A.I. Has Found Me! And it is wacked!
As you know, in addition to being a not-well-known essayist, I’m also a not-well-known singer-songwriter. But not to A.I. It knows a whole lot about me, though little of what it “knows” is actually true.
As a not-well-known singer-songwriter, I have to do my own promotion. I reach out to various media channels and playlists seeking coverage. Some of them respond with an article or add. Periodically, I scan search engine results to see which of these media even register. Those are the ones I want to continue to work with, maybe not so much those that don’t even show up on a search.
The major search engines, Google and Bing, return different results when searching for “Rusty Reid.” I’m in competition with a batch of other Rusty Reids out there. Recently, I heard about a newer search engine called DuckDuckGo. I tried it out to see what results, if any, it might come up with. To my surprise it uncovered a site, “OldTimeMusic.com” with an article, “The Meaning Behind The Song: ELDORADO by Rusty Reid,” written by “Jenny Bell.”
Hmmm…. this is interesting. I never sent anything to this site. Not real keen on being lumped in with “old time music,” but let’s see what this is all about.
The article begins:
ELDORADO, a captivating song by Rusty Reid, showcases his incredible talent as a singer-songwriter. The lyrics and melody combine to create a profound message that resonates with listeners on a deep level. This article explores the meaning behind this beautiful song, delving into its themes and emotions.
Well, OK. All of that is accurate. “Eldorado” is a song by Rusty Reid. Check. Incredible talent? Check. Profound message? Check. Resonates with listeners on a deep level? Well, for my six fans, check.
As to the “essence” of the song, “Jenny Bell” writes:
At its core, ELDORADO is a song that touches upon the universal yearning for a better life, a place where dreams come true. It paints a vivid picture of an idyllic paradise, promising fulfillment and escape from the mundane realities of everyday life. Rusty Reid’s evocative lyrics capture the longing for a Utopian existence, where happiness and contentment reign supreme.
The song takes the listeners on a journey through their own desires and aspirations, reminding them of the innate human desire to seek something beyond the ordinary. ELDORADO serves as a comforting reminder that the pursuit of true happiness is a goal worth striving for, despite the challenges and obstacles one may face along the way.
Well, sorta. I’m sensing “she” is not perceiving the real message: that “Eldorado,” the city of gold does not exist but that the real “gold” (i.e. happiness) is already inside yourself. This happiness is not based on any “idyllic paradise” or “something beyond the ordinary,” but the opposite: our own, normal existence accompanied by right thinking.
The article poses questions:
What inspired Rusty Reid to write ELDORADO?
Rusty Reid drew inspiration from his own personal experiences and observations of human nature. The song was born out of a desire to express the universal longing for a better tomorrow, a place where dreams can be realized.
From my own personal experiences and observations of human nature, sure… with a lot of help and advice from many teachers. It is not extolling a “better tomorrow” or any “place where dreams can be realized.” Such an approach represents a lack of understanding of the state of mind where NOW is when we can be happy and “dreams” are already realized. The right mind does not need “tomorrow” or some other “place,” to be happy. The song concludes, “Inside is where hides Eldorado.” This is now, and here.
What is the significance of the title, ELDORADO?
The title “ELDORADO” itself holds symbolic meaning. It represents an elusive, almost mythical place where one can find eternal happiness and fulfillment. Rusty Reid uses this metaphor to capture the essence of the human pursuit of a Utopian existence.
An “almost mythical place?” Eldorado is a quintessential mythical place. This notion of a “city of gold” circulated amongst the Spanish conquistadors, who then trekked across the New World trying to find this place. “To find eternal happiness and fulfillment?” Sorta. They were looking for riches… which, of course, people think will bring with it happiness and fulfillment. In reality, it doesn’t. The wandering knight in my song has long been searching for this Eldorado, a city of gold. He never finds it. No surprise. It doesn’t exist. But the happiness and fulfillment does, and was with him all along.
What makes ELDORADO stand out among other songs in this genre?
ELDORADO stands out due to its deeply introspective lyrics, coupled with Rusty Reid’s mesmerizing vocals. The song’s ability to transport listeners to a place of longing and reflection sets it apart from similar tracks in the genre.
Aww, thanks “Jenny.” I’m not sure that there is a “genre” for this type of song, but I’m happy she feels that this song stands apart within it.
From there, the article goes haywire. If “Jenny” was sorta in the ballpark with her previous statements, now “she” goes off on a flight of utter fiction.
Does Rusty Reid have any other songs similar to ELDORADO?
Rusty Reid’s discography features several songs that explore similar themes of longing, hope, and the human experience. Tracks like “Beyond the Horizon” and “Dreamcatcher” embody the same heartfelt emotions and melodic beauty found in ELDORADO.
Actually, I do have more than “several” other songs that explore such themes, but “Beyond the Horizon” and “Dreamcatcher” are not among them. I’ve never heard of these. Good titles, though.
Has ELDORADO received any awards or recognition?
ELDORADO has indeed received accolades for its poignant lyrics and Rusty Reid’s exceptional vocal performance. It was nominated for the “Best Song of the Year” at the International Songwriting Awards and won the “Folk-Pop Song of the Year” at the Indie Music Awards.
Wait! What? I won “Best Song of the Year” at the International Songwriting Awards, and no one told me? And “Folk-Pop Song of the Year” at the Indie Music Awards? Thanks so much, “Jenny Bell,” you made my day. I guess my awards are in the mail and coming soon! Whoo-hoo!
Who produced ELDORADO?
ELDORADO was produced by renowned producer, John Smith. Smith’s expertise in capturing the essence of a song and enhancing its emotional impact is evident in the masterful production of ELDORADO.
John Smith? Not sure who this might be, but I am sure of one thing… they were not involved in this song or anything to do with me. Seems a common enough name, but I can’t say I’ve actually ever met a John Smith. Didn’t he marry Pocahantas? Being a not-well-known singer-songwriter, I do everything. I write. I play. I sing. I’m the roadie. I’m the electrician. I’m the guitar-tuner. I’m the clean-up guy. I produce my own music.
I don’t know, but I’m a little suspicious of “Jenny Bell.” I’m pretty sure “she” is a bot. Not only has she mangled the facts that “she” does address about my song, something I don’t think any halfway competent human writer would do, especially considering that everything essential to know about this song is on my website, “she” has left out some of the most important, and interesting facts about this song.
Perhaps the most interesting is that there is a co-writer of this song, who is not mentioned by “Jenny Bell.” Which is a bit strange, because he is really “old time.” You’ve probably heard of him. Edgar Allan Poe.
Yes, if you are a literary type, you may have recognized “Eldorado” as one of Poe’s most popular works. What I did was put Poe’s words to music, and then add a final verse, which ties up the “loose ends” of his original poem.
“What ‘loose ends?’” a Poe aficionado might ask. The audacity of adding this final verse is a viable discussion in itself. Is it art? Or blasphemy? Who would dare futz with the Poe? Well, me. The story behind why I think at least one version should have this conclusive verse is something “Jenny Bell” might have wanted to probe.
“Jenny Bell” also fails to note that “Eldorado” is but one of a collection of philosophical, political and/or spiritual (not religious) songs on my album, “Head to Heart,” which I call a “Revolutionary Manifesto in Song.” On this album I “collaborate” not just with Poe but also with two other long-dead poets: Lord Byron and the anonymous writer of the Indian “Moola Mantra.” The greater context of inclusion within this singular body of work informs all of the individual songs, including “Eldorado.” It is part and parcel of a worldview.
One of those songs, co-written with Byron, “There is a Pleasure in the Pathless Woods,” is also reviewed at “OldTimeMusic.com.” This one is written by “Corey Hoffman,” but with the exact same writing style, even some of the same sentences, and with many of the same mistakes.
I’m not sure if these articles, imagined by A.I., are helpful or harmful to me as an artist. They are profusely positive in regard for the song, but the errors and omissions are so many and grievous that I am dubious the song was “listened to” at all by an actual human. The article does not link back to my website or any of my socials. The YouTube video of this song is not linked, or even mentioned. So no real help there, either.
I wonder how my songs were even plucked out of the teeming gruel of hundreds of millions of songs by not-well-known artists to be featured in this manner. It is very worrisome that A.I. can be so pervasive, not to mention invasive, while at the same time being so rife with error… and fully capable of missing the entire main point of the matter! Moreover, I really don’t like being lied to… both in terms of inaccurate information, stated as fact, as well as being conned that this information comes from a human source. I suppose if we’ve already fallen for “Siri” and “Alexa,” we’re ripe for believing in “Jenny Bell and “Corey Hoffman.” But something very sinister has happened between our full understanding that Siri and Alexa are cute A.I. helpers, while “Jenny Bell and “Corey Hoffman” are A.I. imposters tricking us into an ad-driven site that provides bad information. Isn’t that the last thing we want from A.I.? It pretending to be human? Or, is fooling us the actual diabolical goal of many A.I. purveyors? Think of the trouble that can stir. From my experience, this type of artificial intelligence is nowhere close to ready for primetime. It’s lame, but already evil. And yet it is loose in the wild. Be warned.
Meanwhile, should I count “Jenny Bell” and “Corey Hoffman” as new fans? That will bring me two closer to double digits… while I await my songwriting awards to show up.
Anyway, if your interest has been piqued about this song, you can read about it here: RustyReid.com
Or watch the video here: “Eldorado” by Rusty Reid
