Picking Up Mine
by @jeff9
Liner Notes
I've had to take a hiatus from FAWM for a week or so but I'm diving back in. Came up with this acoustic 1+1 piece today and hopefully will be getting a few more in over the remaining days.
Lyrics
Picking Up Mine Words & Music - Jeff Walker
There’s another language with rules of its own No thesaurus or grammar designs Silent as mountains, silent as stars Invisible words between lines
Love has weight just like the soul Heartache heavy as lead Things left unsaid behind sealed lips Real as a letter unread
CH But I know so well Your subtle cues And I know well your signs Your show and tell Is hints and clues Hope you’re picking up mine Hope you’re picking up mine
The twitch of a shoulder a roll of the eyes The silent treatment is loud It’s all under threat but nobody cracks No interrogation allowed
CH
BR Last night I heard a suitcase latch Followed by the slamming of the door I faintly remember our wedding vows But a taxi in the driveway says a whole lot more
CH
Comments
Great vocal melody, and an appropriate guitar line. Nice work! I quite like this.
Very vulnerable sounding vocal which (combined with the minor key) pulls me right in - Nice melody - Great job!
Fine guitar playing and writing..."But a taxi in the driveway says a whole lot more" hits like a velvet brick. Really like your voice on this too, it really brings out the essence of your lyric. Sad song, beautifully done.
it seems that the rupture of the relationship is agreed upon by both parties, but you are very subtle lyrically so i might be wrong. i love the way you hit the final not at the end of the lines in the chorus. has a roy orbison sound. excellent lyrics with some precise examples of break-up body language,
Thanks mucho, Bill. I think the lyric is a pretty muddled message in retrospect. Seemed like it had more logic when I wrote it, but I think maybe I was just grabbing words and lines that sounded and felt good to sing. Grateful for the listen and your ever encouraging words.
The bridge hits like a hammer. Nicely done! This song is so well-crafted. Don’t hear thesaurus often in a song. :)
Always love your 1+1 songs, this one's no exception! A sad story told in images phrased so well.
So many fantastic lines here, this one really caught my eyes and ears: "Silent as mountains, silent as stars Invisible words between lines" Lovely playing and vocal melodies :)
Thank you very much for such kind words, Abby, but now that I've heard such an incredible sounding one of your own, I'm a little embarrassed to have enticed you to listen to something with such clumsy production values. Whatever you did on that song "52 Blue" is like total witchcraft to me. Can't wait to listen to some more of your stuff.
BTW, I just passed near you yesterday on I-75 when I hit Tifton on the way from Atlanta to Tampa.
Hahahah, thank you, and I would definitely consider mixing to be witchcraft! Safe travels to you, I never like driving on I-75 lol :)
It’s a real treat to hear you delivering an 100% JW production with just voice and guitar. You’re such a generous collaborator, but it means sometimes we don’t get to enjoy enough unadulterated Jeff! This is such a classy write. So many good lines (the whole first verse is stellar), but the quiet sound of the suitcase latch and then the slam of the door in the bridge is particularly brilliant. Your vocal is imbued with all the world weary sadness contained in the words, and the guitar sounds lovely. Very much enjoyed the listen, thanks for sharing this.