Feb 2022 ukraine sad doomscrolling
I sat down last night to rewrite a verse that wasn't really working for a collab but kept getting distracted by checking the depressing news about Ukraine. I started thinking about the hopelessness that I feel reading about the innocent people that have to suffer due to the actions of egotistical authoritarians.
Then this whole song kind of poured out in one go. It was one of those rare occasions where it came out pretty much fully formed and my pen could barely keep up!
This is actually the third time I've used the title line over the years but I've never been happy with any of my previously efforts.
I'm also pretty sure I've inadvertently stolen the chords and possibly the melody for this from somewhere but I can't put my finger on what it is! Let me know if you've got any ideas.
Tried to write words
Both witty and droll
Open a news app
Just to doom scroll
What can I do just sat here at home?
Keep telling myself we've got to have hope
So I write my silly songs
And I play my little games
While outside the world's in flames
And everything we've read
And everything we've seen
Tell me darling, why do the bad guys always win?
Sometimes I think
I would be happier
With a red pill existance
Of someone who just don't care
But I can't help
But have empathy
For the human cost
Of all the tragedy
Wrought upon the world
By sad little men
Their egos stoked again and again
By sycophants and liars
Is this how the end begins?
Tell me darling why do the bad guys always win?
Tell me darling why do the bad guys always win?
@audrey Mar 2022
Oh, I know. I feel exactly the same way. It's horrible. Your sad melody and heart-wrenching vocal are the perfect portrayal of the current situation in Ukraine and how helpless we all feel about it. It really connected with me. Beautiful song!
@vomvorton Mar 2022
Really like your vocals on this one, they sound Particularly British in a good way, reminds me of Robert Wyatt or something. Really atmospheric sound lets your voice stand out and helps the words hit home. Nicely done!
@thedutchwidows Mar 2022
I love the lyrics and they feel particularly on the nose at the moment. The music feels quite apocalyptic, quite sparse but with almost angular, almost sci-fi sounds intruding. It's a really effective soundscape.
@adforperu Mar 2022
Well this is very different from the last one I heard. That intro is really cool, really pulls the carpet from under us. There's a real melodramatic vibe at work here, very cool - that screeching synth is such a cool idea, and then the distant orchestra - how are you doing that?!
@balancelost Mar 2022
I think I recognise the melody. Is it Mistletoe & Wine by Cliff Richard? Also, I fact-checked history and I think a more appropriate title (if not exactly a better one) for this song would be "Why Do The Bad Guys Sometimes Win?". I feel I should say something about how this is a great song, but I'm more concerned about whether you would still think Putin was a sad little man after taking another look at that photo of him riding shirtless on a horse.
@frostin Mar 2022
I concur with serene123 below, 100%. Your sound is very close to Damon Albarn. This song is really effective in delivering the important message.
@tamsnumber4 Feb 2022
So beautiful and a common thread running through all of these songs is the feeling of helplessness. Songs are emotions in music, it isn't surprising you absorbed so much dark and needed to let it out. I hope this song was healing for you, it is sad and relatable to everyone. Thank you for sharing it on the Ukraine Thread.
@misterdemp Feb 2022
Beautiful combinations of sounds and outpouring of emotions
@ayehahmur Feb 2022
Sometimes you've just got to go with what's in there. This works so well as a voice and piano piece, but the introduction of those synth pads that slowly well up and in the end threaten to overwhelm us is simply genius.
@serene123 Feb 2022
wow how have I missed you on here, your voice is incredible! You sound like Damon Albarn! This is such a gorgeous powerful song, very haunting. Thank you for writing about ukraine.