My pet peeve is people saying the word "pardon" when asking one to repeat something, lest they didn't hear or understand it. I've grown accustomed to people saying more informal language, so I become uncomfortable when this particular word is used.
This piece is in 11/8 time. The guitar and bass were recorded on my Steinberg audio interface and tracked in Mixcraft 8, with effects applied in the DAW. The piano and drums were virtual instruments, and the vocals were done on my Android phone.
The words you attempt to say
Don't come out that way
Could you enunciate clearly?
"Pardon?" I say with a hand to my ear
Your lips move, I cannot hear
I ask you to repeat it, sincerely
It's an error in communication
Fall in and out of earshot
Something gets lost in translation
The message comes to nought
Make your point with repetition
Aim for clarification
I didn't hear you, say it again
Can't make out from my end
No, I don't like "I beg your pardon"
In the context of an exclamation
Prefer you to avoid it, for my sake
And "sorry" is the most I can take
I'm used to the words said at home
Like "huh" or "what", in the vernacular
Anything above that throws me off guard
I'm just sensitive to things in particular
Every word has a function
But this specific one makes me flinch
In a cadence with a rising inflection
@nadine Mar 2022
I never heard a song in 11/8 and I like it. Reminds me a bit of 5/4 but with more groove and wit. Why does this sound so bluesy? I never used the word pardon. I don't even know what I used when I didn't understand. Like sorry?!?! Hmmm! #tit4tat
@wolfkier Mar 2022
That's a good riff.... For a minute there I got all smily and I thought you were gonna launch into that famous Australian (underground?) song Man o Action, which is such a fave of mine.
The lyrics are a hoot too and this gets funky as all get out. Well done.
So then, here, we are.... another year.... another #tit4tat complete. Thank you again. If I don't see hear you sooner we'll bump heads during 5090 I hope. Be safe and travel in the light, my friend! Hugs.
@wylddandelyon Mar 2022
The fuzziness on "can you enunciate clearly" was so perfect.
Overall, it was a nice relaxed groove and fun to listen to.
#tit4tat
@klaus Feb 2022
Good song about the difficulty of communication. The frustration comes through mostly in the music which is menacing and dark. Sounds a little bit like King Crimson influenced actually: the riff, odd time signature, the John Wetton-like emotional raspy vocals. The solo is really nice. It's like audio of the repetition that was mentioned in the lyrics. Good stuff, Edward.
@vainhirvain Feb 2022
Yes! A song about not liking the word "pardon" ! This is what I just _love_ about FAWM, one can come across songs about literally ANYTHING. The somewhat oppressive background riff floating in reverb fits the mood of the lyrics perfectly. What a coincidence btw: my latest song (Initial Thoughts, a collab with Stephen Wordsmith) was also 11/8 . A Great time signature it is.
@skylermf Feb 2022
I love the fun times signature! The baseline is really nice on this one. Really creative concept for a song - I also happen to not be a fan of “pardon”