Feb 2022 jazz ballad philosophical waltz
Last night I started writing this lyric, not really knowing where I was going, and vaguely referencing some feelings of uncertainty/life changing. Trying to be more abstract here, I guess.
This morning I wrote the last verse and then set it to some jazzy waltz chords. Did a quick iPhone recording with my acoustic taylor guitar, live, on 'music memos' which adds drums, then did a little compression, reverb and eq and that's about it-no overdubs (for now). Not sure what I'll do with this, not sure how I feel about it, but curious if it resonates out there with anyone.
EDIT- I did a fairly extensive rewrite of this song, adding a bridge, and changing at least half the lyric, and used different recording ideas--- its at https://fawm.org/songs/138303/
What on earth can you do
when the sun turns blue
and the stars disengage from each other?
and the trees start to walk
and the clouds never talk
and you've somehow lost track of your brother
Will constellations come back
will it look like the map
that you carefully memorized
will the right angles meet
right here on the street
in the tumbling melancholy sky
All the shadows are shy
and you're life's passing by
in the blink of an eye things change
sometimes all you can do
cherish the old, embrace the new
sooner or later everything gets strange
(c) M. Skliar 2022
@chipwithrow Mar 2022
Well, I had to hear this one, too! Certainly resonates with me. And the drum/guitar/vocal live feel makes you sound like a group playing in a small club or on a street corner. Both songs really speak to me!
@natalie Feb 2022
I love the jazzy swing and ascending feeling of the chord progressions in your guitar playing. The recording has a cozy, comforting, coffee-shop feel to it. I feel like I'm listening live in the space where you're playing, totally relating to the lyrics and meditating on the impermanence of it all, joining in on the sense of acceptance and appreciating the shared experience of having one's world turned upside down but then figuring out a way to adapt and rise above ~ because what else can we do? No sense in getting our knickers in a twist; change is gonna come anyway, right. Great tune!
@scottlake Feb 2022
Mike, this is just absolutely delightful. I love the chord progression. It’s just such a sunny, happy and smiley progression and music memos kept up very nicely. It’s perfect for a trio like what mm provides.
@eric Feb 2022
Love this. I've been taking some jazz lessons and this is inspiring me to use some of the new chords that I've learned. Great feel all around. Sooner or later everything gets strange
@sunnymae Feb 2022
OMG...you are the clever lyric KING!!! I love the humor against these very cool jazz chords. I love the way you sum it all up:
sometimes all you can do
cherish the old, embrace the new
sooner or later everything gets strange
That about says it all. Great write Mike! Finally getting around to some late night binge listening and wanted to stop by to "see" what you've been up to! So glad I did. :0)
@robynmackenzie Feb 2022
Whimsical and catchy! The music is soothing and energetic at the same time. Love the lyrics with such ethereal imagery.
@karlsburg25 Feb 2022
Wow stripped back like this gives it an amaizng live quality. I adore the lyrics in this but really the musical progressions blow my mind. Really poetic and beautiful.
@lcad Feb 2022
The title hooked me in, glad it did! Love the progression and tone on this, those relaxing major 7ths! Gorgeous lyrics, love the last line.
@kenmattsson Feb 2022
Love the lyrics on this Mike. Your delivery really works too. Great!
@jonmeta Feb 2022
You can’t go wrong with diminished chords going up the neck. I’m impressed with your use of Music Memos and that you made something of this quality with it. And really evocative, poetic, vivid lyrical phrases. It communicates an unsettled state without quite saying what the unsettling is. A pandemic state of mind, I suppose.
@mahtowin Feb 2022
Oh, a waltz! Me and my bandmate made one a few days ago and its interesting what this special rhythm can do with a song. It sounds dreamy, playful and I enjoyed your vocals and the lyrics - it all sounds good together! Great work!
@jibbidy34 Feb 2022
Ooh I’m liking that chord progression! Lovely jovial vocal delivery that reels you into a nostalgic frame of mind. I could imagine Kermit singing this on the Muppet Show (I’m a big Muppets fan!) bravo!
@daveyboy103 Feb 2022
Very smooooooooooooth
In love your vocals.