Feb 2022 folk-pop 3-string-guitar 4-chord-challenge
During our recent collaboration, @jeustan shared a YouTube video with me showing a Ukrainian woman yelling at Russian soldiers in her town, telling them to take the sunflower seeds that she was offering, so that something beautiful would grow where they fell.
Trite, but related, I keep hearing a line from the last episode of Season 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, when she asks "This is how many apocalypses for us now?"
How many wars just since I've been on the Earth? How many refugee crises? How many people kept underfoot and controlled for just the color of their skin or where they were born? How much poverty, and loss, and sadness? How much inequity in how we've dealt with the pandemic worldwide. Add to it the endless attacks on LGBTQ+ rights here that I thought were settled. It's all too much.
And here I stand, claiming to "own" property on stolen land, having way, way, way more than I have any right to. And still feeling helpless, and frankly, scared and deeply depressed.
So, yes, this is cynical. I will still will be doing other songs, but I had to get this one out.
We haven't earned this world.
We haven't earned this sky.
All we have earned is exactly what we've got coming.
Maybe we should all plant sunflowers beside our graves before we get in.
Maybe something nice will grow once we have stepped aside.
Maybe we should all plant sunflowers beside our graves before we get in.
Maybe things will even out after we have stepped aside.
This record's skipping now.
This story's done been told.
All could be well, but so many just want control.
Maybe we should all plant sunflowers beside our graves before we get in.
Maybe something nice will grow once we have stepped aside.
Maybe we should all plant sunflowers beside our graves before we get in.
Maybe things will even out after we have stepped aside.
Everyone soldiers on.
What else is there to do?
They'll come for them and me, and they'll come for you.
Maybe we should all plant sunflowers beside our graves before we get in.
Maybe something nice will grow once we have stepped aside.
Maybe we should all plant sunflowers beside our graves before we get in.
Maybe things will even out after we have stepped aside.
@kahlo2013 Mar 2022
Powerful. Poignant. Perfectly performed. Great perspective. Love the chorus.
@franniezest Mar 2022
Oooh this chorus’s melody is so lovely.
Lyrics are superb. Nice blend of frustration :( and tiny bit of hope <3
@odilongreen Mar 2022
Even reading your liner notes, I knew exactly where you're coming from, and the the song is beautiful and moving. This song proves that just voices and guitar, earnest and honest, saying something important, are all that is needed for powerful music. Of course, the gorgeous vocals and melodies help. I wish everyone could hear the message of this song.
@auditasum Mar 2022
The strumming patterns + vocal harmonies make for a catchy chorus. And of course, the subject matter. A little seed of hope growing in darkness. I'd argue that the less we think we deserve, the happier we'll be on this planet <3
@bfwaite Feb 2022
Things I love about this:
- That first line in the chorus is the BEST hook. I like the odd way "get in" scans at the end -- and I think that's what will keep this in my head.
- The structure is nice and tight - very sparing words yet gets the idea across in a way that speaks volumes.
- Again, your singing and the way you vocally style this in a simple, sincere way.
Oh, and I hear that harmony in there. :D
@tageule Feb 2022
I feel you. Also, this song is amazing. I have few words right now, but I mean it.
@robynmackenzie Feb 2022
I've sat with these sorts of thoughts often, and this really resonated. Those harmonies on the chorus are beautiful, and the rhythm of the lyric is impeccable. So good.
@fiteclub Feb 2022
Hands down. The best thing I have heard from you in a while. And. And that's saying something. This is outstanding. Maybe we maybe we. When you say we. That is an awesome, plaintive tone.