Story Behind The Song

Written in Boston back in 1992, it appeared as a modern rock song on a private compilation. Using a warbling bass and coffee can-like percussion (of course...) it received positive feedback from most who heard it. Numerous exes are involved here, so let's not name names! There was never a commercial release of the jazz or rock version. I drink quite a lot of coffee. And was in retail sales then. They go together. And you can tell the song was started near a washer.

Song Description

"Take" has been auditioned for jazz legends and others. Along with the rest of 'Swirl,' the response seems to depend on how much of a purist was the listener. No one seems to have issues with the songs themselves. Perhaps it's the execution which is unusual. 'Swirl' was conceived as a collection of reworked songs brought closer to a jazz standard feeling. No real people besides the vocalist play on it. Every instrument is a synth or a sound module. At the time, well over a dozen years ago, this was accepted for 'cool jazz,' but was not then considered a serious method to perform most other flavors. Most customers, one commented, want to know the song happened 'with sweat.' Another industry contact used the term 'cheating' to describe how they thought they were listening to a live band. That the band was live (or human) was not how 'Swirl' was pitched. Actually, the project's construction was left out of discussion until it finally became a controversy. Previously, I would just let them listen. As any piece of audible art should get the opportunity to be heard. Then they would ask who was in the band... Which of course was literally in a box. With green and red lights. In any case...to coffee and pain!

Lyrics

For coffee and pain...
For coffee and pain, I live
There's no one to blame
For passing through me.
I'm a sieve.
As you're the rain.
And I almost don't recall...getting wet.
It's always the same.
And I always deserve what I get.

My laundry machine
My laundry machine loves your scent
My laundry retains
A small trace of you like you never left.
I even recall...
How those stains got made
I almost don't want them to wash away
Show no shame, when I offer to give and you take.
Who is to blame. I offer to give and you take.
So, show no shame. I offer to give and you take.

I keep walking
I stumble
I plummet to the earth
I pick my chin up, take stock
Then I move on.
So often the phrase 'fools rush in'
I ignore or have no time to comprehend
So who is to blame when I offer to give and you take
Who is to blame when I offer to give and you take
There's no one to blame.
I offer to give and you take.
So, show no shame.
I offer to give and you take.
I offer to give and you take.

Take.

And I'd take you back again
But I wish you could fake offering your give
It's always the same.
I always deserve what I get.

Take.
Give and take.

Take.
Give and take.


"Take"
Words and Music ©1996 Darrell Emile (BMI)