man. Appreciate it

Scott

Haven't been around too much myself, Steve. Having a creative run though so I'm going with it. Nice to see you again!

Scott

I still remember that you were the first person to comment on one of my songs at JPF. Back in '05

Nice to hear from you, Joro - glad this resonated with you.

Scott

Wowzers! This is a tremendous write...enjoyable on so many levels. The imagery as time passes is rich and textured.

it would be hard to imagine a better arrangement and overall production for the write and the fine vocals.

It sounds excellent on the monitors.

To heck with trying to parse out all the goodness. We'd just prefer another listen!

J&B