On The Air

from On The Air by O Mer

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about

The original version of this song was written and recorded by Peter Gabriel in 1978, before a genre like "bedroom pop" existed. Yet it somehow perfectly describes the experience of being a bedroom producer, trying to make something sound huge and explosive inside a confined space with a computer, a guitar and a pair of headphones.

Gabriel wrote this song from the perspective of "Mozo". Mozo lives in a dumpster, is ignored by the world, and has a hard time “making real friends,” but on his shortwave radio he can pretend to be a broadcaster talking to thousands of people who listen & adore him.

In attempting to make this production sound big & expansive, I felt a little like Mozo -- sending out a signal to the world from a bedroom in Tel Aviv.

"I got power, I'm proud to be loud, my signal goes out and clear, I want everybody to know that Mozo is here."

lyrics

Built in the belly of junk by the river, my cabin stands
Made from the trash I dug off the heap with my own bare hands
Every night I'm back at the shack
I'm sure no one else is there
I'm putting the aerial up, so I can go out on the air

On the air

Every morning I'm out at dawn with the dwarfs and tramps
For a silent communion lit from above by the sodium lamps
Everyone I meet on the street
Acts as if I wasn't there
But they're all going to know who I am, 'cause I can go out on the air

On the air

Leaving the car down the leafy lane
Turning out Tarzan for my Jungle Jane
Anyone at all, from Captain Zero
And his band of superheroes standing by on call
Oh, it's not easy, no, no, no, no
No, it's not easy making real friends

Don't give me your steak-reared milkboys, milkboys
Half alive on empty white noise, white noise
I've got power, I'm proud to be loud
My signal goes out clear
I want everybody to know that Mozo is here

On the air

credits

from On The Air, track released April 5, 2019
Lyrics: Peter Gabriel

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about

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O Mer Brooklyn, New York

Tel Aviv based producer, guitarist, singer and composer O Mer marries lyrical brashness with a kaleidoscope of genres, from modern electronic to 60’s Israeli Psych-Folk.

Deeper analytical meaning can be derived from his lyrical and musical decisions. His music’s production serving as a mirror held to Omer Schonberger’s mind. ... more

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