Category Archives: Original music

Why this tune? “ “When The Morning Comes” encourages us to welcome the chance for a new start on a new day. I wrote it after a period of writer’s block, taking inspiration from the early hour. You can hear it on my 2018 album “Making Up For Lost Time,” featuring Aaron Myers’ vocals andContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: When The Morning Comes (lyrics video)”

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”