Feb 2022 singer-songwriter
Happy to be back!
Single-Line Letter
(c) 2022 Aaron Nathans
If I could sit down, write a note to my younger self
I wouldn’t have that much to say, some things are better off withheld
If I could spill all the secrets, of everything that would come to be
If I could introduce myself to my younger me
I wouldn’t change much, it isn’t because I’m so content
But I’d lose the memory of the pain, and everything that meant
Don’t try to save me, I’m keepin’ it together
Gonna send myself a single line letter, say
It’s gonna get worse before it gets better
When I was a young boy, we used to move from town to town
The smell of new paint, I’d watch them lay new carpet down
Learning to blend in, try to observe more than I’d talk
But somehow they’d find me, cowering underneath my rock
I’d sit and daydream, look ahead to that far off day
There’d be no more boxes left to seal , and I could find my place
You don’t want to know, boy, this road it goes on forever
All I’ve got for you is this single-line letter says
It’s gonna get worse before it gets better
There’s the horizon, you can squint but you can’t touch
I know you’re hungry, but don’t be the boy who knew too much
I don’t want to scare you, I know we all can use some help
But there’s only one way, and you’ve got to find that way yourself
I’ll spare you the cheap talk, I know you go against the grain
Clearing the path you’ll find some thorns, Lean into the pain
Feel it move through you, we’ll wear our scars like a sweater
You and I will get through this together
It’s gonna get worse before it gets better
@johncrossman Feb 2022
Framing it with a single line letter, now that changes things. So much to say, but would former me have listened? Maybe to one line... Anyway, I related to a lot of this and you capture, in some of these (single) evocative lines, quite a bit more. For example, "somehow they’d find me..." packs a punch. Then in that last stanza, it's almost like you're trying out other one lines. Maybe that's on purpose. All that to say, this really resonated strongly with me. Kudos.
@pippa Feb 2022
Interesting take on the prompt idea. Good job.
@bethdesombre Feb 2022
Wow. This is amazing. The one line itself is so important. And the song frames the thinking about how/why/if to communicate that. (And in the course of it is a great story of a life). And the last verse is beautiful. This is so nicely done!
@mikedebenham Feb 2022
Great lyrics - refusing to shrug away the complex stuff - and I love how the song itself gives such weight to that single line. It's like a centre of gravity. Nice one, Aaron.
@winchperry Feb 2022
This is great Aaron! Love the melody and message! clever and touching for sure.
@nancyrost Feb 2022
Love the idea of the single-line letter. Lived experience distilled.
The tough/tender balance is done so well, and the lilting melody does a lot to carry it. I really like the way the guitar and vocal lines play with that motif.
I liked learning a little more about your childhood, too - made me wonder if those observational habits were the seeds of your writer's life, as they have been for mine and others I know.
@eas3637 Feb 2022
This song moves so well, Aaron - I love the unexpected “it will get worse” message in what’s actually kind of a hopeful song. And the melody and chord progression are great.
@petedc Feb 2022
Very impressive, a really good match of tune, rhythm and message!
@davidsnyder Feb 2022
Nice. Great lyrics.
@philhenry Feb 2022
This is a keeper in all the best ways- great melodic sense, great message, really visceral imagery. Killer!
@ductapeguy Feb 2022
First at bat and you knock the cover off the ball and out of the park. That hook line hits like a hammer in the best way.