Balloon from The Code by Sundogs
Balloon
by Jed Moffitt and Stan Snow
Songwriting collaboration isn’t easy, but it can be really rewarding. They say that McCartney and Lennon, in the days of their skyrocketing fame, would still write songs together night after night, sitting across from each other with guitars in cheap dormitory accommodations in the studio (they couldn’t go out, or they would be mobbed). Stan and Jed have been playing music together for over 40 years now, and you really get to know someone. Jed brought the first draft of “Balloon” into the studio and played it through for Stan on the piano. Stan, without hesitation said: “I like it...but you lost me in the chorus. I was hearing…” And then he starts singing and humming some totally different kind of part. Simple and melodic. And Jed instinctively pulls out the mobile phone and captures the new chorus melody in the moment. That melody became the chorus for “Balloon”. When we finished, we looked at each other and said…”That is totally Beatles...we gotta have a piccolo trumpet solo just like on Penny Lane”. So our horn specialist Eric Patterson says, “I know a guy in LA who would be amazing on piccolo trumpet…” Enter Javier Gonzalez, and there you have it. A piccolo trumpet solo for the ages. Thank you to our friend and mentor Lyle Workman for the idea to delay the last chord and play 10 pianos on it in homage to “A Day in the Life”. Listen to the song and smile. Remember Sergeant Pepper. Remember not to rain on a friend’s parade when they are in a groove (unless you have a really awesome chorus to contribute). : )
Tracklist
| 12. | Balloon | 5:47 |
Lyrics
Michaelangelo went to the carnival show
He was inspired by a stranger with a painted face
He handed him a string dangling a bright red balloon
Michael let it go... watched it fly away
Up into outer space
Please don't pop my balloon
It took so long to fill it with popcorn dreams
Shining on the water, reflection of the moon
Objects in the mirror are not what they seem
Breathe the helium in, it makes me high, and carries me away
All God’s children have a place in the choir
It's a perfect afternoon, so
Please don't pop my balloon
Dante Alleghieri couldn't sit still at school
Scenes of California tripping in his renaissance mind
A naughty little hottie in a red maserati captured his wandering eye
She was the only education that Dante wanted to find
Please don't pop my balloon
It took so long to fill it with popcorn dreams
Shining on the water, reflection of the moon
Objects in the mirror are not what they seem
Breathe the helium in, it makes me high, and carries me away
All God’s children have a place in the choir
My hair is on fire
The scarecrow lady with the black high heels said
Balloons are no longer allowed
She came with a book of rules one day and said
You’ve got to find another way to distinguish yourself
From the rest of the crowd
Please don't pop my balloon
It took so long to fill it with popcorn dreams
Shining on the water, reflection of the moon
Objects in the mirror are not what they seem
Breathe the helium in, it makes me high, and carries me away
All God’s children have a place in the choir
I’m coming home soon
Please don't pop my balloon
Credits
Jed Moffitt: songwriter, co-producer, vocals, keyboards
Stan Snow: songwriter, producer, vocals, guitars, bass
Mike Stone: drums
Javier Gonzalez: trumpets
Eric Patterson: horn arrangements
Don Gunn: engineering, mixing, mastering
Copyright 2020 Jed Moffitt, BMI; SAS West Music BMI, All rights reserved.
License
All rights reserved.
The Sundogs are a Seattle based band formed by Stan Snow and Jed Moffitt. Their original music is Indie Rock, Prog, Jazz, Jam Band, Blues / Roots Rock, and is written to satisfy the music fan within.
Some people compare their musical styles to Tom Petty, Steely Dan, the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, etc...with strong songwriting, musicianship, production, vintage guitar and keyboard solos.