FAWM: "System Warning"

System Warning

2025 by @toddnorem

Liner Notes

Song #10

So tonight...end of FAWM...I had this chord progression that felt kind of epic that I was playing around with for a week, and I thought for sure that it would be my last song. But it was too ambitious. Then there was this song I wrote in the fall that I remembered that I thought I'd finish up, but I grew bored with it. I thought I'd look through my Logic files, thinking there might be some drum tracks from earlier ideas that might spark something. Then I found an instrumental demo from December called Dreaming Song. What's crazy is I don't really remember writing it, although I know I was playing around with Logic around that time because I was learning how to program chord sequences. So I had this song, just instruments, no vocal line/melody. I figured I'd use the tracks I had and mix them around and see if I couldn't work it into something. So this is what happened.

I'm trying not to second guess this one or I'll be up until 4am when that countdown clock expires.

This FAWM was not easy, and I'm sure I wasn't alone. It was good to have an outlet for creativity, but damn things are getting heavy.

Happy end of FAWM everyone. I plan on catching up on some listening now that the writing part is over.

#political #rock

Lyrics

Saw the warning signs and was not caught unaware Remind me again about the serenity prayer Never enlisted I’d rather not fight a war

System warning

Headlines flashing it’s time to break another lie Blood begins to boil and it eats me up inside

System warning

They want your anger and throw around their weight They’ll get the hook when they try to set the bait I’ll surround myself with love they can have the hate

System warning

There’s no equals here it’s not about picking sides History repeats and power corrupts with lies

System warning

Comments

@joefahey 2025

I love the juxtaposition of this fun, poppy tune with the dark lyrics that perfectly capture the new reality of the new unreality. Gotta keep reciting that serenity prayer to get through these blood boiling news cycles. Gotta keep surrounding yourselves with love. Can’t wait till they get the hook. Congrats on a great FAWM, you gained a lot of new material for your next albums, thank you for all your support and encouragement Todd!

@tspoon 2025

Nice rocker to go out on! I like the chord progression and the production is quite good. I like how you end with a little positivity. ’ll surround myself with love they can have the hate“. That’s a good line. Great Fawm year! Congrats on getting to 10. That’s a full album in my book. Thanks again for all the support again as well.