I thought I'd die

by @deadhead · @stephenwordsmith

Liner Notes

I completely misinterpreted these lyrics when writing this song. I wasn't sure if what I had really fit the intent. Especially the chorus / ending. But after hearing more from @stephenwordsmith about the lyrics, I like what we ended up with. Speaks to how brilliant the lyrics are when they can still convey their intended emotions even when a naive reader completely misses the point 🙂

#acoustic #alternative #grunge

Lyrics

You were cradling a glass Of warm life that would pass At the world-worn cafe cross the street I watched the steam rise Til it lit your grey eyes As my own they would suddenly meet

You had chanced to escape In the grey morning paper A greyer world outside your door The news of the week Ever typically bleak Yet so better than years gone before

CHORUS And I thought I'd die I thought I'd die I thought I'd die Before I looked you in Those haunted eyes Your haunted eyes Once more

We once without quarrel At point of a barrel Embarked on our journey to loss You taking path A And I the path B Resigned for them never to cross

I dreamed of your fate As you passed through the gate With its promise of work making free While I laboured among Falling souls, old and young Counting down to the final of me

CHORUS

BRIDGE But sometimes, in the fires of hell The ghost clings tightly to the shell And what is forged within the heart No mortal man can tear apart Then nightmares rip at straining seams And give their way to waking dreams Which carry prey of blood and grime Across the mists of space and time

Now we're pushed in a trance By the firm hand of chance To the midst of a Budapest street I watch the tear form In your eyes grey and warm As my own they unthinkably meet

CHORUS

Comments

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@nadine

Misinterpretation - Thats why I'm scared picking up lyrics... However this one have such a great meter and phrasing. And I like what you did musically. Your acoustic solo is great! Has something of a secret Radiohead acoustic session

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I like the chord and melodic progression here a lot. Such a spectacular musical idea here -- it sounds like the sort of thing Jellyfish or the like might do musically with this lyric. This holds its own in the versions of music for this lyric. The BUILD is powerful. Amazing job. In awe.

[avatar]

It's so interesting how this one went much darker and much more intense, despite, by your own admission, your interpretation being much more metaphorical and much less meta-historical. I was surprised that it built up in intensity and didn't let go until the final instrumental moments - I had anticipated a calming at the final meeting but the fact that there wasn't one made me ponder the scenario and the characters as if I wasn't the one who wrote them in the first place.

The instrumentation is fantastic, particularly the flamenco-style guitar, which is just amazing. That grunge/alt-rock style complete with baroque elements reminds me of REM circa 1991, which is about the highest compliment I can give with such a comparison.

You've left in twice as much bridge as Mike, and I think your choice works for this song. It's the kind of middle eight that warrants a continued build up of intensity. Blood and ripping and hellfire and all that. Lovely. Ditto the song title - it's the lines 'I thought I'd die' that comes through more strongly in this one - a reflection of what the narrator has been through, or simply the massive intensity of his feelings. The way you deliver it actually invites the listener to reconsider the line; initially it sounds like their reaction in the moment, but it later is revealed to be their lack of hope at ever finding themselves in this moment...

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I'm curious to know how you "misinterpreted" the lyrics, and what kind of music you would have preferred in hindsight. The Beatlesesque chording, at least the way you deliver it, and passionate delivery frame Stephen's epic well. But I know what you mean about a sneaking suspicion that maybe there's better music for a particular idea. IMO, let that go. This is a good demo that'll only get better as you work on it.

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