The Human Condition - stories behind one songwriter’s songs: Recent Episodes
Tanya Nye
Tanya connects the audience to her songs by exploring the emotions behind them. The Human Condition explores, love, connection of spirit, troubles and some straight up goofiness- the complexities of life tied together with the simplicity of music.
It's almost Father's Day and this one is inspired by and dedicated to my Dad, Tom the Adventurer.
Happy Father's Day!
...................................................................................
Adventures of Tom and Old Dick The Horse
Riding Old Dick through the woods
Bareback like the old folks did
Looking back on fonder days
Simpler times, or so they say
Memories made, remembering when
We made dreams with childhood friends
Those days are gone, but not forgotten
Still stars above to make our wishes on
Done his work, the age for play
Happy to carry a young boy away
Into the playground of countryside
Carefree summers are made to ride!
Memories made, remembering when
We made dreams with childhood friends
Those days are gone, but not forgotten
Still stars above to make our wishes on
Open meadow, winter’s snow
Didn’t matter where, we’d go
Wind through his mane, bareback skin
Time moved slowly way back then
With a whinny and a stomp,
We went trotting through the swamp
Even water up to his belly didn’t stop that Old Dick!
Memories made, remembering when
We made dreams with childhood friends
Those days are gone, but not forgotten
Still stars above to make our wishes on
Take a deep breath...hold it... and exhale. Feel any better?
We all carry worries around with us every single day of our human lives. The word ANXIETY is one that I'm guessing everyone has heard of or experienced or related to. We should all feel a healthy level of anxiety so that we can deal with stressful situations and to some level its actually a good thing - but unfortunately, in some people, anxiety is creating havoc in their body, and keeping them from living their life to its full potential.
Today's podcast relates my song, Crippling Fear of Failure, to those feelings of anxiety and we touch on some of the differences between a normal healthy type and the type that becomes a disorder of thoughts and function.
....................................................................................
Crippling Fear of Failure
You’re raised to do the best you can
Always looking for that gold star
But some things are just so hard to do
The extra mile seems so far
Its that crippling fear of failure, don’t let it bring you down
Make more room inside your head for the blessings that you’ve found
Success around the corner, it’s easy to achieve
Belief will fill up your head and failure will have to leave
Talent oozes when you’re home
And friends all think you’re proud
But then one day you’re invited out
To speak before a faceless crowd
Its that crippling fear of failure, don’t let it bring you down
Make more room inside your head for the blessings that you’ve found
Success around the corner, it’s easy to achieve
Belief will fill up your head and failure will have to leave
Deep breath in – deep breath out
Trying to build up your courage
They say you’ll be fine, they have no doubt
So why are you so worried?
Imagine the Titan God, Atlas, condemned by Zeus to carry the weight of Earth on his shoulders (I know he was actually condemned to carry the heavens - but I'm not the first to just go with it...so bear with the mistake) - and now imagine that giant shrugging his shoulders - and now imagine what that movement must do to Earth! A natural disaster or... a pandemic maybe?
This is a 'Quarantine Song'. You might imagine, and probably have heard a bunch of songs written in the last year or so relating to how it feels to be alone, and the desire to just get back to normal! This is another one of those :)
................................................................................
Atlas Shrugs
The sun’s still shining, the seasons still change
The green of the world comes alive from the grey
The flowers are blooming, the blossoms still grow
Yet the world is different, changing its ways.
I’m alone with my thoughts; I’m alone in this house
Distance and space between me and my Dear
I’m carrying on, but nothing feels normal
The world feels different without him being near
The window is open, and the breeze blows right through
Carrying my love from here to you
My kisses are waiting with the hope of your hug
Holding my breath in case Atlas shrugs
The future’s unsteady, the future’s unknown
Sharing my thoughts with the weight of the world
My guitar, medication; my voice, a vaccine
Against nothing but the worry my mind’s unfurled
Do you know someone who drinks a little too much, a little too often? Do you know someone who smokes pot for anxiety, but they didn't have anxiety before the started smoking pot? Do you know someone that was prescribed medication for pain or to help them sleep, but they slowly needed more than their doctor was willing to give? There are amazing people out there that for one reason or another, try to escape their emotions by using drugs or alcohol. So, ya, maybe you find someone great and want to think about a future with them. But then learn that they have kept something from you. So now you learn they have been lying AND they have a substance use disorder. That was me. I will always want the best for someone, but I had to learn the hard way that sometimes you have to walk away. I know I can't be everything to someone, but I can try. And I need someone to love themselves enough to try to get help. Sometimes you just want to be like a lighthouse in the storm, guiding them home, but sometimes, they are just fading further and further away from you off shore.
...........................................................................
ADDICTIONS
I can’t make you high
You'll always want more
I tried my best to be enough for you
But you’re fading to a distant shore
I don’t want to compete
Don’t you like how you feel?
Are you driven by the crashing waves,
When I crave an even keel?
One day we’ll be enough for someone
We’ll have no fears to quell
No need to hide your addictions
Just leave the bottle and drink from my well
Who are you?
Who do you want to be?
Do you want to be the Captain, all alone out at sea?
I’m not looking to fix you
I don’t want to tell you what to do
I can be the light that guides you home
I’m not sure what else I can give to you
I can’t make you high
You’ll always need more
I tried my best to be enough for you
But you’re fading to a distant shore…
Trigger Warning: This podcast deals with ideas of sex trafficking and the traumas associated
It's a horrendous and heinous crime that we have been hearing about way too often - and it happens around the world and maybe even in your own 'backyard'. This week's song, Poison Rose, tells the tale of a young woman seeking love and attention but finds herself caught in a world beyond her understanding. She finds attention, but not a healthy kind, and she certainly does not find love - instead, she finds a world where she falsely loves someone who will never love her in return - she finds someone who only seems to understand abuse - abuse of power over knowing that victims, like her, need something - attention, money, even something as basic as needing a roof over their head. She is lured by luxury, of 'the good life' - unknowing that once used she might just be cast aside for another...
.................................................................................
POISON ROSE
My obsession started at a tender age,
Lustful thoughts as my hormones raged
My head was turned, but you turned the page
I’m a pretty bird in your pretty cage
I followed you around, I was lost in a dream
Thinking you’re my King and I, your Queen
All along I thought your thoughts were clean
But your laughter covered a world obscene
Then one day, the world reversed
My best day, became my worst
Poison rose, your gift rehearsed
That moment on, my life was cursed
Darkness entered through your lips
A poison rose for your next young Miss
Another innocent, turned by your kiss
One day, taken, the next, dismissed
Have you ever found yourself on a path that you're really unsure of? You want to put faith in where you'll end up but carry doubts along the way...
The imagery of trees always makes me pause - - considering their beauty, their strength, and even when cut down, they still somehow maintain their strength and stability - we marvel at how many rings a tree has showing its age, and we notice how slowly they decay after they've fallen in the forest. We use lumber to build houses that last for many years! We have a ton of things to learn from trees - I could probably write about them every day -
But this one is about the strength a fallen tree still has - the comparison to ourselves, and how even if we fall, we too can maintain our strength. And as life is short, we can't waste TOO much time trying to cross each path, or choose which fork in the road to take!
So if you're going through a bit of a rough patch, or have a big decision to make, and wonder if its taking to gosh darn long to decide.... then this one is for you.
..................................................................
TEETERING
Walking across this fallen log, balancing in the middle
Trying to cross this bridge to find the answer to my riddle
So I stand in the middle frozen in thought of all of life’s possibilities
As time passes by day to day
This fallen tree is showing me the things I need to see
On my way to strength and stability
Below, above and either side just space that could break me
But if I fell those broken bones might heal and maybe strengthen me
So I stand in the middle frozen in thought of all of life’s possibilities
As time passes by day to day
This fallen tree is showing me the things I need to see
On my way to strength and stability
I struggle to balance, no one to hold, no one to guide my steps
I wonder what’s on the other side, and where would I land if I lept?
So I stand in the middle frozen in thought of all of life’s possibilities
As time passes by day to day
This fallen tree is showing me the things I need to see
On my way to strength and stability
You've heard it before - its the little things... the simple things... that mean so much.
Think about something that made you happy this week - if it was winning the lottery, CONGRATULATIONS! But for most of us, it likely wasn't something big or fancy.. it was something small that lifted the corners of our mouth into a broad smile :)
This week's song is called The Little Things - I wrote it while someone special to me was doing something special for me, but I know that YOU will hear it and think of your own special someone and those little gestures they do to let you know they care. After writing it, I also realized that sometimes it's the Little Things we do for ourselves that can just help along our day - for me, going out to buy a chai tea - just a little thing that makes me feel good - the taste and the scent that takes me away for a few minutes to somewhere exotic - just a teeny bit of heaven in a cup!
Take your time to be kind, and do just a Little Thing for someone - the love will flow right on back... I promise!
..........................................................................
The Little Things
There’s a man in the kitchen searing love onto a steak
A dash of this and a pinch of that, and a passion to create
He knows his efforts will be noticed, Appreciated and invited
Her tongue, tantalized, enthralled, delighted
Cause it’s the little things, the little things, it’s the little things that make love last
It's the little things, the little things, its the little things that make love last
They walk down the path, together, through the green
Hand in hand, footsteps planted in places they’ve never been
Together hearts and minds at peace, grounded and content
They’re explorers on this planet Earth, feeling Heaven sent
Cause it’s the little things, the little things, it’s the little things that make love last.
It’s the little things…that make love last
xo
What are you doing right now? What are you 'supposed' to be doing? Are you procrastinating from your TO DO list?
This week's song is about this wonderful experience we all face - procrastination! We've all been there - maybe you're procrastinating right now as you listen to this podcast! (Humble Thank YOU!) But right after this - - get back to work ;)
And don't procrastinate from subscribing and following The Human Condition podcast!
........................................................
PROCRASTINATION
This may sound depressing, but let it be a lesson, to sit and never question, what’s
important in this life
I won’t give you the impression, everyday is full of blessings, but with us in isolation,
we should get things done
The day before today is gone
And with it, my ambition
So many things were left undone...
Procrastination... is a human condition
With my ‘Honey Do’ foundation, and some organization, I got back to my creations
To get you off my back
Imagine my elation, hearing your congratulations, cause I stopped
procrastination in its tracks
Will today become tomorrow?
With my list growing long?
Or will I be your hero in this procrastination song?
The day before today is gone
And with it, my ambition
So many things were left undone...
Procrastination... is a human condition
The day before today is gone
and with it your ambition
Don’t beat yourself up if things are left undone...
Procrastination is a human condition
Episode 2 - Did You Know?
Welcome to Black History Month!
As a white woman from Canada I have to admit, growing up, I didn't have much education or exposure to all the different types of people this Earth includes as its residents. Once I got older I've been fortunate to travel and place myself in other cultures, with new languages and new perspectives. I wish everyone had a chance to go visit places off the beaten path - I just think it broadens minds and opens hearts to all the beautiful differences and makes you aware of all of the million ways we are the same. Maybe you have been fortunate to have grown up in a multicultural neighbourhood and see everyone as your neighbour - but the recent past has opened my eyes to how many people do not see everyone as equals. I couldn't understand why - until I started learning.
This song, Did You Know, written by John Leblanc, Sue Evans, Matthew Greer and myself, Tanya Nye was born from the knowledge that there are terrible injustices and the sad reality is that for some reason, we aren't all on the same side. It sparks the understanding that maybe you haven't been fortunate enough to be given teachings on Black history or the reasons why racism and discrimination happens - but hopefully, shows you that if you Don't Know, you should do what you can to KNOW - - As much as you can with as open of a mind as you can. My hope is with time, we CAN make a difference and make changes to make this world a safer, kinder planet to live on.
..................................................
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know? Hey buddy, did you know?
It’s only you and me, so did you know?
Don’t be embarrassed, did you know?
Verse 1:
As the sun rose and set in your material world
There was a man in the South whose life unfurled
Before George said, ‘I can’t breathe’
He thought he lived in the land of free
That Bloody Sunday still stuck in our minds
Most of the nation turn a blind eye
When Lewis marched with King you weren’t even born
Scars that run so deep, a nation so torn
Verse 2:
Maybe cause you’re safe out there
Some fragile minds, they just don’t care
You see the lights, and hear the sirens ring
It’s not life or death - just an everyday thing
Walk a mile in another man’s shoes
Find out for yourself what you have to lose
Wear different skin just for a day
Open your mind to what they have to say..
Did you know? Hey buddy, did you know?
Bear your soul, did you know?
Tell the truth, did you know?
Did you think we’re all the same?
One does the crime, the other blamed..
Harsh realities look quite stark
When we know all colours agree in the dark.
Did you know?
Come on buddy, did you know?
Tell the truth now, did you know?
No need to hide now, did you know?
Come on now, did you know?
Dear Lord man, did you know?
Give it up now, did you know?
Put your heart in your hand now, did you know?
Please say you know....
Episode 1 - The Camper Van Song
Not a whole lot of story behind this song but it's a super fun start to this podcast! I reference the folk singer Steve Poltz on this episode as inspiration for me to write a random song about a random thing - check him out at www.poltz.com - he's great live if you ever get the chance (or in these Covid times, you can catch him doing live streams which are also hilariously fun!)
.............................
Happy Campers - The Camper Van Song
Woke up in the morning, and stood up without a warning
With my thoughts and coffee percolating, I said there is no hesitating
We decided in that moment that we’re gonna pack it up and head out on an adventure in our camper van
Where the road would lead us we didn’t really know
So we thought we’d just get up, fill the tank and go
And what happened next , we decide to head west, to enjoy a bunch of sunsets from our camper van
Travelling 'cross this land, avoiding quick sand
‘Cause you can’t get stuck in one place.
You gotta pack it up every single day – there’s no adventure if you stay
So much fun to be had, there oughta be a ban on the camper van
The next thing we knew we’d driven cross the country
Weren’t sure where to go next, but eventually
We decide to head South to find Mexico, but our camper van decided it didn’t want to go
It broke down by the sea, the waves rolling in,
We thought we better find a man who specializes in… camper vans.
He got it up and rollin’ within a day or two
We woke up all excited for our adventure to continue
There’s nothing quite like living in a box on wheels, it's a place you can’t lose your socks.
The bed is always comfy when you’re tired out, from riding around in a camper van.
Travelling 'cross this land, avoiding quick sand
‘Cause you can’t get stuck in one place.
You gotta pack it up every single day – there’s no adventure if you stay
So much fun to be had, there oughta be a ban on the camper van
So much fun to be had, I’ll always be a fan, of the camper van
Thanks and hope to catch ya on the flip side!
Message if you like to thehumanconditionsongwriter@gmail.com