I fooled around with a dance-rock groove with spoken word song several years ago, but never really liked the production I did or the way I performed the spoken word.

I presented my updated song at the Songwriter’s Cafe meetup group and it was very well received.  One comment from the group stood out for me: one member said how at first, she was taken by the dance club feel of the track, but as the song progressed, her attention shifted to anticipating what lyric came next.  Great feedback!

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This is the revisited version of Under My Shell:

I don’t know how long I’ve been sitting here
I’ve always heard be brave don’t fear

My forclaw twitches begs me to start
For what I face I have not the heartNor the nerves or the senses
Nor do I have the defenses

To my left the hot land stretches out
To my right no end with no doubt

Slowly I peer out from under my shell
How far is the other side I cannot tell

All these creatures rumble before me
I cross my eyes and all is blurry

They move with much speed but no grace
On their big black feet they race and race

I’ve never seen such reckless haste
And a greater challenge I’ve never faced

Stepping out slowly but surely
With great dignity I tread
And as the wind rushes by me
I know in seconds I’ll be dead

These creatures they barrel down
Down upon me they seem to frown

For this rush what is the cost
In this hot grey land I am lost

No place for the likes of me
But I was too stupid to see

Feelings of foolish pride give way
To feelings of fear and dismay

I wish to be back inside my shell
This day I must live to tell

No protection it will give me now
All over me these creatures will plow

Shatter the shell I hold so dear
Only now is my error so clear

In the end I feel only nothing
To the memory of a shell I cling

Stepped out slowly but surely
Through madness I fell
Oh I wish I would’ve stayed
Stayed safe under my shell