FAWM: "I Gave Up On Fair Long Ago"

I Gave Up On Fair Long Ago

6 days ago by @davidtaro · @coolparadisoMod

Liner Notes

@davidtaro: Last year, my final FAWM track was an instrumental tribute to a neighbour who had just passed away. @coolparadiso commented something to the effect that he'd long given up on fair, and I suggested that it would make a great song title. Well, you reap what you sow... John messaged me at the start of the month to say he'd duly written the lyric and would I like to have a go at setting it to music. Aside from the connection to my neighbour, I couldn't help feeling that the words spoke to events more generally in the last year. I wanted to make something that felt dark but also defiant (to reflect the tone of John's bridge). I'm also aware I've been wallowing in some gentle acoustic stuff of late... hence this, which I believe is possibly somewhere between #countryrock #bluesrock and #indierock 🤷

John David has covered the story pretty well! At the end of Feb 2023 after talking to David I wrote down 2 lines (the last 2 now of the chorus) stuck it in my diary for 1 Feb 2026 and it was the first lyric i wrote at about 5 am. I often give David a song but never hassle him - coz obviously he is in demand! but so glad he picked up on this one.

Lyrics

I used to dream of a world that was kind Where love was pure and truth you’d find But time wore on and the cracks began to show I gave up on hope a long time ago

I fought for justice, I played my part But the world just broke this fragile heart The good don’t win, and the strong take all I’ve stumbled hard and learned to fall

Oh, the scales don’t balance and the stars don’t care Life’s just a game, and the rules ain’t fair I’ve walked through the fire, felt the cold wind blow I gave up on fair a long time ago

The cracks grew wide and they never did close The fire inside me flickered and froze I used to believe I could make things right But now I know I’ve lost the fight

Oh, the scales don’t balance and the stars don’t care Life’s just a game, and the rules ain’t fair I’ve walked through the fire, felt the cold wind blow I gave up on fair a long time ago

Now I see the world through a different light No more illusions, no blinkered sight I’ll take what’s mine and let the rest go No more chasing what I’ll never know

Oh, the scales don’t balance and the stars don’t care Life’s just a game, and the rules ain’t fair I’ve walked through the fire, felt the cold wind blow I gave up on fair a long time ago

Comments

@mandolinda 1d

Hats off to you two, that is spectacular, writing and performance.

@spintown 1d

Great lyrics, maybe my favorite thus far of FAWM 2026.

@jerrypettit 3d

@davidtaro , you have definitely outdone yourself this "season"--loving everything you're doing. And another set of amazing lyrics from the prolific pen of @coolparadiso ! ❤️

@angelinapowersuit 3d

In love with this song before the vocals even start, damn the guitars in both ears are just lovely. And wow. . . wasn't expecting this full production, just blown away. And I'm going to be honest, I haven't even listened to a single lyric, haha, going back to read them now. . . "Life’s just a game, and the rules ain’t fair," "I gave up on fair a long time ago," I can actually hear the jadedness in your voice. the guitar riffs, the backing chorus, your heartfelt vocals, what's NOT to love here?

@sheslin 3d

A collab from 2 of my favorite FAWMers - yes please!! These are powerful lyrics and it is so touching where the inspiration came from. Every word in the chorus is just so perfect - so creative with such wonderful imagery. John you always have the best ideas and words. The beginning is great - so much space, room for those expressive vocals over those acoustic guitars. Love the switch to electric guitar at the first chorus and here we goooooo! Great solo. Oh my goodness these power vocals and awesome backing vocals. What a ride - love how you build intensity David and then bring us back down. I felt every word and this is such a memorable song. Great collab guys!!

@mctown 4d

Two good collaborators.... good song.

@joefahey 4d

Such a great collaboration, it’s a heavy title and concept but it’s fleshed out with such a blunt attitude that it’s hard not to relate to the message. The vocal tone and performance is powerful and gritty, so soulful with the guitar playing matching that feeling.

@richaaaay 4d

So so good. The lyrics are so well crafted. Love them. The music is equally impressive. A perfect match. This has to be one of my favorite listens this year. So much to like. Wonderfully composed and performed. Killer guitar work. DT, you are a pro…

@tcelliott 4d

Loving the arrangement, this feels so good despite the lyric being a bit too realistically blunt. Good, but blunt. Loving the lead guitar and the overall feel of the track. Lyrically, there's a rhythm I like a ton. The first person revelatory perspective works so good.

@ttg105 4d

What a great lyrical idea ... "the scales don't balance and the stars don't care" is such a great refrain. Performance is full of dark rock and roll energy, and I love that thick lead guitar. Fab vocal, as well!

@tjeff 4d

Great story about how this song about. I relate to the lyric so much and David really knocked it out of the park. Great production, with the highlights for me being those guitar fills and the awesome sort of "choir" backing vocals. I enjoyed listening to this a lot!!

@gwynjones 5d

Everything about this is just perfection, from the exceptional lyric by @coolparadiso to the phenomenal music and vocals by @davidtaro Top tier music by two talents at the peak of their game!

@froggymagee 5d

Oh yeah, the blues mirrors these lyrics so well, and when that guitar riff comes in before the chorus, sweet! Your musicality is just epic in this, holy cow!

@gindark 5d

What a banger! Great job, so very cool.

@ayeahmur 5d

Lads! WHAT a collaboration! John brings an uncommon (for him) slice of umbrage and disaffection, David brings the filthy blues, and it's the perfect match! "The scales don't balance and the stars don't care" - fantastic, in both writing and performance. The dirties of blues, I love it.

@nadine 5d

Some words and lines just stick in our heads. I am happy that they were written into a full lyric, and get such an awesome bluesy treatment. I have no idea what kind of magician you are, David, but you turned these lyrics into straight fire. These licks! You have to publish this one!

@jonmeta 5d

Circling back this morning, I want to say what a great lyric this is, John. It lays out in masterful fashion those feeling that come only with experience. Mother said, "Life isn't fair," but it takes life to teach you the reality. That's how she learned it! You've laid that out in fine, pithy poetry. "The scales don't balance and the stars don't care" is an excellent line, as is "the cracks grew wide and they never did close," etc. And the title line is a perfect summary of the theme.

@nahlej381 5d

Stellar collab folks! Two of the greats getting after it! The music bed is so tasty the lyrics are craftsmanship at its finest and the vocals…damn those vocals. Such a powerful voice man…that’s the most appropriate word, I think. You sound like you could make a tree grow or you could destroy a city. Some alpha and omega type shit!

@musicsongwriter 6d

Fantastic lyrics, music, singing and playing. Brilliant collaboration. Masterful and inspirational. I love everything but chorus is my favourite.

@freshspotlessyouth 6d

Mmm, this one is pretty hot from the beginning to the decaying guitar at the end. The whole package hits hard--the vocal, the guitars, blistering lyric of disillusionment--but the chorus really sticks with you once the song is over

@billwhite51 6d

nice slow build to the first chorus , and i love that exhalation of disgust in your "yah" after the closing phrase of the chorus. and you blow the roof off its hinges with that bridge! man, you take step after step into anger and disgust with each pass in this song. and finally you scare the hell out of us with that final outburst. you got be believing tht no such things exists or ever has existed in this world. thanks be to john for giving you the words to express it

@b3nut 6d

Dang...this is a searing truth bomb. Love the resolve in the vocal and the blues-drenched guitar solos. Superb lyrics from top to bottom. This is great stuff guys!

@serene 6d

Such a perfect collaboration! Love what you've done with John's fantastic lyrics David.. such a catchy melody and love the defiant singing. Whatever genre it is.. it's great

@jonmeta 6d

This has a tight pulsing lyrical rhythm, beautifully constructed, and, David, you've got inside that with bop bop BOOM of the kick and snare, and the arpeggiated guitar. Love the diminished chords. And the quite Harrisoneque lead guitar that gets appropriately nastier as the song and despair build. PS David, Sorry to keep you occupied when you were itching to get a song uploaded! :P