FAWM: "A Bare-Faced Lie"

A Bare-Faced Lie

2025 by @plushbaby

Liner Notes

A short video popped up on my TikTok feed from a writer talking about the quickest way to make the audience feel engaged with characters in a story. They suggested giving characters a decision to make that would provoke a response from the audience.

So this is a song about choices. That then brought to mind Luigi Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Author, an absurdist play about the relationship between an author and their characters.

It was a quick record, get numbers on the board - time is running out. Maybe I would add a guitar line or add some space for a solo, work on making the bridge part a bit more interesting, and probably sing it with a bit more solidity in the melody.

Lyrics

I could have walked through that door I could have turned away And never know what was happening in that room So the choices that we make They Inform and integrate Into the people we become When life resumes

I could have held out my hand I could have punched you in the face If I wasn’t so damn comfortable and cool When you looked at me that way I knew without you having too say That you don’t act the same as When there’s no one watching you

And a character Must make a decision That shows emotion And intuition Oh yes a character they must reveal Their wildest dreams And inner demons For the audience For the audience to feel

You could have got in that car You could have walked for miles If you’d turned the corner 15/18 seconds late But you have a natural gift To find yourself adrift In the right time And the absolute right place

you’re at the crossroads Will turn into trouble? Or shut yours eyes and run toward danger The decision is mine With the pen in hand The decision is mine If you live or die

You could have told the truth Or a bare faced lie And I’d have to trust whatever hurtled from your mouth And Your gaze is steady strong Sat there in a bright sarong But I’m not sure I could throw you very far

Comments

@roblyon5150 2025

This is a really fun song. I'm going to miss FAWM 😞

@scottmcb 2025

Great energy, great lyrics.

@thedutchwidows 2025

Straight out of the gate, this has got bags of energy and personality. Guitars sound great, and the drums are right in your face - shoving you (well, me actually) along the journey. It's like a great night out, where everything's a blur, and there's a whirlwind of pubs, clubs, venues, people, and there are only snatches of scenes over the course of the evening. It's all such a rush. I mean that analogy sort of fits the narrative of the song, but it's more the energy and feel of it, I guess. Smashing.

@andybalham 2025

I really like that guitar at the start and the bouncing bass line that underpins this. I also like the pace and compactness of it. The lyrics are to the point and playing is good too. Nice job.