I wrote this in February 2020, after a friend got cyber bullied and relentlessly abused for daring to talk sense in some Facebook comments. It got me thinking about the compelling, compulsive relationship we have with social media, and how abusive - and yet addictive - that relationship can be. Sometimes I want to unplug, and take my energy elsewhere; hence this song.
I rediscovered the lyrics today when looking through old notebooks, and have finally had a first go at putting it to music.

All words and music (c) Alice Nicholls, 2025.



Detached (demo 5.3.25)

Had these lyrics for a while, and the vague outline of a structure. Thought up some edits and changed some lyrics while stuck in traffic this afternoon, came home, scribbled them down, and recorded this little demo.
The one good thing about the world going to hell is that there's plenty of inspiration for political protest singers.

Margins Of Error (demo 7.3.25)

Cheating lovers in a motel.

Lyrics:
At the Motel down by the Liquor Store
"Do not disturb" sign hangs upon the door
Informing Housekeeping of the status of "Our Armour"
You arch your back in a way that I just can't ignore

You say I'm a simpleton
I just watch my pay per view
Your minds on him
And my heart feels so blue
Because I'm
Full-time bastard
I'm your part-time handsome man
Part-time, handsome man

Does your husband see your sad eyes?
And think their true?
I feel like a small part of you
Housekeeping comes once a day
But you like to cum 
So much more than that
You say

Baby, I'm a simpleton
I watch my pay per view
Then I know your hearts with him
I know my heart is blue
I'm a full time bastard
What are you?

I'm your part time handsome man...

Part -Time Handsome Man

Thanks you so much for listening!

I try to write with rich lyrical details and self-deprecating humor about the human condition. Plus, that unique Shade Structure sound!  It sounds best with headphones. Thanks for any comments, reposts or likes.

Discography: Available under Album tag on my Soundcloud main page. Free Downloads/ Always Free
* The Curse Of A Good Looking Ghost (2024)
* Low Profile (2024)
* Smilers (EP 2023)
•Short Songs For Tall Minds"  (2022)
•Friends, They're Gonna Get Your Story Wrong (2021)
•A Suburban Dadaist With Some Store Bought Beats (2021)
•All Feel and No Technique (2020)
•This Is How I Spend My Nights (2019)
•California Songs (2018-2019)
All sounds contained within are home-made/DIY recordings. Most songs are short stories, as I am influenced by Musicians & Writers like Raymond Carver, Warren Zevon, Mountain Goats, Tom Waits, Mark Eitzel,  Randy Newman, Destroyer, Steely Dan, Captain Beefheart, Loudon Wainwright III, Leonard Cohen & The National. Most songs have the lyrics on the song page. Thank you for listening!

New tracks tagged #Punk Piano