Category Archives: Original music

Why this tune? I wrote “On All Other Nights” before Passover 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to conduct our holiday seder meals virtually. The song was inspired by a question we ask at the seder: “Why is this night different from all other nights?” When I wrote the song, I was convinced thatContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: On All Other Nights”

Why this tune? When I read last week about a rare snowfall in Las Vegas, I was ready with a song. That song, “It’s Snowing In Vegas,” started one evening in our home. We told a group of friends about one of our trips to the West Coast. We drove from Los Angeles to LasContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: It’s Snowing In Vegas”

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”