We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Songs For Black Swans

from Keep It Coming Like A Miracle by The Sleeper Pins

/

about

This song started as a few lines in a notebook revolving around the concept of "the underdog".  I'm usually a fan of underdogs, in whatever realm you want to put one in.  I already had the descending notes part on the guitar for the verses and the chorus chords.  However, I didn't have lyrics for the chorus yet.  I knew this song was going to be good and I was already digging it and enjoyed messing around with it.
One day I was hanging out by a small lake in Minnesota and happened to see a swan floating on the water.  It was so brilliant and white and impossible not to look at.  I was reminded of the time I was in a park and happened to see a few albino squirrels and how cool that was.  I've never seen any since.  The question popped up in my mind: I wonder if there are any black swans?  Later that same day I was watching something on TV and a commercial for a type of wine came on.  The wine company was (you guessed it) Black Swan, and during the commercial there were shots of black swans swimming around.  They did exist!  I couldn't believe the serendipity of it all, and knew this was important.  I began thinking about the black swans being the unsung heroes of the swan population and this reminded me of the song I was working on about underdogs.  I began toying with lyrics for the chorus, and the rest is history.  The chorus worked out, and I added the line "Like us" at the end of the song to tie it in with us as a band being underdogs in the music scene, and humans being underdogs to the fruition of their own hopes and dreams in general.
"Songs for Black Swans" has since become one of our most popular tracks, and never fails to get a reaction at a live show.  I've had many strangers compliment me on it, and even go so far to say that it is a message for minorities and racial injustice.  Whatever your interpretation is I hope you like it!

lyrics

AS USELESS AS A FIRETRUCK IN THE RAIN
STOCK FOOTAGE NIGHTMARES PLAY FOR DAYS AND DAYS
AS LONELY AS A SHUT DOWN LANDING STRIP
I NEVER LEARNED TO MAKE A GOOD PAPER AIRPLANE

THIS IS A SONG FOR BLACK SWANS
THIS IS A SONG FOR BLACK SWANS

A LIGHTNING ROD FOR BAD LUCK IS IN MY BRAIN
EVERY THING I LOVE IS ON A MOVING TRAIN
PICK UP YOUR FEET, PRICK UP YOUR EARS MY FRIEND
THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR UNDERDOGS IN THE END

THIS IS A SONG FOR BLACK SWANS
THIS IS A SONG FOR BLACK SWANS

HOPE AND FAITH WILL CARRY YOU ALL THE WAY
HOPE AND FAITH WILL CARRY YOU ALL THE WAY
THIS IS A SONG FOR BLACK SWANS
THIS IS A SONG FOR BLACK SWANS
LIKE US

credits

from Keep It Coming Like A Miracle, released August 9, 2013
Tyson Allison--guitar, vocals, bass,
Justin Deleon--drums, percussion
Aaron Kerr--cello

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Emperor Penguin Records image

Emperor Penguin Records Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Emperor Penguin Records began in 2003 in St. Paul, MN and later moved to Milwaukee, WI in 2015. The label is run by musician/producer Tyson Allison. EPR enlists and caters to singer/songwriters, introverts, experimental weirdos, bookish people, and crafters that paint pictures with words and toy with your emotions on a well-placed chord. Thank you for your interest! ... more

contact / help

Contact Emperor Penguin Records

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Report this track or account

Emperor Penguin Records recommends:

If you like Songs For Black Swans, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Saxophonist Isaiah Collier chats about his new LP and the influence of Pharoah Sanders.
listen now