January 2, 2015

John Rubens

P.O. Box 931021

Los Angeles, California 90093

Re: Words or lyrics to accompany Billy Joel’s FANTASIES & DELUSIONS, Music for Solo Piano with Music Performed by Richard Joo (2001)

Dear Mssrs. Steven Epstein, Producer and Billy Joel, Composer and Performer:

I sent a hand written original of words/lyrics to compositions I wrote while listening to the above-referenced CD on April 19, 2003.

Now that twitter is up and running, and KTLA’s entertainment editor told a joke about Billy and Elton’s squabble*, I decided to recopy the lyrics to www.johnrubens.wordpress.com and to my handle @raftofwater on twitter.

*Sam Rubin told the story on air recently about their difference of opinion on composition production. Allegedly, Elton John asked Billy Joel, “Why don’t you compose more?” wherein Joel replied, “Why don’t you compose less!” I laughed and found the lyrics today while preparing records for my 2014 tax return on Intuit’s Turbotax:

1. Intentionally left blank.

2. Waltz #1 (Nunley’s Carousel)

My life

Centrifuge more than solar-powered merry-go-round

Reduced to the vortex

Breath held in like the ice dancer’s arms going into a tight spin.

Then it’s on to the next movement—what’s beyond?

Oh well, we still have love.

3. Opus 7 Aria (Grand Canal)

La Quai

Sombre mais plein, plein mais pas vite.

Il n’y a pas aucune de raison depecher.

Une moment de repose on marche sur la quai.

La Grande Boulevard de l’eau

Ma Grand Canal

Ma fleuvre lentement sous les nuages si pres

Comme le ciel bas

Qui presse de toute moment

[De tout environs] or

[de tout moment, de tout environs, de tout maniere.]

4. Intentionally left blank.

5. Opus 1 Soliloquy (On A Separation)

[Not So Bad]

Stars out at night

Glimmer and I receive their word of light—ever so slight.

Like your love, energy that’s drifted away…

Wisps of fragrance, a special photograph, the sound of you purring on my strings.

What I want is love across the great expanse. On the other side of my orbit you are—**

Will you come capture me for an instant more, before I move on?

I think (perhaps sadly) not

So bright you are, now fading in the expanse—occipital

So many lights at night

But none did test me like yours

Before our diurnal passing.

Items 6, 7, 8, and 9. intentionally left blank.

10. Opus 9 Waltz #3

[Stalemate]**

Kick my ass for a girl

Kick my ass if you care

‘Cause I am worthy to bear the scars of struggle

[Cherchez la femme].

11. Opus #4 Fantasy (Film Noir)

Fantasies move me in ways that are light—light my fire***, lighten my heart

And fantasies move themselves—move into technology, music into space will move the stars****

SCARY—Random—Random?

Jesus walked on water

Helping a friend find his Way.

All lyrics copyright John Rubens

April 19, 2003

*Sam Rubin, Entertainment Reporter, KTLA News Los Angeles

**[Elton John Professional Connection?]

***See Jim Morrison, Doors’ “Light My Fire”

**** See Keppler’s Music of the Universe

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

John Rubens