Category Archives: Original music

Why this tune? Johnny Mercer’s lyrics for I Thought About You were inspired by a trip on a train. My lyrics for Snow Day were inspired by a trip on a bus, on a snowy day in Washington, DC, listening to music on my phone. That image became the first line of the song, whichContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Snow Day”

Why this tune? Hanukkah starts this week on Thursday night. At this time of year in 2009, I heard that Senator Orrin Hatch had written and recorded a Hanukkah song. I thought that if a Mormon senator (with a name close to mine!) can write one, I could write a better one. Hanukkah Light wasContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Hanukkah Light”

Why this tune? We celebrate Thanksgiving in the US this Thursday, and like so many other events this year, I expect many people will be celebrating virtually or in small groups due to the ongoing pandemic. I know my joy in the holiday is mixed with sadness about the traditions we may not be ableContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Thanksgiving With Uncle Rob”

Why this tune? Over the past few years, I’ve heard plenty of things on the news that made me angry. In two cases, I turned that indignation into inspiration and channeled that feeling into a song. The first was “Alternative Facts”, which I recorded on my album Making Up For Lost Time in 2018. TheContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Ain’t It The Truth”

Why this tune? With everything that’s going on around us, I’d like to offer an optimistic song this week that I hope can provide a bit of sunlight in these stormy times. I went through a period of mild writer’s block a few years ago. After going several months without writing any new songs, myContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: When The Morning Comes”

Why this tune? The Metro subway system in the Washington, DC area just  resumed full service. I’d like to offer my song “Stand Right” as a refresher for people who may need a reminder of the unwritten rules of local transit. When I returned to the DC area about 10 years ago, I learned howContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Stand Right”

Why this tune? You never know what will trigger a good song idea. In the case of “Let’s Wander,” from my album “Making Up For Lost Time,” it was lunch at a taco restaurant and a coaster that said “Let’s go where the wifi is weak.” That connected with another phrase I had written downContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Let’s Wander”

Why this tune? I have been working with the International Center for Journalists for several years on projects supporting independent journalism and countering disinformation. When I heard a government official talk about “Alternative Facts” on the news, that moved me off the couch and to the piano to start writing a response. I call thisContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday – Alternative Facts”

Why this tune? Spring means gardening, which in my case was the inspiration for my first song with lyrics, “I Believe In Rhubarb.” If you’ve heard me perform this with Barbara Papendorp and others, you’re heard the story – I mentioned to a friend that my wife doesn’t like rhubarb, and in fact doesn’t believeContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday – I Believe In Rhubarb”