Spotify – bendingtheneedle

“Along the Avenue” is Live on Music Streaming Services

“Along the Avenue,” the latest single from Sapient Rain, is live on Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Music.

Sapient Rain is a musical project that blends human creativity with artificial intelligence. It is a collaboration between writer/lyricist Geoffrey Reilly and the AI music engine, Suno.

You can listen to “Along the Avenue” for free on Suno.

Along the Avenue – Lyrics

We’re dancing in a dreamscape
of Dali clocks and limes
there’s cube-cheese
and fresh green grapes
and discussions of true crime

Life flutters in the milkweed
orange, white, and black
through the shutters
there’s a silkscreen
by the artist Halifax

Hear the TV in the kitchen
its tuned into cable news
In the bedroom
someone’s bitchin
about Kidman and Tom Cruise

We skinny dip with time
we’re drowning in her wake
get tangled in the vines
at the bottom of the lake
Our transience prevails
no matter what we do
sleepwalking on the trails
along the avenue

Cut by the sculptor’s chisel
we lie bleeding on the sand
the eye-spark starts to fizzle
when time grips us by the hand

We live on as dusty photos
in grainy videos online
YouTube provides a mojo
transcending the sublime

tell me what we’re doing
cuz I haven’t got a clue
alabaster armless statues
on burnt lawns of Timbuktu

We skinny dip with time
we’re drowning in her wake
get tangled in the vines
at the bottom of the lake
Our transience prevails
no matter what we do
sleepwalking on the trails
along the avenue

If you haven’t had a chance yet, please check out my book, My Paper, My Words: Rantings from a Progressive Boomer and Peeved Parent, from Amazon. And if you feel moved to write a review of the book, on Amazon, or anywhere else, I’d be honored.

My Paper, My Words is a collection of essays, stories, and poems that reflect the challenges of a middle-class husband and father trying to navigate a rapidly changing political, religious, and technological landscape of post-911 America.

Words to be Heard – Music for the Midterms

Protest songs don’t pack the societal punch they once did.

In an increasingly fragmented music culture, political activism has moved away from the record studio onto social media platforms. Factor in growing corporate cowardice and social cultural fatigue, and you’ve got an inhospitable landscape for protest songs to take hold and flourish – and that’s a fucking shame, because if there was ever a time for unifying the power of music against political corruption and maleficence, it’s today.

People who follow me on Instagram or subscribe to this blog might know about my musical project “Sapient Rain,” where I use the AI Music Engine Suno to showcase my poetry as song lyrics. They also likely know my deep displeasure with America’s turn towards fascism under the criminal Donald Trump.

For the Sapient Rain project, I’ve dropped two albums and multiple singles on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music, and nearly half of the songs protest the intellectual, emotional, and physical carnage that Donald Trump, his poisonous MAGA minions, and the feckless cowards in Congress have visited upon America and the world.

For me, Donald Trump is the unwanted muse who creeps into my thoughts whenever I hear him babble incoherently about subjects of monumental importance to humanity, forcing me to put my pen to paper.

Believe me, I’d rather be writing about other things.

In the next phase of my Sapient Rain project, which I am calling “Sapient Rain – Humanized,” I’ll be looking to work with actual musicians and singers on these songs, inviting them to take my lyrics and create their own renditions.

Until then, and for the upcoming 2026 midterm election, check out these protest songs (my lyrics, Suno’s music).

Feel free to share them with friends or comment on them here.

Song Title and Links	Overview	Favorite Lyric
Liar’s Spit and Gravel Listen free on Suno Stream on Spotify	A grunge-infused rap about the callousness of Donald Trump and a cabinet stocked with cronies and sycophants. The song is desperate plea for the emergence of true leaders and strong voices like Dylan, Bobby Kennedy, and Martin Luther King.	Autocratic In his tone His swelled-up ego overblown A head that’s crammed with nothing known Cuts lady justice to the bone He snaps her picture with his phone He loves how she’s become so prone to misogyny and testosterone
Weed Killer Listen free on Suno Stream on Spotify	An unplugged-alternative-rap about the abusive, lying, war criminal-pedophile and the supporters who enable him.	Redacts his name from the files Flips the script like Simone Biles Shames the victims starts a war He’s got no values at his core
Donny on Dementia Listen free on Suno Stream on Spotify	A post-punk-new-wave ditty about the cognitive decline of our commander in chief and the need to invoke the 25^th amendment to remove his sorry ass from office.	I have no idea what I’m doing You’re all paying a steep price I miss the days when I was screwing Instead of being Jesus Christ
On the Other End of Rockets Listen free on Suno Stream on Spotify	A dire song about the human consequence of war.	We’re living in a danger that gets darker by the day Drifting further from forgiveness alone inside our passion play
A Message from Michelle Listen free on Suno Stream on Spotify	A hard rocking song about the need for fresh blood and ethical leaders to counter the explosion of crass grifters and incompetent know-nothings ruining our country and putting the rest of the world in grave danger.	We’re appalled at what he’s normalized the hatred he’s unfurled Embarrassed by the crassness that he vomits on the world We truly feel abandoned Like our voices are not heard As the beatings and harassment strip us from our words
From Maine to Minnesota Listen free on Suno Stream on Spotify	Inspired by the violence that ICE agents perpetrated on communities in Maine and Minnesota and the need to stand up against the fascist tactics of ICE.	Full mags and clips they carry chips of grievance on their shoulder The hateful raids of ICE brigades turn citizens to soldiers
Strung Along Listen free on Suno Stream on Spotify	Inspired by the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, this song laments the cowardice of republicans in congress, while preaching on the value and importance of peaceful protest.	It’s remarkable how neatly this all falls apart In a congress full of cowards with hate inside their hearts
What Would Jesus Do? Listen free on Suno Stream on Spotify	A song about the hijacking of Christianity by the MAGA movement. Shame on those motherfuckers.	We’re bastardizing Jesus ignoring what he said not welcoming the stranger terrorizing them instead
Barbarians at the Gate Listen free on Suno Stream on Spotify	A warning about what happens after Trump exits the earth for good – because lets face it, he’s provided a blueprint for autocracy in America and there are plenty of crooked politicians waiting in the wings to take over the brand.	The despot is dead he’s pushing up daisies but there’s a fresh bumper-crop of the morally hazy With a blueprint for hate tightly clenched in their hand they arrive at the gate to take over the brand
I Wanna to Bomb Iran Listen free on Suno	I wrote these lyrics originally to be sung to the tune, “I wanna Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles well before Trump launched his illegal war against Iran.	When Bibi hugs me I feel happy inside It’s such a feeling that I scream genocide! genocide! genocide!
The Ballad of New Bobby and Joan Listen free on Suno Stream on Spotify	If only there were a couple of angry folk-inspired musicians crisscrossing the country, spreading the word about a corrupt administration at small concert halls and clubs where Americans gather – if only.	This is the ballad of new Bobby and Joan Fender guitar-lords with truth microphones This is the ballad of new Bobby and Joan bending their chords to the story they own
Hey Fascist, Catch Listen free on Suno Stream on Spotify	The lyrics are from a poem I wrote after the Charlie Kirk assassination. It’s about how dangerously divided America is and the potential for spiraling political violence that seems increasingly likely in the second Trump term.	We ought to run from martyrdom not pin it to our chest not canonize the hateful guys who scream that they know best
The Orange King Listen free on Suno Stream on Spotify	A rockabilly humdinger about the dangers of blind obedience to a power-thirsty politician who cares only about himself. Sound familiar?	A congress full of weaklings’ cowards one and all afraid of the dull shadows that they cast upon the wall
Oligarchic Kings Listen free on Suno Stream on Spotify	Intended to be belt-out in anger, this classic rock inspired song warns against an oligarchy overtaking American Democracy.	Oligarchic Kings are here to clip your wings to wrap a rope around your throat to cast dark shadows over hope to crush your dreams of better days to dress your colors in shades of greys
The Orange Morass Listen free on Suno Stream on Spotify	A song about a nation under the control of a bigoted, thin-skinned, criminal liar.	He’s the tear in the fabric that holds us together He’s the kink in the hose, and the blood on the feather He’s the drip in the faucet that keeps us awake He’s the menace in orange a thug on the take
Get a Load of Elon Listen free on Suno Stream on Spotify	I wrote the poem “Get a Load of Elon” after seeing the sickening footage of that smiling dirtbag laughing it up and swinging a chainsaw around like some fake-ass efficiency hero. Fuck that guy and everything he represents.	Killing all the agencies that assist the weak and poor Indiscriminate firings Pushing veterans out the door “Hey this what we sold you no need to be so sore” and he smiled a shitty grin at the blood that’s on the floor

New Single from Sapient Rain is Live on Spotify

“Trapped Inside the Bell Jar,” the latest single from Sapient Rain, is live on Spotify.

Sapient Rain is the artistic collaboration of writer/lyricist Geoffrey Reilly and the AI music engine Suno.

New Singles from Sapient Rain Coming to Streaming Services

I throw up a little in my mouth every time I watch Pete Hegseth and Donald “Biff Tannen” Trump pumping their fists and boasting (like teenage boys bathed in testosterone) about America’s war with Iran.

I’m infuriated by a Congress of mostly male members sitting on their hands and refusing to hold the Trump administration accountable for continually violating the Constitution and throwing our country and the world into chaos.

More than any time in our history, we need strong and ethical women leaders in government, industry, and education to help turn the tables on the toxic masculinity hurtling humanity towards a dark void of unending violence and oppression.

For the last several months, I’ve been using Suno, an AI Music Engine, to showcase lyrics and poems I’ve written and published to my personal blog, Bending the Needle – Truth Hurts.

I’m releasing several singles next week on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube Music. The singles share a theme of women struggling against the unrelenting pressure of a patriarchal society.

I’m including public links to these new songs on Suno as a preview of their upcoming releases on streaming services.

The Queen’s Gambit

I wrote the lyrics to this song after re-watching “The Queen’s Gambit”, a limited series on Netflix about a troubled female chess prodigy fighting her way to the pinnacle of a profession dominated by men – finding redemption on sixty-four squares of sanctuary.

The Queens Gambit on Suno.

Trapped Inside the Bell Jar

Trapped Inside the Bell Jar is about the poet Sylvia Plath’s struggle with mental illness, patriarchy, and a cheating husband, and how she used emotional pain and public shame to fuel a posthumous rise to literary greatness.

Trapped Inside the Bell Jar on Suno.

New Bobby and Joan (Rap Version)

Originally, I used Suno to select a New Wave musical framework to showcase my poem, The Ballad of New Bobby and Joan.

This rap version tells the story of two fed-up musicians at the top of their game, protesting the greed, authoritarianism, and corruption in American politics today.

New Bobby and Joan (Rap Version) on Suno.

A Message from Michelle

A Message from Michelle is both a tribute and a plea to the former first lady to continue to speak out strongly against the hateful and dangerously authoritarian Trump regime. I know it’s a lot to ask of Michelle Obama, who was crystal clear on what America would become under a Trump presidency.

A Message from Michelle on Suno.

Fury and Flow

Fury and Flow is a fun take on the adventures of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz as she tries to overcome the obstacles that keep her from getting back to her Kansas Kin.

Fury and Flow on Suno

“Wounded” is Now Available on Music Streaming Services

Hello everyone,

“Wounded”, a creative endeavor between me and the AI Music Engine, Suno, and a follow-up to “Wisdom’s Water”, is available on iHeart, Apple Music, and Spotify.

“Wounded” presents an eclectic collection of songs spanning musical genres, from rockabilly and grunge-inflected bangers to melodic country western ballads.

The work appears under the artist profile “Sapient Rain.”

The lyrics are from poems I’ve written that focus on individuals wounded by love, depression, and the whims of demented, power-hungry authoritarians.

I had a lot of fun crafting the lyrics and working with Suno to select the musical score for my poetry.

Wounded Teaser 4: Donny Shakes the Jar

Donny Shakes the Jar
Donny stirs the pot
Donny knows that hate and fear
are really all he’s got

Insurrectionists as martyrs
the freedom fighter lies
“A fraudulent election!”
his fake-ass battle cry

He’s got minions on the take
and congress in his pocket
FOX to help him spin the lies
Vlad Putin in his locket

On 02/26/26, the single “Donny Shakes the Jar” from the album “Wounded” comes out on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and iTunes under the artist profile “Sapient Rain.”

Sapient Rain is the artistic collaboration of writer/lyricist Geoffrey Reilly and the AI music engine Suno.

Click here to pre-save Wounded on Spotify.

Wounded Teaser 3: Neo-fascist-oligarchic-expialidocious

We cannot be afraid to speak at what is being done
Trump’s a bully and freak who wants to shock and stun
With fascists in our government, this isn’t a dry run
And so, we have a song to sing, a song that must be sung

GO!

Neo-fascist-oligarchic-expialidocious
Elon-Bezos-Zuckerberg are really quite atrocious
We need to fight them in the streets and call them on their grossness
Neo-fascist-oligarchic-expialidocious

Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I
Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I
Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I
Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I

On 02/26/26, the single “Neo-fascist-oligarchic-expialidocious” from the album “Wounded” comes out on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and iTunes under the artist profile “Sapient Rain.”

Sapient Rain is the artistic collaboration of writer/lyricist Geoffrey Reilly and the AI music engine Suno.

Click here to pre-save Wounded on Spotify.

Wounded Teaser 2: MAGA The PSYOP

News is now tribal
with no true reporting
FOX is the bible
a church for consorting
Where lies
lead to lust
for the ignorant masses
gaping and raping
in their Eva Braun glasses

Troubadour tribesmen
of white patriarchy
pied-piping pitchmen
for the new oligarchy
Putin has puppets
Elon and Don
a triad of hatred
running a con

MAGA the psyop
bot fueled infection,
just misinformation,
and mindful dissection
Wake all the people
Before its too late
He never meant
to make America Great

On 02/26/26, the single “MAGA The PYSOP” from the album “Wounded” comes out on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and iTunes under the artist profile “Sapient Rain.”

Sapient Rain is the artistic collaboration of writer/lyricist Geoffrey Reilly and the AI music engine Suno.

Click here to pre-save Wounded on Spotify.

Wisdom’s Water is Now Available on Music Streaming Services

Hello everyone,

Wisdom’s Water, a creative endeavor between me and the AI Music Engine, Suno, is now available on Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Spotify.

The work appears under the artist profile “Sapient Rain.”

The lyrics on Wisdom’s Water come from poems I’ve written and published over the last few years, and center around themes of religion, violence in America, civic responsibility, and the fragility of democratic ideals.

The music is generated by Suno and adds a second consciousness to the collaboration, shifting from atmospheric tension to rhythmic urgency, mirroring the political and social turbulence the album explores.

I had a lot of fun crafting the lyrics and working with Suno to select the musical score for my poetry.

I’m inspired by all the artists and citizens who are speaking out and protesting in defense of our democracy. I believe this album will resonate with anyone concerned about the troubling direction in which our country is heading under Donald Trump’s fascist regime.

Not all of the songs on Wisdom’s Water are protest songs, but many are. I hope you download, stream, and share them with friends and family. And I hope you enjoy listening to them!

And finally, look for my second collaboration with Suno, titled Wounded, which will be available on streaming services on February 26th, 2026.

Click here to pre-save Wounded on Spotify.

From Maine to Minnesota Available on Music Streaming Services Today

Check out “From Maine to Minnesota,” my collaboration with AI Music Generator Suno, available on Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Spotify today.