FAWM: "Crush Symbol"

Crush Symbol

Liner Notes

I've had an irregular heartbeat for the best part of a year now. So far it has caused me to give up gluten and start taking iron supplements but it's still there. This is my attempt at a self-diagnosis. Also drummers are hot.

#indiepop #synthpop

Lyrics

my heart beats in complex time
I’ve got polyrhythms on my mind
the doctor says that it will pass
have I been listening to too much jazz?
there’s a lack of iron in my blood
some heavy metal might do me good
I swallowed pills along with doubt
but the double kick made me pass out

am I riding through a storm because my heartbeat feels like thunder?
am I falling apart from the stress and the pressure I’m under?

still concerned over my health
hiding the answers from myself
writing ghost notes to let you know
I think I might match your tempo
try to find the words but nothing sticks
try to catch your eye but nothing clicks
left mute by your crescendo
and once again, I head home solo

am I riding through a storm because my heartbeat feels like thunder?
I barely moved but I feel like a long distance runner
am I falling apart from the stress and the pressure I’m under?
or do I have a crush on a drummer?

is there really something wrong or is it natural, I wonder?
to have that pounding in my chest feeling like a machine gunner
am I falling apart from the stress and the pressure I’m under?
or do I have a crush on a drummer?

Comments

@loveonamixtape 1d

Okay, you had me right away with that bouncy riff and that great, rolling syncopated beat. The classic chord progression works SO well for this -- gives me a bit of an indie-poppier, slower Exploding Hearts vibe (especially on the chorus), but also with a bit more of a classic pop/R&B vibe, too. That wobbly synth throughout is great. Too many great lines to count, but the whole first verse is so good and the "or do I just have a crush on a drummer?" punchline/payoff is so good.

@bradbrubaker 3d

It's more than a punchline song, for sure, but the punchline is great, I admit.

@jimdgreen 3d

oh my . . . . this is strong, very strong.

Vom at his lyrical best, and you can quote me on that! (not sure why you would want to though),

this is simply divinely glorious

@communitykickabout 4d

Too many good lines to count, super strong opening, and got to love a synth solo. Yay! Really like the muted guitar lead part.

@thelowestbitter 6d

"listening to too much jazz" must be the issue, I know you're a massive fan of jazz. So many great lyrics here, love the crush on a drummer punchline. Love the super fuzzed out ooooooh BVs that almost sound like a guitar. Loads of good stuff going on in this

@owl 6d

Jam packed with cleverness (is “jam” packed a music pun too?! Not a very good one I guess) and a nice helping of the poignant/quirky/personal. I love the synth work as usual! (Also I want the hot goss about the drummer if that’s not just a writing prompt hahaha)

@adforperu 6d

A crash cymbal pun? Only you, Tom. Too much jazz? Only you, Tom. I love what you've done lyrically here, the semantic field is truly blooming with beautiful flowers. The chorus BVs are lovely, and I like those simple chord strums a lot. Come on then, who's the drummer? Caroline Corr?

@balancelost 6d

I didn't read the notes and I just want you to know about the groan I made when I made the connection between the subject matter and the title pun. I would say it was a 6.5 on the pun-richter scale (outdated for puns I know). I really like the toy drum sound in this one, reminds me of the eels on TOTP in 96. Giving up awesome stuff like gluten for no apparent good reason sucks. I like this even more than gluten so I'm glad I don't have to give it up! (the song, that is). Ooohs are always welcome. If you like hot drummers, come to my island! Can't move for hot drummers.

@thedutchwidows 1w

This sounds so effortless, just another VV banger off your seemingly unlimited supply of excellent songs. Clever lyrics, lovely melody, great music, really propulsive groove. And for a song about how hot drummers are, it’s rhythmically very unfussy. Super effective. Great solo, and I really liked the way that instrument (not going to embarrass myself by trying to name it) then wiggled its way through the last chorus. Excellent work!

Are drummers the best band members? In my experience they do tend to be the nicest and most straightforward people in a band. Probably something to do with having to be reliable (musically at least, less reliable when having to remember to bring things like, say, their hi-hat clutch, or drum pedal to a gig. He might have been an outlier though).

@catmisgivings 1w

really enjoyed these lyrics -- "i swallowed pills along with doubt" is a favorite :D

@ndavies 1w

Excellent tune. I appreciate the pun in the title

@frenchcricket 1w

Ah - a fellow arrhythmic. Good work on unblocking. That’s so many lyrics considering you were in a drought. Something of a classic VV tale: heartbreak, confusion, medical ailments. Funny how the 1001 journey has crept into the lyrics of this as well. The synth solo (stylophone?) is also really fun and unexpected.

@michellelyons 1w

Good to see you've unblocked the lyrical writing block! Really like the vaguely Pulp-esque organ pad behind the verses.

@afterschoolclub 1w

Ah I really enjoyed this one. Lyrics are great as always. Lots of really compelling elements but I’m particularly keen on some of those wobbly synths with the loose tuning. Good stuff!