Mystery Driver

from Birdstain-EP by al Riggs

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about

I love the concept of the Unreliable Narrator.
If you're unaware of that concept, it's basically when you're led to believe that the person telling you the story is the hero when he's actually a sympathetic villain (see "American Psycho", "The Black Cat", half of the songs in Randy Newman's discography).
This song is from the POV of a superhero who grew up with a friend of his who had no powers and had to earn everything the hard way. As they grow up, the superhero becomes less interested in doing his job and more interested in rubbing his status in his average friend's face.
Superheroes can be dicks sometimes, I guess.

lyrics

I was stuck on auto-pilot, heading towards
A plasticine mirage
You cleared all the drums and synthesizers out of my
Run-down garage

I rode rocket ships down snowy tips of mountain tops
And water slides
You blamed all the damage on yourself and pinned your
Elbows to your arms

And I said I should be dead after all the blows to the head
That I received when you and me went off to see sights Still unseen

All in a day's work for the Mystery Driver

Greased up like a pig at the state fair on our
Independence Day
I glided through the stratosphere and sang all the songs
They wouldn't play

I faced every decision with enough panache, I never
Had to think
You looked above and slapped your hand
Down on the bar, demanding more to drink

Your eyes would water when your daughter
Stepped right up to join in on the slaughter
Your son would be the only one who'd say that
Being tied up's pretty fun

All in a day's work for the Mystery Driver

Have another drink on me and see if your
Dreams come true in the end
Drag your children to my evil lair
And I'll prove to you who's a real friend to whom

All in a day's work for the Mystery Driver

credits

from Birdstain-EP, released February 17, 2011
AL- guitar, vocals, drums loop, shakers

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al Riggs Durham, North Carolina

Sad Songs For, About, And Written By Birds

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