Homo Erectus is not an actual term, but one I invented to designate our ability to stand. Much changed when we stood erect. We could see a far greater distance which probably impacted our ability to plan, think of the future and to imagine the possible and not be locked in the actual.
The freedom gained by standing, by not being so bound to the earth, also had us literally and figuratively be less grounded. When we began wearing shoes we lost all continual contact with the earth. As time went on our freedom and mobility had us decrease any contact wth the earth. Each form of transport from horse, to bike, car, train and plane had us soar further and further over the earth. The buildings we "erected" became higher and higher and more removed from the grounding contact with the earth.
The song Homo Erectus deals with our increased preoccupation with living in the possible, in the conceptual, the spiritual and the virtual and ur decreased connection and being grounded in the earth and sensorial grit of the actual.
The first verse depicts many facets and nuances of living in one's head, where the conceptual and ideological result in a life full of reactionary fads and belief systems.
The chorus/refrain trumpets the great golden idol of technology and virtual reality in which one equates invention and technology with evolution and human betterment. In this sphere virtual reality becomes the preferred and more sophisticated reality.
The second verse follows the path of youthful rebellion into the settling in to adapting to society and its beliefs and mores.
Life after dark is where its at
The world of work seems so bleak a slow death pack
But making money opens doors, gets your life on track
And then soon your someone older a career is a fact
So does religion give you comfort a way to recast
Living in the possible can improve one's life or be a source of emptiness and alienation. In a virtual world it becomes even harder to have your life be grounded and substantial.
I don’t know if I will be there, my heart is true
I don’t know if you’ll be there some love is cruel
I don’t know if you’ll be there it’s up to you
Life is much of what you make it, don’t make it cruel
Life is much as how you take it, I take it smooth
lyrics
Homo Erectus 7/17/05
Life in the world bade you to react,
But now does hope in the future give your life it’s gas?
Yet nothing’s gained in the blame, you’ve just switched the track
So when you’re old, you know no better
You’re just a victim of your past
All the rituals as your ideals, one day will pass
You got no reason to be believing that you’ll better your old man
Got you DVD and your MP3 and your TV on demand
You go extreme, you bob and weave, your network has no spam
Your deep sarcasm does into spasm, whenever you hear one’s plan
Life after dark is where its at
The world of work seems so bleak a slow death pack
But making money opens doors, gets your life on track
And then soon your someone older a career is a fact
So does religion give you comfort a way to recast
You keep on moving you’re always grooving silence is a drag
Got your DVD and your MP3 and your quasi minivan
Technology, you trust and flee, you’re an addict and a fan
As in the matrix, Fight Club and such flicks, you sense all’s a sham
I don’t know if I will be there, my heart is true
I don’t know if you’ll be there some love is cruel
I don’t know if you’ll be there it’s up to you
Life is much of what you make it, don’t make it cruel
Life is much as how you take it, I take it smooth
credits
from Mortal Joy,
released June 10, 2017
Vocals Jim Guido
Guitars Jim Guido
Bass Jim Guido
Keyboards Jim Guido
Drums Lucio Guido
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