Accidental Bastard

Relationships are tough. Everyone knows that. Those few souls who claim to never argue or fight aren't fooling anybody. Generally speaking, when we disappoint or anger the person we love, we know in advance that this will happen. But not always. Have you ever encountered anger or disappointment from your loved for no good reason? I thought so. Well, I just wrote a song about this topic. It's called "Accidental Bastard". I've performed this song to enough folks by now to know that I've stumbled onto a pretty universal human experience.

"Things were going well enough,
The forecast was benign.
Probably shoulda let the cork stay put
On the second bottle of wine."

For some, the odds of a chance encounter with domestic strife increase when alcohol pays a visit. Sound familiar?

"But the cabernet was superb that night,
Color like purple ink.
As her synapses started to misfire, her words........
Made my heart sink."

I get excited when I write a new song. Usually the creation of a new song, for me, starts with the lyrics. Then I put together a chord sequence and rhythmic groove to match the emotional feel of the song. Sometimes it takes a while before I'm satisfied. Often the song ends up in the junk pile of discarded ideas. But with "Accidental Bastard", I was in Egypt beside the Red Sea when the inspiration for this song struck. I spent several enjoyable hours tunesmithing this one and I must say I'm pleased with the result. I hope to record it soon but will probably wait until I have a few more solid tunes in the hopper.

"She said I was shallow and narcissistic
With a hopelessly uncommited heart.
Said I'm shallow and self-absorbed
With an undersized body part".

Ouch. It pleases me to tell you that these particular insults are not based on personal experience.

"Don't trouble yourself with the memory
Of things she didn't mean to say.
For her, it's like it never happened.
For me, it doesn't easily fade."

These verses unfold in the soft, resigned voice of someone who sadly accepts this part of his life and chooses to accept it, hopefully because it happens rarely. The chorus of "Accidental Bastard" is much more forceful, delivered in the style of early Elvis Costello or Mark Knopfler with a touch of anger:

"I'm an accidental bastard,
Inadvertant s. o. b.
You know I've got nothin' but love for you
But you only place blame on me.
Yea accidental bastard,
With a conscience clear as gin.
Self-defense is pointless.
There's no......
Way to win."

So to all you accidental bastards, take comfort in the knowledge that you're in good company. And that your feelings are now validated in song.