FAWM: "Honest (If I Can't Be)"

Honest (If I Can't Be)

1 week ago by @andrewjtaylor

Honest (If I Can't Be)

andrewjtaylor

00:00

Liner Notes

This started with a very short instrumental piece I wrote in 2017. One of the most beautiful I've written but so short with so much promise. So I thought, how can I turn this into a song. More and more it had to veer from that original and gradually I removed all but the verse instrumental accompaniment. I feel as strongly about this song as I do the instrumental that inspired it. That's a pretty good feeling. Playing with the melody walking around listening to that instrumental the words that came out were "I...open my mouth...but nothing comes out" and the rest is history. I'll be coming back to work on this one, especially since I'm up to 4 and there's a lot this song deserves at this point.

Having a hard time getting a good mix with low latency. Still working on that. And Ozone is FRYING the song. Way too crispy and saturated. Still working on that. But I've figured out how to use Logic's auto Bass a bit better.

As an overthinking male with a naturally depressive nature, this song is personal. This song is about male stoicism, suffering in silence, loneliness, and the epidemic of suicide, which I've recently learned is the worst in the country in my county. We've lost so many here.

#mentalhealth #fullproduction

Lyrics

Meter: 6/8

VERSE 1 F / | Am/E / | Dm7 / | C/E / | I open my mouth But nothin' comes out But what I'm hidin'

VERSE 2 F / | Am/E / | Dm7 / | C/E / | 'Cause I've Swallowed my doubt But it comes around Without me tryin'

PRE-CHORUS Bb C6 | Bb Csus C | And I can't feel a thing At least not if I Deny that it's real Or can I?

CHORUS F / | C / | Dm / | Bb Csus | Be Honest or keep This to my self My personal hell That makes me unwell Or can I

Seek Help from you please These moments are fleeting But right now I'm bleeding But can you tell? That I'm unwell? If I can't be

VERSE 2 F / | Am/E / | Dm7 / | C/E / | I open my mouth But I don't know how To keep from cryin'

VERSE 3 F / | Am/E / | Dm7 / | C/E / | So I push it right down And I'll go without Even if it's lyin'

PRE-CHORUS Bb C6 | Bb Csus C | And I can't feel a thing At least not if I Deny that it's real Or can I?

CHORUS F / | C / | Dm / | Bb Csus | Be Honest or keep This to my self My personal hell That makes me unwell Or can I

Seek Help from you please These moments are fleeting But right now I'm bleeding But can you tell? That I'm unwell? If I can't be

BRIDGE (x2) Bb / | Csus C | Dm / | Am7 Am | (Be) Honest With you Free (and) honest Us two/too

If we're honest it's not new

Can I Be honest Be honest Can I

CHORUS F / | C / | Dm / | Bb Csus | Be Honest or keep This to my self My personal hell That keeps me unwell Or can I

Seek Help from you please These moments are fleeting But right now I'm bleeding But can you tell? That I'm unwell? If I can't be

Comments

@writeandwrong 2d

Wow, similar to the previous commenter... this is my new favorite of yours! This flows so naturally musically, vocally, verbally. Everything flows like melted butter dripping down the very last drop of emotion I had left in me... Powerful. Brought tears to my eyes... Definitely do something with this post-FAWM... please! The world feels every word of this right now...for a long time...forever.

@ahumburg 1w

My favorite song that you’ve written. There’s stand-out quality in the instrumentation, the lyrics and cadence, the structure, all of it. World class. Your melodies are killer. My fave is how the lyric of the bridge flows and the rising chord progression that lifts into the final chorus. Just wow. There are songs you’ll listen to once and then there are songs you have to listen to again. This song is the latter.

@andrewjtaylor 6d

Thanks so much. This one's certainly left an imprint on me!

@wobyen 1w

The guitar at the beginning is so hypnotic and builds so nicely

@coolparadisoMod 1w

Excellent song Andrew. Comes in nice from the first verse but takes off through teh pre chorus in to the chorus, the instrumentation lift here is great! The move back to the very structure is very pleasing, Great lyrics delivered with real emotion! Ive been waiting for this song - simply stunning Andrew

@andrewjtaylor 1w

Thanks very much. 🙏

@greengrassgirl 1w

Something about that PC really gets me. This is the kind of song that is ageless, which is wonderful. Enjoyable for years. You can be really proud of what you've accomplished.

@andrewjtaylor 1w

Thank you very much. 🙏

The PC is definitely inspired by Christina Perri's "Arms" PC. I just listening to that a few days prior. It didn't come out intentionally, but I can see it in there! :)

@sailingmagpie 1w

The vocal line as you move into the pre-chorus is lovely and that chorus is delicious. This is definitely one to keep polishing. Its a real gem!

@andrewjtaylor 1w

Thanks for listening and for the encouragement. Funny reading your about section this year. :) Excited to hear what you do with EZ drummer & the e-kit.

@dani312 1w

Love the slow pace of the lyrics in the verse in contrast to the movement in the accompaniment under the chorus. You do some cool things to play with time and keep each section really interesting adding layers. Well done :)

@sheslin 1w

Lovely pre-chorus an transition to the chorus. Oh goodness the chorus is beautiful. Love the backing vocals or synth - can't tell but it sounds great. I like the stripped down bridge - nice contrast. The last chorus is just gorgeous. Such a beautiful song very well done - I loved it!