Daniel Dye and the Miller Road Band -- Saddest City in the USA
I live in Springfield, Ohio, which according to the Gallup poll, was named the "Unhappiest City" in America in 2011. When the news came out folks that were sad here felt vindicated, but the happy ones just became a bit sadder, so it all evened out in the end.
This song came to be when I started noticing an old fellow on my street pushing an empty wheelchair. Some of my friends noticed him walking around other parts of town as well, which is a sad sight in a sad town.
Thank you to the wonderful work of @aweber for filming, editing and audio production and to @jrue for filming as well.
Lyrics:
There's a man walking up and down my street
Pushing a wheelchair, dragging his feet
And the wheelchair's empty and he's not okay
It's the saddest city in the USA
This ain't speculation, it's a fact
90,000 people nearly cut in half
Every second job taken away
From the saddest city in the USA
We've got a shopping mall where no one shops
We've got a downtown where no one walks
We've got old timers who talk of the day
Before the saddest city in the USA
And on the edge of town we've got a lake
And swimming there is another risk you take
'cause the water's poison is what the papers say
In the saddest city in the USA
But there's a beauty in sadness, a beauty in grit
A beauty in something that just won't quit
A beauty in people who are bound to stay
In the saddest city in the USA
And that man still walks up and down my street
Pushing a wheelchair, dragging his feet
The wheelchair's empty, just another day
In the saddest city in the USA
For more info:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/welcome-to-springfield-ohio-the-unhappiest-city-in-the-us/article4612263/
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you got to get out of there body, it's not that easy to fix a problem as big as a city.
:) There are some good things going here, but you might have a point.
I haven’t seen this in a while.
Looks great, when are we shooting another one?
This winter, hopefully. Or maybe a spring trip to Sycamore Hollow?
I totally forgot that it was called Sycamore Hollow. I always just call it "the cabin" since no other cabin could come close.
I'm glad to hear that! I call it "the cabin" too, but just thought I'd be more formal, for whatever reason.
This song hits like a truck. Sadness can happen anywhere, and the mere fact sadness exists saddens me. And just like your lyrics:
Once we break through the sadness, we come out as a stronger, better individual. Possibly not happy still, but getting closer.
Yes, the darkest times are often the most important, when we look back. Thanks for your reflection.
This is a good one. I really appreciate that even though you’re well-traveled and work in the Big City next door, that your music is authentically and noticeably grounded in west-central Ohio. Even though I’m not from Springfield, this is one of your songs that elicits a “Hell, yeah! That’s me!” response from my central Ohioan soul.
Yes you know the place very well! Thanks for the kind words.
Truly ,sometime a turn around do happen to people ,individuals and even organisation.i believe that there is beauty in saddness and a beauty in grit.thanks ,this post is encouraging and motivational .
Thank you!
danieldyemusic!! Thank you, your Post. i upvoted.^^
Thank you!
I was humming even though i didnt know the rhythm.
It made me feel exactly what you were feeling while you were composing the lyrics.
You are a good lyricist or writer maybe?
I am glad you were able to hum along! I've written lots of songs and hope I'm a good lyricist, but I've found you've got to write lots of bad songs to get to the good ones.
Yes Daniel, practice makes perfect.
Yes Daniel, practice makes perfect.
this is seriously best i am in love you are great
Ha ha! Thanks!