Glen Phillips: Skeleton for School

Another song by Glen Phillips I’ve fallen for lately: Skeleton for School. It’s odd, in that I originally thought of it more as a lullaby…but there’s a line midway through the song that’s a bit of a whopper.

What catches me most about this song are the key changes. Specifically, what happens during these lyrics:

There’s a lot of great movement in the notes, with this section of the song. It shifts upwards a bit, and the G# adds this slight rounded corner to things… and then the tune settles down a bit. E Major to C major I think? Not sure exactly what it is, but I really like it.

The first verse was what made me think this was originally a lullaby, as it seems to address a child. But then, it shifts and feels more like a somber love letter to a friend that took his own life. There is a child-like quality to the song overall, but the subject matter definitely takes a turn.

I like listening to and singing this song. But it feels a little odd, at times – like it’s a very personal story/song from Phillips, and I’m intruding by taking it on as my own.

I’ve had a few friends who have taken their own lives. Not many, but one is more than I want. I think of them, when listening to this song.

Related:
Glen Phillips: Courage
Glen Phillips: Grief and Praise
James Taylor and a Surprisingly Existential Moment During My Physical Therapy Session