There's a conversational, confessional feel to the words that works incredibly well. Really randomly it reminds me of the lyrics to Mrs Blaileen by Primus - but there's less whimsy and more introspection, and they work incredibly well. I like the step the chorus takes into a more general, shared sentiment.

The musical treatment is lovely. It has a kind of nagging edge while being lush and tuneful, which seems to fit the subject matter to a t. Tee? Tea? The waltz gives it a distinctive hobble, while not feeling weird like some irregular time sig might.

Great work from all involved.

I don't know a Theodor but I know kids who don't belong. What a lovely waltz

“everyone knows a Theodore” - what a tender and poignant character study that is so beautifully developed and gorgeously delivered … I really love the lyric. The waltz feel is perfect - it creates a warm and graceful feel that Theodore deserves as despite the outward awkwardness that heart is so full of compassion and empathy. Beautiful!

The lyric is well written, telling a sad story and one that could be much more heartbreaking. And the music tells the story as well, sad but beautiful. I liked the doubled vocal.

OMG... @davidtaro @greengrassgirl this is heartbreakingly beautiful. Sad, sweet, and so so true. You shined the light so sensitively and compassionately on Theodore, someone we all have known, myself included. Same name. This song went straight to my heart, bypassing my composure. In other words, I'm sitting here crying. @davidtaro this is a wonderful stretch for you. The waltz time is just perfect. The paired down arrangement (paired down for you ;0) provided the bedrock and space for your power duet and story to be told. Steady sparse bass, bells?, acoustic guitar just perfect. Beautiful pairing of talents here!

Absolute delight to listen to this incredible collab! Wonderful and heartbreaking lyric set, beautifully treated in the epic @davidtaro style we've all come to love. All the nuances (especially the glockenspiel) are so enjoyed, and the vocal harmonies were a treat amidst the already rock solid performance by David. Wow. Great work you two!

the music is certainly does justice to paul simons style, and im glad the vocals are david taro and dont try to emulate the simon and garfunkle harmonies. i can see why the lyrics brought S&G to mind. They remind me of A Most peculiar Man. S&G aside, this is a beautiful song in the David Taro canon

This is pure craft. Top to bottom. The lyrics are gorgeous and the performances even more so. This is the 2nd song to make me cry today.

Then my father died I was on my own My flat filled up with flowers But my heart had turned to stone

V5 I stayed inside for days Never felt so bad I stared into space for hours Plotting how to join my Dad

I lost my dad pretty young and this rocked me with how apt a description of my experience this was. Thanks for this. It’s truly beautiful and I’m not being FAWM nice, this is maybe the most beautiful thing I e heard in years.

A creative character piece that most can relate to in some manner. The change of events was a great way to bring about a new respect and gratitude for Theodore. I love the waltz feel here. This flows through my mind in all the best ways. Great collab!

This is fabulous. A great take on a character we’ve all met. I love the chorus; it really swings. Great lyrics, vocals and music. David never fails to deliver and a I’ll have to check out more from you Patty. Thanks both - a great collab!

That's a great lyric, Patty! Very unexpected ending and very moving. You definitely found the right music for this, David. Great collab!

Very cool collab. Has an almost The Beatles feel to it. Love the duet, your voices blend together so well. @greengrassgirl the narrative in your lyrics is masterful. Very powerful story.

The timeless waltz feel is great paired with the character study in the lyrics here.

What a lovely, achingly truthful story. The lyric is so nicely structured, you wonder where it's going and then you get that killer stanza. So sweet. There are some cracking instrument choices too - the harpsichord and the organ are barely there in the mix but they add so much, especially at that waltz tempo. Favourite thing is probably the held, unresolving note on "Far too long". That suits the words SO well.

I will always say it: WALTZES ARE CHEATING! (Because there's no such thing as a bad waltz) 😉

Always love @greengrassgirl 's lyrics--wish she'd done more--and you've done a terrific job covering them. I like the more romantic laid-back David. (And, yeah--especially if you CHEAT with a waltz!) ❤️

Wohoooo i got a lot of catching up to do, now out of my retreat and oooo what a treat. I felt the need for a melodic, beautiful bit of magic to flow through my ear this morning and boy does this tick all those boxes. The production is pure magic and those harmonies truly are magical .I adore the story and its been interpreted perfectly. This is more than a treat guys . Muchos thanks to you both

Magic is the word! Those tinkling xylophone notes and the sweet delay. The clean guitar is definitely bringing the S&G vibes (huge Paul Simon fan btw) and I think you channelled it beautifully! This also kind of reminds me of Lord Anthony (Belle & Sebastian) at least lyrically. The Waltz is a beautifully choice, it brings such a magical movement to these gorgeous lyrics. I love that chorus 'Everyone knows a Theodore, the kid who don't belong' and the little touches like 'never went by Ted' really quickly build an intimate and authentic picture of Theodore :) beautiful collab!

What a wonderful song. A beautiful story - beatifully told. I love how this - on the outside is deceptively simple - yet hides it's complexities so well. It's like the Swan gliding along the water with the legs paddling furiously along underneath. Really memorable - glad I happened upon this. Very well done to you both. :-)

really good storytelling lyric, loved it Patty. nicely done David that would have been tricky. but the outcome was excellent.

Excellent job all around! Wonderful, sweet story and very appropriate music to bring them to life. The music seems a little Beatlesque to me (maybe around the Magical Mystery days?). Anyway, I enjoyed all aspects of this...congrats to both of you!

Oh, the way "far too long" resolves sends this into orbit. Beautiful heart and humanity in the lyric, the slightly irregular meter seems really appropriate. The little organ touches are so good, and I love the way you sing this together. I love love songs that are about what it means to be human, not just a lover.

Edit: came back to add that “everyone knows a Theodore” has been rolling through my brain since I listened. So good hook!

I knew a Theodore. I have heartstrings for many Theodores in the world. The way this narrative moves, I'm reminded of Ode to Billy Joe. The lyrics, the arrangement and really the story remind me so much of the tele-movie inasmuch the song itself (not a dig at you, @davidtaro). It's a moving piece from both aspects that you two have brought here. This is quite moving and I think that's what tends to make songs memorable and enjoyable. Nice work!

Can't imagine a better treatment for such a poignant and thoughtful lyric. I think David came as close to a S&G vibe as anyone could hope to. And yes, that glockenspiel sprinkled such silvery magic onto the whole proceedings. Thanks to you both for touching our hearts.

Gave me chills! So beautiful written and harmonically choreographed. Masterfully done!

Well done collaboration. The combined vocals sound great together, and your tone matches the lyrics really well. I don't know if I would have made the Simon & Garfunkel connection on my own, but because you mentioned it, I can definitely see that influence in the finished product. This sort of has the same yearning quality as The Only Living Boy in New York. The lyrics are good and touch on a universal subject. And I really like the choice of instrumentation. Nice work!

A gentle and touching story, carefully crafted and revealed. Love the harmonized vocals throughout. That's very effective, particularly for a more sparse production like this. The guitar sounds full and wonderful. The extra instrumentation is subtle and well orchestrated. DT, you are a master!

I live for moments like this on FAWM. The two-voice harmonies right the way through are just right: I never thought, Oh that's enough duo, let's have a solo. I love how the gentle waltz rhythm ebbs and flows, not just in the payoff final verse, but at other points in the song, so that as a listener I'm pulled along in a current that swoops, slows in swirling eddies, and then moves off again. The instrumentation is ace: the glockenspiel is such a cherry on top, as it were, when done well, as it is here. Anyway, the story is touching and masterfully told: a moving vignette from the speaker's viewpoint but Theodore's whole existence. You've created empathy, which is an artistic achievement.