DOWNTOWN MYSTIC
Q What inspired you to write “Somebody’s Always Doin’ Something 2 Somebody”?
The bass line riff. I was trying out some sounds on an old synth I used to have and came upon the sound. It sounded cool and I was inspired to create the riff that the song is built on.
Q When you use the story of Adam and Eve in the song, were you trying to make a point about human nature or relationships in general?
I was using it as a jumping off point about human nature. That was the first time that someone did something to somebody, and what’s changed, right?
Q The song talks about how nothing has changed since the beginning of time. Do you think people are really incapable of change?
People change all the time but we’re all human, and the human condition stays the same. That’s what makes the song a sort of universal truth.
Q Did you write the song from a personal experience or more from observation?
This was observation. I came up with the title and it said all that was needed.
Q There’s a tone of acceptance in the lyrics, almost like you’re saying “that’s just how life is.” Was that intentional?
It was intentional. Somebody doing something to somebody is inevitable.Everybody can relate to it.
Q How do you see the connection between love and human behavior in this song?
The “war of the sexes” is eternal and so is everything that comes with it. Jealousy, envy, power, domination, you name it. Relationships are the microcosm for everything. You’re in love and the world is all sunny & bright. You break up and everything sucks. To quote Bruce Hornsby, “that’s just the way it is.”
Q When you say “I’m not so naive,” it sounds like you’re speaking from experience. Does that line reflect your own outlook on relationships?
There’s some experience. But the truth is, after I wrote the first verse, I was thinking of how to tie it back to Eve. That’s where “born with the ways to deceive” came from. It’s hereditary in women. LOL
Q Do you see this song as more about love or more about the human condition as a whole?
Men and women trying to get along is as old as Adam and Eve. I was looking at it more from the human condition as a whole. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Q The lyrics mention deceit but don’t sound bitter. How do you manage to talk about disappointment without turning it negative?
I tried to be more tongue-in-cheek. I think being bitter just makes it worse. Calling it out for what it is has a certain amount of empowerment to it. Somebody’s always doin’ something to somebody has a certain charm to it. It’s like saying “you’re not fooling anybody. I know what you’re doing.”
Q Do you think people relate to this song because everyone has been on both sides of “doing something to somebody”?
For sure. Everyone has relationships, whether they are family, friendships, lovers, business associates, etc. We’ve all been on both sides.
Q The song’s message feels timeless. Were you thinking about how it might connect to different generations of listeners?
It is timeless. It goes all the way back to the Bible, right? You can’t argue with the Bible. lol
Q There’s a sense of wisdom in the lyrics, like it’s coming from someone who’s seen it all. Did that tone develop naturally as you wrote?
I’m not sure. I was trying to make a comment without being preachy. Like here’s a slice of life we are all familiar with. I think in that way, the whole men-women thing gets pushed aside when people think about the bigger implications.
Q Do you think “Somebody’s Always Doin’ Something 2 Somebody” says something about society today, not just relationships?
It certainly says something about society today. In fact, I think it’s more about society today than when I wrote it. People are just trying to live their lives and the element of “Big Brother” is becoming more and more real. It’s getting scary out there. Look at how devisive politics has become. Everybody knows what the title of the song means because they’re living with it on a daily basis
