On a distant planet was one of the first of a batch of lyrics written at the start of fawm. That batch were written independently of music and I think this may be the only one we actually use.
It was also demoed in the first few days, but only returned to on FAWM end eve. We all enjoy sci-fi movies and within the genre there is a particular type that focuses on the line individual battling a foreign atmosphere, trying to survive.
This song adds to the canon, as we join the action after a space craft has crash landed on a distant planet. All but one of the crew were killed and the one person remaining has no other option than to keep moving forwards.
So the song is partly about their experiences on the planet and all the wonder and amazing things they see (most of which we don’t mention ). But it’s also about the wandering, Undistracted mind. Short of communication and any other stimulus other than the suit displaying their vital signs. They keep moving forwards, and I suppose the question the song asks is what would you do?
There were extra verse that gave more story but the song was getting a bit long as it is, so they were jettisoned and maybe we’ll restructure and fit them in at some point.
The vocal melody for the middle 8 was a very last minute addition, written and sung within about 10 mins, so not perfect.
We went for a fairly straight instrumentation, guitar, bass, piano, plus some effect-ridden guitar parts to mask the errors. Played around with synths and such, but just went with a little melody intro to each verse. The sound is pretty unrelenting (liberal use of compression) and it might be nice to have a part that opens up and reflects the vastness of space...
EDIT: Updated MP3 to reduce full on compression and stagger instrumentation introduction
Light from a distant star
In a faraway universe
Distracted by the flash
Of my headset display
I’m checking my vital signs
Keep walking ahead
This landscape looks amazing
I wish I had someone to share it with
High definition
I’m forgetting my mission
Detect a range of colour that I cannot see
Chorus
And I wish there’s someone to share the view
And I hope one day you’ll see it too
And I was that there was someone I knew
And I wish that person was you
V2
Air, that would strangle me
A hostile environment
Distracted by the sounds
Rumbling around the scene
A strange desire to take my helmet off
Keep walking ahead
This landscape overwhelms me
I wish I had someone to share it with
Widescreen information
I miss their conversation
Through speakers I can hear the mountains sing
<Chorus>
Middle 8
I wonder what they're saying about me back home
I wonder what they're thinking when I'm all alone
I never dreamt I'd be here among a million stars
On a distant planet
Pre chorus 3
This landscape feels so heavy
I wish I had someone to share it with
Widescreen high definition
I’m seeking corrections
My heart is filled with everyone I have adored
<Chorus>
The lost verse
Lost, this is the furthest I’ve walked
Set up camp far from memories
I keep walking away
I keep walking ahead
@thedutchwidows Mar 2022
This has a great bounce to it - it almost feels like (was I imagine) walking on another planet might with less gravity. It sort of bounds. The music is so well done - some nice instrumental touches like the xylophone - and vocally top drawer again.
I've thoroughly enjoyed your output this year. Thank you!
@davidtaro Mar 2022
That twinkly xylophone riff is magic. I love the melody on the chorus, with the falsetto flourishes. What a brilliant concept for a song too, totally immersive. 'Detect a range of colour that I cannot see' is a great line! I feel transported now.
@esc4p3 Mar 2022
I see someone already used the line 'wall of sound', but not to worry, it works. I like this, it has all the elements I hope to work towards one day, a structure, lyrics that tell a story, a chorus that I could remember and sing along with. I liked the guitar sound in particular, but it all goes together well.
@richardmasters Mar 2022
I really like this! Got to love a Sci-Fi song. The narrative is enticing - what's happened to this person? What happened to the people who used to speak to him through his helmet. The line about thinking of taking his helmet off, gives the lyric a whole other dimension
@n1742 Feb 2022
Great combination of sounds. I love that piano tone. Harmonically fascinating and the different sections flow perfectly into the chorus. Really loved it.
@robynmackenzie Feb 2022
I just love these sounds, the doubled vocals sound amazing over that dense instrumentation--total wall of sound and I'm digging it. I'm also a huge fan of the chord progressions you're using. Absolutely fantastic!