In writing this song, I tried imagining Charlie Brown as an adult. Having slipped through the cracks of the educational and social services systems, I found Charlie squatting in abandoned houses, not taking his medication, and surviving on a diet government cheese and generic cola. However, all is not lost. In the midst of a dark and disturbing existential crisis, Charlie finds his bliss: playing kazoo.
Dann Carr: Tuba Greg Horn: Trumpet Greg Kempf: Banjo Jeanne Lynch: Snare Drum David Mussen: Clarinet, Vocals
I’m a dumb man, but there is some good advice in this song. I had my father (who had passed away earlier in the year), my mom, and my cousin Janet in my mindwhen writing it, especially the last verse. I am by no means a confessional songwriter but this one is from the heart.
Jonathan Hughes: Bass, Rhythm Guitars Joelle Labert: Vocals Rob Lynch: Drums Joe Rozler: Piano, Lap Steel Guitar
This was my first Robot song, and it is really only a robot song because of all the hard work that Jonathan put in to it. I wrote this after reading the article When Robots Weep: Emotional Memories and Decision-Making by Juan D. Velásquez which I came across completely by accident.
I was probably nine years old when when I got all sulky, and most likely, indignant about not getting what I wanted for Christmas. My mother then told me the story of her 1947 “Un-Christmas”. My Grandmother was the only one working (Granddad was out on disability) and so the family didn’t get presents under the tree that Christmas. Seven years old and no toys for Christmas. Believe it or not I actually listened to my mother, and the story always stuck with me. So I wrote her this song because that seven-year-old girl would have probably been just fine with getting a rag-doll. Also, I can’t sew.
Jonathan Hughes: Bass, Guitars, Keyboards Joelle Labert: Vocals Rob Lynch: Drums