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[Verse] He says he knows the business game He says he built it all But look beneath the shiny paint And you might see the cracks and flaws
He says the tariffs save the day “Believe me, they’re the best” But when the price tag hits your cart Guess who pays the rest?
[Pre-chorus] One-fifty on the Chinese stuff Fifty on our neighbor up north Everybody’s fighting everybody But what are we fighting for?
[Chorus] Good morning, America, how are you today? Did somebody say we’re all doin’ okay? Can you see the writing on the wall Looks like we’re heading for a fall
Good morning, America, how do we stand? Is anybody thriving across this land? Bills keep on rising at a crazy rate How long can we afford to celebrate?
[Break]
[Verse] He says the tariffs bring back jobs And make the factories roar But the guy who owns the hardware store Just raised his prices more
And somewhere out in cattle country There’s a farmer asking why Beef keeps rolling through the border While his bottom line runs dry
[Pre-Chorus] We put a tax on what we buy Then celebrate the score If that’s the art of making money What are we paying for?
[Chorus] Good morning, America, how are you today? Did somebody say we’re all doin’ okay? Can you see the writing on the wall Looks like we’re heading for a fall
Good morning, America, how do we stand? Is anybody thriving across this land? Bills keep on rising at a crazy rate How long can we afford to celebrate?
[Bridge] Who’s gonna stop it? Congress? The courts? The market? Maybe you. Maybe me. Maybe all of us. November’s coming The question isn’t red or blue It’s… How are you?
[Interlude]
[Final chorus] Good morning, America, how are you today? Did somebody say we’re all doin’ okay? Can you see the writing on the wall Looks like we’re heading for a fall
Good morning, America, how do we stand? Is anybody thriving across this land? Bills keep on rising at a crazy rate How long can we afford to celebrate?
[Outro] Good morning, America Good morning, America How are you today? Are you better off than you were yesterday? Good morning, America... How are you today?
I like the harmonica.... I also like your lyrics...two thumbs up....
Thanks, Tex, for the feedback! I’m glad you like it. I know it’s a bit political, but basically it just asks a simple question: How are you today? I guess these days, everybody has a different answer. 😊
I like the Chorus. It repeats and drives home the gist of the Song. I like that Bridge too; How are you? That's the essence of everyone's concern, and why they should be concerned. No one is immune to the madness of Leadership Decision-Makers of our time. There's a meme, a cartoon showing a man at a Voting Booth, his young daughter standing nearby asking, "Who are you Voting for, Daddy?" His head is turned toward her, replying, "You." That's profound. The places and conditions we are 'led' or 'misled' into now will be the children's places and conditions in their future. Children have a vested interest in what Leadership Decision-Makers decide now.
There will always be another song to be written. Someone will write it. Why not you? www.garyeandrews.com
I like the Chorus. It repeats and drives home the gist of the Song. I like that Bridge too; How are you? That's the essence of everyone's concern, and why they should be concerned. No one is immune to the madness of Leadership Decision-Makers of our time. There's a meme, a cartoon showing a man at a Voting Booth, his young daughter standing nearby asking, "Who are you Voting for, Daddy?" His head is turned toward her, replying, "You." That's profound. The places and conditions we are 'led' or 'misled' into now will be the children's places and conditions in their future. Children have a vested interest in what Leadership Decision-Makers decide now.
Thanks, Gary. I really appreciate your thoughtful feedback. I hadn’t actually thought about the “How are you?” line quite that deeply when I wrote it, but I really like your interpretation.
And that cartoon is indeed profound. We may think we’re voting about the problems of today, but ultimately we’re also making decisions about the world our children and grandchildren will live in. That makes the question “How are you?” mean a little more than I originally intended.
Couching these little neurosis driven, political diatribes (TDS) into "song" form, may collect a few attaboys from a handful of the politically like minded.
But in a very divided nation, they polarize the other half of the electorate that hold a different viewpoint.
While they may serve to make Robby feel justified and righteous and virtuous as he pines for a his personal version of a better America, I suspect that they pursuade other site viewers, desiring to view songs, to simply avoid the site...as too politically caustic.
That is selfish. In the context of a songwriting site, it is also dysfunctional. And a bit pathetic, that with all of the available outlets for partisan hack content...he can only bring it to songwriting sites to get it recognized by someone.
Couching these little neurosis driven, political diatribes (TDS) into "song" form, may collect a few attaboys from a handful of the politically like minded.
But in a very divided nation, they polarize the other half of the electorate that hold a different viewpoint.
While they may serve to make Robby feel justified and righteous and virtuous as he pines for a his personal version of a better America, I suspect that they pursuade other site viewers, desiring to view songs, to simply avoid the site...as too politically caustic.
That is selfish. In the context of a songwriting site, it is also dysfunctional. And a bit pathetic, that with all of the available outlets for partisan hack content...he can only bring it to songwriting sites to get it recognized by someone.
Marty, I appreciate you taking the time to comment, even though we obviously see the song very differently.
Yes, it’s a political song. I wrote it that way deliberately. Songwriting has always been a way for people to comment on the world around them — sometimes seriously, sometimes humorously, sometimes from a very personal point of view. I don't expect everyone to agree with me, and I certainly don't expect a songwriting site to consist only of songs that everyone agrees with.
What I find unfortunate is that you’ve turned a disagreement about a song into assumptions about my motives and character. Calling it “neurosis driven,” “selfish,” “dysfunctional,” and “pathetic” doesn't really critique the songwriting or the ideas in the lyric.
Gary understood what I was trying to do with the bridge and the ending: ultimately, the question isn't simply red or blue. It's how the decisions being made affect ordinary people — and the next generation. Good morning, America, how are you today? Are you better off than yesterday?
You don't have to agree with my viewpoint. That's perfectly fine. But I think we can disagree about a song without making it personal.
And as far as whether the song is appropriate for the site, I think that's really a question for the moderators. Gary, as a moderator, chose to engage with the song and its message. You’re certainly entitled to your opinion about whether political songs belong here, but that doesn't make your opinion the site's rule.
Rob wants attention, history here or other sites, has taught him he gets most replies writ I no sing like this.
I don't care if the song is political, I care if the sing is any good. And if the artist is working in their 9n their craft
This is just biased news with rhyming lines
But you gave him what he wanted, now he will bump this up all day and keep doing it, cause he likes the attention.
But your just adding to the pointkessness of this site.
If im going to listen to a political song, its going to be a master songwriter.
Dom, you're certainly entitled to think the song isn't good. That's a legitimate critique, and I'm happy to hear criticism of the songwriting.
But saying it's “just biased news with rhyming lines” doesn't really tell me much about the craft. If you think the lyrics are weak, I'd actually be interested in hearing what you think doesn't work — the structure, meter, rhyme, imagery, melody, chorus, whatever. That's the kind of feedback that can help a songwriter improve.
As for the attention argument, I posted the song because I wanted people to listen to it and respond. That's pretty much what a songwriting site is for. Some people will like it, some won't, and some will strongly disagree with the message. That's okay.
And you don't have to consider me a “master songwriter” to decide whether a particular song works for you. I certainly don't expect everyone to like everything I write.
What I find unfortunate is that you’ve turned a disagreement about a song into assumptions about my motives and character. Calling it “neurosis driven,” “selfish,” “dysfunctional,” and “pathetic” doesn't really critique the songwriting or the ideas in the lyric.
.
"Unfortunate" for the site. Unfortunate for the people who come here looking for radio songs and finding political diatribes.
It doesn't appear that you posted this on MUSE or STARFISH. Is this unfortunate site your dumping ground?
As far as "neurosis driven."...etc
You've left a years long trail of this dung. Telling us all that we need to listen to Rachel Maddow. Exclaiming that you are not sure that you could prove up your American citizenship. Telling us what your fellow citizens in Germany think of America.
All the while trying to frame it as an exploration of song structure rather than political agitation and drivel. Based upon what I have seen, my personal conclusions are that you are effeminate, highly neurotic, very controlling and insidious. All of which explains to me why you have an endless need to come and plant this political drivel on a site designed for songwriting.
There are a handful of people coming back into this site and putting up some thoughtful songs that deal with relationships and personal introspections.
Why don't you give this site the opportunity to breath...free from the dissension created by your singularly incessant political dungbeetle-ing? Take this somewhere that political arguments are the mission of the site. There are millions.
The site and you advocate for "free speech." Well, there is some free speech that you may not appreciate.
"Unfortunate" for the site. Unfortunate for the people who come here looking for radio songs and finding political diatribes.
It doesn't appear that you posted this on MUSE or STARFISH. Is this unfortunate site your dumping ground?
As far as "neurosis driven."...etc
You've left a years long trail of this dung. Telling us all that we need to listen to Rachel Maddow. Exclaiming that you are not sure that you could prove up your American citizenship. Telling us what your fellow citizens in Germany think of America.
All the while trying to frame it as an exploration of song structure rather than political agitation and drivel. Based upon what I have seen, my personal conclusions are that you are effeminate, highly neurotic, very controlling and insidious. All of which explains to me why you have an endless need to come and plant this political drivel on a site designed for songwriting.
There are a handful of people coming back into this site and putting up some thoughtful songs that deal with relationships and personal introspections.
Why don't you give this site the opportunity to breath...free from the dissension created by your singularly incessant political dungbeetle-ing? Take this somewhere that political arguments are the mission of the site. There are millions.
The site and you advocate for "free speech." Well, there is some free speech that you may not appreciate.
Marty, I think you've made your position very clear, and you've now moved well beyond criticism of the song into personal judgments about me. I'm not going to respond to those.
You are entitled to believe that political songs don't belong on this site. You're also entitled to dislike this song, my other songs, or the subjects I choose to write about.
But whether a song is appropriate for this site isn't for either you or me to decide. That's what the moderators are here for. Gary has already commented on this song as a moderator, and apparently didn't see a problem with its subject matter or its presence here.
I’m going to leave it at that. I came here to share songs, discuss songwriting, and get feedback on my work. I'm not interested in turning a songwriting thread into a personal argument. Feel free to share some of your songs with us.
The starfish site is dead, lol.and while I dont revel in failure, that woman wouldn't allow me to register, so im glad its done.
It was just another site with same members as here.
All sites suck, there is no point in posting if you are only wanting one response.... soooo good
Dom, I think you're getting a little off topic here. This thread is about my song, not Starfish or the history of songwriting sites.
If you want to discuss what happened on Starfish, whether these sites are worthwhile, or why people post on them, that's certainly a conversation you can start in a separate thread. I'd just prefer not to have my song thread hijacked into that discussion.
I'd just prefer not to have my song thread hijacked into that discussion.
Your "song" is your standard repetitive political lamentation that you endlessly regurgitate, in which Donald Trump is always the villain. You have admitted that your song is "political."
It is completely reasonable to criticize, not only the incidental structure of it, but the the message and the basis for the message.
A criticism of your motivations for incessantly posting divisive political content as song lyrics is completely justified. Such a post invites such a criticism. Such is the nature of "political" discourse.
This "denial" has never held-water.
It is damaging to a site committed to songwriting. And you are obviously too selfish and too "possessed" to abstain from that and place this elsewhere..where the knives are expected to come out from both partisan camps.
As I stated, you have your version of free speech here, and I do also.
The starfish site is dead, lol.and while I dont revel in failure, that woman wouldn't allow me to register, so im glad its done.
It was just another site with same members as here.
All sites suck, there is no point in posting if you are only wanting one response.... soooo good
Dom, I think you're getting a little off topic here. This thread is about my song, not Starfish or the history of songwriting sites.
If you want to discuss what happened on Starfish, whether these sites are worthwhile, or why people post on them, that's certainly a conversation you can start in a separate thread. I'd just prefer not to have my song thread hijacked into that discussion.
Marty brought up starfish.
And thats hilarious.
You have bo business telling me anything.
You make this site about you, and people you want to play with.
There was a thread titled “a brand new set of keys.” That was an attempt to get a political diatribe going, and derail songwriting for that self-centered purpose. But alas, THERE WERE NO TAKERS. And that attempt fizzled and faded, as well.
Marty, I have never denied that “Good Morning, America” is a political song. I wrote it as a political song, and I've said that clearly. So I'm not sure what “denial” you're referring to.
What I do question is your claim that this somehow justifies making assumptions about my motives and character, or labeling my other songs as political without explaining why.
There is no mention of politicians, parties, elections, government, or political issues anywhere in the lyric. So what specifically in that song led you to classify it as a political posting?
You have now made repeated claims about my supposed history of bringing “divisive political content” to the site. If you're going to use that history to justify conclusions about my motivations, I think it's reasonable to ask you to substantiate the examples you're relying on.
You are absolutely free to criticize the political message of “Good Morning, America.” That's part of posting a political song. But criticizing the song and speculating about the character and motivations of the songwriter are two different things.
There was a thread titled “a brand new set of keys.” That was an attempt to get a political diatribe going, and derail songwriting for that self-centered purpose. But alas, THERE WERE NO TAKERS. And that attempt fizzled and faded, as well.
Marty, I have never denied that “Good Morning, America” is a political song. I wrote it as a political song, and I've said that clearly. So I'm not sure what “denial” you're referring to.
What I do question is your claim that this somehow justifies making assumptions about my motives and character, or labeling my other songs as political without explaining why.
There is no mention of politicians, parties, elections, government, or political issues anywhere in the lyric. So what specifically in that song led you to classify it as a political posting?
You have now made repeated claims about my supposed history of bringing “divisive political content” to the site. If you're going to use that history to justify conclusions about my motivations, I think it's reasonable to ask you to substantiate the examples you're relying on.
You are absolutely free to criticize the political message of “Good Morning, America.” That's part of posting a political song. But criticizing the song and speculating about the character and motivations of the songwriter are two different things.
Rob,
Your point about your song about keys, was childish, majoring-in-minors, as is typical of you. You cleared up that I had incorrectly identified the song as political and pointed out which song of yours that I actually meant.
Trying to build it up into a discussion now, as well as then is adolescent level minded, "gotcha" think. Because of that, I chose to ignore you and a petty point.
I don't need to cite examples of your content. It's a long self evident trail.
And guess what...
This dung-beetle-ing song thread of yours has now become part of that trail.
I've made my points. If you remain confused, read my posts again.
Your point about your song about keys, was childish, majoring-in-minors, as is typical of you. You cleared up that I had incorrectly identified the song as political and pointed out which song of yours that I actually meant.
Trying to build it up into a discussion now, as well as then is adolescent level minded, "gotcha" think. Because of that, I chose to ignore you and a petty point.
I don't need to cite examples of your content. It's a long self evident trail.
And guess what...
This dung-beetle-ing song thread of yours has now become part of that trail.
I've made my points. If you remain confused, read my posts again.
Marty, if you chose to ignore my question at the time, that's certainly your choice. But you can't reasonably expect me to consider a question answered simply because you chose not to answer it.
Marty, if you chose to ignore my question at the time, that's certainly your choice. But you can't reasonably expect me to consider a question answered simply because you chose not to answer it.
Rob,
Think through what you just wrote.
If I was concerned about your question and what you would "consider." And did not know it to be petty and pointless...
Everybody can clearly see that Marty is no longer interested in commenting on my song. The discussion has turned into personal attacks instead. This is the kind of atmosphere that can drive people away from a site like this.
He says the problem is that I write about topics he doesn't like. I don't enjoy it when discussions get out of hand, as this one has, but I also don't think I should simply accept personal claims about me that aren't true.
As I told you, I think that your incessant political whines and diatribes are selfishly dysfunctional for a site dedicated to songwriting.
So, I criticize your messaging and then explore and criticize the foundation and basis for your messaging.
You are and have been ate up with Trump.
As for me, I like his border, like seeing criminals shipped out of the country, like a supreme court that doesn't try to make the constitution say things that it does not. Eg. RvW
I don't like this war that he appears to have gotten the country stuck in on the other side of the world. I have a lot that I could say about that.
BUT...
I am not going to bring those very divisive political opinions to this site and bang my little political drum over and over again, inevitably creating unease and arguments. That is not a cure, it is the disease. I think that would be pathetically selfish.
If you do, don't be surprised by unfettered criticism.
Everybody can clearly see that Marty is no longer interested in commenting on my song. The discussion has turned into personal attacks instead. This is the kind of atmosphere that can drive people away from a site like this.
He says the problem is that I write about topics he doesn't like. I don't enjoy it when discussions get out of hand, as this one has, but I also don't think I should simply accept personal claims about me that aren't true.
Same net effect as ignoring mine. All amounts to no point in posting
Until you have genuine interest in learning, and teaching, and in what others are doing, this site will continue to suck.
Ignore? OK my mo will be to NOT ignore and tell the truth.
As I told you, I think that your incessant political whines and diatribes are selfishly dysfunctional for a site dedicated to songwriting.
So, I criticize your messaging and then explore and criticize the foundation and basis for your messaging.
You are and have been ate up with Trump.
As for me, I like his border, like seeing criminals shipped out of the country, like a supreme court that doesn't try to make the constitution say things that it does not. Eg. RvW
I don't like this war that he appears to have gotten the country stuck in on the other side of the world. I have a lot that I could say about that.
BUT...
I am not going to bring those very divisive political opinions here and bang my little political drum over and over again, inevitably creating unease and arguments. I think that would be pathetically selfish.
If you do, don't be surprised by unfettered criticism.
And this is still the song we're supposed to be discussing:
Good morning, America, how are you today? Did somebody say we’re all doin’ okay? Can you see the writing on the wall Looks like we’re heading for a fall
Good morning, America, how do we stand? Is anybody thriving across this land? Bills keep on rising at a crazy rate How long can we afford to celebrate?
And this is still the song we're supposed to be discussing:
Good morning, America, how are you today? Did somebody say we’re all doin’ okay? Can you see the writing on the wall Looks like we’re heading for a fall
Good morning, America, how do we stand? Is anybody thriving across this land? Bills keep on rising at a crazy rate How long can we afford to celebrate?
Your leaving some things out, as usual. In my opinion, this site, misapplies and carries the notion of "free speech" too far, and always has.
Clearly, when you post something here, responses are not limited to your boundaries. People are "free" to criticize any aspect of it that they see fit, in any manner that they consider relevant.
The best course of action to a reasoning person is to voluntarily refrain from constantly regurgitating divisive political viewpoints...here...at a songwriter forum.
Your leaving some things out, as usual. In my opinion, this site, misapplies and carries the notion of "free speech" too far, and always has.
Clearly, when you post something here, responses are not limited to your boundaries. People are "free" to criticize any aspect of it that they see fit, in any manner that they consider relevant.
The best course of action to a reasoning person is to voluntarily refrain from constantly regurgitating divisive political viewpoints...here...at a songwriter forum.
The moderators can decide whether what I post belongs on this site, not you or me. And this is your first post where you didn't insult me. Whoa. 😄
Well look at it this way, least you go the attention you got the responses
Dom, you just disqualified yourself. This thread isn't in the General Message Forum; it's in the AI Assisted Forum. You know, that's why I don't always respond to your posts. 😄
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"If you are stuck in your musical composing, be unreasonable. Change your environment. If you are stuck in your lyrical efforts, instead of forcing the same old words out, force yourself to do unreasonable things." -Brian Austin Whitney