One of my colleagues at work came up with a clever and funny title for a song called the “450nm Blues” (it is a free download in the New Song section). I decided to write a song using this as the title and “inspiration” from it. The title is referring to the solid state devices used in the new solid states lamps and bulbs by many companies. The “blue” light emitting diodes are combined with special phosphor materials to make white light. I personally have worked on these designs and even hold several patents in this field. So you probably can guess where I stand on this from the lyrics. The “House of Reps” reference refers to a June 5, 2012 vote that “prohibit the government from enforcing federal lightbulb standards that Republicans say are too intrusive.” See also House Defunds and NEMA. The last reference comes from NEMA, represent the opinion of some of the largest lamp manufacturers in the world including GE, Osram and Philips. The three companies, Cree, Osram and Lumileds referenced in the song make a substantial percentage of the world’s bright blue LEDs that are used in the solid state lamps. I have worked at least one of these companies on developing a new solid state lighting technology using what is called “remote phosphor”.
Some of the lyrics come from old famous blues songs. These include the songs “Alberta”, “Betty & Dupree” (I once opened for Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, the latter singing this song), Cocaine Bill & Morphine Sue, “Shorty George“, “Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown” (by Jim Croce), “Hoochie Coochie Man“, “Corinna“, and “Brown’s Ferry Blues” (written by the Delmore Brothers). Some of the words I put into the mouth of Rush Limbaugh come from me, others from him (his stance on global warming being a hoax is well known). In any case the song is meant to be fun. I hope everyone can enjoy it whatever your political persuasion.
Here are the lyrics and credits
The 450nm Blues
Lyrics and Music by Waqidi Falicoff
(title and inspiration for the song Will Shatford)
You’ve heard about Alberta and her hair down to the floor
Betty and Dupree, he robbed a jewelry store
Cocaine Bill and Morphine Sue, they died in each others arms
Shorty George took all the women and left the men behind
But they can’t hold a candle to the bluest Blues of them all
I’m talking about the 450nm Blues
Chorus
The 450 Blues are the bluest of them all
They’ll burn out your retina if you stare at them in the hall
Cree, Osram, Lumileds, they make them by the millions
Beware of the 450nm blues
Leroy Brown is said to be the baddest man in town
And the Hootchie Coochie Man made the politician frown
Corrina’s wavelength was little bit too long
And the Brown’s Ferry Blues will only do you a little harm
But beware of the blues that are bluest blues of all
I’m talking about the 450nm blues
Repeat chorus
Rush Limbaugh is afraid of them so you better beware
He says they’re too efficient it really isn’t fair
And Global Warming is a hoax so we really don’t need them now
And Mr.Edison’s light bulb it’s got to stay allowed
I know for certain that these blues are really bright
That’s why the House of Reps is itching for a fight
Repeat Chorus
Repeat First Verse
Revised Chorus for ending
The 450 Blues are the bluest of them all
They’ll burn out your retina if you stare at them too long
Cree, Osram, Lumileds they make them by the millions
Stay away from those 450nm blues
I’m talking about those 450nm blues
