My most essential song about maintaining optimism in hard times is out today as we leave the chaotic year 2020 behind and look forward to a better 2021.
The video for this song is scheduled for public release as part of a special event I will announce soon.
Right now the video is viewable only to subscribers to my emails. If you’re not getting my emails yet, sign up below and the exclusive link to the video will be sent right to your inbox.
I wrote this song in 2004 and have included it in many of my live performances. Back then I made a few demo recordings, but now the time was right to give it a complete multi-instrumentalist treatment. I was very much thinking of “Big Man” Clarence Clemons from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band when I decided to break out the saxophone for this arrangement. I also played a metal xylophone known as a glockenspiel, giving the piano and sax part an extra sparkle on top.
This is the title track for an upcoming album dedicated to supporting your best mental health. “Salt and Sand: A Rock-n-Roll Journey to Mental Health” is due out by summer 2021.
Enjoy! And have a happy and prosperous year 2021! I look forward to sharing the new year’s abundance of well-being with you.
I put everything I love about the Jersey Shore sound into this one. It world premiered at Big Man’s Bash – a celebration of the life and music of Clarence Clemons, beloved member of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
Lyrics: Verse 1:
Windshield wipers are frozen and it's hard to see
If there's dangerous obstacles in front of me
It's a slippery turnpike and the left lane's out
These times can test your grip on what your life's about
In my engine the gremlins knock my self esteem
As they try to drive down the value of my dreams
As I struggle for traction up this icy hill
They make me think dark thoughts but they can't break my will
Chorus:
Let's move on forward, here's to making our way
To the dreams we work for coming into reach
Salt and sand on this icy highway
Will be salt and sand on a summer beach
Salt and sand on this icy highway
Will be salt and sand on a summer beach
Verse 2:
I can feel your frustration as you spin your wheels
I'm identifying big-time with the way you feel
You set your plan and watch it get pushed back
It takes a steady hand to get you back on track
Yeah the heat of anger may move us along
But it ain't no substitute for staying strong
Today we won't be quickly satisfied
But we've got dreams of a lifetime that won't be denied
Chorus Bridge:
We can fade
Or we can shine
The way we choose to walk the line
Chorus
Credits:
Lyrics and Music by Jason Didner (c) 2004, All Rights Reserved Vocals and all instruments: electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, bass, drums, alto sax and glockenspiel by Jason Didner Produced by Jason and Amy Didner
Natalie Heard Hackett from TAP Into Montclair wrote a thoroughly researched piece on my New Year’s Eve Zoom concert to benefit Hackensack University Medial Center’s Transplant Team. In it, she chronicled both my history as a living donor, husband to a two-time transplant recipient and musician for kids and adults alike.
Amy and Jason decided to pay it forward by helping to raise money for the Hackensack University Medical Center’s Transplant Team, since due to the COVID-19 pandemic, research has been placed on hold and funds reallocated.
I’m pleased to present you with my latest musical creation: “Battle.” This is the home studio video – actual footage of my recording this track, along with Fred E. Jam, keeper of F-Jam Online Collaboration Studios, who played the electronic drum kit.
The song shares my revelation about how mental health or living with a chronic physical condition doesn’t have to be a battle. It can be a humanitarian mission.
At the same time the video is released, so is the single on BandCamp. You can play the track below.
(c) 2020, Lyrics and Music by Jason Didner Produced by Jason Didner, Amy Didner and Fred E. Jam Engineered by Jason Didner Jason Didner – vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass Fred E. Jam – drums, sound design
Lyrics:
Verse 1:
I thought this was a battle
The kind that’s won or lost
Where raging at the rival
Brings a victory worth all costs
But the prize is alienation
Now that seems a hollow win
Standing lonely in the ruins
Of the war I fought within
Verse 2:
I thought this was a battle
With troops on high alert
Couldn’t trace the friendly fire
From the part of me that hurt
Oh, the rage destroys your allies
In the same flames as your foes
Your own weapon takes you over
No matter how it goes
Verse 3:
I thought this was a battle
I could win and earn my peace
Then I saw myself in terror
As hostilities increased
And the anger gave an order
Show no mercy in this fight
I asked myself the question
Could this order not be right
Bridge:
It can take all that you got
To disobey an order that’s all wrong
To take the heat for seeming weak
That’s a different kind of strong
When the rage calls loved ones enemies
And declares we’re at code red
And orders me to take them down
I’ll lift them up instead
Verse 4:
I thought this was a battle
Now I’m learning it’s much more
It’s a mission to compassion
For the pain down in my core
It’s a journey toward forgiveness
When the rage has had its say
And the wisdom we discover
We can’t fight these things away
But we can live to love another day
I had shared this song with my email subscribers when just the vocal and piano were recorded. If you’d like to get exclusives like this before everyone else, go ahead and sign up below:
In early 2013, the New Jersey State Senate debated whether to allow the inclusion of the state’s infamous jughandle turns in future highway designs. Since frustration with this unique driving feature of my homestate is the key to my song “You Can’t Get There from Here in Jersey,” I began to see interest in the tune take on a second life after the song made its debut on NPR’s Car Talk back in 2001.
As the great jughandle debate heated up in the State Senate, I got phone calls from Philadelphia’s Action News followed shortly by The New York Times’ reporter Matt Flegenheimer.
Here’s the resulting article, including my contribution and quotes:
“But perhaps no New Jerseyan has weighed the jughandle’s merits as thoroughly as Jason Didner, 42, a singer and songwriter. Years before he took a job with a highway construction company, he wrote a tune about his driving experience for ‘Car Talk’ on National Public Radio.”
Matt Flegenheimer, NY Times
Here’s the definitive live performance video of me playing this song in front of an in-person audience (that sounds really nice right now, something to look forward to when we’re all vaccinated!)
In this podcast interview I make a virtual trip to Richmond, VA to chat with cultural commentator and stand-up comic Thandi Woodard to have a thoroughly enjoyable conversation about family, music, mental health and the balance of it all. Press play and be part of it!
Or listen at Spotify, Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.
See me recording all the parts for my new song “Because I’m Grateful!” I let the cameras roll while recording the tracks of this new song – here’s the result!
This is my first time ever playing the drums! I was inspired by Wolfgang Van Halen (Mammoth WVH) who chose to play all the tracks on his much-anticipated upcoming debut album. So I watched the Drumeo channel on YouTube and got some pointers to start keeping a beat and playing some fills. I’ve heard drumbeats in my head all my musical life, but hadn’t really tried to physicalize it until now. It’s my “pandemic skill!”
released December 19, 2020 Lyrics by Amy and Jason Didner, Music by Jason Didner Produced by Amy and Jason Didner Vocals, guitars, bass, drums, keyboards by Jason Didner Mastered with CloudBounce (c) 2020, All Rights Reserved
Verse 1:
I’m grateful that I woke up this morning
At least that’s what that TED talk said I’m supposed to say
Still I’m sorry for myself and my brain’s all full of warnings
I’ll try this attitude of gratitude on some other day
But then, what if that day could come around this morning
What could it hurt to thank a loved one or two?
It might bring a little good to take stock of my blessings
OK, let’s see what this gratitude thing can do
Pre-chorus:
I can feel my mood get a little bit lighter
As my outlook grows just a little brighter
Chorus:
I’m not afraid today to show what I’m made of
I’m grateful for my love, my child and my pets
I’m thankful for the support I have
And the strength I’ve found within
Because I’m grateful
Sadness isn’t all there is
Verse 2:
Depression can’t have the upper hand this morning
‘Cause I’ve got a new move that villain has never seen
When you see what it can do, you won’t call it corny or boring
See, I’m getting in touch with the grateful part of me
I’m gonna do it again tomorrow morning
‘Cause feeling better is feeling pretty sweet
I’m letting go of the rope - Depression, here’s your warning
I ain’t fighting today and that don’t feel like defeat
Pre-chorus:
I can feel my mood get a little bit lighter
As my outlook grows just a little brighter
Chorus:
I’m not afraid today to show what I’m made of
I’m grateful for my love, my child and my pets
I’m thankful for the support I have
And the strength I’ve got within
Because I’m grateful
Sadness isn’t all there is
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I’m proud to introduce my new single, “Because I’m Grateful!” This is your mantra for daily gratitude. Let this song into your heart and mind. It will give you some space from your depression or anxiety.
This is my debut playing a drum kit! All my musical life, I’ve heard drumbeats in my head, but have always handled drums by either programming drum machines or better, teaming up with my drummer friends. Wolfgang Van Halen’s new solo project Mammoth WVH inspired me to complete my multi-instrumental abilities. Interesting note: Eddie Van Halen got me to play guitar when I was 16. Now at 50, his son has gotten me to take up drums and record entire arrangements myself! Thank you Wolf!
Amy and I co-wrote the lyrics and co-produced the record. When I was a little shy about the tempo (first take was pretty slow), Amy encouraged me to pick up the pace. The result you’re hearing now is much more lively than the original.
Lyrics:
Verse 1:
I’m grateful that I woke up this morning
At least that’s what that TED talk said I’m supposed to say
Still I’m sorry for myself and my brain’s all full of warnings
I’ll try this attitude of gratitude on some other day
But then, what if that day could come around this morning
What could it hurt to thank a loved one or two?
It might bring a little good to take stock of my blessings
OK, let’s see what this gratitude thing can do
Pre-chorus:
I can feel my mood get a little bit lighter
As my outlook grows just a little brighter
Chorus:
I’m not afraid today to show what I’m made of
I’m grateful for my love, my child and my pets
I’m thankful for the support I have
And the strength I’ve found within
Because I’m grateful
Sadness isn’t all there is
Verse 2:
Depression can’t have the upper hand this morning
‘Cause I’ve got a new move that villain has never seen
When you see what it can do, you won’t call it corny or boring
See, I’m getting in touch with the grateful part of me
I’m gonna do it again tomorrow morning
‘Cause feeling better is feeling pretty sweet
I’m letting go of the rope - Depression, here’s your warning
I ain’t fighting today and that don’t feel like defeat
Pre-chorus:
I can feel my mood get a little bit lighter
As my outlook grows just a little brighter
Chorus:
I’m not afraid today to show what I’m made of
I’m grateful for my love, my child and my pets
I’m thankful for the support I have
And the strength I’ve got within
Because I’m grateful
Sadness isn’t all there is
Here’s a throwback to an online collab I did in 2004 with Fred E. Jam, a great drummer and producer in Michigan who’s been highly dedicated to collaborating online. We also got Mike Mililo to lay down some killer sax riffs and Dennis Wieand to add some great texture with his Hammond organ. And of course, my wife Amy gave the song its character with her spoken parts at the beginning and end.
This song is the true story of that time I was in Atlantic City and blew all my available money for gambling within the first 15 minutes there! I was left with the rest of the day to wait and think about the quick losses while my family managed to nurse their money over the course of the day – ultimately I won, because I came up with this song!
Lyrics:
There’s no clock in this gambling house
No window on the fading light of day
My better judgment says “Get up, get out!”
But greed is standing in the way, yeah
My lucky hands they held the winning cards
I felt the ride would never end
Who thought saying no would be so hard
When you think a win’s around the bend, yeah
So have you got a couple bucks to lend?
Chorus:
Green light, go for the money
Now I’m running through the red
I’ve had my run on the table
Now I’m in above my head
I was sitting pretty
But now I’m broke instead
I’m telling you I should have quit while I was ahead
My next big win is on the credit card
I’ve got to make back everything I lost
This ain’t no foolin’ now, I’m playing hard
I will break even at all costs, yeah
I was the highest roller in the place
I pushed my luck a little bit too far
I’ve got to get myself back in the race
And play the chips on one more lucky star, yeah
So how much would you pay to buy my car?
Chorus
Outro:
Better quit, better quit while you’re ahead
Better quit, better quit while you’re ahead
Better quit, better quit while you’re ahead
Better quit, better quit…
(spoken) Coffee, soda, juice?
In 1992 I graduated college right into a recession. I remember seeing a political cartoon in a newspaper where graduates were handed a diploma and a spatula (as in fast-food). That image stuck with me as I landed a temp job in a corporate office and continued working entry-level jobs through my early 20s. Within a year or two I had written this humorous, quasi-tropical take on life in the office – a raucous water-cooler gathering and happy hour filled with gallows humor about the rumored downsizing on its way.
Hear the full track below from Bandcamp.com
Hear a sample below on Apple Music or Spotify.
…or find Cubicle wherever you stream music.
Comic strips like Dilbert came along and confirmed my visions of this song. In 1996 I recorded it with producer Annie Virrill, who first made a 4-track acoustic demo with me in her tiny apartment. Then we went to Third Studio from the Sun and cut it with engineers Dave Meyer and Dan Jerram.
Annie brought in an absolutely killer rhythm section: Joe Howell on bass and John Hummel on drums. Annie’s own quirky musical sensibilities found their way onto the record, like her use of a jaw harp, water cooler and manual typewriter. Add in friends Joey McNelis and Steve Gadjisz on Beach Boys-inspired harmonies and happy-hour banter during the solo, and the result perfectly captured what was going on in my head for 40 hours every week of my youth while working in a cubicle and daydreaming of rock stardom.
The artwork was masterfully done by Russ Mowry of Brushfire Designs, who, as my other collaborators, found elements of my song to set him off on his own artistic riffs. Look in the cover artwork for “icicle, bicycle, cubicle!”
Lyrics:
Here in my cubicle
I try to get the project done
Until I get a visitor
Who starts me over back at square one
Here in my cubicle
The phone rings off of the ugly green wall
Whoops! Here comes the manager
I pray it’s not a personal call
I collate and I staple
I make the mailing labels
My degree is on their file
They call this entry level
I’m running into deadline trouble
It has to get done on the double
I type til I get carpal tunnel
In my cubicle
Here in my cubicle
I’m checking for the mistakes
Everything looks all right
Now I’ve got time for a five-minute lunch break
Here in my cubicle
I play computer solitaire
Whoops! Here comes the president
He’s talking to the engineer, he says…
This is our opportunity
I say we downsize the company
I recommend the strategy
Trim the office and the factory
Quick! Better close the file
They’re coming up my aisle
Gulp down my Adam’s apple (GULP!)
Methinks me job’s in trouble
(Water cooler/happy hour chatter)
WHAT! Reogranization?!? Reorganization?!!!?!?!
I can’t believe how swift
They canned the second shift
They gave us lovely parting gifts, but
Now I find myself adrift
I wear a nametag and a funny hat
Would you like some fries with that
I wish that I was back….
In my cubicle
