Songwriter Forum > The Writing Process
Imagine My Surprise
PaulAds:
I didn't think I'd ever post this...but I thought I could sneak it in here almost unnoticed...it's a song from February, but seeing as I'm feeling rather melancholy about the whole songwriting thing and after hearing a few very confident songs...I decided to "show my arse in Fenwick's window" as we say in Newcastle.
You know that look of disappointment that people accidentally give you? The one they hope you didn't notice? You know how everyone pinned their hopes on somebody else and they only allowed you to pull your boots on when their preferred options had let them down?
I wrote this whilst driving my works van. The words and the tune just came to me, so when I got home, I grabbed a guitar and did it there and then in one go. I didn't have a chorus or a middle eight or anything and I could have played and sang it better too but I didn't think it mattered. After all...it's a song about people being unimpressed with you. No point trying to make it excellent.
https://soundcloud.com/thefuneralcrasher/imagine-my-surprise
Imagine My Surprise
Imagine my surprise
When I looked into your eyes
And saw what you want to see
And it didn’t look like me
Though I appreciate your efforts to disguise
It’s like seeing some old friend
I hoped I’d never see again
I don’t know him anymore
I keep showing him the door
But i know that he’ll be with me til the end
Recriminations now commence
but I’ll say this in my defence
it was my name that was missed
off everybody’s list
until we were overtaken by events...
I find listening to this a bit uncomfortable. I always switch it off when I hear it.
I imagined it to be like an epilogue for an album...a sort of out-take that had to be included to fulfil ones contractual obligation to deliver 12 songs or something...and that's where it ended up...at the end of my latest album "More Tunes,Vicar?"
Like when the guy on the BBC reminded you to turn off your telly after the late night film and the national anthem...
CaliaMoko:
I think a lot of people feel this way and hide it. It's a perfect song for a melancholy mood. And I say, if you (or anyone else...like me, for instance) isn't what "they" were wanting, that's just their tough luck, isn't it? I have a LOT to say on this subject, but this is not the place.... :P
MonnoDB:
Why is this hiding in here @PaulAds ? It's raw and it comes across as heartfelt and honest. And I really like it for that and I am glad that I happened upon it, a little gem tucked in here out of the way!
Karen
tboswell:
I think we all feel this way rather more often than we'd like to let on @PaulAds. I'm pretty luck in love these days but still feel it musically all the time when I play things to people, you pour your time and heart in and people seem to give it half a listen at best and a bit of shrug!
I think your song is a beautiful and poignant thing and I'm really glad we got to hear it :)
Skub:
@PaulAds
Yo Paul...purely commenting on your songwriting. ;)
Ya recall your song,'So Haunt Me'? The thing I remember about that is how you wrote it years ago and you thought it a bit immature lyrically.
I love it and it has left a lasting impression on me. I hugely enjoyed covering it. Of all the songs I've written and recorded the last few years,I wish with all my heart I could claim that song as my own. It's complete and needs nothing.
Playing our songs to others is painful when you are unknown. Folk measure a song by commercial success and are inclined to dismiss anything else. This hurts.
My wife of 38 years has never heard my songs,has no interest in my songs and views it all as a silly man hobby. I must get over that.
We all must find a place of self belief,a confidence in what we do,regardless of opinion. This is not a recipe for commercial success,just faith in ourselves to write and carry a song.
I need this as an outlet,I need it for my mental well being,so I can not afford to be cowed or swayed by non constructive or offhand dismissal.
This is my bedrock and my anchor.
Your songs have and will continue to leave a mark,Paul. Believe my brother. :)
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