Feb 2022 folk
True to the lyrics, this song was based on a nightmare I had about a year ago. Not a "woke-up-screaming" nightmare but it was disturbing. So far, the songs that have just come to me in the moment have been easier than songs like this that I've sorta wanted to write.
As for the lyrics, self-loathing is no joke and definitely a habit to kick, but it's not an easy habit to unlearn.
Since I reached 3 minutes, I decided to call it "done enough" for FAWM. It needs a conclusion and lots more work; I had a bridge type thing in mind, but c'est la vie. As a wise woman once said, "ain't nobody got time for that."
Perhaps I ought to make it more of a nightmare of a song? Darker, more crunchy? Feel free to share your opinion.
On to the next song...
tattoo
I met her in a nightmare
long dark hair and eyes
small and still, she stares at me
other children play outside
but her gaze is focused on my face
and her eyes are huge and dark with hate
it's clear no matter what I do
her fury is a dark tattoo
and she can't see past her past
and she can't see past her own dark eyes
she's always known my name
she's found someone to blame
she hates the things I love
my treasure is her trash
she blames me for the life I live
all this wasted fire and ash
I see the ink under her skin
all the circles she's been running in
all the failure she cannot forgive
and the history she will relive again, again
and she can't see past her past
and she can't see past her own dark eyes
she's always known my name
she's found someone to blame
@audrey Apr 2022
This song moved me. At first I thought it might be about a rebellious teenage daughter at the stage where they hate everything parents like because it's so 'uncool' and 'old fashioned' and they want to assert their independence from it, but your second verse gets quite intense, and I realized there was more to this. The self loathing mentioned in your liner notes comes through loud and clear in this second verse. Why is it we choose to relive, over and over in our heads, actions we regret and moments we are ashamed of? The girl in these lyrics personifies that self hatred, amplifying how destructive those thoughts are. I'm sure many will be able to relate to these powerful lyrics set to such an engaging and sad melody. What a beautiful piece of music this is. Wow!
@elainedimasi Mar 2022
That lydian melody right out the gate is arresting!
Regarding making it more nightmarish production wise. What comes to my mind is something distantly moving, rustling, scraping, enough reverb to put it back there, but enough nearness in the field to be scary. Like it would enter after 1:20 in the space after "found someone to blame". It would be a lightweight sound that wouldn't unbalance the featherweight treatment you've established already. But it would have some low end. It would grow a bit after the second "someone to blame" and then you could decide, if you're making the song longer, whether the "I" fights to be heard over it, or lets it take over the ending. Or a little of both.
@wylddandelyon Mar 2022
This has such clear imagery, the fact that we can hear every word so clearly just heightens the impact of the words. I wouldn't add crunchy instrumentals here, if you wanted more instrumentally, maybe a lonely flute or cello part?
As to the length, there are people who love longer songs, and if you want to develop it you could, but this is a very nice snapshot just as is, though it might sound more finished with a deliberate instrumental bit at the end.
@falconbridge Mar 2022
Dang. That's a story.
Solid work. Your voice is beautiful.
@frey Feb 2022
Love the guitar playing, so melancholy.. That chorus is super powerful!!
@lissielou79 Feb 2022
Wow, so happy to come across this track. Stunning. I really like the concept of your lyrics.
@svwulfe Feb 2022
Very lovely vocal track here. I would definitely love to hear a darker/crunchy take just for the sake of it. But at the same time, I think it works wonderfully the way it is. The guitar has just the right amount of reverb on it.
@metalfoot Feb 2022
I don't think this song needs to sound darker to be effective-- this works because the lyrics come through clearly both structurally and vocally. I am just blown away consistently by your songs!
@mattoxic Feb 2022
I love lyrics and themes that come in dreams. Very much a part of you then.
Fantastic voice. And I love the forbidding guitar. Really enjoyable listen.