Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Blind Man: Musician Challenge

This post was based on an experience I had a few years ago. I was on a platform waiting for a train, and a blind man was there, also waiting. From the way he was standing, it looked like he was staring at me. My initial stupid thought was: why is he staring at me? On second thought, I realized, of course, that he wasn't staring at anything. But if I had been crazy...



Are you a musician who would like to put those lyrics to music? Please, go for it. I encourage you to record and perform this song under a Creative Commons Attribution license, which basically means you can do what you want with these lyrics as long as you give me credit. The full lyrics are posted in the comments section.

I just have two requests regarding your use of the lyrics. First, make the best of what I've given you -- no rewriting, deletions or additions. If you absolutely must do some minor rephrasing to fit your melody, that's okay, but try to avoid any substantive changes. Second, make your creation available to the Deadpan Inc. audience. Post your song on a third party site, preferably one that enables an embedded player, like YouTube, and send me the link. If anyone takes the bait, I'll post all the songs on a special weekend edition on January 24.

Even if you're not a musician, feel free to use Microsoft Songsmith. (It's new a program that automatically puts "music" behind anything you sing into your microphone.) Use any genre of music you like: punk, metal, rap, country, folk, emo, techno...whatever. We'd all love to hear it. If you know a musician who might be into this, please forward this posting.

Are you up to the challenge? Do you have the musical chops to turn "Blind Man" into the next "Single Ladies"? Bring it.

One more thing -- if you ever make any serious money off this song (talkin' to you, Kanye), I would appreciate a fair 50% cut of the royalties. You're under no legal obligation to do that, but it would be darn nice of you.

Update: In just over 24 hours, the first entry arrived. Better get started on yours, doncha think?

2 comments:

Dave Stratton said...

Blind Man

Standing at the station, waiting for a train
Blind man in shades, tapping white cane
Just standing there, minding my own
Something happening, can’t be condoned

What you looking at, blind man?
What you looking at, blind man?
Why you looking at me?
Better stop, looking at me.

Got a smug look, on his ugly face
I’ll wipe it off, put him in his place
I’ll punch him out, won’t see it come
To my fists, he will succumb

What you looking at, blind man?
What you looking at, blind man?
Why you looking at me?
Better stop, looking at me.

Sizing him up, he’s fairly buff
But I think I’m, tough enough
Let’s get it on, had enough of this stuff

What you looking at, blind man?
What you looking at, blind man?
Why you looking at me?
Better stop, looking at me.

What you looking at, blind man?
What you looking at, blind man?
Why you looking at me?
Better stop, looking at me.

cheezencrackers said...

Hey, I saw him today. He and I were walking the pedestrian walkway together. Through the snow, ice, crowds of commuters -- he just keeps going.

But you're wrong, he could probably take you.