FAWM: "The Tear You Can't Cry"

The Tear You Can't Cry

2 weeks ago by @brisk

Liner Notes

This was the song I started working on immediately after the first. The chorus harmony was a bit of an annoyance, and while I've settled on this, I'm not convinced its what I want.

Residents of Winchester will note certain geographical liberties have been taken. I just wanted to bung some spurious geographical specificity into a song in order to make a lyric stretch over two verses.

My wife said this was basically a Badly Drawn Boy rip-off, but I don't think it's egregious... but there's certainly some of the feel of The Shining. Am I being unforgivable, good people of FAWM?

[edit: oh, and random fact: this song changed quite a lot from the initial note on my phone to the recording on my computer because I started singing the chorus to early, so had to change everything. Yay for happy accidents.]

#harmony #dreampop

Lyrics

Fee Fi Fo Fum
England is done
Watch it recede from Waterloo
All lines must bend
Winchester's end
Eastleigh and Shawford
Then it's you

There's a teardrop in my eye
There's a teardrop I can't cry
There's a teardrop in my eye

Gnawed by the cold
Down Romsey Road
Fulflood then Pitt
Old Kennel's Lane

Knuckle the door
Just like before
There's time enough
before the train

There's a teardrop in my eye
There's a teardrop I can't cry
There's a teardrop in my eye

Comments

@gavelpro 1d

I love those phasy/chorusy lead guitar lines in between sections!

@n24 2d

Excellent melancholia in the verses leading to what I feel is an excellently ethereal and angelic chorus with the backing vocals. It's a really nice juxtaposition between the deep and the high pitched vocals, particularly when they both come in together in the second verse. I love the instrumental section. The layering of lots of different subtle additions, some of the gentle synthy sounds creates a really full sound. If I were to try and pick something critical to feed back I feel like it didn't need need a fade out. I think you could have gone for a 'teardrop in my eye' finish with a drawn out last note. Even space for a false ending perhaps! Also, I don't think it's egregious either, definitely got your unique flavour throughout!

@tcelliott 4d

Another fist bump for the place names. There's a steadiness to this that I like a lot. The chorus feels perfect to me.

@nancycunning 1w

I do like place names and the way that using them in this way establishes a close relationship with the listener - like we have all these things in common. Good to hear your voice.

@rowanb 1w

This is very easy to listen to with the relaxed laid back feel. I like the vocals and guitar sound.
I like the first two lines of the chorus but I’m not so keen on the third line being a repeat of the first so I would agree with you that it could be tweaked but overall it’s a great piece.

@willyviste 2w

Wow, great writing here, love your vocals. Very pleasant guitars, great stuff!

@ballyhoot 2w

I enjoyed this song, especially the soft, whispery dreampop vocals. The instrumentation works well with the vocals. And l like that little bubbly-squirting-sounding solo that pops up a couple of times. No idea what instrument that is, lol. Thanks for sharing!

@coolparadisoMod 2w

Specifics can really make a song sometimes and it does here, some how personalises it! This works on all levels.

@kaminokai 2w

Dreamy. Kind of 60’s psychedelic pop. Nostalgic. Hints of Ed O’Brien, to my ear. Very nice.

@davidtaro 2w

There's maybe a Badly Drawn Boy adjacency, if you're really listening for it. But I think your wife is being incredibly harsh there, and you can tell her I said so. Who doesn't love the gentle drift of a song featuring South of England place names and beautiful harmonies? Like @richaaaay says, "Knuckle the door" is an excellent phrase - did you invent it? Fabulous solo(s), nice phaser-y tone to it. I like the emotional contrast between the journey towards someone and the tears when, presumably, you've arrived.

@sbs 2w

So lovely to listen to. Nice harmony and guitar. And what a clever title! Well done!

@richaaaay 2w

Knuckle the door…never heard that before but it’s perfect. I really enjoy your slower tempo songs. Your vocal range and talents are on display, harmonies and all. I love how you bend the melodies in unpredictable ways. It just draws me. Seems your guitar is getting increased play…Yay! A lovely song Mr Brisk!!!

@billwhite51 2w

i had his first album and saw him in concert but, to tell the truth, none of that music stuck with me although i liked it st the time....so i cant comment on the badly drawn boy aspect of your song. but i can say that i thoroughly enjoyed the song. it is so pleasing to listen to, more of in an intimate way than in a catchy way. although the main line does stand out, both in melody and words.