FAWM: "Look The Other Way"

Look The Other Way

1 week ago by @edwinb

Look The Other Way

edwinb

00:00

Liner Notes

A late night effort, live from the sofa on #ukulele #fuc. I think this was more of an exercise than a song I might ever want to sing, but I suppose that's what we're here for. It's an #answersong to "I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You" by Tom Waits. Much as I love that song, I do sometimes wonder what the object of his drunken affections was thinking. Perhaps there's a reason they were out of there by the last verse.

I've tried to keep the feel of the original without stealing any of the chords or melody. I hope I've succeeded or I'll have to take the demo down...

Lyrics

I wish that you would look the other way This isn't what I came here for today I'm here for the music, to relax and to unwind Working through the crossword as I'm sipping on a pint

And I wish that you would look the other way I wish that you would look the other way

There's plenty others here for you to see So I wonder why you had to pick on me The room is filled with revellers the band picks up the pace And I try my best impersonation of an empty space

And I wish that you would look the other way I wish that you would look the other way

And I think I accidentally caught your eye It'll soon be time for calling it a night Pretending to be friendly with an unfamiliar bloke Going for a cigarette though I don't even smoke

And I wish that you would look the other way I wish that you would look the other way

They've called last orders at the bar I've slipped a fiver in the singer's jar Don't have to go home yet but it's time I wasn't here Sneaking to the exit while you're ordering a beer

And I wish that you would look the other way I wish that you would look the other way

Comments

@janeg 2d

And now I need to practice my impersonation of an empty space. I really like answer songs and this one is brilliant; time for me to try again.

@catmisgivings 6d

Ha! That's right, being present in a public space doesn't mean I want to be bothered!

@burrMod 1w

i think this is first song i’ve come across using ChordPro lyric formatting! 🎉

i’m not familiar with the tom waits song, but this response and the sentiment "I wish that you would look the other way" itself is eminently relatable nonetheless. love the chord changes and the way the melody drapes across them, especially the transition from verse to refrain.

@philkmills 1w

I also love: "best impersonation of an empty space". The whole song sounds great...and reminds me that I usually do a couple of answer songs each year.

@billgcaldwell 1w

A Man has to have his priorities. Pints and Crosswords are two legitimate. Yhanks for sharing.

@cblack 1w

This made me strangely happy.

There was just something about it... Every individual line hit home, but gave a different vibe to the lyrics as a whole, if that makes sense?

I really enjoyed this. Well done!

Love the uke, by the way.

@darcistrutt 1w

I'm enjoying your picking style. I feel sorry for the guy. Trying to do his best impersonation of an empty space - a great description.

@headfirstonlyMod 1w

Thought-provoking in all sorts of ways, not least because eye contact really isn't something I'm comfortable with...

Intriguing, faintly disturbing, and definitely one that's going to stay with me.

@pippa 1w

I listened to your song, and then went to YouTube, and now I know what you're talking about. And I think you've done really well in singing the part of the other character. I second what @yam655 and @marilisa said. Good song!

@yam655 1w

I listened to the song before I read the liner note. I have to say, I really liked it. There's no clear indication of what sort of attention the one looking may have. Do they want love? Do they want to fight? (Is it both for them?) The ambiguity here makes this excellent. After all, it would be nice if things ended quietly with the person just looking the other way.

@marilisa 1w

I went and listened to the Tom Waits song before listening to this and I think you've done a great job of capturing the feel of it while still keeping your song distinct and different! I love your take on it :)

@kiraly 1w

I don't think I know the song this is based on, but I really like this. Definitely can relate to the feeling of not wanting to be the object of someone's attention out in public.

@coolparadisoMod 1w

In answer to your early question , he probably wasn't thinking much! and that comes from a fan. i get what you say - some songs are for telling others for playing! good job here. nice tone in that picking!