"Anarchist Heart" original song

[Ted]

Anarchist Heart
©1991, 2007 Ted Johnson

Ted: Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Micro BR Drums

A man I never met is killing people I don't hate
With weapons that I paid for, but I don't have a receipt
Or I would take 'em all back to the Department of Complaints and say,
I need a refund; this is a mistake.

But my anarchist heart tells me this is your fault.
They sent you a bill. You gave them everything they asked for.
You filled out the form and said, Leave me alone.
When you should have said, Leave me in peace.

I licked the stamp like it was a boot.
Mailed off a check to an address in Utah.
I watch the war.  I taste the mucilage
Sticking to my tongue like a cold bomber fuselage.

And my anarchist heart... (etc.)

I protest.  I complain.
I e-mail cartoons to friends who feel the same.
I can shake my head, but not the blame.
I can shake my fist, but it's not the same.

And I make a peace sign and there's blood on my hands.
I'm out of step with all these marching bands
Banging on a bass drum like Khrushchev's shoe

When my heart beats a rhythm that you can't march to. (4X)

And my anarchist heart... (etc.)

I recorded this more than a year ago, when I was first learning my way around the MBR--but hadn't yet been pulled into this forum.

I thought I'd post it now as an aside to the discussion of Hopes (V1, V2).

It's still one of my more successful home recordings.  There's a little more information about the song here.

[Satchwood]

"i need a refund...this is a mistake....fill out the flippin form"
....great lyrics!

Cool tune Ted!  sometimes i feel like protesting....bangin on a bass drum...my heart beats a rhythm...

i can relate...thx 4 putting it in words!

[Oldrottenhead]

wow ted one minute we get the madness and frivolity of dechromium cob (which is getting played to death alongside some geirs songs in the car cd player) and now a very serious heartfelt challenging piece , powerful powerful stuff i need to put this on my mp3 player now

[Ted]

wow ted one minute we get the madness and frivolity of dechromium cob... and now a very serious heartfelt challenging piece , powerful powerful stuff i need to put this on my mp3 player now

Do not assume that because I am frivolous I am shallow; just as I do not assume that because you are grave you are profound.

--Sydney Smith

I doubt you've ever been accused of being grave, ORH.

[launched]

It reminds me of all the people I stood behind for almost a decade, only to be let down in the end...

You put it to words and music beautifully - Strong Reminder - Excellent Tune!!

Peace,

Mark

[Oldrottenhead]

I doubt you've ever been accused of being grave, ORH.

i am as deep as a puddle lol.

[Bluesberry]

Full on truth and meaning.  This one strikes a deep chord with me.  Very good job.  I love your excellent production.  Great, great lyrics.  Cool, clear, smooth strong vocals.  Can I ask how you recorded the vocals, they sound really good here, I am looking for all the tips I can get on recording vocals.

[Ferryman_1957]

Good one Ted. A strong song with heartfelt lyrics. I like your vox on this, the harmonies are good. I also like the drums a lot - are they all MBR? If so, you're quite a wiz with the drums.

Cheers,

Nigel

[Bro]

That riff in the intro and verse is EXTREMELY catchy!

Ah.. great! I love looking back on elder recordings, really makes you understand your progress! Great job ted!

[Ted]

Can I ask how you recorded the vocals, they sound really good here, I am looking for all the tips I can get on recording vocals.

I think I was having a rare good-vocal day when I did this.  I used my Samson C03 microphone through my JoeMeek 3Q (EQ/Compressor/Premp).  However, I second-guess myself about whether this gear was necessary,  having now heard the great vocal recordings achieved with the MBR's built-in microphone.

I also like the drums a lot - are they all MBR? If so, you're quite a wiz with the drums.

Yes, those are all MBR drums.  It's the Jazz kit.  I don't remember using any of my crazy drum workarounds for this arrangement.  I just auditioned lots of patterns, sometimes at half the tempo of the song, until I found something that works, even if it wasn't what I was hearing in my head--and sometimes it was better than what I would have programmed if I had the option.  The drums in the chorus during "...everything they asked for" were intended to be accents in unison with guitar and bass.  But since that pattern didn't exist, I was forced to find something else--and I think it's much cooler than what I had in mind.