The Edge of Adhesion
Written 2000 & 2001 by David Wholihan & Michael Giammatteo

The Edge Of Adhesion – is about the very difficult first year dealing with Autism. It was a particularly tough time. My daughter was just born. We had very little in the way of services or therapies for my son (we wouldn’t really get into gear for a few months). I was having a difficult time at work. Both my wife & I withdrew. She took care of the new baby & I took Vico. For a while it was like we were two families living under the same roof.
During this time, David & I got together for a songwriting session. He brought with him an amazingly beautiful chord progression and the verse just fell into place. The chorus & bridge went through a number of changes over the next few months but it eventually settled into what it is. That seems almost fitting as the song is about so many things. The lyrics are as disjointed as the song structure. What holds it together is David’s beautiful chord progression & guitar work. The verse to The Edge of Adhesion is probably my favorite melody on this disc.

The recording – although a number of recordings were done before we decided upon a final structure, when we recorded the version on this CD, it came together very easily. I remember David taking the lead on arranging this one. He was on a roll that day, laying down numerous lovely guitar parts & a nice melodic bass line. My vocal was easy because it was supported by a really nice track. The title of the song came from David. I thought it perfectly captured that first year where everything in my life felt like it was hanging by a thread – right on the edge of adhesion.

Musicians:
David: bass, guitars
Michael: vocals, drum programming

THE EDGE OF ADHESION

If you go on holiday don’t flash your wallet
Ain’t it just like me mouthing off wasted knowledge
I can’t stop this conversation in my head
So I don’t want to talk anymore

You conduct your life like an orchestrated folly
But I can’t live up to what you’re projecting on me
I can’t leave this movie theatre in my head
So I don’t want to see anymore

See me, No one but me
Or at least come ‘round occasionally
Heal me, set me free
‘Cause no one, I think, is in my tree
Generally

So you climb the bell tower, now what is that about?
Is it just life’s way of telling you to chill out?
Can’t lock out this droll narration in my head
And I don’t want to hear anymore

See me, No one but me
Or at least come ‘round occasionally
Heal me, set me free
‘Cause no one, I think, is in my tree
Generally

You were a refugee, but you won’t say from where
Now you’re a deportee, but you won’t take me there
You won’t take me anywhere

See me, No one but me
Or at least come ‘round occasionally
Heal me, set me free
‘Cause no one, I think, is in my tree
Generally

I just lie about feeling hopeless, sad and lovesick
Trying to tune out while I’m strumming my acoustic
Can’t turn off this bloody radio in my head
So I don’t want to sing anymore