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The Octopus Song

from Alien from an Alternate Earth by E.G. Phillips

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about

“This is a great testament to the wonder of the octopus! I am honored, cheered, and deeply moved at a song that is at once nimble, clever, and profound.”
— Sy Montgomery, author "The Soul of an Octopus"

I once had a show scheduled at the Octopus Literary Salon in Oakland California, an institution that, alas, is no longer with us. At the same time a book by the title of “The Soul of an Octopus” by Sy Montgomery appeared on my radar. I thought it would be an interesting promotional tool to have at my disposal to write a song I could play at the various open mics as I was promoting the event.

So I decided to write a tune loosely inspired by “You’re Looking at Me” by Nat King Cole and in the vein of the “The Albatross Song” (another song of mine inspired by natural history). As with "The Albatross Song" and the album it appeared on (“At Home at Sea”) the refrain for this piece ended up becoming the title of the album on which it will be featured — Alien from an Alternate Earth (due April 22, 2022) — and like other such songs I have written, “The Fish Song” and “The L.A. Song” the subject matter may ultimately not actually be Octopuses.

That it comes out as a slow jazz ballad, with horn interplay reminiscent of Jerry Mulligan and Chet baker, may seem incongruous with lyrics that at both contemplate the nature of consciousness and contain the word “squirt,” but honestly I love it all the more for that and it turned out fr better than I could have imagined.

lyrics

From your point of view it must be a wonder
I somehow manage to survive
I don’t have suckers and I can’t change color
To instantly don a disguise

Perhaps this ancient is notion not so absurd
You’re not from the ocean
But a much older universe
You slipped through the cracks between worlds
Now you cannot return
You’re an alien from an alternate Earth

You’re a curious one, you have your moods,
You’ve got real personality
You’ll swim up ’n greet us when we open your tank
Or you’ll squirt at me

Perhaps this ancient is notion not so absurd
You’re not from the ocean
But a much older universe
You slipped through the cracks between worlds
Now you cannot return
You’re an alien from an alternate Earth

Does consciousness arise from a series of parallel
But independent processes?
Constructed in the moment it’s a useful delusion
If not a disease
One we are cured of once our minds drift off
Into the oblivious sea?

As for sleights of hand and multi-tasking
You’ve got the humans all beat
With one arm you stole the fish bucket
And occupied us with another three

Perhaps this ancient is notion not so absurd
You’re not from the ocean
But a much older universe
You slipped through the cracks between worlds
Now you cannot return
You’re an alien from an alternate Earth

We’ve built an environment that’s more suited for you
Than it is for us
This infinite division of our attention is not something
To which I’ll adjust
If you grind the gems of paradise
They become worthless dust

I once captained a ship now I’m playing for tips
In the lobby of a posh hotel
I’m the wallpaper; I’m the jukebox
I’m also the wishing well

Perhaps this flight of fancy is not so absurd
I’ve gone and slipped through the cracks
From another universe
I’ve slipped through the cracks between worlds
And I cannot return
I’m an alien from an alternate Earth

credits

from Alien from an Alternate Earth, track released January 21, 2022
Recorded at Wally's HydeOut, Hyde Street Studio C
​in San Francisco, Sept 5th-8th, 10th and Oct 3rd 2021

Recording Engineers: Desmond Shea, Liam Craddock
Mixed by Chris McGrew
Mastered by Gary Hobish, A. Hammer Mastering

Produced by Chris McGrew

​Artwork by Mario M. Noche

Written by E.G. Phillips (ASCAP)
​(c) 2021 Ducks With Pants Music

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about

E.G. Phillips San Francisco, California

E.G. Phillips is a San Francisco based songwriter who creates lyric driven songs with his own special blend of whimsy and cinematic imagery which he uses to give a wry take on dealing with the longings of the heart and the madness of existence.

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