FAWM: "Abacus"

Abacus

2025 by @oaksnprairie

Liner Notes

True story. I met this woman soon after I moved to a new town and we became good friends. We worked together on her local environmental project and I became a board member for the organization. After my two year term was up, I chose not to run again. This woman stopped speaking to me, physically turning away if I tried to say"Hi." Other mutual friends said," oh, that's just _____, all her friendships are transactional. If you don't work on her project, you're not her friend."

After the years went by, I realized this would be a good story for a break-up song.

Lyrics

Abacus

Once, a time when we were friends We had so much in common Walking and biking everywhere Sharing books, ideas and ramen

I helped you, you helped me We volunteered together Everybody said that we Were two birds of a feather

All the time I spent with you Sharing friendship’s pleasure You were counting up the hours A miser with her treasure

Abacus, abacus, clicking on your abacus Adding every credit, subtracting every debit Abacus, abacus clicking on your abacus Life’s all transaction, everything a fraction

Then one day, I could not help I had to say, “I cannot.” That’s the day you turned away Never gave me another thought.

Abacus, abacus, clicking on your abacus Adding every credit, subtracting every debit Abacus, abacus clicking on your abacus Life’s all transaction, everything a fraction

Comments

@jeremykazoo 2025

The abacus is such a great way to visualize the social balance sheet many people keep. You could use stick or rimshot percussion in the chorus to add rhythm and reinforce the abacus image.

@cjk 2025

It's always hard to lose a friendship. Or finding out that it was just one sided. But you turned the experience into a great song.

@newukenewyork 2025

The image of the abacus (and the rhythm that you use in that section) in this person’s brain is a great idea. You’ve mined that transactional relationship for a relatable song! I like the tone of the vocals and melodies, as well.