Artist FavoriteLiner Notes
#6; This one's very personal, hard to be objective.
As always (and perhaps more) any feedback re performance, production, songcraft is very welcome. All ears hear all things and this one I'd like to do all I can to improve.
As always I'll be visiting all who visit me.
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6 is better than I expected this month, the next week will be very busy lifewise, leaving not a lot of space for the hyperfocus I need to work. I'll still be listening/commenting but I might not have the "studio brainspace" till next Friday, which means I'll only have the last weekend to try for maybe one more. If I don't, I wanted to take a minute to say thanks to all my friends here, all the encouragement, support this year. It was a special FabFeb. I don't think I've ever been happier with a batch of songs. Ever. Thanks for the inspiration to push further.
Lyrics
Then Comes Five - Copyright Wolf Kier 2021
One then two then three then four
(One then two then three then four, then comes)
Domino Domino Domino
Domino Domino Domino
One then two then three then four
(One then two then three then four, then comes)
Domino Domino Domino
Domino Domino Domino
Should have never let you out that door
Should have held you for a second more
Never had you stop at the store
You said the cigarettes would kill me (kill me)
One then two then three then four
(One then two then three then four, then comes)
Domino Domino Domino
Domino Domino Domino
Stars collide
Fate decides
Fragile life
Then..then comes five
One then two then three then four
(One then two then three then four, then comes)
Domino Domino Domino
Domino Domino Domino
Should have never left you out of my sight
Should have held you close should have held you tight
Domino Domino Domino
Domino Domino Domino
Would that we could do it over again
I would have gone myself that night
Domino Domino Domino
Domino Domino Domino
God, I'd tippy toe a tight rope
Give away my last hope
Break into a tap dance
Try and reach that high note
Catch a tear with my hand
Throw it in the sea
If heaven let you spend
One more minute with me,
(Just one more minute)
Just one more minute with me
One then two then three then four
(One then two then three then four, then comes)
Domino Domino Domino
Domino Domino Domino
One then two then three then four
Domino Domino Domino
Domino Domino Domino!
Stars collide (One then two then three then four, then comes)
Fate decides (One then two then three then four, then comes)
Fragile life (One then two then three then four, then comes)
Then, then comes five.
Cover image from flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/internetarchivebookimages/14778849995
@tamsnumber4 2 weeks
Catch a tear with my hand
The write does seem personal, but yet, not unrelatable. I feel the production on the repeating Domino's should be softer and feel more like an echo, hard to explain. Those minutes are so very crucial, but not for us to master.............Enjoyed the song....
@edwardsmusic 4 weeks
The repetition of the "domino" chorus is very hypnotic. Very emotional vocal take and lyrics.
I like how the drums don't kick in until late in the song. A restrained, but impactful performance.
@hmorg 5 weeks
Lovely development throughout the song, always in motion, though revolving around the "one then two then three then four / Domino Domino Domino" motif. Very beautiful and emotional.
@audrey 5 weeks
This one had me gently rocking in my chair. With the repeated "Dominoe, dominoe, dominoe" moving by step downward, you can see and feel those dominoes falling one after the other. Beautiful word painting. Really like your pacing in this - slowly adding the different elements to the whole sound, especially when the drums come in directly after the lyrics reveal a loss of some kind. Then later, the harmonies expand it further right after that great reveal in the lyrics "Would that we could do it over again, I would have gone myself that night." Powerful stuff! Well thought out and well produced. The whole picture creates a beautiful song for this gorgeous melody and these stunning lyrics about dominoes falling where they will. Had to listen again twice. One of my faves this FAWM.
@wylddandelyon 5 weeks
The music flowed like a bubbling stream of sound. Very nice. And I really liked it that the percussion was a gentle accent, it didn't overwhelm the singing and other instruments.
#tit4tat
@chipwithrow 5 weeks
Amazing song! Haunting and lovely, with a timeless and bittersweet pop/soul feel. Powerful and hypnotic use of repetition. Wow!
@leepat 5 weeks
the repetition (and fall - imagined and suggested by the melody) of "dominoes" paired with the counting is quite effective and hypnotic.
like the cosmic vibe of "stars collide" too.
well done!
@gm7 5 weeks
I like that the drums come in late in the song.
great line ;
Catch a tear with my hand
Throw it in the sea.
The lyrics are very sad but very power. The bass line and overall production adds a great deal to the vibe of the song..nice job.
@apolez3 6 weeks
I love this, it makes me almost want to cry. #tit4tat2 I think it's great.
@codeenergy 6 weeks
Another catchy one like the change in delivery on the dominos and how it finishes at the end of the bridge part. Ending the song on then comes five is a nice way to have the abrupt ending.
@vegansongs 6 weeks
Yum..I love this song. It feels velvet. The vocal line with it's domino effect.. My ears sense a Lou Reed influence...Excellent lyric. Fate decides... then comes five. This song goes to eleven!
@pipewrench67 6 weeks
This is hypnotic and feels like regret.
@downfallroad 6 weeks
I really like this performance and the quiet vocals. its strangely catchy. The echo is sometimes too soft and at other times its overpowering
@fuzzy 6 weeks
That bass line grabbed me right off.
You really want suggestions?
OK, I'd like maybe a bit less stereo separation; maybe bring things *slightly* closer to the the middle.
Or maybe it's cos I'm listening with headphones.
Stellar vocals as usual!
Really great tunes you've created this February for sure!
@shelleroo1 6 weeks
All these songs are cohesive and work so well together as an album - including this one. But this one's the most cryptic and powerful. One then two then three then four... what? I go to cars colliding, but who knows. The music is very complementary to the lyrics, making it all super strong and weighty. If it's a true story, I send you a long hug from across the ocean. #tit4tat
@petemurphy 6 weeks
This is heartbreakingly beautiful. The key change in the bridge is expertly handled. The Repetition of the 'domino' line is very effective.
Lyrically poignant and full of really well written lines ("never had you stop at the store, you said the cigarettes would kill me" - That's brilliant).
@seppo 6 weeks
Just closed my eyes and felt this with you. Sad story and I kind of hope it's not a true story.
#tit4tat6
@jamkar 6 weeks
Double 5! Hoping for a deal, but fate decides. Nicely constructed demo Wolf!
@lizbrinker 6 weeks
@wolfkier , this is a masterful piece. You so subtly lead us to the understanding that something out of your control, but which you think you might have prevented, has happened. But the heavy-handedness of spelling it out for us is absent, which makes it so much more powerful, in my view. Truthfully, I listened to this with half an ear last week, while doing something else, but after having given my full attention to How Much !, which caused a physical reaction, so much so that I needed to detach a bit. I'm so glad to be doing this Tit4tat so I would really listen and read this one. It is deserving. Also, devastating.
@sherrycanary 6 weeks
Such a sad and simple twist of fate that seems like was inevitable from the start. Once the dominoes falling, it's in motion.
The dominos falling can't be stopped. Very effective
We are left to decide what happened, and there are more than a few scenarios.
Well performed, of course
@nadine 6 weeks
I have mixed feelings about this. I like the atmosphere you created and it is so catchy. But somehow I don't get that Domino part. Is this the image of all falling apart?! At 1:44 I have some serious trouble with the backing vox. Are they so loud on purpose? #tit4tat Done.
@radiobenedetto 6 weeks
Like the laid back feel of this one. Different from your other more upbeat tunes. I like the way the drums come in in anticipation of the " . . . then comes 5" Great melody throughout. "Especially the repeated one more minute line." Total earworm. Production tip, maybe add a little compression on the reverb for the backing vocals during the "one then two then" part so it doesn't cloud the lead vox. Great work!
#tit4tat6
@driftwood1 6 weeks
What a heartbreaking lyric. I love how you frame the story but let the listener fill in the blanks. The arrangement is huge and engaging. Very powerful song.
@karlsburg25 7 weeks
The best thing about this week is popping into my fav FAWMERS with utter listening and no writing commitments. This one is unexpected, but the building in the lyrics and the effect of the repeated dominoe really has an intense feel of the listen. The way you break it down with all that musical layering is so clever. Really loved the pause and then that ending fitting the theme so perfectly.
@eargoggle 7 weeks
Love the way this one builds momentum, and the repeated 'domino' kind of adds to that sense of gathering tragedy, or something. Part of what's cool is this is mysterious yet still gives this sense of loss...it's really powerful by the end.
@nuno 7 weeks
This is powerful and sad. There are sadly some things that are just not within our control. It's a beautifully delivered, and the repeating 'domino' conveys the idea really well. Just wonderfully constructed. Thanks.
#tit4tat6 - I think I am tentative with anything that contains my voice. Another muscle that I need to exercise more through the year! - And yes - Oxygene is correct.
@zeekle1998 7 weeks
This is a great song. Lyrically it tugs at the heart strings and does make you wonder what event took place. The lyrics are wonderfully crafted. Music & production are spot on. I really liked how you shifted dynamically throughout the song.
@sheilerk 7 weeks
Hypnotic entry into this descent into loss. Your visual images are top notch and convey that bargaining part of grief at death or the end of a relationship. I got goosebumps near the end, always an indication of a special one for me.
@richaaaay 7 weeks
Wolf, I think I'm gonna let this one sink in a little bit. It's so powerful. As usual the music and production are top notch but there is a lot to ponder with the lyrics. You say it's personal in the liner notes. That makes me a bit sad to wonder...
It's very effective. All the information is there for the listener to process the gist of the story but without more specifics it leaves so many questions, which is powerful and thought provoking. I guess that's kinda where I am...Wondering...I think that's a sign of a really good song. The music stops but it's impact doesn't.
@wacha 7 weeks
I love that deep bass with the higher synth combined with the drums and your vocals they create something really beautiful. The lyrics are moving and very powerful, the repetition of "Domino" is really catchy. There's a cool retro feel to this but is still feels very relative and modern. This is a great song and I can see why it's marked as a favorite.
@infilktion 7 weeks
Powerful images in your lyrics. I really like what you did with the bridge. Overall, a very emotionally powerful song.
@sapient 7 weeks
That call and response counting at the satar really sets the mood. I particularly like the way you mixed that echoing line, to be spacially further away from the listener yet still perfectly clear in the mix. The overall melancholic tone still has bright sparks, life fireflys circl;ing in the night. Sorry - the metaphors are maybe too much. It's a damn fine song, very well made, how's that? 😉
@kahlo2013 7 weeks
This is fantastic in so many ways - the dominos falling as one thing leads to another as you describe so well in your verses —- incredible production. That repetition is so effective and catchy and thought provoking. So many what if’s - one different decision could have caused a different cascade. The sense of longing and heartache is palpable.
@kenmattsson 7 weeks
I love the repeat of Domino on this. Keeps giving me the feeling of successive dominos creating a train effect, like it's getting away from you, and this seems to be the message of the lyrics, so that works well together. Once again, your production values are great!
#tit4tat
@nahlej381 7 weeks
Damn. Your lyrics are on point. The stars collide section is wonderful then it really gets loose! Like the big verb on the backing box o and that accompaniment. Yeah! This builds really nice! This is a head worm!
@mikeskliar 7 weeks
wow, this is powerful stuff. The lyric is undoubtedly about loss (i think?) but written in a somewhat mysterious way, which probably makes it more universal (tho another detail or two, without 'giving it all away' might be powerful too? just a thought) Those 'domino's remind me of van morrison a bit, but this is a whole different domino and actually a powerful image in its own right . That idea of stacking and then crumbling/falling could be explored further, too- tho its great as is as well. nicely done! (and i think this makes all of yours this year i listened to...)
@writeandwrong 7 weeks
Awww... fragile. My favorite line: "Catch a tear with my hand, throw it in the sea..." So sadly beautiful... raw... and don't forget that Charlotte was also a very lucky girl... damn her for walking away. Maybe you'll be even more rewarded with the next Charlotte. 😉 Superbly done, Mr. Kier! It's been a fabulous February listening to you again. See ya again next February if you aren't around for 50/90. I'm moving and have no idea where my head will be in July, but hope to at least have some sort of presence.
@davidtaro 7 weeks
This one’s almost ridiculously good 😂. There’s so many little elements going on it’s hard to keep track. The synth lines that echo the vocal on the verse are brilliant. The dynamics of the song are great too, it keeps the interest, and the way it comes down then up at the end is fantastic. I’d maybe put the vocal down by like 1db, but that might just be me, and frankly your voice is so great it’s not an issue! Cheers
@airbagtester 7 weeks
Where you decided to bring the drums in is fantastic. The key change for the bridge part is a very nice touch - I need to teach myself to do that (Even though I mostly write instrumental songs, I tend to get stuck with verse and chorus music and nothing else).
I think the strings and synths give it a 3D, cinematic feeling, like sadness in a movie in slow motion, descending. This song embodies loss quite well. I feel fortunate to have heard it.
@theodamus 7 weeks
Hello! I am here to begin my #tit4tat, thanks for tagging me in! WOW I love it, the way the vocal rhythm plays over the driving drum line, then that absolute sense of space as stars collide. You tell the story in fragments, just like the pieces that fly out as those stars collide. Super effective, lovely <3 Let's continue trading!
@susyblue 7 weeks
A nice chill warm vibe here with a touch of melancholy, I really love the chorus with the echos, and the dominos dominos. Beautiful subtle production and instrumentation, and also beautiful lyrics with so much imagery, especially like the tight rope to high note bit
@emkaydeebee 7 weeks
This is epic - I love the way it changes but all belongs, and the imagery it creates. A beautiful, and unusual piece, well delivered, and moving.
@kristi 7 weeks
This takes off and is catchy and wondrous. There's emotion in lines of the story but also just in the repetition of them. I enjoyed that. Great vocal and production.
@tunecat 7 weeks
Hi there.. strangely I've listened to this before.. but my comments aren't here.. Beautiful song. Great production.. I love the counting and the "domino" hook.. which is captivating and leaves something to the imagination. Great husky deep voice.. Great synthy things and the drums and bass really nice.. lots of variety in this track. Lovely. #tit4tat
@bitshred 7 weeks
I agree this is really catchy. That domino sticks in your head for sure. Playful background vocals. Always great vocal performance. Great work this month for sure!
Thank you much for the listen/comments this month. Really appreciate yah!
@rayboneor 7 weeks
This one stuck with me. I woke up with "Domino..." running through my head 😀
@arkka 8 weeks
Great feel, wistful yet grand in the best way possible. You always make great arrangements and this isn't an exception. The "Stars collide" etc. parts sound really cool. Also, I really like the sound at around 1:45. Very cool work!
@elliottlawrence 8 weeks
Really catchy hook on this one! I like the lyrics a lot too, so personal and heartfelt, and the instrumentals give it a nice upbeat, hopeful vibe.
Thanks again for all the comments, and congrats getting more songs than you expected this year!
@looprication 8 weeks
I can never quite put my finger on it, and I'm totally fine with that. There's just something about not just what you do but *how* you do it... the vocal hook works in a listening and visual sense, so well. This had me misty from early on, really effective, and just so honest.
@thedutchwidows 8 weeks
This is amazing. I love the flow, the way the vocals sit into the music, and the music hits a melancholy sweet spot. Lyrically, it seems reflective of deep loss, and the heartache in the "one more minute with me" line is tangible. It is beautifully expressed.
@mandolinda 8 weeks
Hypnotic and tragic. Soul searching for what if’s.
#tit4tat6
@metalfoot 8 weeks
This is a really cool write -- one wonders what it is about the 'five' that the narrator doesn't want to have arrive. And that bridge... wow.
Great production and textures as always!
#tit4tat
@coolparadiso 8 weeks
You should be pleased and i think the amount and quality of comments says more than anything i could! Yet again you use repetition so well! I will be singing domino domino for hours! Really enjoyed all of your songs! So glad i caught them all! #titfirtat6
@stephenwordsmith 8 weeks
Mysterious! Meditative! The mantra-like form and feel of the words is very striking, and the echo only serves to emphasise that. This is a powerful song, one that hints at a soul which is recognisable enough to be relatable, but concealing enough to leave one pondering and speculating.
@bradbrubaker 8 weeks
My takeaway from the lyrics is a feeling inevitability of things toppling, that is the fate mentioned. Yet the "then comes five" seems to imply that the toppling can eventually end. As for the music, the slight vibrato to the keys (wind instruments?) adds a fragility to the tune that compliments the song's theme well.
#tit4tat Saw you post this in this thread: https://fawm.org/forums/topic/11688/
@ustaknow 8 weeks
Great track.
- As far as improvement, hahh, who can say. However, sometimes it can be interesting to experiment and hand off the the pre-mix to someone else ( - you know, trust and like their stuff, or skew); so hard to do virtually if have many dubs, tracks. Part of the variable element here is (we forget?), - on what, did they listen, and frame of mind reference it, - work, dinner, musical, pissed, happy, 6 beers in...
- The track delivers a demo for which anyone who's inclined may "hear" anything into it, - I can.
@sailingmagpie Feb 22
When the "stars collide" section comes in is a real goosebumps moment. This sounds like it was produced by Brian Eno!
I hope you get the time to do more but, if not, I've really enjoyed your stuff this year!
@cellarrob Feb 22
"Catch a tear with my hand, Throw it in the sea", that's just brilliant! Love the flow of this song and the sentiment. So well done!
@wobbiewobbit Feb 21
this is so rich. it has a bit of an African feel, melodically. feels so vulnerable yet processing. so lovely wolf. glad you have had such a good fawm. hope you can find time for one more
@ttg105 Feb 21
Nice bassline and lovely wash of vocals and keys. Mood of melancholy regret very bittersweet and reminiscent of The Blue Nile. The intro of the drums really effective, and the "domino, domino" really sticks in the head. Vocals so clear and strong. One of your best!
@jessicagraae Feb 21
This is so mysterious, but seems to be hiding tragedy underneath it. Love your vocals, as always.
@rayboneor Feb 20
Some things are hard to explain, like why some songs resonate with some people and others do not. This one hits my personal resonant frequency. (It's over? Okay, let me hit play again.) Anyway, that quiet vocal in the beginning is so moving. All those "should haves" are devastating, along with the line about the cigarettes. That middle bit is extraordinary, sort of ebullient even as it expresses regret. Love it, for real
@sbs2018 Feb 20
Love how cryptic the lyrics are. And the vocals! Cannot bring to mind who I’m reminded of. Somebody awesome, for sure!
@seemanski Feb 19
Cool track, the lyrics are cracking and I really love the instrumentation. There is a harsh sound that happens in my left ear that I really liked. The repetition is really effective, I really liked it.
As you have asked for feedback I put my analytic hat on, for what it is worth this is what I picked up on. I thought the flicker and kill me lines could possibly have a bit of ping pong delay so that shoot out between my ears (bit like a domino effect). I thought the domino lines were a bit too hot around the 1:45 mark. The hihats might be a little hot, but I'm not sure on that. I did feel like there was something missing in the centre of the balance, there is a lot going on in my left and right ears and I felt like it needed something in the middle, maybe some keys. This is just my opinion, if you did nothing I'd still love it, just trying to be constructive.
@matthijs Feb 19
Love the honesty on this one. we all have been there once in our lifes. Great use of repetition and i like how the delay on the vocals glues it all together. Hats off to you
@ferry0123 Feb 19
Sorrowful, regretful and the honesty in the two coming out of my speakers is beautiful. Wow. I am deeply impressed by this song. I love how the 'stars collide'-parts asks for attention (the 'pause' before the final time it's there is really working well).
@musicsongwriter Feb 19
Very beautiful, emotional, mysterious and dynamic song Wolf. Very interesting to listen and to follow.
@dzdandcunfsd Feb 19
This is a hell of a write! Kudos. It's tough for me to write extra personal stuff that's actually shareable. Nobody needs to know all your business, the gist is there.......maybe this one just kicked me in the feeler too 😉
"You said the cigarettes would kill me (kill me)" That one really got me, appears they were right, just didn't get you physically.
Soo many great little rhymic and vocal hooks that all work great, 1,2,3,4........then comes five all the domino dominos falling, Great little delay on the vox too!
It just comes down to personal tastes, but I wouldn't mind the music being louder with the vocals a little deeper in the mix, but that's nitpicky as hell I just listened twice and got what I wanted 😉 So much great stuff going on back there, but most people will always be drawn to a vocal first. So like I said that's just a preference thing(as most are) it sounds amazing as is, nothing is buried or inaudible. Excellent work here!
@sunnymae Feb 19
Oh...this is a beauty and I can feel how personal this is for you thru the tenderness in your voice. Love the repeats on the numbers and domino. It anchors the longing and loss with great delicacy.
As always no one can come close to your artistry in the studio. I seriously wish I could sit at your feet and study with you. We've been so fortunate you have you with us this year. If we got 6 we got 6. I'll take it! xoxosunnymae
@alboe Feb 19
Not sure if I completely understand what this is about but it evokes lots of emotions and thoughts.
Besides the lyric subject it’s just a fantastic song.
It is very catchy but not in a “simple” popsong way, more experimental?
I really like this a lot and your voice fits the music so well.
@blindkiwi Feb 19
Love these lyrics Wolf, that bridge is great and delivered so well vocally. The way you sing 'Tippy toe a tight rope' just trips the right notes. I love this one.
@kathym Feb 18
When I look back over my many years of fawming, you remain one of the most memorable songwriters I have come across, intriguing and mysterious. Your sound this year is somehow different, but it is always so uniquely intimate, sometimes getting under my skin.
I found myself with unexpected time on my hands today, watching snow fall yet again interfering with plans, so I have the luxury of listening time. I am on my fourth listening of this song, replaying it to listen to the various things that make this song worth the repeat plays. You know those songs we'd hit the repeat button on over and over because there was just something there that you can't seem to break away from. This is one of those.
I'm very glad that you returned to fawm this year and hope for many more to come.
@marijequerida Feb 18
This is great, the way you are able to show emotion through your vocals is just out of this world. I really dig the echo-y parts. This track really differs from your other songs but still really sounds like you. You leave a lot of room for interpretation, which makes it even more interesting.
Also, thanks for your very kind comment, I really appreciate it!
@katestantonsings Feb 18
I'm curious how long it takes you to write songs? This is wildly creative. Loving the synth work on this song. Word painting with rounds - domino, stars collide, etc. Great work Wolf!
@cindyrella Feb 18
This is hypnotic Wolf! You are indeed putting some incredible works out this month. Love the pacing and those vocals! Bravo!
@gerrybhoy Feb 18
Sounds like you had great fun with this song Wolf, rhythmic lyric works really well, like the hook and the careful use of delay on the vocal, lovely.
@ampersandman Feb 18
The lyrics are cryptic but trigger the imagination, so that's already a sign of real good songwriting. The nursery rhyme language is especially effective in this. I like the shift to a slower pace in "stars collide" and the arrangement that leaves lots of space. The whole song reminds me of late David Bowie, and we all know that is not a terrible artist to be compared with.