I'm Writing a Novel

Listen while you read:  Get ready for Crazy

I ran down the road, pants down to my knees
Screaming "Please, come help me! That Canadian shaman
Gave a little too much to me!"
And I'm writing a novel because it's never been done before

First house that I saw, I wrote "house" up on the door
And told the people who lived there they had to get out
"'Cause my reality is realer than yours"
And there's no time for the present and there's a black dog on the bed

I went to the backyard to burn my only clothes and the dog ran out and said, 
"You can't turn nothing into nothingness with me no more"
Well, I'm no doctor, but that monkey might be right
And if he is, I'll be walking him my whole life
. . . 

~  Father John Misty (Josh Tillman)

Are these lyrics crazy? Yes. I warned you about Father John Misty, aka Josh Tillman, on my April 13th post. But, gee, these times are crazy, so what the hey? Let's all fall down the rabbit hole and go with it. Are you with me?

"I'm Writing a Novel" appears on the 2012 release Fear Fun. The Chicago Tribune has compared Tillman to Randy Newman. "He's funny, with songs that contain wit that's somewhere between scathing and biting, and he's also damn good at making completely accessible music despite its meta lyrical content." I don't even know what that means, but I also don't know what Tillman's lyrics mean, so I guess it doesn't matter. The Tribune also credits "I'm Writing a Novel" with "infectious bluesy swagger." That part I get. Just try to listen to this tune and not slap your thighs to the rhythm. I'm definitely chair-dancing while writing this post.

"I'm Writing a Novel," despite its reference to Neil Young, makes little sense. Rolling Stone accuses Tillman of "goofing off and sharing candid moments of life on the road. For Tillman, this means buying a hearse, digging into some records, shooting some guns, playing dress up, and snapping a pic with Santa." Yep, rabbit hole stuff. And why not?

For years, I have considered writing a novel. I suppose it's fear of failure that prevents me from taking on such an endeavor. But I still think about it. This afternoon, I spent several hours pulling up weeds from my garden beds in preparation for massive planting this weekend. At first, the weeds overwhelmed me. And then I recalled Anne LaMott's father's advice about writing. She recalls her brother having to write some paper about birds while being overwhelmed at the weight of the assignment. Her father advised his son to just "take it bird by bird." Anne used this advice as metaphor for the writing process. I used it to inspire me to keep pulling weeds. Weed by weed. I got a lot done today (but much, much more awaits me tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow). Writing a novel? I should take it bird by bird, weed by weed, word by word. I know that. Well, maybe after this year of song lyrics? I'll need something to fill the void, right?

Meanwhile, Josh Tillman can continue to write nonsensical lyrics and I will continue to listen to his music. It all seems to fit the times. Crazy.