I had a list of possible song titles ready to go when FAWM started, this was one of them – didn’t have any idea what the song would be until I saw the week 3 challenge!
“The Perfect Take’ when recording or shooting film/video is that one that you just *know* is the one you wanted.
My divorce finalized about a year ago, the separation over 2 years ago, so I got the ‘hostility’ and any other feelings out of the way quite a while ago, so it was actually fun to put this song together, just looking back at the past.
Capo on 3, for those interested.
The Perfect Take copyright 2022 Michael J Birch
Take away the things that went wrong
Lonely nights can last so long
The silence can be deafening
Take away the words that start a fight
Doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right
When everything is threatening
Everyone thought it was the perfect take
But really there’s no mistaking
That things aren’t always how they look
Maybe there’s no such thing as a perfect take
When outward appearances are only faked
Maybe it’s time to close the book
It all happened when I was out
Came home to an empty house
Nothing left of you but a letter
Didn’t know what to expect
Maybe just a little respect
Thought I knew you better
Everyone thought it was the perfect take
But really there’s no mistaking
That things aren’t always how they look
Maybe there’s no such thing as a perfect take
When outward appearances are only faked
Maybe it’s time to close the book
Take away all the memories
Take away the pain and hurt please
I’ll take back my hostility
If you’ll take some responsibility
Everyone thought it was the perfect take
But really there’s no mistaking
That things aren’t always how they look
Maybe there’s no such thing as a perfect take
When outward appearances are only faked
Maybe it’s time to close the book
@rubberbandage Feb 2022
Wow, great song with haunting lyrics. I know this isn’t “album recording month” but the quality of your guitar playing and your vocals really shines with this recording — I think it sounds like it could go straight to an album. Hats off.
@loudlemons Feb 2022
I really enjoy the guitar part and the lyrics writing, especially the chorus which I find pretty effective!
@trolls2 Feb 2022
really like the double entendre and the sadness of the 'appearance' of a perfect marriage-great imagery the emptiness/loneliness letter left behind. Wow only 2 years to let go of 'hostility' having dated several seperated/divorced men over the years i'd say you're ahead of the game!
@arthurrossi Feb 2022
I am impressed by the quality of your lyrics... Many wonderful lines like "The silence can be deafening" - such an intriguing thought... I love the guitar in combination with your vocal delivery... Excellently done!
@cubizm Feb 2022
I love this song. Refreshing to hear just a guitar and vocals. You really met the challenge and made it personal. I love when songs feel this personal. This song grabbed me.
@potentialspam Feb 2022
Sorry to hear about your divorce but it sounds like you're making the best of things and bouncing back. Have to agree with everything everyone has said already. This is a super well put together song, reminds me of Jackson Browne or those other 60s/70s singer songwriters. Good stuff!
@karlsburg25 Feb 2022
A really lovely piece of work. I love the sounds of the acoustic on this. It almost takes me to a place of reality with the lyrics syncing perfectly with the almost modern folk sound of the verse then the chorus is just so wonderfully catchy.
@johnstaples Feb 2022
A beautiful song about a tragic ending! The hook/title "Perfect Take" is really powerful! Sorry about your divorce but glad you've moved on. Really nice work on this song.
@liz561 Feb 2022
An interesting "take" on the Week 3 challenge. Love the verse with Coming home to an empty house.
@jessicagraae Feb 2022
Great guitar playing: the shifts between arpeggios and strumming. Cool idea to break down the “perfect take” into what it isn’t. I am impressed that you were able to get through the feelings around divorce so quickly.
@markg Feb 2022
Nice play on the double meaning.
I like the way the phrasing works on the take/ mistaking rhyme.
A well done story.
@wylddandelyon Feb 2022
Oh, nice song. Musically, everything flowed together really nicely, and the story works.
@colgoo Feb 2022
Wow! What a story. Great song, Mike. Breaking up a long term relationship/marriage is super hard.
@cjk Feb 2022
This is great, love the rhythm and the structure, and the voice.
@fonte Feb 2022
This has a classic 60s feel to me, can’t quite pinpoint why, just classic chords. Glad you can look back like this, and thanks for sharing :-)