FAWM: "Rothko Chapel in My Bedroom"

Rothko Chapel in My Bedroom

1 week ago by @nancycunning

Rothko Chapel in My Bedroom

nancycunning

00:00

Liner Notes

For this week's #songsidekicksongcircle @unknownbecky gave the prompt to write a visual song, possibly about a piece of art.

When I first moved to Houston, I spent a lot of time sitting in the Rothko Chapel which was a couple blocks away from my first house. I also loved the shotgun houses that were given to artists to create their own spaces.

When I moved into my New York apartment, I took each closet and gave it to my own inner artists to explore and create. In a lot of ways, that kind of permission to play in an important precursor to the way I try to approach songwriting.

So this ended up being a song a little bit about both pieces, as well as a reminder to myself and whoever else needs to hear it, that I don't need to be good, but just to make stuff that moves me.

#acousticonetake #americana

Lyrics

I’ve got a Rothko Closet in my bedroom
I painted it sample shades of gray
Just like the Rothko Chapel back in Houston
I used to go and I'd sit there, back in the day

My Rothko closet floor’s collaged with pictures
I got Buddhas, clouds and fish in paper blue
I cut ‘em out of cast-off ads and catalogs
To turned other people’s trash into something new

Who decides
Who decides what hangs in some museum
Who decides what they stick in shows
Sometimes, I still go to see ‘em
Mostly I stay home, and I make my own

At some point I ran out of floors and ceilings
That’s when I picked up my guitar
I turn scraps of things into songs I can sing
I decorate the closets where we are

Who decides
Who decides what hangs in some museum
And who decides what they stick in shows
Sometimes, I still go to see ‘em
Mostly I stay home, and I make my own

Here’s the Rothko Closet in my bedroom
I painted all these walls, this garbage gray
They're dark as the Rothko Chapel back in Houston
I used to go and sit there, how I loved to sit there,
When I used to go and just sit there, back in the day

Comments

@grayland 5d

I love this song. The lyrics are so unique, relatable and true!! Who are the they that decides these things?? Great melody, very catchy.. Love your voice!!! alot...

@davidbreslin101 6d

This is just lovely. Some really clever lyrics, but in a gentle, understated way. I like the idea that this portrait of the Rothko Closet is itself part of your Rothko Closet of songs!

@omaistarz 6d

I love the turn from creating something visual into writing songs.

@lbrewington 1w

Nice song. Really like the line "I cut ‘em out of cast-off ads and catalogs
To turned other people’s trash into something new" and then later turning back into the idea with "garbage gray". The whole theme about running out of floors and ceilings and turning to songwriting. Also the turn of phrase of "i used to go and sit here, how i loved to sit there, when i used to go and just there" is great. The concept you bring up in the liner notes about making the art for yourself is relatable and comes out well with "who decides what hangs in some museum".

@toddnorem 1w

What a cool idea to create closets for your inner artists. Nice tribute to your muse and inspiration for anyone who hears this. I don't think they'd need the backstory either. You say it well in the song. Really strong writing.

@n1742 1w

Really love the "who decides.." especially the rhyme of museum and see 'em. Nice link between the visual and the musical. makes me want to see the Rothko Chapel in Houston. I'll have a look on line. Great stuff.

@miltz 1w

I like this a lot. "I turn scraps of things into songs I can sing / I decorate the closets where we are" is wonderful.

@yewnorker 1w

Fantastic idea and fantastic execution! Bravo!

@bradbrubaker 1w

I was pretty transfixed by this. I went to Houston once for work; I wish I'd known about the Rothko Chapel. Some great lines: "garbage gray" "cast-off ads and catalogs" "I turn scraps of things into songs I can sing"

@jonmeta 1w

I like how your song links visual and musical arts, contemplation and creation, day-to-day living space and artistic space; they're all one. And I love how art is the stuff of all kinds a living / lived-in experience; it's not (just) something walled-off in a gallery with labels on it certifying it's the real deal.

@jeff9 1w

Your initial concept on this is really nicely original, Nancy. And then you really dial it up a notch for me when it goes to the songwriting part. I love the idea that "the closets where we are" might be where the invisible songwriters (most all of us) are. I hope that's what you meant--please don't pop the bubble for me if not😁. This was a joy to hear from you live earlier today (sorry I didn't catch the Rothko reference) and a thrill to hear again on FAWM. One to be very proud of.

@sheslin 1w

I love writing to a visual image. I also love how you transformed your closets into a creative space with memories of home. The message of creating what moves us, rather than trying to figure out if other people will think it is good. Wonderful imagery and great story telling in your lyrics. The chorus is my favorite part - the questions you raise about who decides what is "worthy" art, and how you could go and look at that art, but instead you stay home and make your own, in your closet full of inspiration. Lovely melody, vocals and guitar - I really enjoyed listening to your song and totally relate to it.