I Can Still See the Moon

by @amtunlimited

Liner Notes

Once again, taking it somewhere I wasn't really expecting. Also just desperately trying to not sound like the song I made yesterday is going to be a running theme probably.

Really drawing on my piano bar days with this one. I might try to go even more towards a jazz standard style later.

I have this funny habit of writing something and then trying to find out what the song is about after. I did that here, wrote the first verse from nothing and basically tried to find out what the song was about from that. Good times.

Oh, I remembered to write a B part! So there's that. I'm not sure why I feel so opposed to repeating things like a chorus. Probably because I'm really bad at writing something solid enough to be a foundation...nah that's not it.

I'm starting to notice I have a lot of similar imagery, I'm going to have to find some new stuff.

#jazz #piano

Lyrics

There's only a few stars
Outside my window tonight
I guess that the street lamps
Are a little too bright
I never could bring myself
To leave behind the city and lights
At least I can still see the moon

The leaves dance in the street light
Before they're swept away
They whisper too softly
I can't tell what they're trying to say
I always try to listen anyway
At least I can still see the moon

Towers and leaves
Wires and trees
All I ever want to be
Away... Or not

Listen and see
Far off but free
Just you and me
Away, or not

I'll wait patiently
For street lights to resume
Forest of lampposts
Alight the way through
I'll see you soon

At least I can still see the moon
At least I can still see the moon...

Comments

[avatar]
lovely chords accompanying with lots of space around your voice. Really nice contrast to the parts with and without sustain pedal. If you get chance, can you give an indication of the changes - I'd love to put a fretless bass part to it, a bit like Jaco (Pastorius) and Joni (Mitchell)
[avatar]
This is great! I also feel like jazz can sometimes push you on certain songwriting m/lyric paths unconsciously. If you’re looking for inspiration on avoiding repetition you should check out Jeff tweedys book, How to write one song.
[avatar]
Beautiful playing and singing! Lovely pictures painted by the lyrics and your piano.
I get what you are saying about writing a song and then later figuring out what it is about.
[avatar]
hooked me instantly. fine playing. beautiful images, and of course, the title line is powerful. the chord/melody note on 'moon' is unexpected; not remotely poppy, pure jazz.

the story (such as it is) feels wistful; not sad, but pensive. I like that very much. and although this isn't February Song Arranging Month, what an arrangement: the vocal against the piano, your phrasing.

wonderful song.
[FAWM]