Billy's Books 30: ME by Elton John

A review of Me: The Elton John Official Autobiography. While the movie Rocketman was based on many of the stories in the book, it would be wrong to say that the movie was an adaptation of the book. Rocketman, the movie, is a fantastical musical with crazy dance routines, and great embellishments on the storyline. The book, also embellished by Elton's entertaining hyperbole skills, is more sequential, and probably more "realistic".



I'm going to claim that the crooked framing and general disheveledness of the couch represents the chaos in Elton's life before he cleaned up. You can believe that if you like. Or it could just be Lola's influence.

The Longest Darkest Night

On this Winter Solstice, I'm posting this simple video of "The Longest Darkest Night". To make it a lyric video, turn on Closed Caption (CC).



The Longest Darkest Night
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2018 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

Twas the longest darkest night
Coldest oldest hopes seemed lost
Wind blew through our bones
Blackness of the sky was crystal clear

Until a light beyond the din
Became the light and all within

Morning, I walk to you
Evening, life anew

Twas the brightest sight of grace
Might and kindness light the likes unseen
Heat of a breeze in shade
Highest peaks to hearth warmed feet

Yes, the light above the din
Behold the light and all within

Morning, I never knew
Evening, now I do

Yes, the light and all the din
Become the light beyond within

Morning, evening

Personnel:
Billy Dechand - voice, guitar, keyboards
Micah Johnson - bass
Kenneth Moore - drums
Allison Taylor - voice
David Taylor - voice

Music available:

• CD Baby
• iTunes
• Google Play
• Amazon Music
• Spotify

Billy's Books 29: White Album Deluxe

Billy reviews the long-awaited remix of The Beatles' The Beatles (AKA The White Album). It was released in 2018, on the 50th anniversary of its 1968 release. I been waiting a long time for this bad boy. The original stereo mix always seemed like a muddy mess to me. Not anymore!


Yes, I know that "Hey Jude" wasn't on The White Album, but it was recorded during those sessions; it's in the outtakes bonus disks.

Billy's Books 28: The Naked Sun

Billy reviews Isaac Asimov's robot book, "The Naked Sun".


The Three Laws of Robotics:

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 
2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.

Billy's Books 27: Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life

Eric Idle is a funny man, by profession. He has funny friends; he has cool friends. You can hear about them here.

Say no more.

Buttered Up, bedhead rendition

I've been working on this song for a while. Here's a rough, early morning version. The subject is loosely the dangers of flattery.




Buttered Up by Billy Dechand, 2019

Buttered up, Buttered up
I can never never never get enough
Buttered up, Buttered up
I can never never never get enough

All it takes is a lie
She turned up the heat and I
Melted down to a mound
Then she spread a little salt all around

Tell me why, tell me how
I get flattered like a fattened up sow
Tell me why, tell me how
I get flattered like a fattened up sow

All it takes is a lie
She turned up the flame as I sat in the skillet
What a thrill, she called my name
Thought I was hip, but buttered up, slipped

Buttered up, Buttered up, Buttered up

What a trip, That’s a thick stick
A Solid pound of butter what a kick
Thought that I was more hip
This whole butter bucket's whipped, what a jip

All it takes is a lie
She turned up the heat and I
Melted down, to the ground 
Tried to stand up, but dripped down

Buttered up, Buttered up, Buttered up...