Work in Progress

About Work in Progress

Hear and view the latest songs and videos The Network Man has been working on.

Spin

Spin is often used to push an agenda, one that can take us in the wrong direction.

However, spin can also energize helpful endeavours, and these sometimes make the world a better place.

This song speaks to that contradiction and gives it a spin!

Lyrics

Everyone’s saying it’s right not wrong
Everyone’s saying it won’t last long
Everyone’s saying don’t sit on the fence
Everyone’s saying it all makes sense
But I say oh no no no no no, it’s gotta be spin
But I say oh no no no no no, it’s gotta be spin
But I say oh no no no no no, it’s gotta be

Spin, Oh you know they’ll spin you ‘round
Spin, Oh you’re in the lost and found
Spin, Oh it makes a lot of sound
Spin, Oh they’ll make you come around
((Spin x6) it’s gotta be spin)) x 3

Bridge

People are asking for some kind of change
People are tired of a world so strange
Everyone needs a fair exchange
Finding some answers, a very broad range
But I say ya ya ya ya ya, it’s gotta be spin
But I say ya ya ya ya ya, it’s gotta be spin
But I say ya ya ya ya ya, it’s gotta be

Spin, Guard against misinformation
We demand an explanation
You know enough is enough
How in the world did everything get so rough?
Courage close at hand, you know we need the right stuff
((Spin x6) it’s gotta be spin)) x3

Seventh Decade

The poem “Seventh Decade” is about turning sixty years of age and the decade that follows.

Lyrics

Well I turned sixty years old, not long ago.
A winding, rugged road behind me, more than I really know.
How much terrain is ahead, that’s truly hard to say.
Hold passion from the past, make the most of each day.

I’m charting my seventh decade; it seems difficult to believe.
Arduously acquired wisdom to give, and still more to receive.
So I’ll follow this serpentine path, wherever it may lead.
Building patience, perseverance, and whatever else I shall need.

If the future is just the sum of the present and the past;
that’s a curious calculus, maybe too hard to grasp.
Continuity with what was, and yet also nascent things;
a mercurial mix of bygone days and whatever the future brings.

A melange of courage and wisdom – some kind of synergy;
helping me run this unfathomable course, minding speed and energy.
Having neither fleeting youth, nor some flippant response;
but holding a deeply cognizant respect for ideas ensconced.

Which course to follow, what’s in the near and far sight?
A confluence of things: aspiration, retreat, hope and fright.
Oh there’s still that evolving vision, always trying to break free;
regarding the next horizon, and the mosaic that is me.

Oh there’s still that evolving vision, always trying to break free;
regarding the next horizon, and the mosaic that is me.
Oh there’s still that evolving vision, always trying to break free;
regarding the next horizon, and the mosaic that is me.

Seven verses for seven decades, well that seems implicitly fair.
And so I close with a question, bounded with hope rather than a dare.
Will there be ethereal treasure at the end of a decennial rainbow?
Or maybe just experiential respect, for all that I do not know.

We shall see.

Seventh Decade. Yes, Seventh Decade!

The poem ‘Seventh Decade’ is about turning 60 years of age and the decade that follows.

Johnny's Got the Habit

There is nothing easy about life’s journey. This song reflects that dilemma with a more hopeful perspective in the end.

Lyrics

Intro
(We can do better x3, better than this) x2

Johnny’s got the habit, it’s one two three
Johnny’s got the habit, like you and me
Johnny’s got the habit, oh don’t you see
You know Johnny’s got the habit
I guess it’s just the way it’s gonna be

Stevie has the answer, he always knew
[oh yeah]
Stevie has the answer, he says it’s true
Stevie has the answer, he’ll lecture you
[You know]
Stevie has the answer, maybe she should start to think it through

Johnny’s got the habit
Stevie has the answer
The world is full of problems
What are we gonna do?

So easy to get a habit
The world is full of answers
Everyone has a story
It’s just time to think it through

Cindy tells a story, it’s all for show
[You see]
Cindy tells a story, truth would not know
[Oh no]
Cindy tells a story, the tall tales grow, [and]
Cindy tells a story, misinformation always seems to flow

Gotta fight the habit
Lose all the wrong answers
And build a helpful story
We can do better, me and you

Bridge

Outro
(We can do better x3, better than this) x3

2055 (Placeholder)

You know, it’s not easy to be alive, living my life in 2055.

Lyrics

Another scorching day in the old downtown;
Air conditioning is the omnipresent sound;
But every single day is just so very hot;
Wish it would get better soon – but probably not;
It’s really just too hot, oh it’s just too hot. (repeat)

Lost my house to the water back in fifty-one;
Levels far too high to be of much fun;
But my Centertown condo is super smart;
It does just about everything- I only play a small part;
Why don’t I feel in any way smart? (repeat)

Refrain
You know it’s not easy to be alive;
Living my life in twenty fifty-five;
It’s a strange way to work – trying to thrive;
And I’m living my life in twenty fifty-five.
I’m living my life in twenty fifty-five.

Bridge

My household bot – it gets groceries and cleans;
The AI car takes me to all the great scenes;
I have a productive week in just half a day;
A quantum computer guides my chores and play;
Yeah I’m losing my way with the rest of the day;
Yeah I’m losing my way with the rest of the days.

My friend has a job at the plant for clean air;
It’s really important work since the future is there;
Fires extinguished with liquid supercool;
Should have fixed it years ago, we were a ship of fools;
And it’s not very cool that we need supercool;
It’s not very cool we need supercool.

Refrain
You know it’s still good to be alive;
It’ll be a lot better in another twenty-five;
We’ll learn how to do much more than survive;
And I’m living my life in twenty fifty-five.

You know it’s still good to be alive;
It’ll be a lot better in another twenty-five;
We’ll learn how to do much more than survive;
And I’m living my life in twenty fifty-five.
I’m living my life in twenty fifty-five.

The poem ‘Seventh Decade’ is about turning 60 years of age and the decade that follows.