FAWM: "Street Sweeper"

Street Sweeper

1 week ago by @bethkille

Street Sweeper

bethkille

00:00

Liner Notes

Just wanted to do something quirky. I was trying to flip my flow on this one and start with the instrumental and then add words. Not exactly sure how I got to the street sweeper image but my brain works in weird ways sometimes. I've been wanting to try a monotone/drone-type three part harmony on a song so I was experimenting here... The only part I'm feeling good about is the final chord the vocals hit at the very end of the bridge - lol! Well at least I finished strong. Gonna post this one and move on. Maybe this'll be redeemable someday but not right now. All good. I had some fun.

Lyrics

Intro: Street sweeper x 4

Verse 1 The spring thaw The truth is revealed All the buried trash The snow concealed This winter season Was messy and rough But I’m busting out now And I’m cleaning up

Chorus Clear the debris and let my path shine (path shine) Keep moving forward leaving clarity behind

Street sweeper x 4

Verse 2 So easy to Ignore the mess So hide myself inside Hope it’ll pass But the world keeps turning The sun won’t lie When it shines down On the wreck of your life

Chorus

Bridge Winter’s gonna come again can’t stop passing seasons Bless and curse the march of time weather it & choose to shine

Comments

@damschen 1d

The "vocal" pedal tones in the background provides a nice backdrop for the piano, percussion, and vocals. Fun use of "street sweeper"! Way to use songs to keep moving, regardless of how you feel about them. I agree that the end of the bridge has really intriguing harmonies - like that part best, too!

@casijohnson 3d

I like the arrangement; it brought a smile to my face! Another great edition to your FAWM collection!

@andybalham 1w

I really enjoyed this. I think the arrangement worked really well. It was very evocative and the quirkiness worked for me.

@andyt13 1w

Super well executed! Solid work!

@johncrossman 1w

Flip my flow, is that a reference to The Rachel? Um. But seriously, Pelliterri called because they're making a new commercial and wondered if you'd be available. Obviously they'll fade out in the second verse.....

This is cool, the drone works, and that synthy thing underneath has all the comings and goings of sprayed water, half circles and brushed dust.

@greengrassgirl 1w

Yep! That's a great sound at the end of the Bridge! So glad to see you back here at FAWM.

@jramonewi 1w

Harmonies are so fun, and you're a master! \m/

@val 1w

Street Sweeper. I don't know, but it has great alliteration. Who don't like some good alliteration? I love those layered vocals for sure. I also like the bridge at the end. It can be a really effective tool if it works in context with the song. And I think it does work here because it leaves us with the idea of choosing to shine. On a side note, I don't know about you, but I find I write vastly different lyrics depending on whether I write the lyrics by themselves, or write them after I compose music or while I'm composing the music. It can shift you into concepts you normally wouldn't reach for.

@kahlo2013 1w

Great unique metaphor that works really well and wonderful message to shine on. As always lovely vocals and effective phrasing and layering. And question to you, oh wise songwriter who taught me songwriting, what is the difference of an outro or a bridge at the end of a song - is it the length or the new insight or perspective that makes it a bridge rather than an outro? Or is it semantics?

@bethkille 1w

Oh man…that’s a great question. I think I was planning to put another chorus after that bridge section when I was writing this initially so I called it a bridge-but then I lost interest and just decided to fade the song out-lol! So in retrospect I would now call this an outro! Ha!