Story Behind The Song

A friend of mine had contacted me about joining the online community for oilman T. Boone Pickens website for alternative energy, "The Pickens Plan." He was a small investor and was quite excited about the possibilities of the new technologies that were being investigated with gas then topping three dollars a gallon. He said the organization was also looking for theme songs that could be used online and at live events and I should try to write something for it. I recognized that this was an issue that touched a lot of passion in people on both sides of the energy policy debate and thought that music with a lot of counterpoint would capture both the emotional and rational component of the argument. The verses and choruses alternate with this feel while the overall theme is a strident call to action. The minor key gives the sense of urgency and danger appropriate to a matter of such overarching implications to the environmental and economic health of the nation and the world. Surprisingly, for a complex song of varied moods, time signatures, and tempos, and the one that took the most time to mix, I completed the writing in just over a week. I'm pretty sure that's a record for any of these tunes.

Song Description

Do we have the will to embrace change in our energy resources?

Lyrics

You look too burdened
In the setting sun
And I can feel the frustration
Of nothing getting done
Big talk that's all empty
The thing we need won't last
Instead of moving with purpose
They try to run to the past

Did we see it coming?
It would be to our great shame
Is the polar ice cap melting?
Will the trees all fall in flames?
Urban air keeps growing toxic
While we bankroll all our foes
Could we explore all the options?
Is there time? Heaven knows

World riddled with conflict
The market ebbs and flows
We grasp a slender lifeline
Get tossed wherever it goes
Budgets growing tighter
Dollar buys a dime
Families try to make ends meet
Robber barons live fine

Media sells us crisis
Causes panic in the streets
Are we bound to be stampeded?
Civic action's bold retreat
Will our leaders vow to fix it?
But their impotence may show
Will a stand cost re-election?
Is there time? Heaven knows

So clichéd
Just a grand charade
Play shell games
Thief and the watchman are one in the same
Lay the blame
Everyone
Holds the smoking gun
Make this vow
Calling for action we'll get satisfaction now
Heads unbowed

SOLO

Skyscraping islands
Above a mist so fair
But in the city of angels
Could cut the smoggy air
Flash of genius
Have it both ways
Tap into the resources
Clean the noxious haze

Moving fast and going nowhere
Will someone just look ahead?
Our political correctness
Shoots communication dead
Special interests as our conscience
If we're bothered it don't show
Reclaim the freedom nature gave us
Is there time? Heaven knows