FAWM: "I Want To Be Ugly"

I Want To Be Ugly

3 weeks ago by @zu_blus

Liner Notes

Hello, I'd love some feedback on this one and would love to open discussion. If you want to read on and engage, do comment or message me.

For example, I have doubts about the order of the verses. I see them as puzzle pieces that I put together one way and there are other ways. If I lost you or bore you at some point I'd love to know where (and why). If you don't understand something, like if the first verse is confusing or contradictory, please tell me. I'm not a native english speaker and when I asked a certain artificial intelligence how it interprets my song, it told me exactly what I wanted to hear, so I don't trust if it translates to other real life beings.

Anyway thanks for listening and reading!

#singersongwriter #protest #bodypositivity #angry #acapella

Lyrics

I want to be ugly, I want to be.
I want to double and triple the body that's feeding on vanity.
I wanna be loved and to love in return.
When my body will gracefully age, I'll know I'd done it well.

I want to be ugly. I want to be.
I want to double and triple the chin that's costing me sanity.
I wanna be heard and to listen and learn
Any help I can get I make sure to return

I want to be
Uh Uh Uh /x4

I want to be ugly. I want to be.
I want my worth and my words not to be based on my looks.
I want to be allowed to not be scrutinized
And to not obsess over lines setting in on my forehead

I want to be ugly. I want to be.
Stop holding on to the threads and the stitches all over our bodies
If my skin mirrors what I endured
Then the marks on my body and face
Are no shame at all

I want to be
Uh Uh Uh /x4

I want to be ugly. I want to be.
I want to refute all authority causing me permanent scarring
I wanna be sure, when my legs start to burn
That’ll wear every flaw as a badge
And I earned them myself

I want to be ugly. I want to be.
Why do we only hear "beauty is pain” when we’re bleeding to death.

Comments

@slusk 2w

@leencha You are absolutely right. My memory deceived me.

@leencha 2w

@slusk, I have the feeling that Elvis’ Are you lonesome tonight is in 3/4 instead of 6/8 🤔

@leencha 2w

Lyrics:
‘When my body will gracefully age, I'll know I'd done it well.’ —> I know I’ve done well (flows better ;-))
Marvelous, the camping and singing only, it reminds me of your other Indian song 😄
Wow what lyrics! Full of meaning.
Beautiful haunting melody and lyrics. Well sung.
Special song. I have no dislike about the verses order the way it is.
The last verse last is good, because it’s more serious, about the gouvernement.
Strong end, allthough I am not sure what it means. Is this song about beign beautiful and that it’s not easy perhaps?
But at all costs leave the mystery in the song. Maybe a little bit more clear here or there if you want, but not too much.
Very well done!

@leencha 2w

Hey Zu! From where are you? I am from Belgium, Antwerp area, I speak Flemish (like Dutch), and you?

@zu_blus 2w

Hi @slusk! I have a thing for 6/8 songs, haha. I like that this bare arrangment allows everyone here to interpret it differently. I didn't expect a french reference! Thanks for this amazing image :)

@slusk 3w

Always good to hear a 6/8 song that's not like Elvis' "Are you lonesome tonight". To me the song style is reminding me of Jaques Brel although I'm sure that was not your intention. I can see pictures. It's like some old arty-farty black and white independent movie from the 70ies. This is the music when the camera zooms out from the circus tent. ;) Love the message of the lyrics. Bold statement without extra instruments.

@zu_blus 3w

@iwilleatyou thanks for the feedback, it does sound a bit long and i intended that uh uh as a hook, based on many other song i know, it's love to explore different genres, punk rock could be a good fit!

@iwilleatyou 3w

Oh an that part where you sing I want to be uh uh uh, not sure if that's the main chorus but it would definitely be catchy if it was (especially in a faster rock song).

@iwilleatyou 3w

With a title like that I hear this going faster with a punk rock edge (drums, bass, guitar). It'll also shorten the song which is a bit too long imo.

@excessivemachine 3w

Such a powerful lyric, and the stark vocal and percussion arrangement draws the message into sharp focus. This is excellent.

@lmnomusic 3w

so complete without instrumental accompaniment. impressive!

@zu_blus 3w

@sjbatavia Thank you! I didn't paid attention to it, so thanks for calling out something I haven't noticed at all.

@sjbatavia 3w

In the first 2 verses you have vanity and sanity rhyming. I felt like some how that pattern should have been maintained.
But overall I like it. The rhythm and melody have a middle eastern feel that’s quite appealing.