All songs and videos on this site © Jonathan Ochshorn
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Jaywalking, in this song, is a metaphor for revolution, or — if not that — then at least for not going along with the prevailing wisdom simply because you're told to. It's a kind of blues, but with a non-typical rhythmic structure. It's also one of my first songs, written way back in 1979. A live "concert" version of this song, recorded in Tianjin, China, can be found here.
Jaywalking
Words and music © 1979 J. Ochshorn
1. Some people wait at the corner for the light to change
Wait for the signal to tell them to go ahead
Some people stand in the shadows as the cars go by
Stand when they could be running the show instead
[Chorus] Well they'll tell you it's wrong and that you really should wait
But this life isn't long and so before it's too late
I'm jaywalking — i'm jaywalking — I'm jaywalking — jaywalking to you
2. Sometimes the light is on red for a long long time
Seems like i might not get to the other side
I've seen a whole lot of people givin' up the fight
No one is gonna say that I never tried [Chorus]
[Instrumental break][Repeat verse 2]
Production notes:
Song was arranged, produced, and recorded on Garageband software by J. Ochshorn. All instruments and vocals by J. Ochshorn. Instruments include some software instruments (e.g., drums and bass) played live on a midi keyboard by J. Ochshorn.
Recorded at home in Ithaca, NY, November 2008; re-mixed in 2018.
First posted 31 August 2014. Last updated: 3 November 2018