Short In the Wire

Cheryl characterized Em’s moodiness as a “short in the wire” and he is suddenly out of commission. His unpredictability had essentially shut down all our collaboration.

Cheryl finally admitted to him that she really missed writing lyrics and that it was an important part of her personal self-expression. That was big news for Em because he always felt like he was driving everything. But, if Cheryl’s creative expression was at stake, how could he deny her?

Em had always seen her lyrics as the essential poetry they shared, and that the music was really just the carrier. Allowing Cheryl’s creative spark to flourish, actually took away Em’s perceived burden of being the driver.

It was a real turning point in our working style together, and our relationship, especially in the tougher times.

Music

Lyrics

Just before my head clears
Right before my eyes slowly adjust to the light
There’s an uneasy feeling I’ve lost my way
That I shouldn’t be here

Maybe I was asleep
Right before my bare feet touch the cold floor
There’s that feeling again: I don’t belong
That I shouldn’t be here

Seems like it was only yesterday
No one could stop me
There was nothing in my way

Walking on air, how lucky could I get
Everybody—a friend I hadn’t met
As good as it gets

Only hope I don’t wake up from this dream
Life somehow is not quite what it seems
I just don’t want to fall
Again

Then there’s a short in the wire
And I notice the spark is cold to my touch
There’s an uneasy feeling I’ve lost my way
Gone completely astray
I’m falling again
Trying hard to hold on
Find out just where I belong

Credits

From Layers, track released June 17, 2011
Cheryl Martlage – Lyrics, vocals and production
Emerson Martlage – Music, guitar, vocals and production
Mr Toad’s San Francisco – Mastering