FAWM: "Should've Been"

Should've Been

Liner Notes

FAWM 2026 / Song 7 Instrument: spruce and mahogany tenor ukulele tuned low GCEA

Lyrics I've been playing with about an alternate reality. I am trying to set melody more from my head than from the chords, finding the chords after the notes. It's hard for me.

This was originally just an audio demo, but I had time 2/8 to sit down and record a video of it so I replaced it with the video demo.

#midemfoke #ukulele #singersongwriter #personwithukulele #girlwithukulele #acousticonetake #fuc #uke #acoustic

Lyrics

That Goodwill typewriter clicks in your cave I’ve been away a few days Someone’s been sleeping in my bed You must be with her again I can tell by the records you play I can tell when you look my way We ought to be more than friends It should’ve been me, it should’ve been

Left you a note with a lipstick kiss Everyone thinks we could You held my hand when we walked downtown Just like I hoped you would But you never bit I never just went for it

And I feel between the sheets How you would fit But I don’t wanna say I cannot risk it Now I can hear you pacing on the phone And I can see the future where we never get to be alone But should’ve been We should’ve been

You drove me home for Thanksgiving break 20 years later I still have the mixtape Some nights I sleep; Some nights, instead, I think of words you could have said Of ways that might have led to you Of looks I got said everybody knew It wasn’t working out But we didn’t even start

And I feel between the sheets How you would fit But it’s far too late to say I cannot risk it Now I can hear you pacing on the phone with me And I live in the future where we never get to be But should’ve been We should’ve been

Things I thought would happen didn’t Things I never thought would, did The memories I mine for meaning Never mean the thing I’m dreaming

Comments

@dudachris 23h

These dreams haunt me, but all of the other false starts and unexpected nos make me question if the swings I skipped might've missed anyway. Haha its spawning couplets for me:

"Its worth the risk, worth the pain, it'll let you down again and again, but if once its real, if once its true, it'll make a twiterpated of you 🐦 "

@newukenewyork 22h

You're right when you say any of our imagined swings could still have been misses! Too true.

Thanks for listening!

@deandarling 1d

This is so very beautiful. Your voice has a Joni Mitchell quality that I swoon for hehe I really loved the line some nights I sleep some nights instead I think of words you could have said. What is a songwriter if not to yearn. Great job.

@newukenewyork 1d

I do enjoy a good yearn! Thank you so much for the very kind comment. 😌

@laurenoxford 1d

this song captures the specific ache of “what if”—that wistful, melancholy track your brain sometimes runs at night when you can’t sleep—so, SO perfectly. i’m such a sucker for an “alternate timeline” sort of song. <3 and oh my LORD that final couplet?!?! it took my breath away. especially with the unexpected melodic jump, like you’re still reaching for it.

sublime. 💙

@newukenewyork 1d

Ah, thank you so much for the thoughtful listen and comment! I’m so glad to see your thoughts.

@suziek 1d

Very rich lyrics and melody. There is a special place in my world for “should’ve been.” Very relatable. Another poignant song - so good.

@newukenewyork 1d

Thank you; that means a lot to me. 🙏

@lamerabbit 2d

Oh this is just so good:

"Left you a note with a lipstick kiss Everyone thinks we could You held my hand when we walked downtown Just like I hoped you would But you never bit I never just went for it"

The whole song is very good. The above I just really, really, really enjoyed so much! Thank you!

@newukenewyork 1d

Thank you so much for listening and the kind compliment.

@johnstaples 2d

This is fascinating! An alternate reality song! Really interesting words and a beautiful melody! And your vocals are just stunning on this! I love it!

@newukenewyork 2d

Thank you for listening and the encouragement! I hope to get the video demo up so soon but I imagine the melody staying roughly the same.

@eringoblog 3d

Ooh, that final couplet is chefs kiss. Love it!

@newukenewyork 3d

Hi, many thanks for the listen and comment! :)

@lolazepam 3d

I love the melancholic vibe. The melody is great

@newukenewyork 3d

Thank you so much. I love a sad song.

@odetocollaboration 3d

Your voice is wonderful in this context it fits so well! Guess maybe it's my age but there is an awful lot of thought that goes into missed opportunities, choices made or not made, regrets, etc. Great topic to put to song!

@newukenewyork 3d

Yes, I live a thousand lives in my head! And often write about them. Thanks for your comment. :)