Tell Me No

by @tfish77

Liner Notes

#rock #piano #CheatersDozen

I started this song last July, and never quite figured out what I wanted to do with it. It kept calling to me, so I decided to resurrect it for my Cheater's Dozen, and I'm pretty happy with the results.

I'm not sure where this melody and soundscape came from, but I find it very soothing. Also not sure why I decided I had to sing some high Bs in my chest voice, which I found less soothing, but interesting. In lieu of a bridge, I tacked on this odd little coda, which was a fun excuse to get weird.

PS: Wow, I hit number 14 early, and during a year where I was already thinking "I've put a lot of time in on music recently, I could use a break." Apparently I was wrong!

Lyrics

sometimes i ask but i don't want to know but it feels right so i don't let it go

i really wish that i had something else to say but since i don't i'll ask you anyway

can i get an answer to these things i want to know all i want's an answer from you but you tell me no tell me no

sometimes i feel like this is something wrong but it feels right so i'll just play along

if only i knew what's really going on then maybe i'd know how long to sing this song

can i get an answer to these things i want to know all i want's an answer from you but you tell me no tell me no

you tell me no

Comments

[avatar]

oh... the rain is a really beautiful touch—i love the choice to open with that simple acoustic piano sound & then blossom it into the synths, all before the singing begins. and the washy reverby singing complements the lyrics so well; glad to be back listening to your music!!! what a treat

oh also congrats on hitting 14! 🎉

[avatar]

I think that on the off chance you make it to heaven, that lush synth tone is what you'll encounter there.

Love the vocal riff at the end of the chorus, it has an almost 50s throwback that contrasts nicely with the rest of the mojo. Good build throughout, solid storytelling, very cool tune!

[avatar]

I love using “know” and “no” as rhymes here, not just as matching vowel sounds, which would be the easy way to do it, but creating tension in their opposition.

[avatar]

Oh, I like that idea that All I want’s an answer but then you tell me no. This is like a perfect statement of the human condition. The way you sing the note on that No is so fantastic. It feels like I’m being lifted up off the ground by this spot on my sternum very near my heart. I so much want to hear it one more time in the last set of Nos. And maybe that desperation mirrors the feeling of being left after the No and longing even to hear the No again. Great work.

[avatar]
@agenttyty

the drums are super sick! nicely accompanying the synths, makes me think of 90s alt rock, combing elements alt rock and synth (especially with that piano at 2min). your vocal harmonies are fantastic as well - congrats on 14 songs!

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