"War Games" by Lucas Kellison | Music Exam Video

by Michael Todd

Next thing you know, we'll be seeing it on a few best sellers lists: The Power of the Shower. For now, though, English-teacher-in-the-making Lucas Kellison is writing music, not how-to books, and he's producing his next full album in between grad school and studio work for others at his own SadSon Music Group in Lincoln.

Maybe it's for the best that he doesn't go into the soapy details. Kellison says his newest fully fleshed-out piece, "War Games," was born while he was in the flesh and nothing else, in the shower, that is. Stark naked with only a chorus melody in mind, he dashed to his computer to churn out lyrics in 10 minutes. Then he called keyboardist Spencer Hansen and drummer Luke Oswald and proposed they finish the song, from writing to mastering, in one day.

Here's what happened, broken down in audio clips of Kellison describing the process, a pair of videos of him teaching how to play the song and a stream of "War Games" itself accompanied by lyrics at the bottom. Dig in. Stay tuned for more about Kellison's forthcoming album as details are released.

THE HIGHLIGHTS ON GUITAR

THE UNCUT LESSON INCLUDING BASS

THE FULL SONG

LYRICS

These are war games, war games
These are war games
And when you play ‘em, girl, you let me know nothing’s gonna change
These are war games, war games
These are war games
And when you play ‘em, girl, you let me know nothing’s gonna change

Declaration has been made
Let’s call a spade a spade
No more drones, unnecessary
‘Cause you’re the new revolutionary

I’ll make a stand but I know
It’s nothing more than principle
Well, I can hear your trumpets blare
I gotta know that you still care

And with my hands tied, I’ll abide
I’ll be your prisoner if you prefer
I know I won’t be fazed when the guns blaze
So let it begin, and I’ll let you win

These are war games, war games
These are war games
And when you play ‘em, girl, you let me know nothing’s gonna change
These are war games, war games
These are war games
And when you play ‘em, girl, you let me know nothing’s gonna change

Tried my best to reconcile
With picket signs, I walked the mile
Sent you letters with my concerns
Dodged the draft when bridges burned
Lit myself like monk
Guess you couldn’t smell the funk
Now I stand, now I wait
I see your guns, you seal my fate

And with my hands tied, I’ll abide
I’ll be your prisoner if you prefer
No, I won’t be fazed when the guns blaze
So let it begin, and I’ll let you win

These are war games, war games
These are war games
And when you play ‘em, girl, you let me know nothing’s gonna change
These are war games, these are war games
These are war games
And when you play ‘em, girl, you let me know nothing’s gonna change

White flag raised before the war begins
I don’t want to fight this battle
But I can never be your friend
At the end of the day, we have ourselves a charade
You'll call the desert "freedom," I stare at your parade

These are war games, war games
These are war games
And when you play ‘em, girl, you let me know nothing’s gonna change
These are war games, war games
These are war games
And when you play ‘em, girl, you let me know nothing’s gonna change

I’ll make a stand but I know
It’s nothing more than principle
I can hear your trumpets blare
I gotta know that you still care

Michael Todd is Hear Nebraska's managing editor. He pulled into a gas station close to Lucas' studio before they met for an interview at 10:30 p.m., and he reloaded his slender black recorder's memory card. Understandably, the gas station attendant came outside and was watching closely for any quick moves. Reach Michael at michaeltodd@hearnebraska.org.

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