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Before They Were Night Vale: Bodega Cat
🕑 Added 2021-06-23 15:01:02 +0000 UTCWelcome to "Before They Were Night Vale", our feature in which Night Vale creators Jeffrey and Joseph share writing from before their Welcome to Night Vale collaboration, along with commentary. Come explore their early writing, both good and bad
In July of 2019, New York City experienced a three hour blackout. In most places, a three hour blackout is a minor annoyance, but of course if it happens in NYC, where all the reporters live, it becomes national, maybe even international news.
Soon after, the singer/songwriter Amanda Palmer made a post suggesting a song writing exercise: go through all the details in the various news reports about the blackout, and write a song about it. I always like a prompt, so I gave it a go, and the result is one of my favorite songs I've ever written.
The premise is simple: yes, we know the blackout was annoying for people. But how was the experience for one of the city's most iconic residents?
Song above, lyrics below. Please enjoy Bodega Cat.
Way down there
Nervous folks in subway cars
Are trapped in claustrophobic dark
Making guess about where in the tunnels they are.
Bodega cat, stretched out cross two bags of rice
Thinks the lights out is kind of nice
It’s just like any other closing time
And way up there, nervous folks in office chairs
Wonder if they should wait for the elevator
Or make a go at the stairs
Bodega cat, prowls past the refrigerator
That still three hours later
Feels nice and cool against his tail
Bodega cat doesn’t care
Bodega cat doesn’t care
Somewhere between a panic and a street fair
Bodega cat doesn’t care
A couple that were standing on the alter
Caught in darkness saw an opportunity
Got married in the middle of fifth avenue
Bodega cat was wondering at the lack of sound
Had gotten used to a hum all around
Knew electricity but didn’t know that he knew
Helpful folks standing there with glo sticks
Replacing street lights and gps
Wearing reflective gear, doing their part
While halal carts, standing in for restaurants
Got on with it as usual
Cooking chicken and onions in the dark
Bodega cat doesn’t care
Bodega cat doesn’t care
Somewhere between a panic and a street fair
Bodega cat doesn’t care
Bodega cat noticing that the doors not closed
That’s not usually how the nighttime goes
Thinks maybe he should check it out
Bodega cat, strolled out on the sidewalk
Watched the neighbors direct cars
Glanced up and for the first time for the first time
Bodega cat saw the stars
Bodega cat saw the stars
Somewhere between the panic and the street fair
A few hours later we all had power
And bodega cat was curled up by the skittles and the now and laters
Dreamed of galaxies and planets, full of with beer coolers and can foods
And most of all stars.
Comments
Corey Lynn
this was so sweet i fully cried a little. thank you for it♡
Tracy Benton
This is a WONDERFUL SONG. Plaintive and hopeful all at once? Thank you.
Brighton
! I was there visiting nyc for Broadway when this happened and had just checked into my hotel and ordered food delivery. I feel like I need to write a tribute song to my poor DoorDash driver who fought their way to me 90 minutes later!
Alexandra DeCarlo
This is lovely!
SavvyC
Oh my gods! I absolutely love this song, Joseph! I remember when you played it with Mal Blum in a virtual hang out last year, and ever since, I've listened to it when I need grounding or a help finding a calm vibe. (My cat also seems to enjoy it! She's a window cat, not a bodega cat though.)
VANESSA VAVRINEC
What a lovely way to start the day ~♡ (and a reminder it's be a smart idea to buy a lantern in case of a blackout 😅) Thank you for sharing these beautiful pieces of your soul 🌈
