This is track two from "Fragments of the Lost Album". Anti Social Commentary's 2008 album that was thought lost for good until a an export of 8 of the tracks was recently discovered on an old hard drive. You can read about that discovery here.
Layers of Separation is written around a rather unusual topic
The web publishing rule of separation, at the time, helped us to explain the best practice and implementation of HTMl, CSS and JavaScript, generally making the interwebs a better place. Not exactly your typical inspiration for what on the surface, sounds as though it's a song about a girl. I guess even when you've made an unintentional career out of being an IT professional, you're bound to write at least one song about computers in some form or other.
This song takes me back to my first ever supervisory role. I was heading up a an IT support group staffed entirely by University Info Tech and Business students. It's probably the most enjoyable job I've ever had. It was incredibly rewarding to be around enthusiastic students who were eager to learn and to put their knowledge into practice. It was one of my then staff who suggested I write a song about computers. I gladly took up the challenge and couldn't be happier with the result.
This is also one of the only songs I've written that has a key change. While you wouldn't want to do it in every song, a key change is a super effective way to give a big lift to the finish of a song.
Lyrics
The only thing that’s unique about her
is the division of her structure into a set of acted out methods
Regardless of the data she receives or the logic that she uses
She’ll be difficult to contain and it won’t go away
She’s responsible for her style
But not unhealthy obsessed with aesthetics and application
Don’t be fooled into thinking you can alter her impression
If you’re messing with structure you’re messing with her head
Responsibility and validation
She’s looking for transportation
A side-step solution for an age old process
She usually conforms without duress
She’ll remain tied to the layers of separation
Dynamic interactions and real-time effects
She’s attracted more attention than she knows from those who admire
But she plays by her rules so you must be unobtrusive to gain consideration
Planning for a future is always complex; is she somewhat separated from what comes next?
Responsibility and validation
She’s looking for transportation
A side-step solution for an age old process
She usually conforms without duress
She’ll remain tied to the layers of separation
She knows it’s time to settle on what she will present
Should she go for radical or traditional or her tried and tested method
She knows she can accomplish anything she sets her mind upon
Best handled tenderly with love and care but she’ll delegate affection if you let her
Responsibility and validation
She’s looking for transportation
A side-step solution for an age old process
She usually conforms without duress
She’ll remain tied to the layers of separation
My video is at DLive