I wrote this song in early 1987 when I was a 23-year-old undergraduate at The Evergreen State College. I was in what I wanted to be a serious romantic relationship but my girlfriend was interested in something less committed. Looking back, I can't really blame her. It was college, after all.
Interestingly, this song was written in longhand on notebook paper that I've kept all these years. It started out as a poem and you might see some poetic structure to the verses. Once I added the chorus, it seemed more like a song, although the rhyme structure of the verses is unusual for a pop song. My AI prompt was "Bouncy folky pop. Male singer. Brushed drums. Pedal steel guitar. Musical hooks." There are a couple of errors with the output and the video generated by Suno misses the opening lyrics. But the falsetto-style chorus with the hook is genuinely beautiful to my listening ear, giving the song even more meaning for me than just the words on paper.
Oh, back in 1987 I called this "Trick or Treat" and even inputted it that way to Suno. But after listening to the output, "The Trick of Your Trade" sounded like a better title. Here are the lyrics:
THE TRICK OF YOUR TRADE
(VERSE):
I'm so sorry, why are you feeling this way?
When I hold you close you smile.
When I tell you why you push me away and tell me not to lie.
Am I supposed to be thinking, I don't know.
But I'm thinking and have never felt this dumb before.
(CHORUS):
'cause your heart's playing trick or treat, it's dressed for the masquerade.
I knocked on your door, tasted the treat, but it's the trick of your trade.
(VERSE)
You say you're sorry you drew me into this.
When both of us were drawn.
When both of us drew out that kiss, don't say it was a lie.
Am I supposed to be sinking, I don't know.
But I've never felt this low before.
(CHORUS):
'cause your heart's playing trick or treat, it's dressed for the masquerade.
I knocked on your door, tasted the treat, but it's the trick of your trade.
(BRIDGE):
You said you want my feelings to hide but this costume is not the right size.
It's hard for me to cover up when I want to take off your disguise.
(VERSE):
I'm so sorry, I'm drinking fermented tears.
I cradle the bottle and cry.
I unscrew the cap, swallow my fears, am I living a lie?
Am I supposed to be drinking, I don't know.
But I've never been this thirsty before.
(CHORUS):
'cause your heart's playing trick or treat, it's dressed for the masquerade.
I knocked on your door, tasted the treat, but it's the trick of your trade.
10 сен 2024
