2025 Competition Lyrics Entry:

Dichotome by Rodney Jackson

Lyrics

Oh oh oh oh (repeat 4)
VERSE 1
I’m a man, made of flesh and blood, that’s my dichotome. Mind and spirit, filled with hate and love. That’s all inside of me. My body formed, from the earth. Spirit given from above. But deep within, there’s a war. Divided to my very core.

REFRAIN
There’s a side of me, an honest noble man filled with love and peace. And there’s a side of me, you don’t wanna see, that’s my dichotome. (repeat)

VERSE 2
Oh I’m man, made of skin and bone. That’s my dichotome. Mind and matter, body and soul. that’s all inside of me. when I want to do good, evil is always near. Antagonizing thoughts. The Angel’s in my ear. Moral acts, a kind show. Immoral traits, wicked and cold. (back to refrain)

VAMP
That’s my dichotome (not a put on or a play)
That’s my dichotome (nothing made up or fake)
That’s my dichotome (something you can feel)
That’s my dichotome (cause it’s genuine and real) (repeat)

RAP
Slight difference in opinion of profane and profound. Something sacrilegious can be both reflective and sound. the same mouth that sends applause and utters well of your name. will also be the one that ridicules and steals someone fame. It’s not mysterious but is exclusive. For why? Internal producing external evidence. huh? But live your life to enjoy, with methods that you employ, producing fruit that takes the form of something that you look for.

VAMP2
Even if I fill my heart with joy, and let me laugh forever more, you I worship and adore, it’s my dichotome, my dichotome.
Even if I fill my life with pain, and live it all for material gain, I will worship just the same, it’s my dichotome, my dichotome. (repeat)

Bio

As the fourth child, third boy to Rev. Ralph and Clara Jackson, the expectations for this child were not apparent but rather hazy. The first two male children excelled in athletics at an early age. I progressed rather slowly in this area. Mom saw this and immediately interjected an artsy approach to my development; the piano. While dad vehemently attempted to excite some kind of dormant athletic gene, mom also put her plan in action. I began studying music with my older sister under the tutelage of the late Dr. Evelyn Morgan. It became evident that the gift of music was innate within me. So from the young age of six and the guidance of MOM, I dedicated the talent to God and His service.

At the age of thirteen I began playing for churches. My first assignment started as the Sunday school musician for Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church where Rev. Samuel Jones is still pastor. Trained as a classical musician, gospel music was easy to pick up and play. Being in church all my life made matters that much simpler as well. All of the songs we sang were Hymnals so they were simple enough to pick up. As a result, I began to develop my ear and stray away from reading music. No longer confined by the sight of music, I began to allow what was inside my head to flow through my hands.

At twenty four I began studying under KBN, Kevin Burroughs Neeley. An accomplished singer, song writer, producer and purpose driven man, who relocated to STL from LA, was an ideal opportunity for someone like myself who had multiple ideas but NO direction. (That along with the fact that I was chasing a young lady as well). St. Louis Christian Center, a organization that originated in California under the Crenshaw Christian Center umbrella, opened it’s doors under KBN in 1995. I moved my music ministry within this fellowship.

KBN allowed me to refine my musical talent and became the glue to bind all of my ideas together. I picked up on how true musicians know how to blend all instruments together to make a beautiful piece reach to heaven and beyond. I developed how instruments can talk to each other, feeling in spots, bridging gaps, allowing entrances for the next instrument to come in and complete a piece. Most importantly, I learned how to conversate and play together with other musicians.

Armed and ready to began production of MORE, I started to put what I learned into fruition. This project began fourteen years ago and was halted several times due to many hurdles and obstacles I allowed to get in the way. Now, in my 53rd year of life I present to you what God ordained years ago. MORE than just a spiritual song. MORE than just what God placed in me long ago. MORE than just my purpose. MORE than just a worship experience. It’s just that much…MORE. It’s EVERYTHING

Co-author(s)

Lyrics Competition Results

Emotional Impact:
12/ 20
Technical Skill:
10/ 20
Memorability:
9/ 20
Storytelling:
10/ 20
Imagery:
9/ 20
Total Score:
50/ 100

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