The Kitchen Musician ~ February 2026
Hello Friends,
Lately I am dealing with conflicting feelings of discouragement and hopefulness. My new song, “Fight Back with a Song” reflects the back and forth, up and down of that journey. Maybe this sounds familiar?
Index
NEWS:
THIS MONTH’S MUSIC: “Fight Back with a Song”
UPCOMING SHOWS
FEATURED NON-PROFIT: Indivisible
Picking and grinning at a friend’s house
News:
I’m headed to Pennsylvania for a few days next week to see my brothers. This is my first trip “home” in many years, and looking forward to catching up with them. I am also singing a few songs nearly every week at the Wednesday and Thursday rallies at the I.C.E. Detention Center in Burlington, MA. More info here and here.
Currently, we are under a couple feet of new snow in the Boston area with temperatures near zero Fahrenheit. This is our first big snow storm in four years. Someone is grateful that he had a new furnace installed last year.
In response to requests I have received from folks who would like the lyrics and to download my song “One by One”, I just added it to my Bandcamp page. It can be downloaded free of charge, however any voluntary contributions will be forwarded to the ACLU.
Upcoming Shows
March 8, Sunday, Westford, MA, 8:00 pm: I will perform the half hour feature set at the Parish Center for the Arts open mic, hosted by my good friend, John Ferullo. If you would like to perform at the open mic, contact John for a spot, or arrive before 6:30 to sign up.
March 21, Saturday, Newton, MA, 4:00 pm. House Concert. More info as we get closer to the date.
I have a couple interesting shows cooking, but can’t share the details yet. Would you like to host me at your house for a living room concert? I love house concerts, and will travel most anywhere in southern New England. Drop me a line!
All show details can be found at upcoming shows.
This Month’s Music: “Fight Back with a Song”
℗© 2026 Tom Smith (ASCAP)
I think I am suffering from emotional whiplash over all of the terrible national and world news, the murders last month of Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by I.C.E. agents, and the general impotence of Congress to deal with the rampant lawlessness and grift by the current administration. I bounce between utter despair and anger. Hope is hard to come by, but I do see it in the faces of people I meet at the growing demonstrations throughout my neighborhood and the nation. I also see it in several special elections in areas that previously went Republican but are now showing up for Democrats; and I am cautiously optimistic that there will be a huge turnout at the upcoming interim elections in November.
Many of my friends find ways to leverage their specific talents in the work for social justice and the preservation of our Democracy. In my case, I am trying to use my voice through music; taking inspiration from how music has served similar struggles in the past. I also am encouraged by how current-day musicians are bringing their unique talents to bear – folks like Bruce Springsteen with the recent release of his song “The Streets of Minneapolis”, Jesse Welles’ large repertoire of protest songs including “Join ICE”, Carsie Blanton’s “Rich People”, and many of my far less famous songwriting friends who are speaking up and being heard.
When I consider my own contributions to the cause, I struggle with the feeling that they provide only a tiny push in the right direction. I try to take encouragement from the lyrics of the old song “Step by Step” that Pete Seeger taught us – “Drops of water turn a mill”; but it is often difficult to see the mill when you are a tiny drop of water. This sometimes makes it hard for me to stay the course, and is at the heart of my song this month. The song represents one cycle through my almost daily struggle to go from “why bother?” to “let’s get going!”
“If all I can fight back with is a song
Then I’ll fight back with a song.”
Steady on!
Tom
P.S. Thanks to my friend Cosy Sheridan, who lit the spark for this song when she gave me the prompt “Are you feeling unsettled?” – and to my fellow songwriting workshoppers who gave me feedback while this song was in progress.
(If so inclined, I invite you to leave a comment by scrolling to the end of this page.)
Featured Non-profit: Indivisible
“Indivisible is a nationwide movement of millions of people working to stop the rise of authoritarianism in the United States and to demand a real democracy. We believe that politics is too important to leave up to the politicians – it requires all of us to get on the field.
We know that democracy only works when everyday people organize, show up, and hold those in power accountable. Indivisible was founded in 2016 by former congressional staffers who saw, from the inside, how grassroots pressure can shape political outcomes. What began as a practical guide for civic action quickly grew into a powerful, people-led movement.
When you join Indivisible, you join a movement, not a nonprofit. There are more than 2,000 local, volunteer-led Indivisible groups in urban, suburban, and rural communities across every state in the country.”
Please join me in supporting Indivisible. Note: Donations are not tax deductible.
Tom Smith
February 1, 2026Fight Back with a Song
© 2026 Tom Smith (ASCAP)
They look into your eyes and tell you day is night
Makes you want to freeze makes you want to fight
Makes you want to spit, makes you want to bite
Makes you want to cry
I got one foot on the brake, the other on the gas
One wheel on the road, another on the grass
Goin’ to a funeral for the middle class
Should I even try?
CHORUS:
(When) Everywhere I look there’s something wrong
And all I can fight back with is a song
Power in the hands of a man who’s nuts
Anyone who’s kind thrown under a bus
I swallow my disgust, no one I can trust
Every word’s a lie
I wonder if the one who’s nuts is me
(Is there) something that I missed, that I did not see
For the love of humanity
Should I even try?
CHORUS:
(When) Everywhere I look there’s something wrong
And all I can fight back with is a song
I just got a call from a friend of mine
About the demonstration at the county line
He asked if I would come, he’s gonna make a sign
Join the rally cry
Did I have a song that they all could sing?
And maybe a guitar that I would bring?
Isn’t that how Martin Luther King
Got everyone to try?
LAST CHORUS:
Everywhere I look there’s something wrong
If all I can fight back with is a song
Then I’ll fight back with a song
Sally
February 2, 2026Tom,
I can identify with your song. You pinpoint how I feel.
Tom Smith
February 2, 2026Thanks for chiming in, Sally. So many have said the same. Keep steady.
Janet
February 3, 2026I love the final version of “Fight Back With a Song”, Tom. It’s so true for what all of us are feeling now. And the video is lovely. Keep fighting!!
Tom Smith
February 3, 2026Thank you Janet. I enjoyed sharing the songwriting workshop with you. Write on!
Roger
February 3, 2026Your ability to convey human emotion in song is incredible Tom. Thanks!
Tom Smith
February 3, 2026Great to hear from you Roger. I miss you. Thank you for your kind words.
Catherine Ames
February 2, 2026Beautiful song! Thank you for this!
Tom Smith
February 2, 2026Thank you for listening, Catherine!
Celene Lyon
February 2, 2026Tom. Your song brings tears to my eyes. I think your songs and all songs are very important during these times. Thank you! Celene P.S. We said hi to Edie Carey from you!
Tom Smith
February 2, 2026Thank you Celene. I always get a boost to know that you listen to these new songs. And how wonderful to share some time and space with Edie. She is a jewel of a songwriter, an a human.
Janet
February 2, 2026Awesome, Tom; may you go from strength to strength.
Tom Smith
February 2, 2026Thank you Janet!
cosy sheridan
February 2, 2026Beautiful Tom!!
Tom Smith
February 2, 2026Thank you, Cosy! and thank you especially for the inspiration and mentoring on this and other songs. <3
Peg Espinola
February 2, 2026Absolutely love this song. It is so ‘you!’ It also describes what I am feeling right now. We need this quiet song along with Jesse Welles. One thing is for sure—if we give up hope, THEN we will lose. Peg (PS I miss being in the neighborhood and hearing you live from time to time!
Tom Smith
February 2, 2026Hi Peg. It is always great to hear from you. I miss you too, but am buoyed to see that you continue to make music in your new home. Let me know when you are in the area. Would love to get togeher.
Paul Fisher
February 2, 2026I think I first heard this Bertolt Brecht’s saying in Spanish as the intro to Silvio Rodriguez’ “Sueño Con Serpientes”. It applies every day of every year.
“There are men who struggle for a day and they are good. There are men who struggle for a year and they are better. There are men who struggle many years, and they are better still. But there are those who struggle all their lives: These are the indispensable ones.”
Thank you for your songs!
Tom Smith
February 2, 2026Thank you Paul. Great quote. May we all try to live up to it. Take care.
Paul Weilage
February 2, 2026It truly expresses the heartbreak of our times.
Tom Smith
February 2, 2026Thank you Paul. I’d love to have never had to write it.
Deb Goss
February 2, 2026Another gem. More tears. It’s great just to hear words that make sense! (set to tunes that are really lovely) Thank you once again.
🙂
Tom Smith
February 2, 2026Thanks Deb. There are so many reasons to cry. Trying to replace those times with song.
Ruthann Baler
February 2, 2026Oh wow Tom, love this. ❤️.
So very powerful.
I have an idea— will be in touch soon,
Ruthann
Tom Smith
February 2, 2026Great to hear from you. Good to know that the ideas are hatching! Let’s make it happen.
Carl Beverly
February 3, 2026I think your song captures what many and myself feel. I am proud of you for your efforts, in song and in actions. It does not go unnoticed…one more drop of water.
Tom Smith
February 4, 2026Thanks Carl. Shoulder to shoulder, pushing that mill wheel.
Steve Rapson
February 4, 2026So well said, Tom. I admire your talent. And sheepishly admit the only way I fight back is to, if not put my head in the sand, avert my gaze. I’ll be 80 years old in two years. Is it wrong to leave the battles to the young and have a bit of serenity in the twilight?
Tom Smith
February 4, 2026Old man, I’ll give you a pass – provided you promise to vote in November and also in 2026. … and bring a friend or two!
Jeanine Maloney
February 7, 2026What a lovely song, Tom! Thanks! It says what millions of us are feeling.
Tom Smith
February 7, 2026Thanks for listening, Jeanine. Carry on!