In 2019, I released an album called Bones, upon which was a song called Man Of Steel. The song was about my dad, who had been diagnosed with cancer but was remaining very level-headed and pragmatic about it all. The song was about me accepting the truth that my parents are mortal human beings and will one day leave, and the awe I felt towards my dad for being able to handle such a situation. It also expressed how I hoped to be able to be like him as I navigate my adulthood.

Cut to today, and I haven't spoken to my dad in over four years. Different people will have different opinions about how family relationships are "supposed to be", but I'm choosing to not have a relationship with him. I've learned enough about him to understand that he is someone who should never have been a father or husband, and I've been hurt enough by him without prolonging the stress of trying to maintain a one-sided relationship with him. The longer story is, of course, much much longer and will remain private, but this is the song where I say: I wish you a painless existence, but I don't want anything to do with you.

This song uses the exact same melody that I wrote for Man Of Steel, as I genuinely didn't want to waste any creative muscle writing something new for someone who doesn't deserve it. The song therefore becomes an echo of the original, but the a cappella arrangement allows it to exist as its own statement, unburdened by musical accompaniments which would distract from the sentiment. It's unflinching as a result, and sometimes, that's just how things need to be said.

#acoustic #acousticonetake #acapella #ballad #singersongwriter #sad

I wrote a song like this for you An ode to strength and stride you have A portrait of a father who I thought I could forever love

But now I’m grown up and I see The bastard that you truly are And so it’s true a boy like me No longer wants to be your son

You can’t choose your blood You can’t choose your kin But I can choose to change Who I choose to win I don’t want to drown In a poisoned sea If it’s sink or swim You’re dead weight to me

I wish you no harm But I give you no praise I don’t want to follow You out in your ways So I’d like to set Set my record straight I take back my words I'll be on my way