From ANDRAS JONES: “I’ve been down I’ve been seriously down but I’ve also been quite high”

We come to the close of this Pop Oracle session with JEFFREY GAINES focusing on the compelling concept of a nation of Jeffs and the blessings/plight of the singer-songwriter. During the course of our conversation I was struck by an energetic similarity between Jeff and longtime friend of the show DAN BERN. Sometimes comparison is cheap but this is not one of those times. If I compare you to Dan Bern it’s not a compliment, it’s an acknowledgement.

What was the sub text of Jeffrey’s response when I mentioned Dan during this recording? Respect? Acknowledgement? More? Only Jeffrey knows.

If I were to clarify my comparison of Dan and Jeffrey. I’d say…they dress the same, macho working class folk star, and are equally difficult and rewarding to the Pop Oracle format. Neither is a guy who likes explaining his songs and both are more likely to downplay their own agency in the process than revel in our enjoyment of it. They both evoke Costello and Springsteen with a healthy dose of everything else from The Clash to Bacharach, and they both like to complain about careers most songwriters dream of.

The day before this podcast drops upon the world Dan Bern had a tragic run in with a snowblower severely damaging the fingers on his left hand. We don’t know much yet as to the results of his surgery but a Go Fund Me campaign raised over $50,000 so far to cover Dan’s medical costs. This response from “the nation of Dans” speaks to the “thick and thin”  sustainability I was trying to express to Jeffrey regarding having 70 devoted fans in every city (as opposed to having a millions of fans who don’t know you).

THICK AND THIN

I’ve been down
I’ve been seriously down
But I’ve also been quite high
I’ve split my side laughing
and fooling around
But last night I did cry

I’ve reached out
I’ve been well received
Just as much as I’ve been rejected
And in the scheme of things
I’ve got more than I need
But sometimes I feel neglected

Sometimes I want to run and hide
Crawl back into the womb
But other days perseverance pays
and there’s nothing I can’t do

Well, I know just where I’ve been
But who knows where I’m going
Who knows how much longer
And I’ve been through thick and thin
my battle scars are showing
Hope I’m growing stronger now

I’ve tried to be clear and concise
but I’m always misunderstood
I think for the most part I’m generally nice
but those are those who say I’m not good

I’ve been know to procrastinate
But somehow things still get done
And there are things about my life I hate
There are more things I find fun

Some days I want to just give in
Before I begin to try
But other days optimism pays
and I’m thankful that I’m alive

Well, I know just where I’ve been
But who knows where I’m going
Who knows how much longer
And I’ve been through thick and thin
my battle scars are showing
Hope I’m growing stronger now
Hope I’m growing stronger
NOW.