Excuses
Liner Notes
This started as a color by the numbers #honkytonk #country song then went sideways in a good way. #guywithguitar
Lyrics
Excuses (c) Feb. 4, 2026 Sean McGaughey FAWM 04 Slow, 4/4 hurtin' song
Intro
Cho Somewhere along the way They lost their way Sometime before today Something changed Sometimes they suspect that something Isn't right all the times that their excuses keep them up at night.
v1 There was a time that folks would always help a neighbour When to look out for one another, wasn't seen as strange. But someone told them empathy is toxic Now they look upon their neighbours with suspicion and blame.
Cho Somewhere along the way They lost their way Sometime before today Something changed Sometimes they suspect that something Isn't right all the times that their excuses keep them up at night.
V2 Most times they feel tired and discouraged There was a time they didn't feel this way But the happy memories of good times Have been faded through the years and tears washed them away
Key Change Modulate up Cho Somewhere along the way We lost our way Sometime before today Something changed Sometimes we might suspect that something Isn't right When all of our excuses keep us up at night.
Outro Sometimes I realize that something isn't right Because my excuses tend to keep me up at night.
Comments
Such a great concept that speaks to something very, very real. We're built for community as humans and it does really suck that's becoming harder and harder to find. I particularly love the outro - it's a really nice way to finish the song with a bit of self-reflection. Change starts with us, right?
Another nicely assembled and conveyed idea. I'm always impressed by how your lyrics, melody and guitarwork fit together so nicely.
Good slow country song with a lot of good lines, I like "someone told them empathy is toxic, etc", well, I don't like it at all! But I like that you sing about it since that's what's happened what's killing us. I like that key change too!
One of the best slow hurting songs I've ever heard. This suits your voice so well, really shows off your vocal colour! The key change is so hopeful! I want to believe this hope. Thank you for giving me a window to see it again.
This doesn’t sound like it went sideways at all. Everything in here felt so intentional and thought out. Great message in this song.
A very interesting song about memory and responsibility. I love the guitar work in this song, especially when you go to that half tempo at the end just to add emphasis to it all. Great song
This is so ALMOST country! It's interesting to try and figure out which parts are and where the melody goes when it isn't, if you get what I mean. And I totally identify with the excuses. Some excuses OUGHT to be keeping people up at night, but unfortunately, it seems a lot of folks are either blind to the need for excuses, or just totally shut down. Anyway, interesting song, thanks for making and posting.
That modulation was tasty, well done. I love the way it changes from they, to we to I. And, even now, if I go out into my neighborhood, we help each other when we need to. And come election time, their signs aren't the same as mine so there's hope in the world, I think.