FAWM: "Burnt Sugar"

Burnt Sugar

2025 by @cmharwood89

Liner Notes

This is a FAWM of firsts for me! First time with something a little more rock. First time going for something that isn't a spare guy-and-guitar arrangement (thanks BIAB for the backing drums and bass).

This is also well outside my comfort zone, musically. Demo still has some rough patches to be ironed out, but I started this today with the commitment to post it before bed.

Guitars and vox are me. Drums, bass, and keys are band-in-a-box.

#bandinabox #biab #bluesy #rock

Lyrics

Once I had it all In the palm of your hand The weight of the world didn't burden my shoulders much

There wasn't any place you stood That I wouldn't stand; I was bound to the sound of your voice and the feel of your touch

You were the sharp delivery Of lightning in my veins came down from the high to find my lips won't say your name

You were sweet molasses Till we dared approach the sun Now the taste of burnt sugar lingers on my tongue

Now that you've walked on Leaving flaming footprints in the sand I was left with a handful Of memories we had before everything went up in a flash

Like a hot fired kiln That's left to go dark And so cool 'cos the spark is too small and lays buried beneath the ash

You were the sharp delivery Of lightning in my veins Came down from my high just to hang my head in shame

You were a firebug To answer all my prayers Now the scent of burnt sugar lingers in the air

I remember your eyes on the day that you packed your things and went My key's gone from the hook and my savings overspent Lipstick writing left on every lovingly painted wall It's cliché but they say the higher you climb, the further you fall

The further you fall

The wind sting my eyes As I sped toward the earth And ocean laughs mirthlessly Waiting to swallow me whole

I'm pulled by the jetstream And I'm pushed by the tides I'm aimless and churning so weightless, I'm burned Cos you took my goddamned soul

You were the sharp delivery Of lightning in my veins I came down from the high to find my lips won't say your name

You were the scent of honey Drifting on the wind Now the smoke of burnt sugar ashes up my skin

You were the sweet release Of morphine in the veins But now the sense of burnt sugar is fogging up my brain

Comments

@newukenewyork 2025

Great vocals here and a really satisfying track overall. Sounds so fully realized, with all the elements coming together in balance. Great title and lyric, too. Compelling and not overwritten.

@lbrewington 2025

The hook is great, and the title alone is intriguing but as the song unfolds it just gets better every time. Love the line "Came down from my high just to hang my head in shame". Feel like the bridge is a very classical bridge in the sense it checks off all the boxes and completes the story. It almost sounded like you were going to rip a solo at the end, which I wouldn't have complained. Very smooth, throughout and that really allows the story to come through. Great job as always.

@stuartbenbow 2025

Dang Casey, this one's really nice. Solid guitar, vocals, lyrics and arrangement. Well worth your lost sleep over.

@berni1954 2025

Oooh sweet soul music! Brilliant phrasing in this. Superb ""oooohs"

Man, Otis, Sam or Marvyn would have taken this to number one!

BIAB is a songwriter's best mate, ain't it just.

@aeye 2025

That hook is everything. This has such a great flow to it. I literally just stopped writing to listen and bob my head to this. Totally into it.

@grayland 2025

Love that burnt sugar hook!! This song had me from the first chord prog. It is so well written...very classic blues rock so incredibly well done.. Your voice is golden, Casey...never heard better.. Fantastic song...really!!!

@bradbrubaker 2025

All the twists on the burnt sugar line are creative, from the too close to the sun line to the morphine at the end. It all works nicely together.

@coolparadisoMod 2025

Good title for a touch of rock! Man what a cool opening! Man you can sing! This is a belter! I couldn’t help but hear the horns! Instant classic,

Maybe thee n me need to collaborate!

@tan482 2025

Ooh, this is sweet indeed! So full of soul. Can totally imagine it with a killer horn section. I think style suits you!

@majordanby 2025

You’ve got some amazing pipes there mate! This has a great old 70’s sound, somewhere between soul and a rock song. So very clever.

@ayeahmur 2025

The lyrical combination of fire and sugar in various ways really lights up the senses. I can both smell and taste this song! Lovely relaxed, soulful delivery. That quiet little electric piano adds such a sweet tone beneath the guitars. Great singing too.