Ambiance

Abstract: “Ambiance” was conceived with no particular direction in mind, written as a rhyming exercise and freestyle in Jake Maccallum’s car. While the song initially began without clear intention, it soon developed into a complete project. “Ambiance” serves as evidence that meaning can be found in even the mundane, where the piece as a whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. Audio for the song can be found by searching Jake MacCallum on all streaming platforms. Listen with headphones for the rounded experience.

Please, please

Some ambiance

Yes, turn down the lights

Pour Dom Perignon

and drift through the night

If you can’t take a joke

I won’t take a bite

I wrote you a note which you should read twice

The Budapest flight

My intent was to lay awake through the red eye

But a shake of red wine knocked me out for bedtime

Falling down

The descent was the best high

So I drive around the moon with dilated pupils

To strike a mood I shift my stick from drive to neutral

I never knew that when you said you draw

that you were drawing doodles

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t envy

everything that you do

I’d sooner die than say my mind is a computer

So when I vibe I am

vibing with the voodoo

Yes, the spiritual

animates my life

You better leave it to ‘em

to generate some light

But not too, too bright

I’m a neutral cowboy

An angel in the flesh of an outlaw

I pray forthrightly and strike in southpaw

I’m an angel in the flesh of an outlaw

Don’t repress that light, my dishonourable child

Don’t forget about your wild side, as if the lion retired

Your mane is full

Your anger’s unchecked

Your prey’s survival is hanging on one misstep

Now, does that make you moral?

Or afraid of being showered in scorn?

The work it takes to wash the dirt from your soul

You feel the cowardice of a lamb

But no fear to be gripped by the vices of mortal man

Before you meet the maker

Before you take one last breath

Remember what your mom and dad said

Be good.

And at the same time, channel your badness

Please, please

Some ambiance

Yes, turn down the lights

Pour Dom Perignon

and drift through the night

If you can’t take a joke

I won’t take a bite

I wrote you a note which you should read twice

At the risk of sounding trite

I’m a neutral cowboy

An angel in the flesh of an outlaw

I pray forthrightly and strike in southpaw

Find a love like Walter and Anita Baker

And 17 years later be grateful for the breakup

Or Alana and Mos Def

They both wept when Mos left

That do-si-do step

What are you waiting for you blackbird?

Get on the dance floor

Hit ‘em with the shimmy shaker

Back and forth, pass the mic

Quit sticking to the basics

This is what they came for

A magnum opus in the making

It’s a matter of simple mathematics

Not mental gymnastics

You’re acting like an acrobat

But if I pulled out the mattress

Would you still be doing backflips?

It’s about time I say what’s on my chest

About time I quit living life like a game of chess

It’s about a grand style

Not clothing, but an attitude that carries you a million miles

It’s about your silly smile

And the twinkle in the eye of a child.

And thinking about a time you were really, really wild

Dancing under starlight

Alive and raw

An angel in the flesh of an outlaw