FAWM: "Redder"

Redder

2 weeks ago by @overflow

Challenge: PALINDROME

Redder

overflow

00:00

Liner Notes

My first challenge! I got writer’s block when I got to the melody, but squeaked it out with an hour to spare.

The intro and outro contain lines from “First they came” by Pastor Martin Niemöller.

Still not sure what to do with these hashtaggy things. #folk #acoustic

Lyrics

First they came for the communists
Then they came for the socialists
Then they came for the Jews
I did not speak out

Redder,
it’s getting redder,
it’s so much redder,
The cuts too deep
One day I fear
If things keep changing
They’ll come for me.

Redder,
it’s getting redder,
it’s so much redder,
I can’t breathe
One day I fear
If things keep changing
They’ll come for me.

If we could talk things over
Maybe then at least I’d understand
But the lies that stand between us
Are getting in the way
And now all I can feel is

Redder,
I’m getting redder,
I’m so much redder,
I can’t breathe
One day I fear
If I keep changing
They’ll come for me.

Redder,
I’m getting redder,
I’m so much redder,
The cuts too deep
One day I fear
If I keep changing
They’ll come for me.

I did not speak out
Then they came for the Jews
Then they came for the socialists
First they came for the communists

Comments

@overflow 3d

@knobbyneggins815 Thank you for your kind words!

@knobbyneggins815 4d

The quote is so powerful, I love your usage of it. That loop of "redder" is so cool, gluing the whole thing together! Really powerful piece.

@delahannah 1w

This is great! Really enjoyed listening to this. Love how you’ve made a song using this quote, very powerful. Your voice and backing vocals are wonderful ✨

@phonopath 1w

Great use of First They Came which bookends your lyrics on similar theme whilst also helping the palindromic structure of the verses shine through. But what really makes this song stand out for me is how it's laid out over the pulsating rhythm of the music and that repeating sample of redder just feeding into the fear and anxiety of the lyric.

@jennakole 1w

The ticking anxiety here is really effective against the gambling fanfare chord progression.

@karahermann 2w

Whoa! Very powerful - great production but even better is the composition. Well done.

@suziek 2w

Regarding hashtags it helps people find your song.
If it was a skirmish - # skirmish and topic. Hope that helps

I’d say you are doing great!

@suziek 2w

Love the vocals but those lyrics ….
Redder

Were your ears burning? Jodi mentioned your song in a uke songwriting Zoom today. She didn’t realize she knew you.

I played it a couple times.

@newukenewyork 2w

Wow, sounds great. The more I listened the more I dug it. That rhythm trucks along and really adds to the anxious vibe of your lyrics. Nice treatment of a political topic -- this feels like a fine folk song, and I like the additional vocal layers, including the one that keeps time with "redder."

@jodidamon 2w

oh wow. I felt this one. We had nazi's hanging flags over an overpass yesterday not 10 miles from where I live in the suburbs of Ohio. Everything feels insane and this song really gave off the feeling of panic I feel. Love the multiple implications of the word Redder.
Welcome to fawm! I look forward to hearing more of your music. Thanks for you comments on Words Unsaid.