29. Winter Blues Man

I hate winter. I have to go somewhere in November and February. Some see it as a scenic, cozy time of the year, when landscapes are transformed into a wonderland. A time for winter sports, unique events , health and wellness.  Also, a time for rest and comfort food. I don’t get much of this. What I see is a dangerous time for accidents and health, higher costs  such as utility bills) and cabin fever. Everything is shut or damaged or dormant. I also think of it as a time when you take stock and think about all the other things that might depress you. I love the song Subterranean Homesick Blue’s by Bob Dylan. It’s a quick-fire commentary on the political climate at the time. It was his first top 40 hit in the USA. It's like a list of things that young people should be aware of. For those of you that remember, Dylan stood up in the video, flipping large cue cards with key lyrics from the song. Some see it as the real start of rap music. One thing is for sure the lyrics are clear and he shouts them out loud in the song and on flip charts.

My song, Winter Blue Man, makes use of lyric videos, with the lyrics appearing across the screen throughout. I then carefully selected 50-70 clips that mirror the lyrics on the screen at the time.  Editing and generally messing about with them takes ages to get right. In the end I had a blues song that I was very happy with and one that others have wanted to cover.

My song is basically a list of things ( like Dylan’s song)  that added up can lead to depression, particularly in winter time. So much so’ that the main character is close to suicide and wants to potentially throw himself under a train. Cheerful little number !

This man sets the scene in the song, by singing,  ‘I’m in a mood, cold, dark and damp

Sunshine? Damn, I need a magic lamp .Winter Blues man, leapt under a train. Wake up to burn out, feel less pain. Self-esteem, at an all-time low. At breaking point, baby, it shows’

He then starts to list all the things that annoy the hell out him and add up ultimately to his severe depression. Starting with , ‘Stop all the lies, stop the bloat. Future, now got us by the throat. Lonely, I’m worried, is on the rise. Who knows how to dress, not guys. Secret enemies hiding within. What happened to all that liberating’ He carries on with further complaints, ‘Obsessions with weird drag queens. End reality shows, on our screens. Forget the mirror, what you’re like. Risky fat jabs, are just not right. Nobody believes cops will turn up. Hate a plastic surgery, coverup’

It then turns to  more worldly issues that concern him and a dark message, ,’ Collateral damage, means something. Maybe give it all up, maybe everything. His spirit visits me, sounds impossible. Embracing insomnia, is beyond you ‘  I suspect he has therapy at some time because he then suggests some self analysis, ‘ Shelved my ‘tell all’, lifetime book. Spilling the beans fear, overtook. What do you want to happen next. I'm ready, get set go! Send a text’ . Sound like a cry to help but who knows.

The chorus kicks in again ,’’ Winter Blues man, leapt under a train Wake up to burn out, feel less pain’. He finishes with some last-minute advice, ‘ Revel in uncertainty, hold on to hope. Thrive on chaos, saddle up and cope. Lower horizons, blow away cobwebs. No one knows the rules, or the steps. Need to chill out, as the screw is turned If caught in a trap, try lessons learned’ I wonder if he jumped ? He seems a lost soul with  a lot on him mind, during the winter months. The winter blues man seems an appropriate title for the song.