FAWM: "A Small Thing"

A Small Thing

3 days ago by @hamiltonpoolhall

Skirmish: A SMALL THING (@corinnecurcio)

A Small Thing

hamiltonpoolhall

00:00

Liner Notes

#skirmish #onemic #fingerstyle #fingerpicking

I try and play by the skirmish rules or what's the point? So I had the words and music here essentially done by six minutes till the deadline, and went to record it even though I really wanted to come up with a second B section and a final A section that was different.

But then I got into trying to get a good take, so here we are, 35 minutes past due. I know I'm not the only one, but I feel like, fair should be fair.

Also: my first attempt got me two or four lines into a love song, and then, as so often happens, I bailed in favor of a piece of Hypothetical Realism. Mostly, I've just read too many P.G. Wodehouse capers...

Lyrics

It’s a small thing really I’m telling you A small thing really Anyone could do You’re gonna be fine Just as soon as you’re in Here’s a map and a flashlight And a bobby pin

It’s a small thing really Try the second shelf If I wasn’t tied up I’d do it myself Leave it with the office Don’t let me down We can talk commission When I’m back in town

It’s not every day a break Like this falls in your lap Don’t over analyze it or Put on your thinking cap

It’s a small thing really Take along these drops You’ll be in and out in Five minutes, tops But just remember If it all goes south These are words that never came out of my mouth

Comments

@datsch 1d

‘Bobby pin’ sounds (to my British ears) like such a 1930s Americanism that it’s amazing you haven’t used it before (AFAIK), very prosodic for the music here. I think the intro, instrumental break and the outro are the real stars of this little piece, smooth, classy and jazzy.

@hamiltonpoolhall 1d

It's a fun thing to sing, I can tell you that! I thought about "safety pin" but yes, there's always some moment in a hardboiled detective film (or screwball comedy) where the guy at the lock reaches over his shoulder and the, ahem, dame pulls a bobby pin out of her coif to assist.

I wish I could take more credit for the music, but I filched most of the chord progression from a 1925 Irving Berlin song called "Remember," or at least what filtered down from my listening to various versions over the past week – mostly that idea of starting off on the IV and then going down to the III7...Which I suppose is responsible for setting me off in this kind of period direction.

@kpollock 2d

I adore the way the story got very quickly away from the love song. Great playing and singing as usual, like the solo. Feels like sunday afternoon.

@gordon 2d

Nice laid back groove on this and the song just flows along so well. Good take on the prompt

@jwhanberry 2d

The character of the story fits that of your great guitar backing. Very entertaining listen.

@trashmilk 3d

I love your finger style! Such an easy going bop while you lay out some idea to get a sucker to do a B&E for you. Great work, following for more!

@tjeff 3d

Very musical theater vibe - sounds really good. I like the "matter-of-fact" converstational patter of your lyric. Nice guitar work!

@bethdesombre 3d

Another one that had me on the edge of my seat to figure out what would happen (or what the situation was). Also, I think I need to adopt the "hypothetical realism" genre (or at least the term). Much fun; love the picking.

@fantex 3d

Another fun gem.

@ductapeguyMod 3d

Oh, the little lies we tell each other. This is very nice. I could hear it as a patter song in a musical.

@hamiltonpoolhall 3d

A friend in a songwriting group years ago actually responded to my latest song with "Dude, are you secretly writing a musical??" Funniest feedback ever; I did absorb a lot of "original cast recording" albums as a kid, so I guess it has seeped in somehow.

@sonicdeatheagle 3d

Just a small favor. This has that easy breezy caper kind of feel. Very evocative. And I'm impressed with your finger pickin'!

@sheslin 3d

I so feel your pain. It is so hard to create, record and get it to all work in just an hour. I am usually a little late. Wow you changed direction mid way - and still got your song done - very impressive! What is also impressive is you excellent fingerstyle playing and wonderfully improvised instrumental solo! This is so much fun! I love the laid back nature of the lyrics and the music - like just break in for me, you'll be fine - no big deal!! Loved your vocals - you used just the right tone for these lyrics and I really like your melody too. Just a great combination of clever lyrics, great guitar playing and wonderful singing. I loved it - great skirmish!

@hamiltonpoolhall 3d

Thanks for the close read! To be clear, I abandoned my first idea within the first five minutes 😂 but yes, I love the abandon of the first half hour, and struggle with the pressure in the second half hour. Good to know it's not just me...

@sherrycanary 3d

This is hilarious! Fun, clever lyrics. Your guitar playing is superb .Vocals too I know how it gets with recording. I love Wodehouse, and all the capers Enjoyed it a lot. Always enjoy your songs, so I was happy to see you posted it

@hamiltonpoolhall 3d

Wodehouse is the best, no??