songwriting

Leave a comment Posted on Enneagram, poetry, songwriter, songwriting, Uncategorized

“If the Atheists are Right” – Song 12 – Enneagram 6 Songwriter – Analyzing Lyrics – Themes of Belonging and Security

My 12th song, released on March 30, 2020, was likely written being guided by my less dominant 5 Wing. When writing this song, my idea was to approach the most popular ideas of what people think happens when we die; from a rational and non-dramatic perspective.

(I remember when I wrote the melody to this song, it appeared in my head while I was pumping gas at the gas station. I took out my phone and recorded the melody right there.)

It truly is fascinating to me that no one alive on Earth right now can truly know what happens when we die, but instead, we all have some sort of faith-based belief… which basically falls into one of the categories that I present in the lyrics:

If the atheists are right about what happens when we die – The screen will fade to black and that is that – No memories or consciousness will continue to exist – No confirmation of whose views were right – That is if the atheists are right about what will happen when we die – If the Jews are right about what happens when we die – Nothing really seems to come to mind – If there’s a life beyond the grave it is not for us to say – All that matters happens in this life – That is if the Jews are right about what will happen when we die – If the Muslims are right about what happens when we die – It’s punishment or it’s paradise – So do your best to be good enough, more positive than negative – Then just hope it all measures up – That is if the Muslims are right about when will happen when we die – If the Christians are right about what happens when we die – Jesus is the way, the truth, the life – So love your neighbor as yourself and trust that God will do the rest – You choose the path to heaven or hell – That is if the Christians are right about what will happen when we die – So tell me what will happen when we die?

So looking back on this song I wrote over 2 years ago, can you see how I am a loyalist and a skeptic? Can you see my longing for security and confirmation of my own existence; which shows my true Enneagram is actually a 6?

Feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And now you can listen to the song, below, if you wish:

 

Leave a comment Posted on Enneagram, marriage, poetry, songwriter, songwriting, Uncategorized

“Shotgun” – Song 11 – Enneagram 6 Songwriter – Analyzing Lyrics – Themes of Belonging and Security

My 11th song, “Shotgun”, was the first released during The Covid Lockdown; on March 20th, 2020. Perhaps I started becoming more inspired to write about my relationship with my wife during this time. In fact, I pitched this song to her, as a duet. But she decided she wanted me to do this one alone.

“Shotgun” is a song I wrote to point out the near absurdity in betting the rest of your life on spending it with another person… for better and for worse.

I chose the term “shotgun” in connection of the phrase “shotgun wedding”. Even though my wife and I didn’t have a rushed wedding, in the grand scheme of things, it can still seem that way to some degree:

Know a person for a year or so, and then you take one “shot” on them by choosing to commit your life to them; hoping the other person is as committed as you are, no matter what lies ahead.

As an Enneagram 6, I am wired to crave and to provide stability and security. These lyrics show a glimpse into the way I arguably “overthink” every situation:

“I’ve got my finger on the trigger, but just one bullet in the chamber – For better or for worse, forever – Until death do we part – Staring down the barrel of a shotgun against my shoulder – Praying that I’m solid in my aim – I can’t afford to miss it, either it is or isn’t – Neither of us will ever be the same – Best case scenario, we both grow old until one of us dies and leaves the other all alone – Happily ever after, celebrations and disasters – Sweet and sour, I ain’t going nowhere – Anti-climatic, existential crisis, comic, tragic – Why are we still here? I don’t have all the answers but I’ve made my peace with God – I’m taking you with me into the great beyond – Hallelujah”

So looking back on this song I wrote over 2 years ago, can you see how I am a loyalist and a skeptic? Can you see my longing for security and confirmation of my own existence; which shows my true Enneagram is actually a 6?

Feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And now you can listen to the song, below, if you wish:

 

Leave a comment Posted on Enneagram, songwriter, songwriting, Uncategorized

“I Still Believe” – Song 10 – Enneagram 6 Songwriter – Analyzing Lyrics – Themes of Belonging and Security

My 10th song happened to be the last one I published before The Covid Shutdown began. I released this song on March 11, 2020; whereas the shutdown began on March 15th.

Looking back, this song would serve as the first official of several entries in the category of “Christian Questioning His Faith”. Granted, “The Meaning of Life“, my 5th song, hinted at this theme too.

Much of the doubts I was sorting through (and still am), involve me accepting the idea that a loving God allows people to suffer in this world; as well as for eternity for those who don’t believe in Him.

That is difficult me to process. It was challenging 2 and a half years ago- and it still is now, in 2022.

As the lyrics relate to me being Enneagram 6 (and not knowing that I was when I wrote this in 2020), the Enneagram 6 personality is known as ironically being both the loyal and the skeptic.

Knowing that, these lyrics are a perfect representation of that concept:

I’ve never had more faith, I’ve never had more doubt – With so many questions I’ll never figure out – My faith is so strong, I admit I could be wrong – Or does that make me weak? Still I believe I believe, I believe – Oh, I’m less of a saint, more of a sinner – Saved by grace, I know my place – I never wanted free will, nor do I still – I’m an imperfect person, I can not be trusted – But I believe, I believe I still believe, I still believe – I don’t need to understand what I can’t – And if I could it wouldn’t do any good – Choose for yourself this day whom you will serve – As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord – God bless this house, God bless this home – God bless our children as we watch them grow – I believe, I believe -Your kingdom come, your will be done – This is what I pray, I hope I don’t get in the way – I’m not of this world, only in this world -Every good thing I have comes from the Lord – I believe, I believe

So looking back on this song I wrote over 2 years ago, can you see how I am a loyalist and a skeptic? Can you see my longing for security and confirmation of my own existence; which shows my true Enneagram is actually a 6?

Feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And now you can listen to the song, below, if you wish:

 

Leave a comment Posted on Enneagram, Nostalgia, songwriter, songwriting, Spirituality, Uncategorized

“These are the Good Ole Days” – Song 9 – Enneagram 6 Songwriter – Analyzing Lyrics – Themes of Belonging and Security

My 9th song is one of several that could easily pass as a song written by an Enneagram 4, at first glance.

It feels sad. It is yearning for the past. It is a very entimental song, written from a realist perspective; where I am clearly plugged in to the full scope of my emotions.

But I would say it is a glimpse at the healthy part of my Enneagram 7 wing; where I am able to accept the randomness of life for what it is. I would say that there is a certain balance I showcase in the lyrics:

My life is half way over – My life has never been more in focus – No time machine to take us all back – What’s happened is stuck in the past – These are the good ole days – We’re still living in them – I won’t always be here – You won’t always be here – So shake a hand, shake a leg, soon we’ll all be dead – Don’t want to die, so I’ll try to live while I’m alive – This is it – These are the good ole days – You learn to take the good with the bad things – Life is both a comedy and a tragedy – No way to fast-forward or rewind -Just try to catch up if you get behind

So looking back on this song I wrote over 2 years ago, can you see my Enneagram 7 wing? Can you see my longing for security and confirmation of my own existence; which shows my true Enneagram is actually a 6?

Feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And now you can listen to the song, below, if you wish:

 

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, songwriting, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Your 1st School Dance… With Girls!

11 years, 10 months.

Dear Jack,

Last Friday night, Mommy and I drove you and your best friend Landon to your first school dance! And yes, a dance where there were girls.

However, you were super chill about the whole thing. But it was very important to you that you were able to go.

I kept asking, “Are you sure you are going to feel comfortable wearing a t-shirt? Are you sure you won’t feel underdressed?”

To be sure, I snuck a few button down shirts in the car just in case.

But sure enough, this apparently was a very casual middle school dance where no one really dressed up.

You confirmed that boys and girls in 6th grade weren’t really dancing with each other.

It mainly was just a way to hang out. Either way, you were so glad you went!

 

Love,

Daddy