For Your GRAMMY® Consideration
"Music Box" by Bernice Marsala
Category: Best Alternative Music Performance
“Music Box” explores the struggle of trying to feel present in your own life with an unraveling sense of identity. As a mom of two, I wrote it specifically about the postpartum experience, but it can be applied to just about any significant life event where you feel as though you’ve lost your sense of self and no longer recognize the person in the mirror. The imagery of the dancer inside the music box symbolizes the feeling of being on autopilot, stoically spinning through your daily routine on repeat until you’ve become completely unwound. The heavy rock guitars and powerful vocals convey all of the emotion that’s being felt but not seen.
Credits:
Songwriter, Vocalist, Guitarist, Co-producer: Bernice Marsala (AKA Bernice R.M. Batt)
Producer, Mixing & Mastering Engineer: Charles Connolly
"Crazy One" by Bernice Marsala & Charles Connolly
Categories: Best Dance Pop Recording & Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals
“Crazy One” is about feeling like everyone around you has lost their minds and you’re the only sane person left, which leaves you wondering if it’s actually YOU who’s the crazy one. Wrapped in a sparkly, disco-pop package, this fun duet will make you want to dance and leave you humming the melody for days afterward.
Credits:
Songwriter, Primary Artist/Vocals: Bernice Marsala (AKA Bernice R.M. Batt)
Songwriter, Featured Artist/Vocals, Producer/Arranger, Mixing & Mastering Engineer: Charles Connolly
Listen on your preferred platform
"Music Box" streaming links
Lyrics are below for your convenience.
"Crazy One" Streaming Links
Lyrics are below for your convenience. **Photosensitivity warning: YouTube video features flashing lights and strobe effects.**
“Music Box” lyrics
Leavin’ doesn’t mean that you walked away
Your mind is elsewhere but your body stayed
I have to keep remindin’ myself I’m alive
‘Cause I’m on the inside lookin’ out while someone else drives
And Ooh, I’ll try anything to be whole
But accept the things I can’t control
I’m not really here, these hands don’t feel like mine
Always ache inside, but pretend to be fine
Breaking doesn’t mean that you can’t be fixed
But I can’t be expected to get over it so quick
If I have to keep floating on the surface
Then I’m gonna need more than to be polished and repurposed
Ooh, I’ll try anything to be whole
To quit existing like some out-of-bodied soul
I’m not really here, these hands don’t feel like mine
Always ache inside, but pretend to be fine
I look in the mirror feeling things I can’t define
I’m like a music box dancer that’s starting to unwind
I’m not really here no matter how I try
I’m not really here (I’m not really here)
I’m not really here (I’m not really here)
I’m not really here
No matter how I
No matter how I
No matter how
I look in the mirror feeling I can’t define
I’m like a music box dancer that’s starting to unwind
I’m not really here no matter how I (try)
No matter how I
No matter how I try
“Crazy One” Lyrics
I’m keeping my thoughts to myself
While inwardly shaking my head
And you, put all of your rationality
On the shelf, is common sense dead?
You only see what you want to
You never think before you speak
I don’t buy into any of
Your brand of impulsivity
I can’t be the crazy one in the room
(I can’t be, I can’t be)
I can’t be the crazy one in the room
(can’t be me, can’t be me)
You can be so convincing
People don’t seem to see what I see
Somehow you have me doubting
Is the problem you or is it me?
You only hear what you want to
You never deal in subtleties
You’ve got me questioning my
Whole sense of reality
I can’t be the crazy one in the room
(I can’t be, I can’t be)
I can’t be the crazy one in the room
(can’t be me, can’t be me)
The lights are on but no one’s home
And you’ve got your head down with both eyes closed
And you’re talkin’ too fast but thinkin’ slow
Is there nowhere safe for me to go?
I can’t be the crazy one in the room
Can I say the same for you?
I find it hard to make a difference
When you see no reason for change
I can’t be the crazy one in the room
(I can’t be, I can’t be)
I can’t be the crazy one in the room
(can’t be me, can’t be me)
The lights are on but no one’s home
And you’ve got your head down with both eyes closed
And you’re talkin’ too fast but thinkin’ slow
Is there nowhere safe for me to go?
I can’t be the crazy one in the room
I can’t say the same for you