Feb 2022 star-wars filk banjo country-folk
A while back, I posted on Twitter "Discovering that I just don't care as much about Star Wars content as many friends in my age group has been simultaneously liberating and isolating for me." My friend and previous musical collaborator Kevin Hill (https://maximilianandthereinhardt.bandcamp.com/) reached out and said "wanna write a song about it?" After he and I made a Christmas song last year, I told him I'd love to do something with him for FAWM, so I took him up on it and we got to work.
Kevin handled music duties and 95% of the production; I took point on lyrics, melody, harmonies, and vocals. And I'm super pleased with the results! The whole thing is based on the Star Wars music, and I think it feels really right as a sort of country-folk/bluegrass number. Speaking of bluegrass, our friend Eduardo was supposed to contribute a banjo solo to this; that'll be coming post-FAWM.
My wife noted: "how ironic that your song is about how you're not into Star Wars and yet you know enough about Star Wars to write this song." (I even wrote a ballad a couple FAWMs back about a young Anakin Skywalker). So, yes, the song is fairly tongue-in-cheek. I love SW, I'm just tired of having 4 people ask me each week if I've watched Boba Fett yet. I'm not going to! The first episode was terrible! Leave me alone!!
Well Star Wars was a trilogy I liked when I was young
And as I grew into a man I liked it still
But I never cared about the novels or the tv shows
As my fandom goes, I guess I'm pretty chill
Well I don't need to know where Jawas lay their heads at night
And I don't really ever need to see Kashyyk
I don't care 'bout Starlight Beacon or the tales of Mandalore
And I ain't gonna read the Thrawn trilogy
Ohh all my friends are asking me
Did I watch the latest Boba Fett this week
Ohh it's exhausting, can't you see
Star Wars fandom really isn't for the meek
Well I don't care when Han met Chewie, was it during the Clone Wars?
And I don't need to know the story of Darth Maul
Don't give a hoot about the Crystal Star or the calm Before the Storm
And as for BB-8, he's just a beeping ball
I'm sure there's lots to know about Ahsoka Tano, too
And Commander Cody and all of the clones
K-2SO, Kylo Ren, Chirrut îmwe, Urai Fen
I wish Disney would just leave it alone
Ohh all my friends think I'm insane
Cuz I haven't watched the trailer for whatever
Ohh can't keep it all inside my brain
When entertainment feels like history class I walk away forever
Sure I read the comics when I can
It's not like I'm some Star Wars-hating geek
Yeah, I guess I am really a fan
I just don't want Star Wars homework waiting each and every week
I'm not thrilled by Mark Hamill all CGI de-aged
I think it's weird and gross and doesn't make me smile
But if they're gonna keep it up I guess I'll have to get on board
So I can keep my friendships going for another little while
@sapient Mar 2022
Fandom in general is exhausting. All I think when people pick on the makers of a film or TV show is, "And what have you made recently?"
Some things SW I like a lot, others a find a bit meh, and some I think shouild be taken out back and set fire to. But this song, I LIKE :D
@calfman8803 Feb 2022
Ok, yeah, you wrote a song or whatever. HEY! Did you watch that new Morbius trailer yet!??!
I feel the true sadness and pain of these lyrics. The struggle of what was a hardcore fan now reduced to casual because I also don't want my movies to be stretched out 14 hours over 12 episodes.
@ductapeguy Feb 2022
Hello, this is Mr. McGaughey: I listened with my grade 4/5 music class. Here are their comments.
L: I thought it would be a Star Wars intro at the start.
J: It sounded more country.
M: I liked it because I have never watched Star Wars.
E: I liked it because I watched star wars with my Dad.
D: I really like Star Wars and I disagree with the premise of the song.
@nadine Feb 2022
You're speaking straight from my heart. I know many fans but I don't get the hype. And I feel the same about Marvel. Or DC. Or Disney. Can I be a nerd without knowing all facts about the fiction?
Nice country vibes I didn't expect from you. The layered vocals are so nice. And I like solo. Cool production.
@dasbinky Feb 2022
Hard agree on the content. It's a weird fandom these days. Really dig the honky tonk vibe! Great chicken-pickin'! Super catchy, excellent theme y'all!