FAWM: "Better Than This"

Better Than This

1 week ago by @zecoopMod · @carleybaer

Better Than This

zecoop +1

00:00

Liner Notes

ZeCoop: I just love writing music with Carley. I sent her my annual ukulele song, written on Feb 2 and when she sent back her main vocal, it was very apparent that the song was going to need to have more instrumentation to match the emotion and story of her singing. She said that she had some ideas for harmonies but wanted to wait, so after adding bass guitar and my Hammond organ, I sent it back. We agreed that it still needed more, so I added a bunch of hand percussion. When I got Carley's vocal files this morning and started mixing, I was just blown away! Carley has given a master class of harmonic vision. What a transformation. I did not see that coming at all and just love it! Thank you so much for writing with me, Carley!!

CB: The pleasure was mine!! I always love when ZeCoop hits me up for a collab, mainly because I suffer from acute time-blindness and February would be over before it occurred to me to ask. But also, the ideas he sends are wistful and beautiful and very fun to write lyrics to. I had a blast with the harmonies as well, and I love collaborating with someone where the answer is always, "yes, and." I like this annual tradition, let's keep it up!

#fuc #bigbuild #harmonies #uke #ukulele #hammondorgan

Cheap Kohala concert ukulele
Harley Benton P-bass
1961 M-101 Hammond organ
Cajon, egg shaker, maracas, ride and crash cymbals

Lyrics

I pulled my coat closer in the cold
On the street outside your door
I remember telling myself
That I wouldn’t come here anymore

I should’ve known better than this
I should’ve known better than this
Went looking for the thing that I miss

Silly girl, don’t you know
That no good can ever come
From sneaking around, wandering back
To the thing that you’re better off far from

I should’ve known better than this
I should’ve known better than this
We said goodbye, it was sealed with a kiss

But it doesn’t go away
Like you want it to
It overwelcomes its stay
You take it around with you
Wish I could set it free
But then you’d be done with me

I should’ve known better than this
I should’ve known better than this
It isn’t wise to reminisce

Comments

@bijou 1w

What a lovely plate of sounds. I like everything I hear and how it dances with each other.

@guatecoop 1w

This is a great recording of an excellent song! Wow, Carly your voice is remarkable and perfect for this song! Every detail, like the Hammond, cajon, and the harmonies are definitely worth it. Super collab!

@betoMod 1w

Songs like this are the reason why I pay the internet bill. So good, perfect from start to finish!

@paulhenry 1w

Wonderful collaboration. Not much more to say than has already been said.

@nadine 1w

There is some magic happening here. The vocal melody is soo good. The instrumentation with uke and organ is new to me and sound great! Especially the big choir thing

@karlsburg25 1w

Ooo i am enjoying a musical treat this morning. Firslty the song sounds like it had been worked out and delicately pieced together over a long period of time with those gorgeous chord movements on the uke, and the gorgeous melodic line created. But then so happy to read more was added as the bass really supplements those stunning harmonines perfectly. This fully synced in with all my emotions this morning. STunning guys xx

@jackdawfactories 1w

This is a really beautiful ballad, expertly crafted. Great work both!

@jacobeverettwallace 1w

Wonderful collab! I love the slow ballad feel here paired with the wistful ukes and vocals. The bass playing is on point, John! The big harmonies toward the end are fantastic! Feels like it belongs in a movie. Beautifully done y'all!

@coolparadisoMod 1w

Great to read how this developed and it has turned into a fine song! Melody harmony phrasing! It has a bit of carpenters feel which I rarely hear anywhere! Top song!

@beacon 1w

This is magnificent! For someone who says he doesn't know how to play ukulele, you do quite a fine job! Great vocals and love the mix.

@boz 1w

It doesn’t get much better than this! Great vocals and instrumentation!!

@guitargabe 1w

Okay, this whole song is beautiful and I was going to love it no matter what, but once that bridge hit I was totally sold. Fantastic song, great job both of you!

@nwhosings 1w

Lush and gorgeous, tied together with simplicity.
Really beautiful collab.

@sph 1w

Annual uke song, eh? That's a first class understatement. Lovely song with great taste in instrumentation. And that bridge bvocals are the topping of the cake.
Wonderful song, you two

@andrewjtaylor 1w

Ooh. Lovely discovery. Great split-panned doubled uke. Sweet recording/capture. Great instrumentation, storytelling (lyrics are SO good), performance. One of my faves of FAWM so far...Ooh and the retro 70's far-back vocals of the "Bridge" (and tag) are so cool. What an excellent write! Glad you decided to give it the full treatment. Totally deserves it.

@shakedown_jesus 1w

This sounds nice. It's so well balanced. The bass being there for the whole song ties in so well when the rest of the instruments come in during the bridge(?). The backing vocals sit so well with the melody. So great!

@loveonamixtape 1w

This is so beautiful. I love the rhythm of the chorus -- how it hangs on "known" and "goodbye" in a way that almost gives it a bit of a swing rhythm -- very cool bit of angularity to this pretty tune. OOF AND Y'ALL!!! When it starts to build with those sweet old school backing harmonies from @carleybaer on the "but it doesn't go away" bit!! Absolutely swoon-worthy. And a lovely progression from @zecoop to start with, building into a beautiful arrangement. Great stuff, y'all!

@kosch 1w

The vocal layers are fabulous (and the singing, in general 🎵 ) - as is the sparkling clear uke voicing - a very gentle ride.
I was drinking afternoon tea, and this was a nice accompaniment to my chill afternoon.

@alyxanderjames 1w

The build on this is incredible! Masterfully done, both of you!

@hornesgiftshop 1w

Stunning in both content and polish. Lovely progressions, great words, harmonies like glinting icicles. So beautifully done, it makes a ukulele sound like a musical instrument. *Please* make this downloadable.

@peccary 1w

This came out great - what a great collaboration. The vocal harmonies towards the second half of the song are probably my favorite part, and just a touch of tasteful organ, there's so many great layers happening here. Well done all around, thank you both for sharing.