This is Steve: Full disclosure: this songs' lyrical cadence is derived from the magical beans of a Bright Eyes song At The Bottom of Everything
John did almost all of the instrumental work and mixing. I added the lead guitar and did the vocals and bgvs.
This is actually probably our FIRST legitimate collab for FAWM (we have one other back in the day doing some sort of random 4 track thing too).
All to say, this came out way better than I thought. I had to rerecord my vocals a few times to get them to do what I wanted. But I think I got it.
ZeCoop: Well, I am thrilled with how this turned out. Could not be happier! I am actually just happy that this song even happened, for more than one reason. The origin of this song lies in my 1966 Silvertone acoustic guitar. I got it about 10 years ago for $10 on Craigslist. It is a parlour sized guitar and sounds completely different from my other acoustics. I got it out the first night of FAWM to write a song and as I was tuning it, I heard a cracking sound and the strings went WAY out of tune. I saw that the bridge had cracked. Well, this is fixable, I thought. THEN, I saw that the body had cracked and separated too. <insert bad words>
I decided to just go for it and get the wood glue out with a bunch of clamps and go to work, thinking that there would be very little chance to get the guitar back in shape. But, surprisingly, it worked!
The next day, I strung it up with some light gauge strings and it sounded great - within five minutes I was playing this entire song. It was like the guitar was so happy to be repaired and had a gift for me. This all made me think of my friend Steve who has been through a lot lately but remains an uplifting presence through it all. I am very thankful and happy to have Steve as a friend, happy that we have an official FAWM collab now and thankful for the gift of this song from my guitar and from Steve! :)
Instrumentation (for me to remember)
Silvertone 604 acoustic 6 string (recorded twice)
Dean EAB acoustic bass
Cajon, Egg shaker, maraca and tambourine
verse 1
let’s do everything we can
not wallow for too long
let’s turn every heartache into
some familiar song
let’s make every hurry up
a chance to just slow down
hear the sound, hear the sound,
if you think a sailor’s life
is just the life we need
and you’re the name upon the lips
of everyone you meet
and if the only time you cry
is when you face your fears
pull me near, pull me near,
vs2
if we try too hard to make
others think we’re cool
and if we push ourselves when
we know damn well we’re the fool
and there is nothing stopping us
from going where we will
have your fill, have your fill
there are seven peaks to reach
and seven different planes
and nothing really matters if
you don’t sometimes feel pain
it’s not a place that you should stay
for longer than you care
be aware, be aware,
CHORUS
That’s why I’m so happy
for you
that’s why i’m so happy
for me too
verse 3
now this is an apology for all
the screams i kept
and this is an acknowledgement
of canyons that i’ve leapt
if you know the best way for someone to come around
hear the sound, hear the sound
happy now, happy now
hear the sound, happy now
@nancyrost Feb 2022
This really does sound happy! It's both mellow and driving, and I think the rhythmic vocal and real percussion instruments have a lot to do with that. Oh, yeah, and that sweet rhythm guitar. Quite a doozy of a lyric, too - feel like I could listen a bunch of times and get different things out of it. Lovely playing and mix, too.
@helenseviltwin Feb 2022
Brill! You do happy well. Despite the fast as you like verse lyrics, this has a calmness about it. I'd say it also counts for a week 2 challenge on those verses.
I was distracted while listening and mis-heard "there are seven peaks to reach" as "there are seven pizza regions". It kind of made sense anyway...
@yarimurray Feb 2022
Happy Now is prefect. And how I'm feeling after listening. What a great story about bringing the guitar back and the guitar being thankful. What a joyful noise! Well done both of you.
@bradbrubaker Feb 2022
Favorite lyrical bits:
"let’s make every hurry up
a chance to just slow down"
and
"and there is nothing stopping us
from going where we will
have your fill, have your fill"
@danvaillancourt Feb 2022
I am happy now that I hear this sound! Nice collab!
@rayboneor Feb 2022
It's great how the lyrics in the verse tumble out, and then the chorus totally shifts pace. And the way the guitar doubles the vocal on the chorus is great. Anyway, I'm getting into details when I should just express appreciation for this sweet and charming song
@jtsteam Feb 2022
This is really catchy, I like this! Fun origin story too. I like the thought that it's the guitar that's happy :).
@bethkille Feb 2022
Yeah! Love the vibe on this. Great production and catchy melody. Nice work!!
@vomvorton Feb 2022
I saw the cracked-guitar saga unfolding on instagram, so pleased that you got it sorted and turned it so quickly into inspiration! This is a warm and welcoming tune and a lovely collab.
@ductapeguy Feb 2022
Hello Steven and John. It's Mr. McGaughey. I listened with Mr. B's Grade 8 class.
Here are their comments.
J: I really like the beat of it and how many instruments were involved.
H: I like how it sounded like a late 60s-early 70s song.
A: I liked the louder instruments in the mix.
@tiller2 Feb 2022
there's something zany and illogical about these lyrics, but also so human and clever that they're just right. The sincere, low-key vocal, the melodious guitar solo, the lightly driving beat--all make this song a pleasure. Great collab
@cabinmonster Feb 2022
Love this. Has 70's vibes for me. Fixed up acoustic guitar sounds great. Nice feel to it. Really enjoyed this!
@pippa Feb 2022
Good song! Has the flavor of a good happy song just wanting out! Good catch.
@emkaydeebee Feb 2022
Love this combo, it all belongs to eachother so well! A real feel good uplifting song!
@radiobenedetto Feb 2022
Great collab! In addition to the bright eyes reference I’m getting Elliott Smith vibes from the vocal delivery and doubling especially on the “Happy for you”. Love the lyrics as well…rhythmic, tell a story but also have a great message of turning pain into song that makes the world brighter. I love that the lyrics match zecoop’s guitar’s journey. From the crack of death to happy music! This song made me smile:^)
@nicetrip Feb 2022
Nice song, great story!
@nadine Feb 2022
Great collab. Yes, this is very Bright Eyes. The feeling and the lyrics. No idea how you were able to speak-sing @stevenwesleyguiles, but it works so well on this song. I'm so happy that you were able to resurrect your guitar, @zecoop. Your work pays off. And I love the percussions!
@gilhari Feb 2022
Great story. The lyrics are fantastic and read apart from any music stand well on their own. Amazing sound and quality. A really beautiful collaboration piece.
@judypie Feb 2022
Love the Bright eyes beans! Good seeds to sow those :) Yay for guitar resurrection, sounds really good guys, beaut match!
@halfwayhome Feb 2022
Love this little ditty. I also have a tendency to fixate on the 'music' when listening, and let the lyric (but not the delivery) pass me by - but I listened in on this one, and it's very sweet. As for that vocal delivery, your ability to both sing and speak simultaneously - sumptuous, maybe that's why I tuned into the lyric.
And I'm so happy for you that you could save that guitar :)
@cts Feb 2022
Well it definitely has a vibe to get happy about. Fellas - this is a great arrangement. It all comes together like an Apples In Stereo tune (I love them by the way) and this feel like one big cathartic experience. Nice work!
@stuartbenbow Feb 2022
Digging the vibe on this one. Love the chord progression, and I’m glad you were able to revive the guitar and collab on this tune. Great work to you both!
@karlsburg25 Feb 2022
oh yes. Firstly, the resurrection of the guitar and the subsequent use to produce a beautiful acoustic song like this is a bit like an ending to a romantic comedy. Jennifer Aniston would be proud ;-) .
Guys together you have made a track that is immediately one of my FAWM favs. As always i love it when john does acoustic as the chord construction is so well crafted and it always seems to take to me somewhere i wouldn't have expected. And then wow then the melody and additional guitar elevate it to another level. The chorus is so catchy and its a sure sign of a belter as i now want to grab my guitar to see if I can play it.(after early morning cuppa of course) Top stuff guys
@theodamus Feb 2022
This is so COOL! I think the great journey through broken and reborn guitar makes it even better and adds to the theme. Honestly that silvertone sound can’t be beat, and I want to listen to it inside this floaty musical landscape all day. The little melody drop on the response “happy now” adds a twinge of melancholy, the “now” contains a vast acknowledgement of before - the canyons leapt. This is a delightful collab and a lovely song
@ltunes Feb 2022
Okay this is super cool! Love the doubled up vocal. Electric guitar rif is the best. This needs to be played a lot!!!
@bru2 Feb 2022
Great job! The doubles on the vocal on the verses are beautiful Steve!
@bachelorb Feb 2022
Was there a lead guitar?? Vocals??? Rhythm??? It’s all about Chicago baby!!! (....sorry.... I was only listening to the Silvertone.....)
Actually.... I love the lyrics.... great love song!!!!
@guatecoop Feb 2022
Great collaboration! Wow, the song just sounds like you guys play and write all of the time. There is a bit of melancholy in there, as it could have been a straight up happy song, but it ended up being more complex than that—also a good thing. All of the parts have their role in a song that sounds like a keeper to me. Well done!
@pgcl Feb 2022
This is excellent. I hear the Bright Eyes influence for sure, but some Astronautalis in there too.