Rob Morrison – “Arlington”
Americana Highways is hosting this premiere of Rob Morrison’s song “Arlington” from his forthcoming album.“Arlington” was recorded at Debbie Tjong’s apartment, with an incredible new iso booth from a company called Studiobrick. Debbie mixed and produced it as well.
Musicians on “Arlington” are Rob Morrison on lead vocals, backup vocals, acoustic guitar, pedal, steel, and mandolin; Lauren Molina on cello and backup vocals; and Debbie Tjong on bass, percussion, and organ.
This trio had never played together on original music before this was recorded, but the result sounds like something written in the stars. Bright acoustic guitar, bright falsetto vocals, and lyrically shining a light on insincerity, it’s a battle over nonsensical bravado in a protest song. “I’m six feet underground here in Arlington [national cemetery] … Do you think that I am a sucker, that’s what he said…. you’re slaughtering my memory here in Arlington,” this is a lilting confrontation underscoring the illogic and weakness of profiteering, false patriotism and arbitrary cruelty.
At its core, “Arlington” is a protest song. Earlier this year, I was working for a while in Arlington, VA. It was hard for me not to think of the presence of the cemetery nearby, and certain events that had happened there in recent history (this was in July of 2024, before certain additional events took place). All at once, the premise for the song just uploaded itself into me. Boom. I know it sounds a little corny, but it was like a vision. Not all songs happen that way, but in my experience, the best ones usually do. There wasn’t anything to do except grab a pencil and write it down…about 30 minutes later, the whole piece was fully formed. I don’t want to overtalk what the song is about – I think it explains itself. I had been listening to Phil Ochs albums over and over during that time, and I was feeling inspired by his boldness in addressing hypocrisy through song. And Ochs married these brutal, acerbic lyrics to these elegant, beautiful melodies, which is a songwriting technique I find really compelling. If I had to put a finer point on it, I’d say “Arlington” is an indictment against folks who throw around words like “patriotism” despite being of a character that couldn’t be less patriotic. – Rob Morrison
Find more information here on his website: https://www.therobmorrison.com/