EMPTY the LIBRARY WITHIN (album/catalog)1. I’m History & I’m Sick & Tired of Repeating Myself
2. Kinda Like Being Shot At and Missed
3. Hurricane Bigotry
4. Spin The Globe
5. In Praise of Empty Libraries
6. Selfaholics Anonymous
7. Vision Rich, Cash Poor
8. Business Partner Blues
9. Jack Johnson’s Voice
10. Bulldog With a Smile
11. When You Know, You Know
12. It’s Not About Thick Skin
13. Not Today, Satan!
14. Give Your Angel a Break
15. “Black History 365” story
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LYRICS: All lyrics written by Joel A. Freeman
ASCAP Publisher ID: #7576808
• Publisher IPI: #1258605441
ASCAP Writer ID: #7576810
• Writer IPI: #1258605539
All Songs Registered: #11009951
© Copyright 2024 Joel A. Freeman. All Rights Reserved.
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I’m History & I’m Sick & Tired of Repeating Myself
1. BACKGROUND: What if HISTORY spoke? Been thinking of these lyrics for a long time. Created it first as a spoken word poem. And then decided to bring it to music.This song provides a bluesy glimpse into the personification of “history” over the centuries.
Kinda Like Being Shot At and Missed
2. BACKGROUND: A song I wrote about confronting our mortality. Sometimes it takes a tough situation to capture our attention, letting us know that our time here on earth is tentative — “making plans with nervous laughter”. Looking for a metaphor? You now have one…
Bonus Track
Click on cover above to
order a copy or two of the
booklet, HURRICANE BIGOTRY
which is the story behind the song.
(free shipping)
Hurricane Bigotry
3. BACKGROUND: This is my lyrical “love letter” to America and beyond. I tend to walk (sometimes run) toward uncomfortable topics.This song is designed to be a conversation-starter, helping to create a space for healing the divide through the gateway of understanding and mutual respect.It also provides a metaphor for people currently leaning into the hurricane force winds at varying degrees of intensity.At the sustained speed of 75mph, wind gets a name. Katrina. Andrew. Fran. Bigotry. You get the picture
Spin The Globe
4. SPIN THE GLOBE: This is a song I worked on for a while. It’s about taking our children to various places in the world when they turned 15. And then encouraging other parents to do the same.
In Praise of Empty Libraries
5. BACKGROUND: Title track. At every memorial service I attend, I think about the library within that never got out. It’s gone.So, I want to gently challenge those of us still alive to unlock the library within by every means possible. Film. Video. Literature. Painting. Blog. Podcast. You get the picture…with just a bit of a country twang.
Selfaholics Anonymous
6. BACKGROUND: We all have heard of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery, and other similar 12-step-type programs.However, it seems that self absorption and selfishness are at the root of any addiction that supplies short-term gratification, coupled with a long-term kick in the teeth.In fact, self-centeredness may be the most all-consuming addiction that needs to be confronted in and by all of us — the root of all addictions with negative consequences.
Vision Rich, Cash Poor
7. BACKGROUND: A blues vibe in the spirit of B.B. King. Wealth comes in different forms. This is a song that talks about a couple in love, wondering early on if they can make it financially.Spoiler Alert: at the end, they’re still vision rich, cash poor.
Business Partner Blues
8. Business Partner Blues: This song is designed to…
Jack Johnson's Voice
9. JACK JOHNSON'S VOICE: Lyrics by MRK SX. Production by Joel A. Freeman -- The world’s only 78rpm test pressing record of the 5th - 15th rounds of the “FIGHT OF THE CENTURY” described by Jack Johnson in his own voice, is part of the Freeman Institute Black History Collection.This music video is the gateway song, designed to introduce the opportunity to hear Jack discuss the fight that still captures the imagination of millions.In the publication, “Jack Johnson’s Voice”, the people who order it will receive a QR Code with a secret password exclusively for them.ORDER: Click on cover below.
Bulldog With a Smile
10. BACKGROUND: Perhaps there is an autobiographical element to this song, but I was thinking more about the desire to inspire all listeners to become bulldogs with a smile.A bit of country mixed with a bit of blues. Work hard. Work smart. Enjoy the journey…
When You Know, You Know
11. BACKGROUND: Stand on a beach with the relentless waves pounding the fragile sand. Sit on a log in the forest, with the hoot of an owl off in the distance. Look through the lens of an electron microscope. Cast an eye to the majestic sky late at night in a Montana wilderness.What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? What do you feel?When you know, you know…
It’s Not About Thick Skin
12. BACKGROUND: The skin of fish that live at the bottom of the ocean where the pressure is immense is not measurably thicker than the skin of the fish that live near the surface.Hence this song. It’s all about the way the internal and external pressure is exactly like it’s supposed to be, so that we neither implode or explode.When the external pressure increases, without the matching internal pressure we get depressed and small-headed. Wait for the implosion.When the internal pressure increases without the matching external pressure, we become narcissistic and big-headed. Wait for the explosion.The secret. When the external pressure increases, God provides the means to increase the internal pressure so that the pressures are matched to keep us balanced and humble. And vice versa.The song lyrics will now hopefully make more sense.
Not Today, Satan!
13. BACKGROUND: My wife I and were at the beach in Myrtle Beach, SC and saw a woman wearing a T-shirt with the words, “Not Today, Satan!”. Made me laugh, and then the lyrics emerged. That’s what fostered the idea for this song.
Give Your Angel A Break
14. BACKGROUND: This song came from a chapter concept I included in a book I wrote back in the early 1990s (available in audio book) — “Living With Your Conscience Without Going Crazy”.I truly do not know if angels can actually ask God for a transfer. The purpose of this song is to invite us humans to truly think about the invisible world watching us, along with the opportunity for us to let “the watchers” know — both good and evil — that our public and private lives match.
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“Black History 365” story
12. BACKGROUND: Joel Freeman co-wrote this song, which provides a lyrical glimpse into the story behind the 9-12 Black History 365 textbook coauthored by Dr. Walter Milton, Jr. and Dr. Joel A. Freeman. After 2.5 years of 12-16 hour days (researching/writing/editing), a textbook emerged -- weighing 5.5 pounds, with 1,248 pages, 1,200 QR Codes and 2,567 images throughout.“I love it!!! What a fantastic video as well as song!!! You should be dropping that on the radio.” — Smokey Robinson
1. Rosetta Universe Orchestral Jingle
2. What If? — #1
3. What if? — #2
4. ROCKSTAR
5. The Key
6. ROSETTA CLONE
Rosetta Universe Orchestral Jingle
LYRICS:
An ancient stone we can't ignore.
Serves as a modern metaphor,
For cracking codes in 7 steps.
Problem-solving is less complex.
What If? — #1
VERSION #1 — Rosetta Stone Traveling Exhibit gateway video, with Herman Veal providing the voice.
What If?— #2
VERSION #2 — Rosetta Stone Traveling Exhibit gateway video, with Morgan Freeman-esque voice.
ROCKSTAR
The ROCKSTAR music video tells the sweeping historical drama surrounding the Rosetta Stone (lyrics and music: MRK SX).
The Key
The Key is about the ROSETTA 7-Step Problem-Solving Process®, developed exclusively for the Mysterious Rosetta Stone Traveling Exhibit project by Dr. Joel A. Freeman (lyrics and performance by MRK SX).
ROSETTA CLONE
ROSETTA CLONE: International Rock Star & Celebrity Impersonator