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Up Through the Floor

from How to Dance by Jonathan Burks

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about

These songs were recorded at Howl Street in the fall of 2008, on my thirty-third birthday. I booked a couple of hours to feel out some songs that hadn't yet found homes; a hodge-podge of old stuff, really old stuff, and new songs that stood up, but just barely. Shane set me up with a couple of mics and I played through the set in no particular order, taking a break about halfway through, tracking 19 songs in total.

At the time, I didn't feel it went well. I set the session up for fun, something cool to do on my birthday, a no-pressure-type-thing; still I hoped, in my obsessive heart of hearts, that I would lay down these amazing takes and you know, sing real real good. And be super awesome at guitar. A bit chagrined these talents didn't manifest themselves to an extent of my liking, I forwarded the hopeful songs to the band, workshoped the ones that needed work, shelved the rest and moved on.

After the recording Shane started sending me the occasional text or phone call asking me if it was alright if he played the songs we did for a band or friend that was in the studio, who he thought would be interested. I hadn't listened to the tracks since then, and couldn't understand why anyone else would want to, but who am I to judge? Eventually these interactions started to ebb away at my anti-release-stance (which wasn't so much of a stance, just something I hadn't considered, or considered considering) and I gave it another listen. I respect Shane and his opinion so I took what he said seriously; even if I didn't get it, I could tell his interest was genuine, no smoke. His unwavering, albeit low-key and subtle enthusiasm put me onto a different perspective and I started to dig it. A couple of years and a dozen or so random pep-talkish conversations later, I'm ready to listen to him. Beast or butterfly, warts and all...

lyrics

all my ex-girlfriends are getting married
or about to, least so it seems
I can honestly say I'm happy for them
and I'm glad that they aint marrying me

all of my friends are making babies
and some day lord I hope the same for me
parenthood must be truly awe inspiring
a gift form heave that aint yet meant for me

all of my friends are making babies
putting down roots, growing the family tree
I can honesty say I'm happy for them
and someday lord I hope the same for me

it's a long low lonesome sidewalk
I find my toes stepping upon
I'm growing on the sides and in the cracks of it
towards the light lord, up thru the floor

stage is my home, road is my oxygen
song is the atom that constructs my world
if I'm on the wrong path, I don't intend to get off of it
I'm gonna see how that horizon unfurls

it's a long low lonesome sidewalk
I find my toes stepping upon
I'm growing on the sides and in the cracks of it
towards the light lord, up thru the floor

credits

from How to Dance, track released February 1, 2011

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Jonathan Burks Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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