From the recording Our Turn Now
Fun, swingin' blues tune with a positive message. It explores the “negativity bias,” in which evolution has wired us to focus on the negative. But “attitude is something I can choose...so I'm gonna stop singing the Negativity Bias Blues.” Powerful solos by Len (guitar) and John Lee Sanders (piano), with Jon Seligman (drums), JP Coley (bass), and Wendy Lanxner (harmonies). Words & music by Len Seligman © 2020 Emerging Light Music (BMI).
Lyrics
1. I got a car that runs, I got food to eat
A comfortable house on a quiet street
The sun shines bright on this dazzling day
What do I notice? Traffic in my way
Why do I focus on bad news?
I got a bad case of Negativity Bias Blues
2. To early humans, danger was real
They could become a tiger’s meal
They faced a constant threat of hunger and thirst
No wonder we learned to look for the worst
That’s why we focus on bad news
We learned to sing the Negativity Bias Blues
Looking for what’s wrong is how we evolved
But life is not a problem to be solved
3. Sometimes it seems there’s never enough
My mind is like Velcro for negative stuff
Looking out for danger might help me survive
But I need joy to truly thrive
I laugh more now and enjoy the view
I’m gonna stop singing the Negativity Bias Blues
4. So now I appreciate the good I see
I count blessings, not injuries
I release old habits of mind
Time to leave that baggage behind
Attitude is something I can choose
I am done singing the Negativity Bias Blues
I’m gonna STOP singing the Negativity Bias Blues