The End of Self-Improvement

by @freshspotlessyouth

Liner Notes

#indierock This is a quickie just to get the concept down. I had a certain rhythm in mind for the lyrics. It was hard to find actual words to fit my nonsense template. Probably the only lines that ring true to me: If you/I find me wanting, then wanting is me. I have thoughts for a "bridge" which would take me back to the first verse melody. I'll fix it all when a band appears

Lyrics

Fade into days Irrelevant days Finding my way Without the this and that of wanting to be Flight into night No more irascible light Just maybe setting my sights Without the this and that of wanting to be The end of self-improvement Is motion without movement There’s no getting up Getting on No wanting to be No vainly pounding pavement No vaguely sweeping statements About getting up Getting on Or wanting to be Still, if you find me wanting Then wanting is me

The end of self-improvement Is oh so unassuming There’s no getting up…wanting to be We all came here naked Leave facedown on the pavement No more getting Getting on Or wanting to be You won’t find me wanting When wanting is me

Comments

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Your word play and cadence on this is stellar. " if you find me wanting, Then wanting is me" is such a beautiful turn of phrase. I adore your nonsense. I'll truly miss it outside of February. Man, I'm bummed we didn't collab this past February.

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Great title and much more chipper than I expected! The naked/pavement couplet was my favorite part of the lyrics. The change in vocal rhythm on the "getting on" sections was a fun twist.

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Hey, Danny - what a great song to listen to walking around Central Park where a bunch of little people in YMCA are playing a game with a lot of balls and one is saying “I don’t want to do it” I like the lyric so much. The way they all tumble into the rhythm is fantastic and the words themselves mean a lot to me. Like a theme song for entering the age of being instead of doing. If you’re really thinking about getting rid of all those brilliant lines, I would beg you to let me take a crack at shaping them some more. One thing that could be fun would be to take that phrase The end of señf-improvement and shift it from the end meaning the goal to the end meaning the stopping. With maybe a stop in the middle where there’s some trepidation about when you reach a goal there’s a feeling of being let down.

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Your title sucked me in. And I’m very glad that I have listened! Wow you have a very unique perspective and style that is very appealing. Very well done!

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Love your use of rhymes in this one. Just discovered you. Will explore a bit more. Where are you from? And where are you living?

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@sirius

Quite philosophical, this one! "The end of self-improvement Is motion without movement"? Nice! Love the vocals here, they're catchy and elating with those little jumps they're doing. Great vibe!

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I like this one a lot! Forgive the comparison but it is like Blur recorded a song with BNL. The lyrics are incredible. Great song.

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Love the quick rhythm of the way you sing "wanting to be" (among other phrases), there's a fun mix of laid-back pop vibes and urgency here.

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So catchy from the first note, this is full of earworms. I love the clever lyrics and your delivery. Agreed with @ttg105 about the naked/pavement line. Listened twice and wanted a third, but time for bed so I can get up and get on.

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@ttg105

You pack a lot into a minute or so! Jaunty tune with excellent lyrics that almost bounce off each other. The naked/pavement line is my favorite. The whole song could be about death. Love the "bom boms"!

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I love the backing track here, and as Bill said, the song is snappy! The words really resonate with me, and you've pretty much nailed the idea of self-improvement.

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Yeah we have the whimsy and pretty music with some hardcore lines there! Well to my reading anyway! Almost subliminal!

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I appreciate the sentiment. I really like the the repetitive line "wanting then wanting..." and the "duh duh duh duh die" in the chorus? Bridge?

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that's a snappy tune i like the way you go up on some of the short line rhymes. it sets up a false sense of whimsy that draws those in who are looking for a good time. but the conclusion is really rather morbid its "face down on the pavement" climax. even though i saw it coming, it was still a thought when it was explicitly stated. the third want made that line but i wonder if you started with two and then added the third in a spontaneous gestures.

[FAWM]