FAWM: "Remember when we had rights"

Remember when we had rights

2 weeks ago by @mikeskliar

Remember when we had rights

mikeskliar

00:00

Liner Notes

#reggae #rock #political #protest I've been working on this for a few days now, and its probably my most involved and complicated production in a while. I had the idea back on Feb 1, started strumming this kind of reggae Bob Marley-ish rhythm and the line 'remember when we had rights' just came out... went from there, threw in some diminished chords for the second half of each verse (or maybe its the chorus, depending on your point of view), and thought, OK, how do I record this. I realized it needed some sort of drumming and I'm no drummer (and have some hand percussion but that's it- and I have no idea how to program drums or anything like that) Searched around on youtube and found someone posted some CC no-rights-wanted reggae drum tracks, and I found one slow enough for this (I wanted a slow burn, not a fast shuffle). Searched the internet for advice on 'how to play bass on a reggae song' and learned its all about the '3' (rather then the 1 and 3 or 2 and 4 beats) I imported the drum track to my fairly primitive budget version of pro tools, added rhythm electric guitar, then sang a vocal. Then a second electric rhythm guitar track, bass, and then some lead guitar. Did some vocal and guitar doubling with making duplicate tracks which I added a delay to.. and then basically ran out of tracks! Some compression and reverb added, and .. all done. Figured I"d get this one out the door while its still somewhat topical. And yeah, I get a little nasty towards the end, (that last improv'd line) but I think its justified given everything going on, and its certainly a reflection of what I'm feeling at times (and I'm sure others as well)

Lyrics

Remember when we had rights Now its all gone wrong Remember checks and balances Time to say ‘so long’

Who needs a warrant Who needs a reason Just round em up, deport their asses ‘what’s that?’ your US passport? Couldn’t see thru dark glasses

Remember hearing this line ‘no one is above the law’ that worked just fine Until the government was run by outlaws

Who needs elections Or the constitution Democracy it just doesn’t pay And by pay I mean pay them They’ve earned their billions They’ll take it anyway

Remember leaders who made the trains run on time and the people shake & break Remember something called news Now its praise, or else its fake

Who needs the truth Who needs vaccines Who needs clean air and water Do as they say and you’ll be spared Only he can prevent the slaughter (especially if he likes your daughter)

Comments

@elainedimasi 39m

Congrats on coming up with the production to fit your vision! Even if FAWM doesn't have to be about "production," FAWM is all about learning and exploring the passions for sure.

Sly lyrics and of course, I totally agree with the sentiment here. This is a keeper.

"Now its praise, or else its fake" followed by a dirty guitar solo bit - PERFECT.

Nice internal rhymes following. I appreciate them. Wow, what a burn on "daughter"!

"Time to say 'so long' " is a perfect we-mean-to-fight-for-the-opposite-of-that rallying call. Tell it!

@angelinapowersuit 3d

Excited to hear your production after reading your process above. Wow. But as always, most interested in hearing your lyrics cuz I knew you'd be spot on, and anyway- is it nasty if it's true? Me thinks not. So many great lines I can't write them out, I'd just be copying your entire song, haha. But I LOVE the title/first line. So true but ludicrous it's funny. Guitar solo, woohoo!

@richaaaay 4d

Dig the full production. It’s groovy. Lyrics are spot on stating the facts. Crazy…Some sad state of affairs…Appreciate hearing the perspective vocalized…It’s important.

@sherrycanary 5d

This is musically so beautiful and appealing that the message comed throug loud and clear. message received loud and cclear

@janeg 5d

Most political songs have a short life span but this one deserves to live on, thanks to the fantastic arrangement. A song for every garage rock band to play at local protests! Hoping a big name rock band picks this one up.

@jinx 6d

Love it right (ha) from that first couplet. Also "Remember something called news / Now it's praise, or else it's fake". So much straight-forward truth here! Digging those guitar solos too.

@froggymagee 1w

I forgot how to speak English after listening to this... I feel like I just put on one of my favorite records. All the melodies grabbed hold of me and never let go throughout. The way I was instantly sucked in by the drum beat is something that doesn't happen to me often. Also very well said lyrically!

@catmisgivings 1w

Love what you did with all these instrumental parts here. Wild guitar solo I love it

@flomusic 1w

Bravo! Great lyrics from the first to the last.

@thwingbill 1w

Very laid back presentation of good lyrics. Like the way you put your music behind the song. Made it live

@siasa 1w

Good work onthe reggae rhythms. Something I've never mastered it. Great lyric. Enjoyed this.

@eric 2w

Glad to hear your songs again! "No one is Above the law" is a common theme this go round. Check out Klyma's song with that title. Nice job creating and improvising and making it happen. I really like that walk up on the diminished chords. Solid tune

@coolparadisoMod 2w

good to get out the comfort zone - well musically. An old traditional folk style the regaae. oh and by the way I remember

@mikeb 2w

Digging that reggae-like rhythm in the verses! Ouch - that last verse really hits the nail on the head!

@wynia 2w

My favorite part are the guitar solos. Hot damn. It's doing the extra screaming for all of us with the angst over WTF is happening

@andyt13 2w

OK! So much to unpack here and it's all great. I love everything about this.

@chill4matt 2w

Great production! Love the line about the news... now it's praise or else it's fake.

@edwinb 2w

This is a great production. All these things that shouldn't need to be said...

@klyma 2w

Digging the idea here and knocked out by that chord progression. Damn!

@ductapeguyMod 2w

This rawks musically spares no punches. Testify.

@aeye 2w

That's a sick guitar solo! Definitely can feel the reggae influence throughout the whole thing.

@betoMod 2w

This is so great, Mike! Love the production and all the layers, and love the lyrics as usual.

@mikeskliar 2w

Thanks!!

@billwhite51 2w

i like the way the verses build. i dont hear the music as reggae, but feel the reggae influence has added some effective dynamics to your style. love your guitar sound when the solo comes in toward the end, you have a really strong sound.

@mikeskliar 2w

thanks! appreciate it! yeah, when I first played it on acoustic, it seemed more 'reggae' but somehow with all the electric guitar stuff it ended up being more of a rock rhythm. Interesting how that works!