I’m proud to share with you “Come For The Tacos” the 10th and newest song from my album One In A Row.
Back in November I started Songwriting Club with a couple of other local artists. The club is all about accountability. As a member of the club you are required to spend at least twenty minutes a day working on songwriting. “Come For the Tacos” is one of the songs that I wrote during a Songwriting Club session.
Lately I’ve been doing my best to write songs that carry more emotional weight than a typical Mike Votava song. This involves going to vulnerable places and putting more of myself into the songs. It’s not an easy thing for me to do. I don’t particularly like writing about myself. I feel like an incompetent fraud, like an uninteresting idiot, and sometimes like a whiny little baby. And it’s scary to share that with folks.
You might be thinking right now Oh come on. Your song is called Come For The Tacos! That doesn’t sound scary at all. More emotional weight my ass … what the hell?! Get over yourself, dummy! and I gotta say, you have a good point!
Maybe I’m still hiding a bit behind funny words like “tacos” and “pepperoni”. But I can’t just turn that part of my brain off. And even if I could, I’m not sure I’d want to. I enjoy that part of my brain (it’s the best part). I’ am working on trying to tame it though. Consider this song as baby steps on journey to place that I’m not yet sure where I’m going or what it will look like when I get there.
What makes “Come For The Tacos” different than some of my other songs is that I am the central character in the song. That’s me. I’m right in there. I’m most recognizable in the third verse when I accidentally yell at the grocery store clerk (Does that ever happen to you?).
The central theme of the song is about accepting and celebrating your flaws, and making the choice to focus on the good parts. It’s not about tacos.. remember, baby steps. Be nice.
I hope you like the song.
I’m quite proud that I finally hit the double-digit song mark for this One In A Row album project. 10 songs!
I’d like to take a moment to congratulate myself. It feels good!
Bonus Song Nugget #1
No Bass
I’ve been listening a lot to the new Caroline Rose album Year of The Slug. I love it. The songs are very stripped down with minimal arrangements. Often just a couple instruments and voice.
I wanted to do the same for “Come For The Tacos”. It has two instruments, acoustic and electric guitar, plus vocals. That’s it. So no bass.
Bonus Song Nugget #2
And the award for best line in the song goes to…
Because I’m just another regular jerk off
You can find it in the third verse of the song.
Speaking of regular jerk offs, if you’re into that sort of thing now might be a good time for you to check out regularjerkoff.com
You are probably asking why on Earth would somebody spend the time to build that website?
Good question!
The answer is because I was drunk.
Bonus Song Nugget #3
New Guitar
I got a new guitar a couple weeks ago. A Sire Larry Carlton J5 Jazzmaster.
I’ve been wanting a Jazzmaseter because that’s the kind of guitar Jessica Dobson from Deep Sea Diver plays and she’s the best! Now I can pretend that I’m as cool as she is.
View this post on Instagram
I played it on this track. First time I’ve used it on a recording.
I’ve been using it at Ding Dongs band rehearsals too. And the reviews from my band mates have been stellar.
I plan on playing it at the next Mike Votava and The Ding Dongs show at Tim’s Tavern on May 23. You should go!
Come For The Tacos
by Mike Votava
I know where I’m going for the rest of my life
that’s not something to hang your hat on
next time you see me wasting precious time
lean in a little bit closer
I’ll mumble hi
Come for the tacos and leave the rest behind
Tombstone in the oven
cheese and pepperoni
good thing I’m in a hurry to burn my mouth
truth is this whole incident could have been avoided
had I posessesed the wisdom to slow down
Come for tacos
leave the rest behind
that’s my motto
Here I am buying groceries
standing in line because I’m just another regular jerk off
No I would not like my receipt
please proceed to crumple it up
sorry for all the yellling
that’s just the way I talk
Everyone has thoughts on how things should be done
so many theories
I’ve begun to tunnel through this hot garbage in my way