This song is about one of those key moments in life where a decision has to be made which could inform the rest of your existence. Or, at least, when something comes into your life like a whirlwind and makes you reassess your future plans.
To give a bit more backstory, our protagonist has planned to go away on a once in a lifetime trip. However, just a few days before they meet someone that blows their socks off and completely turns their life around. They can now see two paths stretch out in front of them, one where they get on the plane and another where they take the chance, give it all up and stay for the passion of a new relationship.
For me, the song takes place in the moment they are standing in the airport, ticket in hand, people whizzing past, the chaotic energy of the terminal overwhelming. They have this turning point moment, a massive choice to make and they just want someone to stop and help. But no one knows it’s happening. What do they do?
We originally had the ‘bursting at the seams’ line as an opener because it really illustrates our character’s frame of mind. We’ve all had moments where we wish someone would come and tell us what to do.
We really delved into the use of every single word, it’s been a meticulously planned, maybe a few things can be tweaked but we think it tells a story.
Musically it has gone through quite a few stages.
It started with a slow, piano version of the chorus for an instrumental intro which we jettisoned for a more impactful entry. The mini bridge that plays once was also in a different place and a more dirty guitar was added to make it sound a bit more ommppphhyy. The verse melody was a point of discussion…
I’ve packed all my things
I gave away my books and sold the rest
I handed back my keys
I should be at ease but I’m a mess
I’m bursting at the seams
Not sure I can keep from spinning out
You’ve caught me in between
Everyone assumed that I’d be gone
Should I walk away?
Meticulously planned
Things are moving fast I start to doubt
These tickets in my hand
SHould I keep moving forwards or turn around?
Should I walk away? X3
Tell me what to say
Dreams go with ease though all the time
Which choice is the mistake
I wish that I could ask my future self
Should I walk away? X3
Tell me what to say
Should I walk away? X3
Tell me what to say
@gm7 Mar 2022
Great slow piano start and then that build up. Super catchy chorus...this makes this song. Solid production. The ending lyrics which still ask the question . "Should i walk away?" maybe second guessing himself.
@wolfkier Mar 2022
That chorus really kicks in nice and dreamy.... and it's a great hook. love it and the bridge, verse, breakdown chorus with all those yummy harmonies.... is seamless. Well done!
Life's hard when you're a barritone, huh? LOL.
Thanks so much for your kind words earlier. I'll be back.
#tit4tat.
@mychaleg Feb 2022
Love the premise. The answer is yes. If it's gonna happen, and it's that special, it'll work out. It could be a test of your adherence to your path! Anyway...
Sounds good! I'm on 06 guy like you, always enjoy your output
@klaus Feb 2022
Marvelous pop song. The whole song feels like everything is in its place but that chorus really is a "banger", as you say in your bio. I mean the melody and the lyrics there really sound lovely. Marvelous pop song. Yes, it needs to be said twice. :)
@richardmasters Feb 2022
This is such a good, mature pop song - love the melodic development and your delivery of these fine, lucid lyrics. Lovely chorus.
Maybe your future self could write a sequel song? :)
@n1742 Feb 2022
Great hook in the chorus and so many great sounds. Marvellous bass sound. Like the penultimate chorus almost unaccompanied
@stephenwordsmith Feb 2022
I was listening to the 2006 FAWMpilation while doing some work this morning. I was vibing to 'Captain, I Fear' and got to wondering if you were still active. So, here I am.
'Meticulously planned' is a very apt pair of words in this piece. The lyric has been carefully cultivated, and it shows. Without reading your liner notes, I got an overwhelming sense of closure, new beginnings, and being at a crossroads of life, wearing the rucksack of indecision and wearing out your boots of cognitive dissonance oh shut up me
I liked the slow, stripped-down start and thought, initially, this was going to be a piece of storytelling where the words would be given the maximum space to breathe. OK, that's cool. But the kick in of the layering in line 5 took me by surprise, and it set the tone for the rest of the song. I like it this way - the riffs support the rhetorical question hook, both as a question to meditate on and an accurate script of the internal monologue.
I'm glad I stopped by; this is ace.
@nadine Feb 2022
Man how could I miss you this FAWM? I love the chorus. Such a great hymn to sing along. Great production!
@corinnelucy Feb 2022
This is such a great moment to write about. I love the chorus, the double-tracking works so well, and I love the call-and-response harmonies in the verses as the song progresses, and especially the bigger harmonies that pop in for the "Dreams go with ease though all the time" line. Really sweet chord progression, this has a really classic feel.
@thedutchwidows Feb 2022
The chorus has a lovely National-esque vibe to it, albeit in one of their more upbeat moments. This is really nicely done - it's a fully-formed, brilliantly-realised song. Excellent.
@spazsquatch Feb 2022
I love everything about this, except... man did I want that piano to be the the Korg M1 piano sound. lol. Must have evoked some late 80's nostalgia from me.
@vomvorton Feb 2022
Love that chord change before the chorus kicks in. Really lovely melodies and arrangement here, it's so big and warm. The backing vox are great, especially on that little "Dreams" bridge.
@max Feb 2022
My annual shot of PB awesomeness.
You guys never disappoint. Great storytelling this one.
Happy FAWMing.
BTW: I really think you're the only ones I know still having a myspace account :-) https://myspace.com/pwushbaby . Should have walked away.
@davidtaro Feb 2022
This is splendid. Production is killer. Brilliant dynamics. You can tell you've really crafted and honed this one. I'm getting Jeff Lynne vibes in the overall sound, the harmonies, the melodies, which is a huge plus in my book. There's SO MANY great hooks! I'd sort of lost track of how many by halfway through. Love the drop chorus at the end to set up the big ending - top songcraft, well done :)
@sync Feb 2022
Wow this so nice and catchy. Like if the Beatles did a musical. The rhymes are awesome! Love the surprises - didn't expect the chord at the end of the verses. And the bridge - really nice. Great lyrics - vague but evocative. For some reason I'm sad now...
@drewhottmann Feb 2022
Heavy Ben Folds Five vibes here. So catchy and fun!
Your transitions between sections are on point.
@deena Feb 2022
This is so catchy and pulls at the heartstrings! Beautifully produced!!! Awesome!!!!!! AND WOW!