Originally, this post was simply going to be the lyric to a potential song called, Mississippi.
But I’ve since changed the lyric and tried several different treatments of the song. I worked out a straight blues piece, did something with a Bo Diddley beat, and played around with something that reminded me a little bit of Talking Heads.
Then I decided to see if I could put the words to a random piece of electronic music with house and industrial influences that I had in my files. The entire track is based on a single chord: a major 7th. I sing baritone.
This is what I got.
At first I listed this as Anderhill. I’m not sure it is. Anderhill music doesn’t usually have vocals. It’s more of a Dan Steven Erickson thing.
There are multiple problems with the recording. But at this point it’s just a demo. I still haven’t even decided if I like this treatment of the song the best of the options.
There’s a reason I don’t produce many songs with vocals. I don’t have the equipment or engineering skills to get the sounds I’m really hearing in my head. When the music is all programmed using GarageBand, and the vocals are recorded with an iPad mic, you know there’s a lot to be desired. But that’s what I’ve got and I try to make the best of it.
The story behind the lyrics.
As a kid, I was in a cult. I was essentially a slave from the ages of 10-16. That experience left a lot of emotional turmoil and scars in me. I’ve always had a deep pull into the blues, and I associate that with my childhood history.
However, I’ve never quite made the jump into committing to only playing the blues. And based on this version of Mississippi, I’m still not committing. I either lack the discipline, love musical variety too much, or fear the flack I’d get for being a white man attempting to play and sing the deep blues.
But the truth is that I have more in common with the African American slaves than most people do. My history of being a boy who was forced to do hard labor, was beaten and oppressed, has made me understand the spirit of the blues more than your average Joe.
Here’s the first version of the lyric to Mississippi.
Maybe I should move to Mississippi
Because I got them kind of blues
Sometimes we can make our own choices
Sometimes we don’t get to choose
Maybe I should move just south of Memphis
Cuz I can feel the spirits calling me
Muddy Waters, Willie Brown, and Elvis
Maybe I should move to Mississippi
Maybe I should sell most my belongings
Quit my job and load the truck
Buy a one-room shack out on the delta
Maybe then I’d have a change of luck
Could it be I missed my calling
And there’s only one thing that’ll set me free
Oh Lord, them blues just keep returning
So, maybe I should move to Mississippi
In the middle of the night I hear the howling
Freight trains, hound dogs, and slide guitar
Some say it’s the devil but I know better
It’s just years and years of tears and scars
Maybe I should move to Mississippi
Carry on and accept my fate
Play them blues with all my might
Before my time is done and it’s too late
We only get one chance to live a life
In the end you know we’ll all be history
I’m tired of being stuck at this crossroads
Maybe I should move to Mississippi
As I worked the song into the different treatment options, I made some changes to the lyrics. I added a chorus, ditched the bridge, and tweaked the last verse a bit.
Here’s the current version of the song.
Maybe I’ll just move to Mississippi
Cuz I got those deep down blues
Sometimes we make our own choices
Sometimes we don’t get to choose
Maybe I’ll just move south of Memphis
Cuz I can feel the spirit calling me
Muddy Waters, Willie Brown, and Elvis
Maybe I’ll just move to Mississippi
You can break me down
Bring me to my knees
Put me in shackles but I’ll still be free
Cuz there’s something deep inside of me
That will not be denied you see
Maybe I’ll just move to Mississippi
Maybe I’ll just pack all my belongings
Quit my job and load the truck
Buy a one-room shack out on the delta
Maybe then I’ll have a change of luck
Could it be that I missed my calling
And there’s only one thing that’ll set me free
Oh Lord, them blues just keep returning
So maybe I’ll just move to Mississippi
You can break me down
Bring me to my knees
Taint my blood with your evil disease
But there’s something deep inside of me
That will not be denied you see
Maybe I’ll just move to Mississippi
Maybe I’ll just move to Mississippi
Carry on and accept my fate
Play the blues with all my might boys
Before my time is done and it’s too late
Maybe then I can kill this oppression
That another white man instilled in me
Maybe I’ll make a deal down at the crossroads
Maybe I’ll just move to Mississippi
By no means is this a final product.
The song and the recording of this song are still works in progress. It’s over six minutes long. That doesn’t bode well for commerciality. (Not that I really care.)
The phrasing and melody could still use some subtle sculpting.
I’m still not decided on the current musical treatment. It’s unique, but the Bo Diddley version is good, too. The lyrics might still need more editing. The recording is subpar. But it’s a start. It’s the birth of a song.
Oh, and I’m going to continue to add new demos to this collection. – dse
Lyrics Copyright 2024 by Dan Steven Erickson
- Learn more about creativity
- Get new Anderhill music first
- Get special discounts
- Sign up for the newsletter