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Stephen Wordsmith

@stephenwordsmith
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Songs

33

Joined

2008

16/4: Thank you all for your concern for my welfare in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle and the Kapiti earthquakes. @lapetitekiwi and I are fine, and none of our books are wet. Tomato plants are a write-off, though

Lyricist who drifts between gazing into the navel and the soul. My navel has less lint.

#Pronouns: He/him
#Preferred_pronoun: You (I'd rather be talked to than about)
#Constructive_criticism: Welcomed

#Collaboration_policy:
My lyrics should not be assumed to be exclusive (too many excellent multiple takes). However, if you are not the first to claim a lyric, I recommend checking with the other FAWMer(s) that they're OK with you jumping on board. Similarly, you can quietly ask me if you want exclusive rights to do a demo for a song, and I will likely grant you that.

ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

Year 16, which means my FAWM account has outlasted the Qin dynasty.

Songs

[avatar] +1
4
FAWM 42 - To Tame the Very Angry Things (stephenwordsmith's The Very Very Very Angry Song) by @moonraccoon +1 more
15
The Very Very Very Angry Song by @johncrossman +1 more #folk #collab #marchingsnare
9
Chandra's Candle Store (metalfoot version) by @metalfoot +1 more #slackchat
6
Chandra's Candle Store by @ianuarius +1 more #bass #rock #drums
11
Something Vile Instead by @charliecheney +1 more #funk #protest #collab
7
Things I Would Rather Do by @tcelliott +1 more #rock #collab
20
Gabrielle by @jeff9 +1 more #singer_songwriter #romantic #cyclone
21
half statue by @burrsettlesMod +1 more #cyberpunk #punk #synth
6
Merry Mythic Meter Maid by @sph +1 more #folk #singer_songwriter #collab
7
The Very Very Very Angry Song by @stephenwordsmith #needs_music
3
Freefall by @ianuarius +1 more #acoustic #acoustic_one_take
[avatar] +1
11
Merry Mythic Meter Maid (lyrics by @stephenwordsmith) by @edsmaronmusic +1 more #vocals #singer_songwriter #collab
13
Sunsailor by @gwynjones +1 more #asongofastory
[avatar] +1
4
FAWM 13 - Spending Lives, not Money (stephenwordsmith's You're Spending Men, not Money) by @moonraccoon +1 more #political #war
8
Merry Mythic Meter Maid by @stephenwordsmith #needs_music
12
The Elephant by @cheslain +1 more
7
You're Spending Men, not Money by @stephenwordsmith #needs_music
6
Gabrielle by @stephenwordsmith
9
The Elephant by @stephenwordsmith
[avatar] +1
9
FAWM 10 - One Day (stephenwordsmith's One Day, You'll Be a Song) by @moonraccoon +1 more #ukulele #lullaby #dissonance
27
And Did It Wonder? by @oddbod +1 more #gypsyjazz #jazz #swing
14
Three chords and the tooth by @mikeskliar +1 more #rock #collab
7
Three Chords and the Tooth by @stephenwordsmith
17
One Day, You'll Be A Song by @metalfoot +1 more #collab
19
One Day You'll Be a Song by @ductapeguyMod +1 more #acoustic_one_take #indie_folk #axisprogressions
12
One Day, You'll be a Song by @stephenwordsmith
11
And Did it Wonder? by @stephenwordsmith
11
Somewhere in the City (demo of @stephenwordsmith 's lyrics) by @leepat +1 more #sadcore #exitsong #lo_fi
[avatar] +1
12
It Wasn't Meant to Be This Hard (lyrics by @stephenwordsmith) by @edsmaronmusic +1 more #synthpop #pop #singer_songwriter
9
The Things I'd Rather do (than this Project for another Zeptosecond) by @stephenwordsmith
10
Somewhere in the city by @stephenwordsmith
9
It wasn't meant to be this hard by @stephenwordsmith
13
Sunsailor by @stephenwordsmith

Soundboard

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@radiobenedetto
Thx for the comment on unmediated view. I love that catch 2022 gets the chef’s kiss. I actually think that Catch 2022 should be the title but I hate to date something that’s already out of date. However, it’s more to do with an era than a specific year. What think?
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@newukenewyork
Oh, hello. Your comment on "Days of Kohl and Rosaries" may be my favorite of FAWM. Thank you for taking the time. I can't express how much it meant to me to feel so heard/seen.
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@billwhite51
thank you for your comments on cross exchange. it is my attempt at an impressionistic fresco detailing several inter-related actions on a weekend night, so you guessed correctly. you are on the seine.
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@moonraccoon
I will! Thank you, our smith of all the best words.
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@johncrossman
Greetings. I have a second Angry Angry track, shall I post or would you like to hear it first? I don't want to step on toes, though it should be different enough. That's one smooth track by your friend and mine, CC!
[avatar]
@robertmyers
Hey, Stephen! It's been a couple decades since I last listened to Nick. His voice was too low for me to sing along to back then, but it seems mine has also moved more in that direction, lately. Your comment made me go check my file server and I *do* still have a copy of the Murder Ballads album, so thanks for the reminder to bring it out again and give it a spin.
[avatar]
@charliecheney
I'd forgotten about On The Ceiling. That was a polished one, thanks to John. It feels like there were so many. Skimpy Viking a super highlight for me. I regretted that for years, pulling that off of the Significant Otters record at the last possible minute for "industry" reasons. Just about EVERY choice I've ever made for "the industry" filled me with regret over the years. It's pretty great to have all of that off my plate again.

Really really like this one, Stephen. It feels like a real thing, an authentic thing. Though I had a scratch vocal in place whilst the ongoing days of piano rehearsal and the recording of all the other parts, the "real" vocal was just one take. The lead guitar took FOREVER, lol, take after take after take. But that vocal, I'm really tickled there's not a single overdub or punch-in on that vocal.

Such a pleasure to get to make magic with you again.
[avatar]
@metalfoot
Meanwhile, busy here contemplating dust... (sermon must be ready for AW service tomorrow!)
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@gslade
Re: Buns

Timeline of the Flight of the Conchords Influence

Sometime between the big bang and 2018 I heard Hiphopopotamus

2019 (I think) I wrote "Cinnamon Buns" for 5090 where I wrote the line "Granny Party, We Croquet " because it rhymed with something. I was thinking of the line from Hiphopopatamus about Nana's tea party when it came to me.

2021 - Vulpine and I collaborated on Shelvamon Buns (all my titles had the word shelf in it somewhere) - To pay homage to Granny, and once again fill a need for a rhyme, I wrote "I need some chapstick for my ear, Granny's back for another year"

2022 - I wrote Chocolate Milk, and in the intro the narrator says "When we last left our heroes, they were on the way to a Granny party."

2023 - of course, the 4th entry in this epic saga would be lacking authenticity if it were to neglect the Granny that got us here.

And yes, Laila was a Fawm-celebrated baby..I remember that. She's actually quite the graphic artist. I may ask her to draw a concept of Marissa, the sibling that didn't make it to birth. I think that would slap, as the kids say.
[avatar]
@metalfoot
It would have been better if my voice were less exhausted but thanks! 😀
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@emplate
Thank you for the comment on "Worms Crawl on the Skeletons of the Dead Tyrants"! Hahah, witness me! Yeah, I don't do clean singing, I just gurgle and vomit unholy incantations.
[avatar]
@sph
Thanks for listening to my guitar tune. there are 4 guitar tracks: two with rhythm and two "melody lines" but played on two different guitars. Hope that's not cheating
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@charliecheney
Well, I just spent an hour editing the rough sketch in Logic to see if it all fit together musically. I'll be honest the music feels a bit suspect. I'll sleep on it overnight and listen again in the morning before deciding if it's suitable or in need of a complete overhaul. At this point it feels a bit herky jerky. 🤷‍♂️
[avatar]
@johncrossman
Me too! And I was lengthening my comment so I could get my request in quickly and continue to review your fine piece of work... I have a few musical ideas!
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@sapient
Oh, what joy! You might feel you lack some way of describing things, but I'll take that as one of the best things anyone has said about one of my songs this Fawm! Thank you! 😁
[avatar]
@edsmaronmusic
Hi, Stephen, I'm really happy you liked the arrangement. It was a joy to work on and only took around three hours. You are a tremendous writer and I'll collaborate with you any time you want.
[avatar]
@nadine
Thanks for your comment! Well, I'm not a native speaker so it's hard for me to get all puns and details in your writing. You're really a wordsmith!
I'm happy you enjoyed Princess. The rage came from deep within! I hope I can get back to that mindset when I rerecord the vocals. We are planning to replace the MIDI bits with real instruments so the final version will sound much heavier
[avatar]
@charliecheney
Hey, your comment on the first lyric really shaped the new song demo direction. There was something about it that veered the demo off of snarky punk into something that felt more genuine and loving. Big thanks for that! I'd be glad to credit you as a co-writer, wasn't sure if you'd like that or not, but you are definitely a big part of the writing team in my head.
[avatar]
@gwynjones
Hi Stephen...I hope you're okay. I've sent you something by email but do what you need to right now...all the best...
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@timfatchenMod
Just heard the earthquake news. Are you two safe?
[avatar]
@johns
Thanks, high praise coming from you.
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@jeff9
Yes, we know those angry storms all too well in this part of the world
[avatar]
@cindyrella
I thought you'd like it :)
[avatar]
@cindyrella
If you want to hear a punny song, Gwyn put music to my husband's song. So funny. https://write.fawm.org/songs/17500#c69166
[avatar]
@radioovermoscow
Yeah we're fine. Lockdown is preventing further progress on demos, so there will be a delay until all this *waves around* is over...
[avatar]
@charliecheney
I would think an arachnid to have an implicit bias towards proboscis, and an elephant to have an explicit one.
[avatar]
@sapient
Oh, well spotted!
*must try harder next time*
[avatar]
@mikeskliar
Thanks for your thoughts and glad you like the demo. In all honesty, I didn’t really understand the J.R.R. Tolkien reference anyway (I haven’t read the books for a million years)so I guess I went for grizzled prospector meets pirate
[avatar]
@mikeskliar
hope ya like 'three chords and the tooth'! just posted...
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@timfatchenMod
Also, I regret I couldn't leave your answer whilst extracting the spam dentist and the rooted canal post, but I second @carleybaer and I promise I would do the music (three-chord, of course) if you do...
[avatar]
@timfatchenMod
Frogspawn will be unable to work his evil will this FAWM. Away.
[avatar]
@carleybaer
I happened to catch that spam post for the emergency dentist in Mississauga, and I humbly request that you write a song called “three chords and the tooth”
[avatar]
@mtmelodie
Hi Stephen, just wondering if you ever write lyrics to music? I’m working on a tune, have a rough idea for a vocal melody/phrasing but I have ideas for lyric whatsoever these days . Would you be interested in having a go at it if I sent it to you?
[avatar]
@charliecheney
Well, I tried to work out the George Jones style arrangement that I heard in my head, and my left hand reminded me that I don't play acoustic guitar anymore for a reason! Ha, old man arthritis issues. Whaddya do? Also I'm basically just an old talking singer dude now. No wonder I wanted to start rapping this year, my body knew in advance. Regardless of all that, I love that lyric! And you. ❤️
[avatar]
@scubed
Thank you very much for your lovely comment on “Sky Spirit” - I really appreciate it!
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@johncrossman
I'm slightly embarrassed not to have stopped by and said hello before now. So.. hello hello! You're off to a great start, of course, fawm on!
[avatar]
@owl
Thank you for your kind comment, Stephen. I definitely know what you mean about modern-day references and I have an allergy myself to people throwing in too many self-conscious references to Twitter etc., but technology is such a part of our lives that sometimes it almost seems like a Luddite attitude to studiously avoid it. In this case, since my relationship with @standup was entirely online, it seemed appropriate to mention that medium here or there...
Happy FAWM!
[avatar]
@ericalbert
Your comments on my lyrics to "A November to Forget" are smart, insightful and entertaining. A pleasure to read, and a comfort in being seen accurately (or, at least, how I yearn to be seen).

Particularly your phrase "alliteration and allegory."

As a writer, I believe strongly in specificity, the sharing of telling details. I also feel it's important to reference things that have a deep meaning to me, even when I don't expect that meaning to be accessible to the hearer, so as (I hope) to add overtones, leave an echo, evoke an image beyond a distant hill (characteristics Chandler famously denied Hammett).

An example from "November": "the big rains rain" is my homage to a line of poetry I've loved most of my life, "the small rain down can rain" ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westron_Wynde ). No, I don't expect a single listener to pick that up. Yes, I hope . . . somehow . . . that underlying magic will flavor what comes across.

I write for an audience, always. You are a satisfying audience to write for.
[avatar]
@greengrassgirl
Steven, Thanks so much for the compliments on The Movie In My Mind. It brought me here where I can more of your work, so that's a good trade!
[avatar]
@edsmaronmusic
Our song is up. Actually more than once, since I hit a stray key and sent it before I finished the liner notes or uploaded the music Thanks for letting me work on this, you always write such compelling song lyrics. Ed
[avatar]
@theodamus
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I think honestly i wrote that one really impressionist-ly, following each thread might not answer much but if you stand back and look at the whole it kinda comes together into the feeling you were getting? You're right about it not really being pastoral, I was much more going for burying skeletons than planting seeds but finding out that things take root and start to grow no matter why you put them in the ground. A touch of the inevitable failure to really escape where you've been. Honestly i'm sad I missed the I will Survive classical guitar mashup it sounds like a good mix hahahaha
[avatar]
@berni1954
Thanks for your insightful reactions to my song "Heresy". I am a great admirer of your way with words, so praise from this quarter is well appreciated.
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@sapient
Ha ha - thanks so much for the listen.
Wikipedia, eh? Where do you think I get all my best ideas from...? ;)
[avatar]
@sherrycanary
Hi Stephen
Word!
Happy FAWMing
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@nancyrostMod
Thanks, S! Love the new profile pic!
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@theresaj
Hi Stephen! So nice to see you here again and I look forward to your clever lyrics, as always.
Also, I am honored that you mentioned our collaboration on the forum post. Considering the amazing musicians you work with every February it means a lot to me that you singled this one out.
I don’t see FAWM happening for me this year but I hope we collab again in the future!
[avatar]
@gvgeis
Well, you clearly have come here to be lost with your muse. ;)
[avatar]
@chariotbaldwin
Happy FAWM - hopefully the Auckland floodwaters won't make their way down to Wellers. Looking forward to reading your nifty lyrics
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@hummingbear
I really think if you are to accurately enumerate lint you should mention what's between your toes. Maybe in penance for this omission you could write an ode to the lint between your toes?
[avatar]
@gvgeis
Hey, stranger! How's tricks?
[avatar]
@tamsnumber4
When we're left to searching for just the right word. One that rhymes with notes that our hearts just heard. This is the place to put an end to our fears. The words will arrange perfectly, by your hands, right here.
[avatar]
@axl
Hi Stephen, Great to see you're back again. Have a great FAWM!
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@jeff9
Hi, Stephen. Always love your work and look forward to seeing you in action. Happy FAWM.
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@gm7
Good question..13 cups are full...hummm because the music takes over and there is no time to drink it...or it's really bad coffee. Maybe a song in the making here!
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@sph
Another year of sailing around the sun has passed and here we are again. Have a good one
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@tcelliott
And as I sit here waiting
For the sun to rise again
I wonder if I'll get to see
A kind and warming friend....

It's good to see you around!
[avatar]
@aeye
Happy fawm!
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@scubed
Looking forward to reading your wonderful lyrics! Happy FAWMing!
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@beacon
So looking forward to reading through the avalanche of wonderful lyrics that will come out of you to find the gems that need the bardic treatment.
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@coolparadiso
yup sounds good , will be in touch And we can play 3 more off the album! i will choose :-) so you can keep them all happy :-)
[avatar]
@robertmyers
Hi, Stephen!

I'm having to go thru and re-build my watchlist. Last February was pretty awful and I thought I was *done* with music and had cleared the watchlist prior to deleting the account. I popped in during 50/90 but still was unsure about continuing. But the last few weeks have felt different and better and I'm looking forward to making more songs.

I really do appreciate your kind words about my song. That was one of a handful of songs I've been really proud of over the years, and it's humbling to hear it mattered to someone else, too. Thank you.
[avatar]
@oddbod
Hi Stephen, you're sporting some new natty headgear. I assume the topper has had it's day.
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@helenseviltwinMod
Yay! Let me know if there's anything that's particularly suited to me :)
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@metalfoot
Yes, let us collaborate!
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@opossum
Just to be sure we're clear, my bifurcated penis is 100% natural, not like those freaks who get carried away with piercings and stuff!
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@coolparadiso
looking forward to some of those top class lyrics - and i have been trying to catch up to get you on the podcast! have played a few of your collabs off your last album
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@pearlmanhattan
Why yes, it is my tiara! A gift from my beau. Happy FAWM to you my friend!
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@mtmelodie
Hi Stephen, FAWM would not be complete for me without having a go at one of your lyrics
[avatar]
@opossum
Hi there Mr. Wordington! Whatup?
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