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about
This song was written, along with nine others, in a flurry of song-generation on November 3rd, 2019.
I'd set the goal of writing 20 songs that day, and solicited titles from friends and well-wishers. This particular title comes from Matt Collins, who actually suggested the full title, "Museum Tour Guide, Murder of Crows". I misinterpreted this as two separate titles -- oops!
The character of the museum tour guide came to me quickly, with the vibe of the song matching the verging-on-macabre lyrics. This song existed in demo form, with MIDI choir etc., for many months, until the first 2020 lockdown, when I asked a bunch of people to contribute their special talents.
I'm honoured that so many people volunteered their time to make this track as full and rich as it is! Further joy comes from the skills trade I worked out with the inimitable Charles Spearin, who mixed this song in exchange for my kalimba playing on his upcoming album.
I hope you enjoy this song and its unsympathetic narrator, no matter whether you're an "elder millennial", a Zoomer, a Boomer, or whatever generational label we come up with next. Sending loving kindness from my screen to yours!
lyrics
"Museum Tour Guide" lyrics:
On our left as we exit the elevator
you'll see a scale model of an Etruscan tomb
Imagine yourself hidden in that room
for millennia, you millennial
They say if we don't learn our history
we're doomed to repeat it in the future
Could this tomb be your best teacher
for millennia, you millennial?
I'd like to lock you inside
They'd never suspect the museum tour guide
Without your phone, would you survive?
Did you learn nothing from your museum tour guide?
I'd like to lock you inside
They'd never suspect the museum tour guide
Without your phone, would you survive?
Did you learn nothing from your museum tour guide?
Did you learn nothing from your museum tour guide?
Did you learn nothing from your museum tour guide?
credits
released April 13, 2021
Music, arrangement, lyrics, and main vocals: Laura Barrett
Bass: Oriana Barbato
Drums: Eric Woolston
French horn: Micajah Sturgess
Harp: Kathryn Merriam
Harmony vocals: Chantale Renee, Milenko Vujosevic
Choir: Jamie McCarthy, Kathryn Merriam, Lief Mosbaugh, Karen Stern, Mat Klechefsky, Keith Hamilton, Chantale Renee, Milenko Vujosevic
Mixing: Charles Spearin
Special thanks:
Annelise Noronha (for the editing/arrangement input)
Jared Sales (for the incredible music video)
Breanna Johnston (for the inside scoop on digital distribution & more)
Digits (for introducing me to the Song Game concept)
Laura Barrett’s music is equally at home in concert halls, cinemas, and playhouses.
She's released
two albums and three EPs, scored five feature films, and provided musical underscoring for many an episode of long-form narrative improv comedy. She likes to ask questions about what humanity is up to and where we're headed....more
supported by 4 fans who also own “Museum Tour Guide”
The first 3 songs are on my top ten of the bests songs I discovered in 2023. Musically, this album is much stronger than the previous albums. The songs Anywayz, All I wanted, How did you know? are perfects songs. Pure emotions. The rest of the album is hit and miss for me but no matter, as I said for Olympia : That Voice ! Wow! That Voice ! Luc Lajoie