FAWM: "Facing West"

Facing West

Liner Notes

I locked up my acoustic, bought a new amp and picked up my electric guitar back in September. Initially I studied some online tutorials to teach myself some new tricks, but eventually I started coming up with some new song ideas, enjoying the freedom of moving around the guitar neck easier. This was the first one I got excited about. It was first labeled "Sunshiny Pop Record/Play Faster" in my Voice Memos app, and it was a lot of fun to play the initial idea/progression. It's evolved significantly since then but when I tried to record it the way I always envisioned it as a faster/rock song I could maybe play with a band, it didn't sound right to me. So after several tries I ditched the drums and slowed it down. Pretty happy with the unexpected way it turned out.

Near the same time that I first started playing around with this idea I was trying to edit a book draft I completed about a year ago. I had a hard time getting back into it and came up with the idea of exploring the themes and characters through songwriting as a next step instead. So this is part of that. Don't worry, I'm not writing a concept album here.

Lyrics

Facing west, sea side, thoughts are my own Painted sky streams of gold and orange, you’re all I know As I tell myself it’ll be alright how many miles I have come Wound in my back baby don’t look back, no more match, checksum

Going down the path, our time is over at last But baby you’re all that I know, facing west in the cold

Every mile I passed the speedometer pressed as the world put on a show I never thought of a tear in the past or a life blow by blow You invented a part and I was not in the cast, an extra at best Fiction it seems gave the real life a squeeze and put it to the test

Going down the path, our time is over at last But baby you’re all that I know, facing west in the cold

Tell me straight tell me you’re all I know. You and I can be just let it go A slow fade and moving out of view How we thought, I don’t even know I don’t even know

It’s a scene or a kind of disease It’s a mind control it’s a vanity And I can’t control what I don’t even need I can save myself and I wanna be free And you tell me this and you tell me that And I don’t know what to say

Baby you’re all that I know, facing west in the cold

#singersongwriter #indie

Comments

@nfshakespeare 1d

Nice ballad, and it sounds like a combo of acoustic style playing with an electric guitar, the blend of voice with guitar is really nice

@johnstaples 1w

Really interesting story you're telling with those lyrics! And that electric is sounding sweeeet! I really love that hook because it reminds me of San Gregorio State Beach! When I moved to California it was the first beach I visited! Your song triggered some great memories for me tonight! So, thanks for that!! Nice work!

@toddnorem 3d

Thanks John! I sure miss those California beaches. I lived in the Bay Area for several years. I was kind of thinking of Cannon Beach in Oregon for this one.

@abecedarian 1w

I love this! Actually, the first two lines remind me of growing up in San Francisco - sometimes, when I was coming home after theater rehearsal in high school, the L train would drop me off at the top of a hill facing west and I'd get an amazing view of the sun setting over the ocean. Not sure whether you've personally seen that particular sight, but the song certainly conjures it up!

@toddnorem 3d

Thanks! I lived in San Francisco for a while and think I know the view you’re talking about. Those random views could be absolutely incredible.

@ragbag 1w

I think these lyrics suggest a big wide expanse both of territory and feeling so slow song was the way to go, this all really suits your voice too so I think you made the right call. 😄

@billwhite51 1w

excellent storytelling with a memorable hook. facing west. i can relate to that. my favorite part is the last verse, i like how you you sing each line a little more intensely than the last without dramatically altering the music.

@andybalham 1w

This definitely works at this pace for me. I think it suits the way the story unfolds. The additional instrumentation adds to it as well.

@schnowd 1w

The electric guitar has a nice tone and the melody is sweet when paired with your smooth vocals. Nicely done!

@musicsongwriter 1w

Beautiful song, singing and playing. Creates a very interesting scene to follow. Catchy melody floats beautifully.

@ericdistadMod 1w

This is a great lyric! The images and lines are really strong.

The electric works really well and your voice sounds great on this!

Excellent start to FAWM 26! Well done, man!

@joefahey 1w

Really good lyrics, it’s so cool for you to integrate some of your fiction writing into a song, it opens up so many new possibilities. It’s also nice to hear you play electric guitar, and it’s interesting to hear that you tried a more sunshine pop, band with drums approach but decided to dial it back. It’s good to try various styles before finding the spot that feels right for the song. I love the sound of those nice chords as played on a electric, sounds chimey and rich. The melodies on the verses and choruses are catchy and memorable and I always love hearing a bridge. Great start to FAWM 2026 Todd!

@tspoon 1w

Todd, this is a great kickoff to 26. Interesting that we both sort of wrote break-up songs to start the year. Although both about fictional characters, at least I hope? I love the guitar sound, from that new amp. Vocals sound super clear and strong. very strong refrain. Baby Your all that I know.... Well done my friend!

@toddnorem 1w

Pure fiction. Maybe being in a long-term secure relationship and newly engaged(!) actually helped with the writing of this song. Thanks for the comment.

@tspoon 1w

Forgot to say Congrats! do u have a date set?

@toddnorem 1w

Thanks Tim! We’re excited, but don’t have a date yet and aren’t feeling too much urgency around it. We’re planning a move first, so that’s taking up most of our time and energy. We’re actually in Denver right now (10 days total) and leaning towards moving here. Amanda has a severe mold allergy and a dry place could be a game changer. Seattle’s unrelenting darkness does a job on me, so I could benefit enormously from living in a sunny place again. I got a head start on this song and the next one I’ll post because I knew I’d be out of commission this week. Although the laptop is calling.