52 Songs Project #43: 7 / Set it on Fire
At a recent house concert, Aaron Elliott, Steven Patton and I sang an a cappella mini-set of two songs: 7 by Prince, and Set in on Fire, a new song of mine which is meant to be a celebration of ditching old baggage and starting fresh.
Here are the lyrics:
Old opinions have a way of flaring up when energy is down
And defenses fall without a sound
Walls of pictures stuck inside your head, wave them all goodbye
And that icy gaze of judgment that could take you for a ride
Set it on fire
Set it on fire
Set it on fire
Set it on fire
Take those bags that weigh you down, chuck them like they’re going out of style
They’ve been dragged around a good long while
Living proof you’re overloaded with object permanence
This embarrassment of riches leaves you cold and paralyzed
Set it on fire
Set it on fire
Set it on fire
Set it on fire
Nothing left to lose, nothing left for you to hide
Fan the flames and clear away the brush
Free your captive mind, reclaim all you’ve got
Inside
Inside
Unchain the bind
Replace the powers that be
Unplug the machine
Remember the sound
When you tear it down, toss it on the ground
And set it on fire