Recently I’ve been super influenced by the energy of late 70’s new wave and punk and I wanted to distill that energy in this track, along with some more biting, politically-oriented lyrics than I’m used to writing. But I had a great time writing them so maybe I’ll write more stuff in that vein!
- Lesley
Looking through the windows
Of the shopping district early Sunday morning
Looking for a pleasure
Even though I have no money in my pocket
They’ll kick me out for loitering around with no intent to buy
But it can’t be helped, I’m only making $20 every month
Older people tell you
It’s not hard to go out there and find a good job
But in this generation
You don’t qualify for anything
I break my back trying to pay for dinnertime for everyone
But I don’t mind, I’m resigned to looking from the outside in
I-I’m going windowshopping
I-I’m going windowshopping
I-I’m going windowshopping
Going windowshopping
I’m looking through a window
More than anything out of curiosity
An old pair of moccasins
Staring back at me beckoning to buy them
They’d do me good, all my shoes are battered down and filled with dirt
But the price is aimed at someone who already owns two or three
I-I’m going windowshopping
I-I’m going windowshopping
I-I’m going windowshopping
Going windowshopping
The rich are getting richer
And it seems to me the poor are getting poorer
The rich will blame the poor ones
And the poor ones hold a grudge against the rich ones
It can’t be helped, that’s just the economy we made for ourselves
It can’t be changed, there’s too many people who are set in their ways
@nancyrost Feb 2022
Really enjoyed this. Very catchy in that classic early-80s way. It's got almost a ska rhythm, which seems fitting. I know this twist of perspective - I've approached it this way too.
@frenchcricket Feb 2022
I love this era and your version fits in seamlessly! Everything from the guitar sound to those stabby synths is so well judged. Also, the melody is super catchy and you sing it with such panache!
@owl Feb 2022
Fantastic, you really nailed the sound and energy—sounds like a lost punk classic. So catchy and infectiously joyful—love that chorus melody esp the “I-I-I” at the start.
@p3t3h4rv3y Feb 2022
boom - power pop punk, did you buy the moccasins?
@stickyfingers Feb 2022
this also gives me buzzcocks vibes. catchy stuff! excellent vocal melodies on the pre-chorus and chorus
@roadreg Feb 2022
Lesley! Damn! Okay! What an insanely intoxicating chorus. It's like if The Vapors covered Gang of Four or something hahaha. Great melody and great use of tension and release.
@shortdan Feb 2022
This is loads of fun! You've really nailed the vibe of that era for sure. The chorus is super catchy! Great performance too - that bass line is a particular highlight for me. Excellent!
@vivalarayna Feb 2022
Didn't expect the excellent social commentary from such an upbeat tune! So catchy that you almost miss the edge of the lyrics. That chorus will be in my head all day and I'm not even mad about it.
@ttg105 Feb 2022
Love this! Power-pop punk, 70s style. The keys really pop and give it an almost manic feel. If you told me this was a rare demo from the late 70s, I'd believe it. Great!
@thelowestbitter Feb 2022
This is great, love the mix of the punky guitars and synths, that chorus is insanely hooky, gonna have that I-I-I’m going window shopping in my head a while
@paulh1237 Feb 2022
I live the stacato on the verse vocals and then how it opens up and builds to that proper singalong chorus. Awesome work!
@vomvorton Feb 2022
Oh wow, this is great! Getting real Buzzcocks vibes but with bonus new wavey synths! Chorus is so catchy and I love all the detail in the lyrics.
@ekul Feb 2022
This is awesome! I'm oddly getting some later Talking Heads vibes (specifically True Stories) mixed with some awesome power punk and I'm loving it! The bass and synths sound so fresh and the vocals are wonderful too! Excited for more Racecar Racecar bangers this FAWM!
@rwhosings Feb 2022
Oh my gosh, this is awesome! I love early British punk, and that totally is the vibe I get from this. The high energy has exactly enough variation in the rhythm and instrumentation to make it effortless to dance along. I needed this song today. Happy I could zong you back!
@silvermediapro Feb 2022
oooh this goes hard from the very first note! love the lyrics too, can relate a ton to the struggle. we stan some lesley powerpop/punk :D