I grew up in Yemen where we didn't have consistent access to electricity. My parents taught me how to make shadow puppets whenever the light went out. We were always prepared for sudden power outages and had candles within reach, and we would pass the time by telling stories and making funny shapes with shadows. Recently, I realized that I haven't done that in a while. I haven't experienced many power outages since I moved to the US. The power doesn't typically go out in the West. 

There was a period in my life when I associated power outages with airstrikes, which made the few power outages I experienced in the West very hard to deal with mentally (flashback to that one time it snowed in Texas). But I have been working on rewiring my brain to associate power outages with more positive things! Like bonding with family and making shadow bunnies.

So....

Is this a song about how I miss simpler times? Or is it a song about light pollution and how it has disconnected us from telling each other stories and enjoying simple things? Perhaps it's a song about how my friends in the West never experienced consistent power outages and therefore cannot relate to those memories. But really, it's all of the above.

As a child, I used to dislike power outages because they interrupted my TV-watching time. However, in hindsight, I realize that those moments brought my family closer together. Nowadays, I would give anything to relive those days again. Although they were challenging times, they created lasting memories that I cherish.

Music Video link: https://youtu.be/pvIGsSTokEA

Listen to this also on Spotify: 

https://spotify.link/mmnoOVeCSIb

Listen to this also on SoundCloud:

soundcloud.com/mm2x2/shadow-puppets-lullaby

Download/Listen on Newgrounds:  https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/project/5621296

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwAAM1Ixs4JlJ8OnUAcOecw

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Fx78O5DLbmtR8ZPXSDIhU

Software Used:

Fl Studio 21

Vocaloid 6

Lyrics:

In my lonely room, a music box plays

Urging the shadow puppets to dance 

To come alive in the dim light

In my lonely room, a music box plays

As the sun starts rising, they wane

I don't see them no more.

The sun never sets here, I don't see them no more.

No more shadow puppets dancing, to come alive in the dim light.

The sun never sets here, I don't see them no more

no cloak of darkness to dance upon the walls in the dim light.

I reach for the curtain, to block the neverending glow

to set the shadows free in the dim light

The sun never sets here. I wish I could see them more. 

It persists, as my curtain catches flame,

causing more light

I reach for the curtain, to block the neverending light

to set the shadows free in the moonlight

The sun never sets here. The puppet's hands reaches out

it persists but the light is way too strong.

Lost my puppet in the brightness. No more stories to share

Lost my puppet, now nothing reflects my heart in the shadow

The sun never sets here. I don't see them no more.

No more shadow puppets dancing, to come alive in the dim light.

In the moments that follow, the music box goes silence

I lost its delicate tune.

Without darkness, I am alone. 

Looking at the burnt curtain

as it whispers their tales

I turn to the sun, have you ever, seen them dance?

The sun speaks of a world forever bright.

Oh, sun, but have you ever seen them dance?

The sun confides, "I've never seen a shadow in my life"

Yet, I smile, embracing the duality,

For shadows reveal life's true reality.

In the moments that follow, the music box goes silence

I lost its delicate tune.

Yet, I smile, embracing the duality,

For shadows reveal life's true reality.

To come alive in the dim light.

Credits:

Animation done by Leonor Calaça: https://www.leonorcalaca.com

Girl design (mm-chan) by Saeraphiina: https://www.instagram.com/saeraphiina?igsh=MXBtMzdsemozc3E2aw%3D%3D