February Album Writing Month - FAWM.ORG

Faded Glory (*22669)

Artist's Favorite

followawackymoose

nicksypniewski

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Tagged As:

protest rock-reggae

Liner Notes:

C'mon with the tunage, somebody. I don't rightly think we could get a Rolls Royce out of this one, but maybe a new bus pass...

Nick says: Matt's words immediately captured me and I had to write the music. I think it came out great. It's probably the best realized demo I've ever recorded for FAWM. Thanks Matt. Enjoyed it.

Lyrics:

She was a bored housewife in a palace of gold
I'll bet you know where this is going before you’re told
Dissatisfied with the state of her estate,
She was determined to set things straight
She surveyed the scene with a gimlet eye
Theatrically, she heaved a sigh
How did this fabled fairy story
Turn into this grey old faded glory?

He was a swarthy little man with je ne sais quoi
A Russian accent, and a Steuben glass jaw
In town for business and a little fun,
Got more than he bargained, all said and done
He felt a sudden urge to return to the womb
When their eyes met across the marble ball room
He fell like a cliched ton of bricks
Seduced by her charms, and all her tricks

Faded glory, faded glory,
How did this fabled fairy story
Turn into this grey old faded glory?

They were so clandestine, when they slipped outside,
To the terrace where she moved to his side
Wanna set me free from this beast?
I'll be handing out the cake when I am released,"
"I'm a bird in a gilded cage" was her song
"If you sprung me from this trap, would it be so wrong?"
"My husband spends his time wooing wenches
While our brave boys die like dogs in trenches

So the comely queen of hearts and the ace of spades
Calmly killed the King and all his maids
And when the fowl came home to feed
The kingdom caved in from all their greed
And the new order filled with a righteous zeal
Locked the star-crossed lovers in the Bastille
And they both thought before they lost their heads
I'd rather have my old situation instead

Faded glory, faded glory,
How did this fabled fairy story
Turn into this grey old faded glory?

Faded glory, faded glory,
How did this fabled fairy story
Turn into this grey old faded glory?

Words ©2012 Matt Love
Music ©2012 Nick Sypniewski

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followawackymoose 2 months ago

@bobbles - I'm unfamiliar with the WalMart campaign, the title was inspired by a faded American flag hung in the window of the Frog Island Brewery Company (here in Ypsilanti, where we rival Detroit for decay, boarded up buildings, unemployement, etc) - photo available on request. The story (more European than American) unfolded while I was on the exercycle at the gym (a magical spot for me, that I am very very grateful I discovered, as I've had a lyrical block for years). I'm consciously aware of being inspired by the Clintons, Chuck and Di, Brangelina, the first Pink Panther movie.

I think the Stuben glass jaw reference was an attempt to build up imagery as Elvis Costello did in "Man Out Time" in this verse:

Days of dutch courage
Just three French letters and a German sense of humour

I must love and admire this song, the ONLY one by Costello that I like - heresy, I know. I wanted to suggest the character was rich, but vulnerable, and "Tiffany" didn't fit. Never seen West Wing.
robs 2 months ago

Love the organ!
bobbles 2 months ago

This is a psychedelic induced story of what happens if Bob Dylan and Tom Petty had an out-of-wedlock child, while Elvis Costello stood above their bed and banged on a 2 qt sauce pan, put to music arranged by Tom Waits. But in a potential good way. I love the use of the words, just think that some of the potential "punch" in them gets a little lost in some of the phrasing. "dissatisfied with the state of her estate" an example of very nice turn of phrase. Make sure you're not infringing on copyright issues from WalMart, by using Faded Glory... lol (Stuben glass jaw - been watching re-runs of West Wing, again, I see. lol)
davos 2 months ago

FUCK YES! Fucking awesome from the very first note. Sorry about the swearing but reggae gets me going.
nightengale 3 months ago

Great story telling!
The musics great!
Awesome collab you two!
brzan 3 months ago

Really like the overall feel of this song Nick. It's got that late 60's early 70's vibe going on. Great story telling with the lyrics too.
oneslowtyper 3 months ago

This is just TOO COOL guys!!
It has an awesome Bob Dylan feel to it, but that may just be Nick's rockin' vocals.
I like the contrast between some really serious stuff in the lyrics, but then you get that almost calliope-like innocent music in the background.
If you like fabled fairy stories Nick, you should think of doing my Romeo N Juliet

Two thumbs up guys.....LOL, just noticed phil's comment below, yeah - add Dire Straits in there too.
erinkelsey3 3 months ago

Great instrumentation! Such interesting lyrics and Nick great job setting them to music
nicksypniewski 3 months ago

Okay Matt, I'll get on it. Thanks.
downburst 3 months ago

That's pronounced "toonAZH."
philmcmill 3 months ago

Cool. I feel a Bob Dylan or Dire Straits kind of style.
nicksypniewski 3 months ago

Hey there Matt. I'd kinda like to give this one a shot. I'm hearing something along the lines of Elvis Costello's Watching the Detectives. Let me know.