Back in late September 2009 I wrote a song called “Rise Up America” and recorded it after seeing all the chaos go down at the G20 summit in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. I made a call for anyone who wanted to record this song to do so and to even change the words to their own country so that it is more personal.
It’s been a little while now but we’ve now got another version and from Italy.
Here are the two songs for Italy and America together:
Here is my original song with video from the G20 Summit:
I recently got an email from an Italian artist simply known as Alex or “d0ct0r” who heard my song and wanted very much to record it and make his own version for Italy. He sent it to me and this is what you are listening to. I like it very much.
Now that Italy is involved with the spirit behind the original song, my call still goes out for others to get involved. It’s up to us to take our world back from fear and destruction. We must rise above fear and anxiety!
Let’s keep this song chain going. It is important to get the spirit of optimism out. Thanks Alex!
I wrote the music and first verse while living in Hollywood, California in 2001 or 2002. The rest of the lyrics was written by Dominic Campanella who plays with the Quarter After.
You’re buried underneath the America Dream.
You got no time for nothing.
Sit at your cubicle for hours and hours.
Don’t forget about your paper towers.
Pick up the phone and talk to people you don’t like.
What’s it all for? You wish you could take a hike.
No, you gotta pay off your credit cards.
And listen to all the flippin’ retards.
Go back home and you’re tired.
So you drink some coffee and get wired.
And you get in a rage
Cause you had a terrible day.
Turn on the tube for the brainwashing.
They tell ya how to feel and it really stings.
Pop open the beer let your head fill with fear.
That leads to absolutely nothing to hear
Do it all over again the next day.
Keep on in the monotonous robotic way.
When will you say, “Is it all worth this?”
Probably only after you sink to the abyss.
Go back home and you’re tired.
So you drink some coffee and get wired.
And you get in a rage
Cause you had a terrible day.
Music and art can change our World for the good. You already know how chaotic it is these days if you are awake: Swine Flu hype, G20 Riots, Vaccinations, Nuclear Standoffs, RFID chips, health care arguments, economy, Iraq War, terrorism, the New World Order, 1st amendment violations, unemployment, and the list can go on and on.
Now if we all rise up together we can push the oppressive things out of the way. I have compiled a Jamendo only playlist of artists I really like because of their honesty and musical quality. Please download at the link below and pass around. We can do this. It isn’t over and as long as we are breathing we can do something.
And here is another idea: If you can play guitar or piano, sing or write, get going and make a song about whatever you are going through. No matter what. Flood the internet with your viewpoint. Let’s not give in to the elite bullies in charge who want to manipulate, con and destroy us with their fear-mongering. These are all distractions.
if you paint or draw do that, too. Flood the internet with your world. We have more numbers behind us than those elite. They hide behind their power and wealth. Come and get going.
Make youtube videos, too and post. Do it!
Here’s the playlist:
1. Rancho Relaxo – From The Hip
2. Rancho Relaxo – Quebec
3. The Zombie Drivers – There Is No Law
4. The Zombie Drivers – Shine in the Rain
5. The Henry Chinaski’s Ashtray – A Girl Got A Car Accident
6. The Henry Chinaski’s Ashtray – One-eyed-woman’s dream
7. The Ragas – Blues Raga 2
8. The Ragas – What Ya Say
9. The Dada Weatherman – What Gandhi Said
10. The Dada Weatherman – Flying On A Cloud
11. Timado – True Blue
12. Timado – Turning
13. THE GOLDEN DAWN – Enjoy the Nature
14. The Golden Dawn – Let the Sunshine In
15. I Am Not Lefthanded – Falling
16. I Am Not Lefthanded – Long Goodbyes
17. Jamison Young – Live On A Moon
18. Jamison Young – Cold World
19. Blancheneige Bazaar Orchestra – Monkey Boy
20. Blancheneige Bazaar Orchestra – Meshugge
21. Jim Guittard – BJM-Like Song
22. Jim Guittard – The Sun Shines Today
23. Ben’s Imaginary Band – Connectiveness
24. Ben’s Imaginary Band – My Self-Centered World
25. Charline Lucie – Crimes de compagnie
26. Brad Sucks – Overreacting
27. Brad Sucks – Gasoline
28. Waterfalls – The Dandy Bell
29. Waterfalls – Get Tight And Loose
30. alterlabel -Optimystic
31. Blood Ruby – Midsummer Fires
32. Blood Ruby – Babel Babel
33. Illusion of Art – Machines
34. Illusion of Art – La Plano
35. The Heavens – Echo Serena
36. The Heavens – This Beautiful Machine
37. The Wagner Logic – Conflicting Sound
38. The Wagner Logic – So Hard
39. Glass Waves – Hey Nuclear
40. Glass Waves – Virginia Tech
41. FATHER JOHNSON – Treat Ya Kind
42. FATHER JOHNSON – Transcending
43. ARTSomerville – Are You Sleeping?
44. ARTSomerville – I know, I know
45. Chapter 9 – In the Universe
46. Chapter 9 – Small Apocalypse Song
47. The Verandas – Rescue Me
48. The Verandas – Anemone
49. Charlie Gibson – Eu Só Posso Cantar
50. Charlie Gibson – Porto ou Faxinal
I came across xtranormal.com and made this little piece. At Xtranormal.com you can write little scripts and make animation figures act them out. The site is cool. I had to pass it on.
Do you remember how Hunter S. Thompson was searching for the American Dream in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas?
Well, the American Dream has been outsourced overseas. In what country it resides is a mystery. With all the bad economy, dream seekers have gotten the hell outta Dodge.
You say, “This is an outrage!” Yeah, it is an outrage.
Our nation is the most divided it has been since probably the Civil War or at least the 1960s. In 2009, we aren’t killing each other as in the Civil War but a war IS going on and I don’t mean the Iraq or Afghanistan Wars.
The present war is a war of ideas, principles, and the American Dream is quickly being put to shame.
The Framers in the Declaration of Independence guaranteed the following:
“That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
It further states that, “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
Folks, something is completely out of whack as they say and we must do something.
You know what? I think a lot of us are like frogs in a pot that are slowly being boiled alive. Why?
Because we get so used to the stuff around us that we don’t even know we are being cooked alive. You can put a frog in cold water in a pot and then put him on the stovetop and turn up the heat. The frog won’t jump out. The frog will get desensitized and wait patiently for death to come without even knowing it.
The bottom line is for us to wake the hell up! What are we here for? To do stupid stuff day after day after day after day? Get up from your mat and walk. Life is too short to compromise and waste away to nothing. Get up! Do something.
I don’t know who this is directed to but maybe myself. I’m sure a lot of people can relate.
I had to put my first thought down right now before the changing of the guard. It is uncertain, scary, and even confusion what will happen with Obama. It has been so confusing for the past eight years.
I will say this about Bush, he stuck to his guns. He never wavered or flinched. This is a good quality in a President. I don’t agree with much of what happened over the last eight years. The terrorists didn’t get us again. But you know I lost faith really in America during this time. I think a lot of us became cynical with that yeah right attitude.
I don’t kow if Obama will hold the office of the Presidency with a high standard. People are yelling Socialist and other things but I refuse to yell. I think the country is so divided in idealogy but I honestly believe the truth is somewhere on both sides.
I lived overseas for the past two and a half years and quite honestly, I felt ashamed to say that I am an American. Something has gone deeply off course and I pray that America can get back on course. There are higher things at work that we realise. When we take this into consideration, may be we can button our lips and gets things done. Fighting through the division will be hard but the truth is narrow and there.
You may question me for being ashamed of America. I spent 2 years in the Peace Corps trying to represent America in the best light. It was hard because not everyone even wanted to know about America. Alot of people only knew America by what they saw in the movies. Well, America isn’t a movie. America is people. People who get up everyday and fight the good fight. This is the real America. It is time that America stands up with passion.
Well, I’m back in the States and so what next? I found the following in one of my stored boxes and for awhile I really lost track of who I am, especially in my college days. It’s a recommendation for me when I was a senior in high school from my band director. I really think kids are smart these days and know exactly what they want to do. To Whom It May Concern: Jim Guittard is an outstanding young man. During the four years that he has been a member of the Highland Park Band and Orchestra program, he has consistently displayed those qualities of loyalty, dependability, intelligence, consideration and leadership which characterize truly valuable students. He has consistently done much more than simply his part in all activities. He served as trombone section leader in both the band and symphony orchestra during his junior and senior years as well as being a featured soloist on both trombone and guitar with our jazz/rock ensemble, the Boogie Brigade. Jim is highly regarded both by his peers and teachers. He is among that rare class of people who have the capacity to see a goal (group or personal) and willingly work toward its fulfillment. He will be honored and valuable member of any group, and I recommend him without reservation for any consideration you can extend. Orchestra Director January 28, 1992
JIM GUITTARD is a 4th Generation Musician and 2nd Generation Writer.
Disclaimer:
MP3s on this site are for sampling purposes only. If you are an artist or represent an artist featured on this site and would like a file removed contact me.
