FAWM: "I Haven't Yet"

I Haven't Yet

Liner Notes

So honored to have the opportunity to work with this beautifully poignant lyric by Ms Selig. I kept coming back to it when it was posted only as a lyric and really felt it in my bones, so I asked if I could give it a try. She said yes, even though she's perfectly capable of putting it to music herself and I believe she's now posted her own musical version of it (which I haven't heard yet). So, please consider this as just one alternative interpretation. Thank you, Jenny.

Lyrics

Lyrics - I Haven’t Yet - Jenny Selig (NewukeNewYork) Music - Jeff Walker

The sunroom where I had a bed but Didn't sleep, I slept with you And it was bright that day, you couldn't hide Maybe light made it harder when I cried.

That day, that afternoon That I forgive you for, We never speak of but I don't forget I mean, I haven't yet.

The bottom shelf, between tall books, you Hadn't even hidden it Nor would I look for trouble, not back then I only wanted paper and a pen

That day, that afternoon That I forgive you for, We never speak of but I don't forget I mean, I haven't yet.

BRIDGE And all the things you said, you wrote, you felt They cut me dead, they sent my mind to hell I didn't know you'd kissed him or How you had wanted something more So tell me why you wrote it down So tell me that you didn't want it found

The cinematic drama of you Ripping pages from the rings Running to the bathtub, lighting matches so they'd burn I lived there, too, I had nowhere to turn.

That day, that afternoon That I forgive you for, We never speak of but I don't forget I mean, I haven't yet.

Comments

@crisp1 1d

Super powerful lyrics, Jenny, and this is a beautifully quiet rendition, Jeff.

@newukenewyork 1d

Thanks for taking a listen!

@philnorman 6d

What a gorgeous collab. This is the hairs tingling on the back of my neck.

Jeff, the cadence and melody you found for those opening lines is so good, and the gentle emotion in your performance. Jenny, your lyric is heartbreak on the page.

I think there's some unexpected magic in gender roles being flipped from writer to singer, the universality of love and ache, yet the differences in expression.

@newukenewyork 6d

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, Phil! I agree that Jeff nailed it. And since I was writing "as" a man in my narrative voice (but of course from the viewpoint of a writer who has never had the experience of being a man, let alone the man in this situation), I was doubly blessed by Jeff offering to collab with me.

@richaaaay 1w

Perfect vocal and guitar arrangement for these poignant lyrics. The melancholy oozes out of the pores of this tune. So well done…

@newukenewyork 1w

Thanks for your comment on "I Haven't Yet." This was a satisfying collab for me!

@lolazepam 1w

Great vocal and nice melancholic and dramatic vibe

@newukenewyork 1w

Thanks very much!

@jeff9 1w

Ditto from me!

@chill4matt 1w

What great storytelling. It gets you in the feels, So descriptive, so real. Love it and love the collab!

@newukenewyork 1w

Thank you, thank you! :)

@jeff9 1w

Really appreciate it, Matt.

@farrister 2w

Wow, what a story, a punch in the gut. Delivered with a perfect amount of resignation and heartbreak. There's so much here and not a misstep anywhere. This is one I won't forget.

@newukenewyork 2w

Thanks for listening. I agree that Jeff's delivery (and melody and composition) is terrific.

@jeff9 2w

Greetings, Adam. And thanks so much for the encouraging comments,

@jongoldie 2w

Wonderful storied lyrics Jenny, so personal and poignant. Nice rendition of this by you Jeff. Cheers

@newukenewyork 2w

Thanks very much for checking it out and the kind words!

@jeff9 2w

Appreciate the listen and nice comment.

@williamjames 2w

Some quite strong Johnny Cash vibes here. You sound powerful and like you have been through a long road. Suits the lyrics really well. Dramatic. Powerful. Well done.

@jeff9 2w

Thanks, man. You get the voice you get and have to learn to deal with it. I always wanted to sing like McCartney but wound up with a voice somewhere between Johnny Cash and Frank Zappa. C'est la vie. Appreciate the nice comments.

@kristi 2w

The unanswered questions and unrelenting thoughts of the past really grab you. The vocal & music deliver it all with a vulnerability and quiet emotion that speaks volumes. Good work!

@jeff9 2w

Thank you, Kristi, for such very kind words

@oswlek 2w

Outstanding! The moodiness grabs me right away and never really lets up. Awesome vocal, right on your sweet spot. Perfect guitar arrangement choices.

The lyric is sublime. I'm right there with him, sharing his thoughts and feeling the pages with my fingertips. Something about the "yet" breaks my heart. Maybe it's the implied hope that the protagonist knows is false but still can't help voicing?

Great work. I'll definitely remember this one.

@newukenewyork 2w

I love the guitar on this, too. Thanks for your kind words about the lyrics, as well. :)

@jeff9 2w

Knowing what a talented artist and discerning music critic you are, these words of encouragement for both elements of our song are especially gratifying, Justin. Many thanks to you, kind sir.

@laurenoxford 2w

now THIS… this collaboration is what dreams are made of. haunting, aching, hopeful, resigned… absolutely sublime. a favorite of FAWM thus far.

@newukenewyork 2w

Thanks for listening, Lauren. <3

@jeff9 2w

Wow, a very big thank you, Lauren. I'm so grateful I got to work with this stunning lyric of Jenny's.

@damschen 2w

Those opening lines stopped me in my tracks. Jeff’s lilting guitar and low register make the startling story all the more striking. The story is captivating - of course the most important and difficult act is the forgiveness….rarely the arc of the story.

@jeff9 2w

I felt the same when I first saw the lyrics. It just kept tugging at my sleeve and I just really wanted to see if I could capture musically some of what they made me feel. So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you very much for the encouraging comments.

@james10 2w

Wonderful collab Jenny and Jeff! The words and the delivery make this song very poignant and unforgettable 👏

@newukenewyork 2w

Thanks so much for listening and letting us know.

@jeff9 2w

Many thanks, James.

@nadine 2w

Aw this is a brilliant collab. I love the space you left in between the chords and lines. So much emotion. And Jenny is soooo good in writing

@jeff9 2w

Isn't she, though? I've had my eye on her stuff for a few years and just hoping I might persuade her to let me pitch in on one of them. This was so enjoyable. And thank you, Nadine, for the listen and your encouraging words.

@newukenewyork 2w

Thank you both! I am encouraged by this community -- Yay, FAWM! Beautiful music gets made.

@jerrypettit 2w

Oh, wow--what a treat to have the two of you collaborating on a song. WHICH DID NOT DISAPPOINT!! Have you collab'd before? Really a wonderful song! P.S. You two have two of my favorite voices around here--would love to hear you collaborate on a duet. (Although Jeff is more of a cowboy, I guess...) ❤️

@newukenewyork 2w

Thanks so much! I love the idea of a duet, as well.

@fabkebab 2w

This is fabulous - What a great mood transforming piece of music. The paper from the rings line is what did it for me - well done - Hearing this is my favorite FAWM experience so far

@jeff9 2w

Oh, wow, Andrew. My head's as big as a blimp now. (Settle down, Jeff). Jenny really captured something rare here I do believe, and I was thrilled to get a chance to help showcase it. Thanks much for your very nice comments.

@newukenewyork 2w

Thank you both. <3. I agree that Jeff set the perfect mood and came up with a great melody here.

@edward9thstreet 2w

Great collab. Poignant and honest emotions expressed lyrically and w/ the vibe of the music and vocal. Very well done to both of you.

@newukenewyork 2w

Thank you for listening in! <3

@newukenewyork 2w

Gosh, I love it! Thanks so much for being interested in working with those lyrics. It's easier for me to listen to your version than my own -- and I notice I went to anger in mine, without planning to before I performed it, and you didn't (which I love hearing). The guitar is terrific and the vocals are so thoughtful. The sorrow comes through but not in a "sad sack" way. I really like your delivery. Thank you, thank you.

@jeff9 2w

Thank you so much, Jenny. I'm thrilled that it works for you. It's a terrific lyric and I very much enjoyed having the chance to work on it.

@sbs 2w

I read the lyrics first - loved this line: "We never speak of but I don't forget I mean, I haven't yet"

This one, too: "So tell me why you wrote it down So tell me that you didn't want it found"

Bill is right - Jeff knows how to do "inescapable melancholia" - brilliant collab!

@jeff9 2w

Many thanks, Kathy. She really captured something with this one, didn't she? If a heart has strings, I think Jenny's lyric might've broken one of mine.

@newukenewyork 2w

@jeff9 funny, because one of my first songs I ever tried to write was about heartstrings...

@sbs Thank you so much.

So glad this was my first (only?) collab of FAWM!

@billwhite51 2w

jeff maintains an inescapable melancholia throughout this sad tale of discovery and denial. there is no way out of this situation except to get out of it and that in itself is the situation he is in. jeff is a master at sustaining that mood. and Jenny's bleak lyrics are just as honest and clear.

@jeff9 2w

Thanks again, Bill. I guess my singing style just fits for songs with a bit of heartbreak and melancholy in them. I'm certainly grateful it fits for something and lets me work with material like Jenny's lyric.

@newukenewyork 2w

And I love a sad song with heartbreak and melancholy built in. Thanks @billwhite51 !

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I Haven't Yet

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