The lyric song writing backstories for these 3 songs were created from my personal experiences and activism involvement. These are also examples of the things that go on around us on a daily basis that we can draw content from to write songs.
For Those Who Answer The Call (Video)
You can see it in their eyes
That honest sense of pride
If you ask anyone of them
They would do it all over again
(Chorus)
For those who answer the call
The ones that give their all and all
That makes our country proud and strong
Don’t forget them when they come home
The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines
Protect us from sea to shining sea
They deserve dignity and respect
No matter what their branch of service
We could never know
What they had to go thru
Doing all of the things
That keeps us safe and free
Repeat Chorus
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
They have fought and will die for this
Every time we look a veteran in the face
We need to send up a prayer of thanks
(Bridge)
For all of the fallen ones
We honor each and every soul
You who paid the ultimate sacrifice
For every star and stripe
Repeat Chorus
© 2011 Rodney L. Washington
Description: This song was inspired by my military service. In it I salute all those who have served in any branch during war or peace time. Please consider the song a "National Anthem" for those who have served or who are currently serving our country. The backstory of this patriotic song is listed under the "Music Producer" section of this website. If you scroll down below the music video for the song, you'll get the details of how the lyric songwriting story line and music production were developed.
Click Here to read the entire backstory for "For Those Who Answer The Call"
Drip, Drop, Tic, Toc (Tock)
Drip, drop, tic, toc
Drip, drop, tic, toc
Fresh clean drinking water is life
Remove the lead leaching pipes
This is the voice of operation resistance
Not a question and answering session
Why are you trying to hide behind all of those lies
The ones destroying our children's lives
Milwaukee is trying to re brand itself the Fresh Coast
Come have fun in between the east and west coast
But the world needs to know its dirty little secret
Its drinking water is poisoning black, brown, and poor people
Drip, drop, tic, toc
Drip, drop, tic, toc
Fresh clean drinking water is life
Remove the lead leaching pipes
Let it be know the research is done
The maps and academic studies show
Without fresh clean drinking water
Everything else is pre - meditated murder
City Hall keeps talking about the lead paint
That it got money from HUD to abate
No one has asked where the millions went
While the mayor use the false narrative to deflect
Drip, drop, tic, toc
Drip, drop, tic, toc
Fresh clean water is life
Remove the lead leaching pipes
A minority common council doing the mayor's bidding
While walking around acting self - righteous and saddity
Bureaucrats are resigning and jumping ship left and right
Because their conscience can't stand seeing the injustice
In every glass of water our children drink
Somewhere between the faucet and sink
City leaders know water and lead don't mix
Drinking it only brings misery and death
Drip, drop, tic, toc
Drip, drop, tic, toc
Fresh clean water is life
Remove the lead leaching pipes
It is time we all say it loud
From the North, East, West, and South
Those we trust already know about this
Something we can't afford to dismiss
This is called a national health crisis
The lead leaching pipes are killing us
Drip, drop, tic, toc
Drip, drop, tic, toc
©2018 Rodney L. Washington
Description: The inspiration for the lyrics and music production for this protest song came from my involvement as a Board Member of the Freshwater For Life Action Coalition (FLAC ). Our political advocacy group disseminates information to the citizens of Milwaukee, WI about lead contaminated drinking water. From our national affiliations and media coverage we are raising awareness of this health crisis throughout the United States. We would hope this song becomes the "Rally Cry/Anthem" for those advocating for the removal of lead leaching water pipes in their communities.
Every One Should Color (Video)
(Chorus)
Every one should color
Every one should play
That's the only way
The sun shines every day
Every time I open my coloring book
I pick up my crayons and smile
Always neat and taking my time
I color inside the lines
Repeat Chorus
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at five
And there's always time to go outside
But I'm always thinking about color time
Where all the pictures come alive
Just laughing and having fun
The rainbow comes from the sun
Then when it's all said and done
I see what makes the world go round
Repeat Chorus
No matter how old I get
On one thing you can bet
I will always have my coloring book
Where I can go and be free
Even when I go to sleep
In every one of my dreams
There's a smile on my face
And I see myself coloring
Repeat Chorus
©2009 Rodney L. Washington
Description: This song is dedicated to my cousin Nadia Brown who is being taught the true meaning of the words. Being a bi-racial child, Nadia is fully exposed to both of her racial ethnic cultures. This gives her a truer understanding of her heritage and that love comes in all colors. Somewhere I read that if adults would color their entire life, they could stay in touch with their inner child. Observation, reflection, and simplicity were the key ingredients in developing the lyric songwriting story line and music production for "Everyone Should Color".