FAWM: "Us on the Ground_Collaborative version"

Us on the Ground_Collaborative version

3 days ago by @musicsongwriter · @cathreu

Liner Notes

I heard the original by @cathreu / Cathartic Reunion, and absolutely loved it. Please give it a listen if you haven't heard it before.
https://write.fawm.org/songs/308555
Here is our collaboration. It was absolutely amazing to collaborate on this song. I love the lyrics, vocal melody, vocals, additional instruments. I hope you enjoy your listen. Thank you so much @cathreu for letting me be part of your new version. Thank you to everyone for listening and for sharing your thoughts.

Cathreu here: When I wrote the original tune, I leaned into a sparse arrangement partially for effect, but largely because my keyboard talents are limited. When Nadia, whose music I had been following and deeply enjoying here at FAWM, commented on the song I threw out the hope that she might be interested in reworking the keys. This turned into a fantastic, full blown collaborative experience and a beautiful new take on the piece. Nadia is full of talent and musical wisdom, and it was a joy and a privilege to get to work with her.

Us on the Ground' © 2025 Cathartic Reunion and Nadia Cripps. Lyrics, vocal melody, vocals, instrumentation by Cathartic Reunion; Music, keyboard, instrumentation by Nadia Cripps. Demo by Nadia Cripps and Cathartic Reunion.

Lyrics

So many projections
there's madness all around

so much obstruction
I can't wrap my head around

Surrounded by regression
the sadness is profound

endless information
they just want us overwhelmed

turn off the feed
there's still joy to be found

tune into your body
come back to the ground

Don't forget you are human
I know things are getting loud

It's ok to fight back
just by making these sounds

We're surrounded by friends
we're building a community
I'm here with you, you are here with me
There's magic all around

We're surrounded by friends
we're building a community
I'm here with you, you're still with me
There's magic all around

turn off the feed
there's still joy to be found

tune into your body
come back

Comments

@mamie_3 2d

Love the bit of vibrato in your voice, and the way the melody uses some very interesting interval twists and turns. The hypnotic, pared-down accompaniment is haunting. I like that--suits the piece.
Thanks for the reminder that no matter what, there is always joy and beauty to be found.
Really nice collaboration!!!

@markontape 2d

Lovely to listen to and good lyrics.

@mandolinda 3d

You did a great job singing to the music. It is a learned skill and takes practice from my experience. Good messages in the lyric for these days of the unknown. Always lovely piano , smooth and steady.

@billwhite51 3d

a timely call for humanity to return to itself, sung and played by two very accomplished human artists is a fast-becoming robot world.

@andrea 3d

A meaningful message with a positive goal. I love that. The music is just enough to invite my ears to listen. It all works beautifully. Great collab!

@miga 3d

What a lovely, mildly melancholic song with an uplifting message. The keys are beautiful with enough interesting dissonance to keep my ear engaged to the end. I also enjoyed the melody of the song and your voice has that occasional raspiness that fits the message. Great collab!