Commentary
"This is no fun." "I want to do something fun."
We all have heard it. We have thought like this. The song lyric arose as a response to that sentiment. As if the activity were the problem.
“You need a better attitude, young man, young lady.” We have heard this kind of admonishment as well. As if an attitude shift could be commanded.
We have seen also how somebody’s great attitude can transform a difficult job into a highly enjoyable experience. For example, when I was a boy, the irrepressible attitude of one man, Cecil Thomas, for me made a joy of several three-day, thirty-mile, multi-family, heavy backpack Memorial Day Weekend hikes. (OK, being out in nature didn’t hurt either!)
But “When you’re depressed, not at your best . . . . Where do you get that attitude?” “Where does fun come from?” My answer is in this song.
It starts with rhythm--a walking-with-attitude, feeling-good rhythm. The A-part melody began as a Delta Blues sort of guitar finger-picking exercise, akin to a backwards Van Morrison “Brown Eyed Girl” lick. The B part came while I was walking and singing the A part. The II chord on the “lift your feet” lyric in the IV-I-IV-II B part sequence shifts the mood in a way I find uplifting, and the V chord brings the song back to where you know it will find its home key again.
“Love makes the world go ‘round” is a familiar phrase from my youth, a common song title, a cliché. I like clichés turned fresh. Revised, from the first of two songs ever I wrote before that 2012 workshop:
D F#7 B7 -
The cliche’d well’s profoundly deep, but the bucket’s rusted.
E7 - A7 -
To drink we’ve got to dive down in, the crank and rope are busted
D F#7 G E
And climb out each in our own way and share our cup with friends.
D B7 E A D
To drown there as to never dive -- no writer recommends.
Listen
Lyrics
Fun is not what you do;
It’s all about attitude.
Fun is not what you do;
Fun's in the generous attitude
You bring to the things that you do.
Where does fun come from?
Where do you get that attitude?
Don’t give me some platitude;
When you’re depressed, not at your best
Where does fun come from? Don’t know but
There’s something in the rhythm of a song
That lifts your feet as you move along. And though
(And though) melody's source hides in mystery
Our hearts find rest there quite comfortably.
Rhythmic fingers snap along.
Bounce a heel, you won’t go wrong.
That’s the dance, now sing the song.
Music’s a gift; jump in, catch a lift.
Music’s spirit is strong.
Spirit is who we are.
(Spirit plus a little attitude).
Spirit is who we are
A spark of life, a miracle
Attached to some dust from a star.
There’s something about the star-filled sky
That calms the chattering of the mind.
Yes and when we join the mystery
We might find joy there. Try it and see.
“Love makes the world go around."
Without your love the world slows down.
It takes a smile to chase a frown.
So LOVE, lend spin to the globe my friend:
Help make the world go around.
~~ Repeat first verse. End.