Modern Man
by @zecoopMod · @karlsburg25
Liner Notes
ZeCoop: Karl always can see a musical silver lining in any piece of music, so even though I wrote my surf instrumental "Ice Shelf" as a stand-alone piece, when he said he had some ideas, I was all in! I always love collaborating with Karl and this one ticks so many boxes for me. I love the lyrical message, how he layers vocals and adding a guitar solo was perfect too. Now this song actually feels complete! Thanks mate!!
Karl: Woohooo, awesome stuff John. FAWm doen'st really start for me until i've heard and rocked out to John's opening surf rock track , but this year i heard this one and immeditately had a tune in my head, but OMG i didn't want to soil the sacred as they say ;-) but very kindly john let me run with it. Lyrically it started out as trying to paint a picture of a city stuck office bloke , needing to respond to that inner yearning of nature beach and escape from the city/tech life, so the chorus acted as a nice contrast. But then, as with a few of my tunes this FAWM, the second batch of verses turned to a little message about the current situation and i just wanted to give an alternative, as the modern man could be.
Massive huge thanks to John for his bloody awesome track and letting me have so much vocal fun playing with it. Woohooo.
**the original instrumental is here https://write.fawm.org/songs/304429 ** (but this one is better and has supplanted the old one) #surf #garagerock #empathy
Lyrics
He is an ex conforming man Reneging suits and deep fake tans A concrete jungle left behind Throws off a life in disguise
Spaghetti junctions all around Rigid appointments, not his town No penchant for the apple tones Released his mind from the crease To feel the breeze
Wake up today a beach kissed sun shining so bright Surfs up a mission for the soul Palm tress and oceans wide, a change form first world plight The life free dream is on the ropes (come on now here we go)
USA dream is still alive Just let him stop and tell you why Toxic feel can make him cry Can we be free of their lies
Connected FAWM communities Brings breath of life and helps him see Nourishing souls afar and near The gradual change can appear
Wake up today a beach kissed sun shining so bright Surfs up a mission for the soul Palm tress and oceans wide, a change form first world plight The life free dream can come alive (come on now here we go)
Creative consciousness can spread Far and wide Join the ride Be by my side Cos we'll be alright
Comments
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/26622.png){kind=avatar}
So happy to hear this backing track being picked up. The vocal phrasing is awesome. I love the chord structure!
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2025/7390310a-1238-4311-84a5-054137a3f89c.png){kind=avatar}
Hang loose! 🤙🤙🤙🤙 (yes I have 4 arms)
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2025/b660afd6-58dc-4de4-8cf2-251731885aa4.png){kind=avatar}
Gorgeous! Wooo!
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/12322.png){kind=avatar}
Great energy in this upbeat song with a wonderfully uplifting lyric. I can see why you two like to collaborate. I enjoyed this a lot.
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This is a really fun song! The lyrical message is great, and the music had me tapping my toes all the way through, with excellent performance and production. Really well done collab.
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/5ee6487f-edf6-47b1-a0a5-c68600288891.png){kind=avatar}
Oh man well played! I enjoyed the music, but how you pulled that lyric and delivery out is genius! Great song!
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2025/056ce020-491d-485d-8375-564b95b66ecb.png){kind=avatar}
Omg who’s playing that badass guitar solo?! This song just provided so much ear candy I’ve got a sugar rush! Second listen now…This is reminding me of a couple of my fav bands in a good way. Those lyrics are some of the best on this topic since Blur’s Country House. I especially like the penchant for Apple tones/release his mind from the crease. Karl your magical ability to make prog arrangements with words is king!
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2024/ac35b5ec-98b2-419a-a366-3a8a01f7f716.png){kind=avatar}
Oh yeah, I love the surf rock vibe on this song and great layering of vocals. Sounds very beach boys but rockier, and nice chord changes in the chorus (awesome harmonies on the ‘lies’ phrase). Really digging this one! 🎸🥰
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Oh yes... if only creativity could save the world... sigh.... but, yes creativity will be the way!!! It must!
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/26629.png){kind=avatar}
This is like a bright sunny day at the beach...it's hitting the right notes for me today...fine work here, love the combo organ!!
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2025/7d83703c-1c7e-4404-b6b4-21c350232d74.png){kind=avatar}
How did you get the Beach Boys to collaborate with Ozzy Osbourne? Now that was unexpected. The vocals (and harmonies) go perfectly somehow. Really fun and catchy. Delightful chorus, found myself smiling.
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2025/3f8c15af-4b10-49ee-864a-0d390c11de4d.png){kind=avatar}
Sounds like a great 1960s single! Made me smile. Good stuff. Kinda of a cross between the Monkees and the Kinks.
![[FAWM]](/static/img/demoduck.svg)
Wow, super catchy song! Great collab! The chorus is simply awesome! Love this sumerish vibes!