Warning: This song contains an excessive amount of falsetto.
I'm not normally one for non-standard guitar tunings, but I've recently been mucking about a bit with an open G that I quite like. So this song came out of some open G noodling. Initially I thought I was writing a song about someone who refuses to take risks because they're scared of their dreams getting broken (fairly autobiographical, as it happens). Then as I started to build up this portrait of Judy, she began to take on a life of her own. So by the time I got to writing the middle 8, I had Judy's voice in my head saying "Well, what if I'm actually happy with my choices and the way I live my life? Why do I have to justify that to anyone?" And fair play to Judy, she made me shift the angle of the last third of the song. In truth I've become rather attached to Judy, writing and recording this song. And now, seeing her out into the world... :)
Judy wakes up
Sips from a cup of coffee
Runs for the bus
Same way she has forever
And if you don’t get too excited
Well, you won’t be sorry
Judy is bored
Largely ignored by colleagues
Chews on a pen
Turns back again to the spreadsheet
And if you don’t have dreams to start with
Well, they can’t get broken
And ah, they can’t get broken
Judy has friends
Katie and Ben and Emily
Known them for years
Drank cheap wine and beer in their company
But she don’t see much of them these days
They’ve all got families
And ah, they’ve all got families
Judy, if you wanna live the way you wanna
Who am I to judge you
You don’t have to be like you get told to be like
Don’t need someone to love you
Judy comes home
Has dinner alone in her bedroom
Washes her plate
Stays up til late with the TV
And when she turns the lights off
Well, she won't be sorry
Ah, she won't be sorry
Ah, she won't be sorry
@rshakesp Mar 2022
They’ve all got families - brilliant. This is quite squeezey for me - I love it. I think it’s the narrative nature of it combined with the neat production. Just a lovely song
@danvaillancourt Mar 2022
Great falsetto. No warning needed. ;) Love the melodic nature of an opening tuning riff and works well as the melody often follows it. Great story and details. Bridge breaks it up nicely and has a cool vibe/tone to the section that sets it apart from the rest.
@bethdesombre Mar 2022
This is so fully realized (and produced; I'm impressed). Love that melodic leap on the first four verse lines, and the enigmatic comment about not being sorry if you don't get too excited (that clarifies itself in the same place in subsequent verses). It's an upbeat framing of a melancholy sentiment. Also, that bridge is killer -- and a little ironic, because the framing does suggest that the narrator (or the listeners) are, in fact, feeling bad for Judy. This is so slyly done; I'm impressed. (and I love the sudden stop at the end.) #tit4tat
@leslie333 Mar 2022
Love the overall story line on this one and it was so enjoyable to listen to. I like Judy too.
@greengrassgirl Mar 2022
It sounds like Judy would be a perfect gal pal for Eleanor Rigby. I love this song. The falsetto works great for me and I found myself humming that first line melody. It's perfect! Nice job, David!
@oswlek Mar 2022
I know I'm supposed to be making the rounds to see all the new material, but I had to stop by and spend some quality time with Judy. At least, I think it's quality. She probably wants a restraining order at this point!
@mandolinda Feb 2022
I wish I had the music speak and that I could explain, how much I like this song. Everything.
#tit4tat
@ayehahmur Feb 2022
What an absolute BLINDER of a song! Terrific riff that everything just locks on to and enriches. Love that falsetto. All of it. Love the little high guitar texture that brightens the whole sound. And, I really, really like this sad story you're telling in the lyric. I'll say it again. A blinder of a song.
@humantornado Feb 2022
This is just great! It's so well put together and the lyrics hit perfect. The falsetto is great, too. Everything about this is just done so well from the song to the production. Sorry I don't have anything really constructive to say, but you don't really need it here. #tit4tat
@jeff9 Feb 2022
It's a brilliant composition with wonderfully conversational lyrics that still deliver tons. Great vocals and instrumentation. Melody and style are totally fetching. In fact, there's absolutely nothing not to love. So I do. Love it.
BTW, I know for a fact that when @oswlek says for him this evokes the Jayhawks, especially that one song, that represents full-on gushing praise of the highest order.
@oswlek Feb 2022
Wow. This is so good that I don't quite know what to say. Normally I pull out specific things I like, but this is so perfect that it feels unfair to only name a few.
Instead I'll say this: There's a song by the Jayhawks called "Gonna Be a Darkness". It doesn't really have much to do with this piece, but it was the last time I stumbled across an unknown song and at the end felt like I had just had a seminal musical experience that I would carry with me for a long time. Until now.
@arthurrossi Feb 2022
Another wonderfully written story-telling set of lyrics... Judy becomes so "real" and truly present for the listener. The melody is very memorable again and your vocal delivery abilities are amazing!
@bandybum Feb 2022
O yes, that acoustic is pulling me straight into Nick Drake dream land from the opening.
And that lovely rising melody (Andy Partridge eat your heart out)
I love the message of acceptance you gift us all through Judy's bridge
Delightful stuff.
On to the watchlist you go :)
If you think we maybe a good fit, would love to do a collab
@crisp1 Feb 2022
Love the back story -- the lyrics had a life of their own. I like the way you sort of come out of Bee Gees mode every now and then for a change, even though you do an excellent falsetto. This is some very tasty pop with a nice character sketch.
@pugetive Feb 2022
You experiment with open tunings sure paid off here. This is great indie pop. Nice contrasting bridge section but I was happy to return to the soaring verse melody. Well done!
@plushbaby Feb 2022
This song sounds fantastic! Love the guitar phrasing as it moves through the song and the way it echoes in the middle 8. Really like how freewheeling it sounds, but there is a sadness to it. the ;And if you don’t have dreams to start with Well, they can’t get broken.; is kind of heartbreaking.
If I had any suggestion it would be to experiment with taking things out for the middle 8 rather than ramping it up, might be interesting? Great stuff!
@midwayfair Feb 2022
Great performance and tune, David. Your falsetto is fantastic. The bridge is a stone cold killer, particularly on headphones.
I will say, despite the kinda older influences everyone's bringing up (and which I know you usually reference), this wouldn't sound out of place on AAA radio, it really doesn't sound even remotely dated.
@cleanshoes Feb 2022
Yeah, Judy! I really like this one. A lot. The way you've made Judy unapologetic about how she chooses to live her life instead of projecting dissatisfaction or regret onto her character turns a common trope on its head. Extremely catchy (especially that middle eight) and your falsetto is quite well done!
@hbusse Feb 2022
Fascinating portrait and great writing. The approach of centering around one character reminds me of Ben Folds tunes. Love the non-standard song form on this one too. Another great offering from you!
@colgoo Feb 2022
Lots of falsetto, but you do it so well!!! Great tune. I have the ear worm stuck in my head now…excellent storytelling and craftsmanship. I would pay to travel to one of your concerts.
@gm7 Feb 2022
I love that opening guitar intro.
this line is really profound.
'And if you don’t have dreams to start with
Well, they can’t get broken" ...classic
And that falsetto singing is spot on. Wonderfully crafted song David,
Another Brilliant. creation form you. The Taro Tornado just wiping up a storm of great songs.
@karlsburg25 Feb 2022
Oh this is delightful and totally up my musical brain street (if that makes sense ;-) . I found a kula shaker song i loved the other week and worked out some sort of open tuning. No idea what it was but was great fun. Anyway i digress. everything about this is delightful. The falsetto is defo not excessive and it works a treat. I love how it leads to the resolution of the chorus. I love the way it has a classic feel and PS any song with a bridge so perfect is a winner in my book. Stunning and glad i discovered you
@bradbrubaker Feb 2022
The rhyme scheme is delightful. The "if you don't have dreams" bit and the final bit are especially striking lyrically, but overall good write. I've been listening to loads of solo McCartney lately because of his new book and I couldn't help but think of him here.
@nuno Feb 2022
Oh David, your songwriting is so so good. What a great write and perfect execution. Nice rhyming mechanism. You make it sound effortless, but there's a lot to get right to make a track sound this good. Bravo!
@jerrypettit Feb 2022
Love the falsetto. Good job on it. I've tried that a time or two--but it has been a long time. Hmmm...this is making me think I need to give it a try. When it is done right--as this is--it really makes a song!
Another great, great one from you!
@johncrossman Feb 2022
This is a delight and Judy is growing on all of us, perhaps because we're all at least a bit Judy. The mundane details are terrifically spot on. I wasn't expecting it to be so upbeat and was pleasantly surprised. Very complete!
@zecoop Feb 2022
Oh my, this song is just glorious. Beautifully crafted, played and sung. I love how wonderfully the melody flows, even in its unexpected phrasing. Even the overall song structure seems simple but has amazing twists built in. The falsetto works perfectly too (was I hearing an octave layered in at spots?). What an instant classic. FAWM favorite right here…
@jorh Feb 2022
The melodies are a delight - I love the seamless transition mid way through the verses, which each part being as equally catchy. I was getting some strong Beatles vibes too, which can never be a bad thing! Oh and the falsetto was a delight, an excessive amount is good with me ha!
@radiobenedetto Feb 2022
Wow, this is fantastic, David. The mix sounds so cohesive and glued together . . .everything in its right place. The phrasing throughout this is terrific. I love the rising cadence on the "Up" and "Cup" then then the heart of the song for me is . . . "And if you don’t have dreams to start with Well, they can’t get broken" The phrasing is unexpected and catchy especially with the harmonies around it. And the lyric brings this "ignorance is bliss" concept to the rest of the song that might otherwise seem really sad without this line. I also like the way you add new elements to keep propelling the song forward like the guitar that come in for the 3rd stanza. You also have a real knack for writing great bridges. I think that's one of the things that make your songs stick. I really enjoyed this one. You've been prolific so far this year! Keep 'em coming!
@ferry0123 Feb 2022
This is a sad tale, but it's like a hommage, an encouragement to the Judy you sing about. But it makes for a song beauty for sure.
@thedutchwidows Feb 2022
This is great, obviously. I need a level of description that sits above superlative, else I just sound like a three year old in a sweet shop. But it’s a song shop and the best ones are out of reach, high up, and they all have “DT” stamped on them. The best tunes from Charlie’s lesser known song factory that he built with the proceeds from his more successful (but ultimately inherited) chocolate factory.
I’ve lost my thread. Oh, yeah, your song's great. Obviously.
@eas3637 Feb 2022
Another great one, David. You've used your falsetto perfectly for the scan of these lyrics, and the line "And if you don’t have dreams to start with/Well, they can’t get broken" is a killer. I'm going to be singing the melody line to myself all night!
@ineloquentsd Feb 2022
Oh, this is fantastic. The images here are so solid, specific, and grounded. The falsetto really adds to the sense of strain and alienation endemic to Judy’s life. The production is just flawless. Besides, this entire song is just a mood and a half. Very well done!
@wacha Feb 2022
Another banger, this is so catchy and fun! You have a knack for knowing exactly what the song needs and it amazes me every time I hear one of your songs. Your lyrics are solid, its a lovely the tribute to the every day life a single woman.
@owl Feb 2022
Oh that falsetto melody jump was so unexpected but great! Love the tune and storytelling here; you really paint a vivid character study with a lot of perfect dynamic and rhythmic switches. The production sounds amazing as well, really big and rich. So good!
@seemanski Feb 2022
I'm blown away, I'm jealous of your production chops. I love how full it sounds and wish I could do that. Your falsetto is spot on, I want more damn it.
@cts Feb 2022
Got it! Thanks, brochacho!
@tukayandryan Feb 2022
Great arrangement. Parts work really well together. Cool falsetto too. A really good listen!
@klaus Feb 2022
Great stuff. I agree with all the comments and add that I like how the melody keeps going up suggesting hope while the lyrics sound lonely and sad. That's a power-pop idea. Also, the quicker rhythms at the end of the second line of verses are truly nice and almost playful. It adds to the ambiguity and to the "drama". I like this a lot.
@andrea Feb 2022
I love this song. Your vocals are impressive. I love the falsetto, and then the end lines without it. I am just going to sit back and enjoy this at least one more time.
@gwyn1234 Feb 2022
Fabulous singing on this and everything else is superlative too!
@themelgoexperience Feb 2022
A+, David! Catchy melody, efficient structure, and relatable lyric material! Love the acoustic guitar on here very much. This reminded me a bit of the lyric in "One of the Guys" by Jenny Lewis where she sings "I'm just another lady without a baby". Well good for you Jenny AND Judy-lets all do what makes us happy, eh?
@fonte Feb 2022
Wow man this is so good. Lyrically really good. Melody is super catchy. I like the acoustic guitar a lot. The resolution of the ‘can’t get broken’ is such a hook. Awesome number 5 track! :-)
@nadine Feb 2022
David, you don't have to excuse for your falsetto. You're one of the less FAWMers who nail this without sounding weird (and @nateger of course). But I didn't expect a happy sounding indie pop song of you. First time I really spot your Beatles influence. Lyrics are so relatable!
@cts Feb 2022
Now let me tell you something - I love your falsetto as it reminds me of Robin Gibb's wonderful instrument. I've loved his signature ever since I was 10 - that's right 10! So you KNOW I very much appreciate this. I see why this a favorite. Mix on this is on point. Glad I'm here.
@n24 Feb 2022
This is lovely, really smooth stuff, the falsetto is killer! I feel like I’ve been waiting for you to go this hard on the falsetto since woodsman I love it. Absolutely excellent stuff.
@halfwayhome Feb 2022
Nice. I do like to prat around with other tunings - having to discover new shapes around the frets can lead to new places :)
And once again you've written a song that it's hard to believe hasn't already been written.... erm... that sounds like an insinuation of plagiarism - it's NOT - I just mean, like, how can something this good not be stumbled upon by the likes McCartney and co. - guess they weren't always on it... sorry, not sure what I mean. I think I know what I mean. I like the song :)
...and there's no such thing as an excessive amount of falsetto.
@mctown Feb 2022
Nice feel... like it.
@squeakmouse73 Feb 2022
Really enjoyed this melody, including the "excessive amount of falsetto."
@joetime Feb 2022
Extremely catchy melody! Great “a day in the life” feel, nice details, heartfelt. Chorus with the accent vocals is fantastic.
@katestantonsings Feb 2022
Judy deserves radio play! So good from start to finish I was hooked. @nahlej381 is right; you're a skilled artisan in the songwriting trade!
@billwhite51 Feb 2022
lots of judys in the world ..lots of judes too. love all the falsettp and the bridge is amazing.
@nahlej381 Feb 2022
Send Judy my love! Very relatable. Another lovely tune. Well crafted. The stops add so much. I love your writing style so much. You are an artisan.
@kenmattsson Feb 2022
More falsetto! More falsetto!
Judy's got her own life to lead, and she might just drop out of this song, as you've made her a complete person now.
Great production and singing.
@richaaaay Feb 2022
Oh crikey is right! Can I just copy and paste Brisk’s comment from below. He’s so spot on and I agree with everything he said. All I’d like to add is that I too have become rather attached to Judy after listening to this song.
@coolparadiso Feb 2022
David taro indie pop, Must listen! It does have a bit of modern Macca! I am sucker for a named person and their story, my best songs come from that. This is a banger, you just do those change ups so well, thats coz you have the chops for it! Lovely song! I didn't even get into musical commentary!
@sbs2018 Feb 2022
Of course I cannot resist listening to every song you upload. Love, love, love the drums and that Lennon falsetto! Great story, too! Wow! One of my favorites! Oh yes!
PS - no I don't think she will be sorry.
@phlecksy Feb 2022
Good! A bit Paul McCartney in poignant mode. Not to be reductive.
Nice that you take a supportive attitude, though I’m not completely convinced she won’t be sorry. Speaking as a friend of Judy’s, I don’t think it’s judgmental to think she might be sorry.
Tune good too. Congratulations!
@brisk Feb 2022
Oh, crikey, this one really hits from the first line of vocals, with that soar to the falsetto. It's a full on pop song, with a full on, memorable pop melody. Might be the best melody I've heard from you in a while, which is to say its bloody marvelous. I don't feel like commenting on the production and performance because this just adheres to your usual very high standards in those regards. And the middle 8 is great, and that's actually a really smart turn for this lyric. It is empathetic and clever. Nice sudden end too.
If this is what open G can do for a young man then maybe I'll give it ago.