"The Space Above Me"

I find the prophet Jeremiah a fascinating character. He asked God a lot of awkward questions, and we’re still waiting for the answers.

“The Space Above Me” on YouTube

The Space Above Me

© 1994 Kevin Dempsey and Brian Hutzell

What a pity the place is a mess

We've had so little success

Keeping the house in order

We just pile it in the corner

And hope it will go away

Is there no balm in Gilead?

No physician there?

Why do the wicked prosper

Leaving noble men to carry their burdens into slaughter

Like innocent sheep

I wish my head was water

Then my eyes would always weep

Now I ask you: How can love be floating in the space above me?

In the space above me, in the space above me

In the city, we face daily stress

The country promises rest

But only delivers danger

And the hand of every stranger

Is left empty while we pray

Is there no balm in Gilead?

No physician there?

Why do the wicked prosper

Leaving noble men to carry their burdens into slaughter

Like innocent sheep

I wish my head was water

Then my eyes would always weep

Now I ask you: How can love be floating in the space above me?

In the space above me, in the space above me

Standing by

Repeating questions from days gone by

Questions that were never answered

And may never be

Is there no balm in Gilead?

No physician there?

Why do the wicked prosper

Leaving noble men to carry their burdens into slaughter

Like innocent sheep

I wish my head was water

Then my eyes would always weep

Now I ask you: How can love be floating in the space above me?

In the space above me, in the space above me

Kevin Dempsey and Brian Hutzell

Chicago

"The Temptress"

I’ve always been proud of my Plastic Mikey lyrics. The music of the songs is very simple, based on only two chords. Many of the Plastic Mikey songs followed that formula: very basic chord structure of just two or three chords (sometime only one!) with the lyrics and melody creating the forward momentum. It gives the songs an almost zen-like feel…whatever that means.

"The Temptress" on MelodyFusion (rough demo)

The Temptress

© 1994 Kevin Dempsey and Brian Hutzell

Night comes early, warm but refined

With a chilling look, she drives me inside

Sometime I run and sometimes I crawl

And I find her a witch or a dancing doll

Shackled and swollen I scream and I beg

But she won't ease the pain at the top of my legs

Primal instincts--reckless and raw

I surrender beneath her claws

This is where the leather struck

You can feel the welt, but you'll never know how it felt

When the lash fell from the hand of The Temptress

My time as a slave is a time of release

Only in chains are my emotions set free

The guilt of pleasure is washed away

By the cleansing sting of tears when I pray

Beaten and burning I tremble and cry

In my bondage I'm bursting and ready to die

This is where the leather struck

You can feel the welt, but you'll never know how it felt

When the lash fell from the hand of The Temptress

Death comes early, gentle and sweet

And again I'm amazed she knows just what I need

I'm fine for the moment, but it never lasts

I'll be back to indulge in the magic she casts

This is where the leather struck

You can feel the welt, but you'll never know how it felt

When the lash fell from the hand of The Temptress

"Blurple"

Brian Hutzell

"Why Does The Rain?"

A lost song. These lyrics were written for Plastic Mikey, and I can remember performing this song live, but now the music is lost, and I don’t remember it. I love the words though. Some of my early lyrics make me cringe when I read them, but not these. Maybe they should, and I’m just too stupid to notice. I don’t care. Did I ever really feel this optimistic? Can I ever feel that way again?

Why Does The Rain?

© 1994 Kevin Dempsey and Brian Hutzell

Will there ever be a time when rainbows end

And flowers in the wind refuse to bend?

Will I wake up with no questions in my mind,

My curiosity completely satisfied?

I hope, I hope I never outgrow the sun

I hope, I hope I never stop having fun

Will I ever stop believing in my dreams,

Those reassuring possibilities?

Will I ever tire of tasting forbidden fruit?

Will I ever jump without a parachute?

I hope, I hope I never become too sane

And I hope, I hope I never stop wondering...

Why does the rain? [5x]

When the world says ”No,” I’ll be saying “Yes!”

When there’s no clear way to go, you might as well guess

They can shoot me down forever if they want

But when forever’s done, I’ll get back up

I hope I never listen to my fears

I hope I keep finding new frontiers

I hope, I hope I never stop feeling pain

And I hope, I hope I never stop wondering..

Why does the rain? [5x]

"Driving Home"

This was a song I wrote for Plastic Mikey. It continued Kevin’s concept of minimalist songs, containing only one or, in this case, two chords. The song’s momentum relies not on chords but on lyrics and melody, and I’m pretty happy with the way this one turned out. The only recording I have of it is a VERY rough demo. The lyrics were written while driving in Chicago.

“Driving Home” on MelodyFusion

Driving Home

© 1995 Brian Hutzell

Yellow sliver in the sky

Artificial wind in my eye

I’m driving home, driving home

Red lights everywhere

Scent of chocolate in the air

I’m driving home, driving home

The antenna on my car’s been snapped

So the radio reception’s crap

I’ve got directions; I’ve got a map

And dozens of signs to tell me where I’m at

Lest I forget this route I’ve driven so often

I might forget

Familiar landmarks disappear

My tires turn, but I can’t steer

The markings on the road aren’t clear

Gotta find someplace to stop ‘round here

Lest I get lost in these streets that I’ve forgotten

I could get lost

On my way home

I’m driving home, driving home

I struggle to regain control

But I hit a bump and start to roll

Then I’m falling through a giant hole

And suddenly I realize this is home

This is my home

How did I miss the decline into this?

It wasn’t always so

The change was gradual and slow

And I wish I’d taken the time to see what was happening

To my home

When driving home to my beautiful home

Kevin Dempsey and Brian Hutzell