The Tear You Can't Cry
by @brisk
Liner Notes
This was the song I started working on immediately after the first. The chorus harmony was a bit of an annoyance, and while I've settled on this, I'm not convinced its what I want.
Residents of Winchester will note certain geographical liberties have been taken. I just wanted to bung some spurious geographical specificity into a song in order to make a lyric stretch over two verses.
My wife said this was basically a Badly Drawn Boy rip-off, but I don't think it's egregious... but there's certainly some of the feel of The Shining. Am I being unforgivable, good people of FAWM?
[edit: oh, and random fact: this song changed quite a lot from the initial note on my phone to the recording on my computer because I started singing the chorus to early, so had to change everything. Yay for happy accidents.]
Lyrics
Fee Fi Fo Fum England is done Watch it recede from Waterloo All lines must bend Winchester's end Eastleigh and Shawford Then it's you
There's a teardrop in my eye There's a teardrop I can't cry There's a teardrop in my eye
Gnawed by the cold Down Romsey Road Fulflood then Pitt Old Kennel's Lane
Knuckle the door Just like before There's time enough before the train
There's a teardrop in my eye There's a teardrop I can't cry There's a teardrop in my eye
Comments
Excellent melancholia in the verses leading to what I feel is an excellently ethereal and angelic chorus with the backing vocals. It's a really nice juxtaposition between the deep and the high pitched vocals, particularly when they both come in together in the second verse. I love the instrumental section. The layering of lots of different subtle additions, some of the gentle synthy sounds creates a really full sound. If I were to try and pick something critical to feed back I feel like it didn't need need a fade out. I think you could have gone for a 'teardrop in my eye' finish with a drawn out last note. Even space for a false ending perhaps! Also, I don't think it's egregious either, definitely got your unique flavour throughout!
Another fist bump for the place names. There's a steadiness to this that I like a lot. The chorus feels perfect to me.
I do like place names and the way that using them in this way establishes a close relationship with the listener - like we have all these things in common. Good to hear your voice.
This is very easy to listen to with the relaxed laid back feel. I like the vocals and guitar sound. I like the first two lines of the chorus but I’m not so keen on the third line being a repeat of the first so I would agree with you that it could be tweaked but overall it’s a great piece.
Wow, great writing here, love your vocals. Very pleasant guitars, great stuff!
I enjoyed this song, especially the soft, whispery dreampop vocals. The instrumentation works well with the vocals. And l like that little bubbly-squirting-sounding solo that pops up a couple of times. No idea what instrument that is, lol. Thanks for sharing!
Specifics can really make a song sometimes and it does here, some how personalises it! This works on all levels.
Dreamy. Kind of 60’s psychedelic pop. Nostalgic. Hints of Ed O’Brien, to my ear. Very nice.
There's maybe a Badly Drawn Boy adjacency, if you're really listening for it. But I think your wife is being incredibly harsh there, and you can tell her I said so. Who doesn't love the gentle drift of a song featuring South of England place names and beautiful harmonies? Like @richaaaay says, "Knuckle the door" is an excellent phrase - did you invent it? Fabulous solo(s), nice phaser-y tone to it. I like the emotional contrast between the journey towards someone and the tears when, presumably, you've arrived.
So lovely to listen to. Nice harmony and guitar. And what a clever title! Well done!
Knuckle the door…never heard that before but it’s perfect. I really enjoy your slower tempo songs. Your vocal range and talents are on display, harmonies and all. I love how you bend the melodies in unpredictable ways. It just draws me. Seems your guitar is getting increased play…Yay! A lovely song Mr Brisk!!!
i had his first album and saw him in concert but, to tell the truth, none of that music stuck with me although i liked it st the time....so i cant comment on the badly drawn boy aspect of your song. but i can say that i thoroughly enjoyed the song. it is so pleasing to listen to, more of in an intimate way than in a catchy way. although the main line does stand out, both in melody and words.
I love those phasy/chorusy lead guitar lines in between sections!