These are a couple songs I wrote back in Spring of 2020 as we were heading into a deadly pandemic. I did not realize it at the time, but I was laying the groundwork for what is transpiring in my life right now.
I never posted these songs publicly because the instrumentals are from Tom Morello. They are so dope. I would send people the link to an unlisted page instead. Now, I figured, what's the worst that can happen, his legal rep asks me to take it down? (Please!) 😄
I have entered the IDGAF and ZFLTG stage of my life. Always with good intentions, while coming from a place of humility and grace. I find myself getting into "Good Trouble" recently, like the late, Great, John Lewis encouraged us all to do. If we are coming from a place of love, and it feels right, then maybe it's not so wrong. Having followed Mr. Morello's career since he was Raging Against the Machine in his 20's, I think he'd agree. 😊
So, here you go!
Shout out to Kylie!
Inspired by Trevor Moawad
Original Song on YouTube
Original Song on YouTube
Trevor Moawad was a mental strength coach who was highly respected in the sports world. His highest profile client was Russell Wilson, who became his good friend. Unfortunately, we lost Trevor to cancer in 2021. He left behind some gold, though. Trevor's book, It Takes What it Takes, inspired me to write the same song. I felt like it needed it's own anthem. 🤘🏼 This book can help you shift your thinking from negative to neutral. You don't have to pretend it's all good all the time. It's more important to not go negative. It helps you push through any hardship or setback.
"It takes what it takes, whatever it takes! Getting back up. Shaking off the mistakes. A 'Can Do" attitude eliminates mental waste, while making greatness. It takes what it takes, whatever it takes!"
It's all in our head. It's the attitude we bring to each day. We get to choose. Smart choices. Stack wins.
Dance within the chaos! Bonus points if you can do it with a smile 😊
I also shared the original songs from the same album, "The Atlas Underground." Through synchronous fate, the lyrics from both songs compliment the ones I wrote, surprisingly well! I encourage you to listen to those songs too, for a complete listening experience. Tom, Whethan, and K.Flay, are all from the Chicago area, like me. And Whethan's dad taught math to my niece Kylie at the same high school I went to. She introduced me to Whethan's music, which is how these two songs originated. Not that it means much to me now, but back then, these synchronicities helped keep me moving forward. Making progress. At the time, I thought it was all coming together, and I was right! It just needed it to marinate for a while longer. Divine timing 3:33
While I am grateful to everyone who touched this project in some way, I'm mostly grateful to Tom Morello for creating these songs and the work he does to help create a more just world for every human, with an "F You if you don't like it," attitude. He's the best! Ok, he would say "Fuck" Who are we kidding? 😆 I was keeping it PG. Tom is anything but that, yet in a rare and dignified way. Modern Stoic. The Force is strong with that guy! 😌
Original album track list on YouTube