Day 12: There's Something Going On

Lyrics:

Well there's something going on
These people leaving town
Workers taking sick days
Owners closing shops
And then when I ask a question
They make a hasty exit
And when I flag a ride
No one ever stops

There's something going on
Ever since the other day
Just what is going on?
Why won't anybody say?

Well there's something in the air
All these people wearing masks
Looking like the keepers
Escaping from their zoos
Hands are banging walls
Or climbing over tall ones
And when I look for answers
There's nothing on the news

There's something going on
Ever since the other day
What the Hell is going on?
Why won't anybody say?

I wonder what it could be
I can't believe what I'm seeing
And I don't know what it means

Is there something I should know?
Folks are boarding up their windows
Hiding in the basement
Hoarding all their food
And I could've started running
Got no destination
I guess I'll keep on walking
What else is there to do?

There's something going on
Ever since the other day
What the Hell is going on?
Why won't anybody say?

Details: This is one of those melodies that sounded so familiar to me while I was writing it that I'm worried I lifted it from some forgotten hit. The closest song I can think of is "Stuck in the Middle with You" by Steeler's Wheel, but it's definitely distinct from that. Anyway, if any of you know of another song that sounds too similar, please let me know. Best to catch it early...

Anyway, today was my first day without a prompt since a week ago; I think that lack of direction inspired the lyrics of the song somewhat. But the basic idea came pretty quickly. I played around with a melody on the guitar, then recorded it with a quick voice memo. I often mumble sing early song ideas, and one thing I mumbled was "There's something going on" and suddenly it popped into my head the idea of a guy watching folks prepping for disaster and being too preoccupied to talk to him. I can already see the music video in my head.

Anyway, it took about 2.5 hours to write, then 15 minutes to record. It seems like songs have been coming more quickly the last few days.