Hi, folks. I debated on whether or not to post this #ballad, as technically, it's #notfawmlegal. I didn't record it specifically for FAWM, but I did finish it this month, so I figured that I'd post it, with transparency about its origins and circumstances. Feel free to ignore it-- I haven't really been able to listen and comment on other peoples' songs, so I don't expect anyone to do as much for me.

First off, full disclosure-- this is a #remake of an old song. I wrote it in 1993, after the #breakup of my first (and let's face it, only) significant relationship. At the time, they were the most raw, honest lyrics I'd ever written, and were therefore my favorite-- but I had a hard time finding an arrangement I really liked, due to inexperience and, no doubt, the admittedly cyclical, unchanging chord progression. I've made several recordings of it over the years (1993, 1996, 2023), none of them feeling quite 'definitive' to me.

Regardless, twenty years ago today, on February 23, 2006, the 1996 lo-fi version of this song became the first recording I ever shared online. A lot of good things happened from there, including learning about FAWM from another songwriter.

Life's been brutal lately. Looking after my declining mother is a full-time job, and what little free time I have, honestly, I just want to shut my brain off. So, sadly... I haven't shown up for FAWM. But, a few weeks ago I noticed that the 20-year-#anniversary of my first musical upload to the internet was coming up, and I couldn't let it go by unacknowledged. I started working on a new version of "There Are Times..." that still felt off-- until I merged it with elements of my previous 2023 attempt. I finished off the music over the past few days, and added a new lead vocal yesterday.

So, 2026 recording, with elements created in 2023, celebrating the 2006 upload of a 1996 version of a 1993 song. What could be simpler lol?

Hope everyone had a fun FAWM, and sorry that I couldn't be around for it.

Caught a glimpse of you yesterday But only a glimpse, and then you were gone away Leaving me a memory But memories don't give me what I need I need to feel your touch But I will never feel your touch again I know I need too much But that's the way it's always been

And there are times when I wish that this knife That you've stuck in my back had finished me off And there are times when I feel so down That it's hard to believe I was ever up And there are times when I'm so afraid That I can't return to the world again And there are times when I cry

So I see that there's someone new Well I always knew that he had his eyes on you Our love was hardly dead Before you decided to be with him instead Well does he make you happy The way I used to do (when you let me)? When you let me in When our love was new Well are you gonna break his heart The way that you broke mine? What about when you get tired And decide that it's time to move on, to let go? Does it ever cross your mind That it's not much fun on the other side?

And there are times when I almost wish That we'd never met, and we'd never kissed And there are times when I still believe That maybe someday, you will see And there are times when I want to move on But I don't know where to start And there are times when I never want to give anybody else The key to my heart My heart There are times There are times...