Song 7 of 14
I bought a uke during lockdown. My friend Autumn said she found the uke too bright for her dark songs. I told her that no-one would hear me play the uke until I'd written a dark song for it. This is the song.
It was inspired by a friend with health issues saying they were tired of other people making assumptions or offering well intentioned but useless advice. I know a lot of people who feel like this. I've made a single character to put the point across.
Sorry for another rough demo - I'll work on it some other time.
Don’t ask me how I am - she said
‘I would feel obliged
To let the words trip from my tongue
I could never stem that tide
And I won’t try to make it easy
Won’t grit my teeth and tell you
‘I’m fine,
‘Cause I’m not fine.’
‘Don’t ask me how I am’ - she said
I’m having a real bad time
My burdens are invisible
Got to carry them all the time
Today feels like torture
I won’t bite back the pain to say that
I’m fine,
‘Cause I’m not fine.
Lost, so lost and locked down
Too much time inside
Literally and metaphorically
Need place to hide
Expect pain and tears
Don’t expect me to be polite
‘Cause I’m not fine.
Always someone ready - she says
To tell me how to cope
Like I don’t know my own troubles
Like I’m some kind of dope
My body’s not a temple
It’s not too hard to see
But your body’s not a template
For fixing what’s wrong with me
Don’t make decisions for me
Don’t presume to know my mind
Or tell me to be brave and strong
Or keep my head up high
If we swopped bodies
And were stuck in mine
You’d learn to love me as I am
Love me when I’m not fine
@andygriff Feb 2022
Never heard you play the uke before, and I really like how you don't play in "traditional" style, what you're doing is more what I would normally expect from a mandolin or bouzouki. Excellent lyric too.
@andrewrusse Feb 2022
I'd yet to be convinced by uke... but you pretty much managed it here. I'm not sure this song would have quite the same edgy uncomfortable vibe with, say, a guitar... And it's a mighty cool song.
@melaniepegge Feb 2022
I really like how you play the uke Paddy. You've managed to make it not sound twee which is impressive... and a good thing for me. I feel the discomfort of the narrative in your performance. Raw in a good way.
@caseewilson Feb 2022
Raw, powerful performance here on difficult subject, well done.