Emory Thorne - Looking in the Mirror

The cave is naturally resonant, with the sound of each step (and hop) prolonging itself over and over, stretching out into different recursive sets of tones. These, when overlapped, created a choir of grumbling character. Emory and Tamuu passed by a series of impossible natural features, one of which was a waterfall of sparks, an energy behaving physically like its form-common counterpart. The glow of this fluid structure cast a shadow behind our two adventurers that matched neither of their frames in shape or stature. Instead, what sprawled behind them was a truer thing that was a creature unto itself, a melding of their thoughts and ideas and fears and desires, summing into an entity of independent but complementary will. It trailed Emory and Tamuu loyally throughout the caverns.

Looking in the Mirror has arrived at an extremely ironic time, as I am currently dealing with an unexpected bout of chickenpox (and, as is to be expected, am covered in said pox, making any mirror-looking an unpleasant experience). The strangeness of that timing aside, I do really enjoy this song. It has a storytelling lilt and fun sort of bounce to it that I find amusing. I was thinking also of Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" in some ways when putting it together, but crafting into the message my own spin on the somewhat trite sentiment. All good sentiments are trite, though, I think, inherently. The song is also somewhat logically structured as an idea. Observe, evaluate, address — look, dislike, change.

She’s lying to the head of the riders
They’re shaking in dust-blown boots
Tall tales of angels and demons
Just enough truth to get them spooked

I’m kicking down doors and stables
Five hundred horses isn’t enough
My appetite is never-ending
When’s God gonna call my bluff

I’m no closer to the reason
Can my heart be satisfied?
There’s a time for every season
How long can I survive

I’ve been looking in the mirror
I’ve been looking in the mirror
I don’t like what I’m seeing
I’m making a change or two

I guess looking in the mirror
Keeps me looking in the mirror
I don’t like what I’m seeing
I’m making a change or two

She’s dancing to a thousand secrets
In a creaky old red saloon
I’ve never had holy water
I can’t take my eyes off you

These mountains are made of fire
And stories of gold beneath
Some pay the price of being a liar
To enjoy the last thing they need

I’ve been looking in the mirror
I’ve been looking in the mirror
I don’t like what I’m seeing
I’m making a change or two

I guess looking in the mirror
Keeps me looking in the mirror
I don’t like what I’m seeing
I’m making a change or two

Ain’t nobody wants to get stepped on
Ain’t nobody wants to be walked over
Ain’t nobody likes to get stepped on, and
I’m making a change or two

The whole song is just a vamping of the following three chords:

E major
F# minor
A major

It sounds more complicated than it is! If you just alternate octave bass notes in rhythm with the top triads, and arpeggiate the triads in different ways, you will get it pretty quickly on piano / keyboard.

It is easy enough to translate those chords with basic shapes to the guitar, also (I did for the choruses without any trouble, despite my very mediocre guitar skills).