SONG DETAILS
—for Dad & Albert—
What happens when you’re sick and you’re tired
i’m weak and slow; my head feels hollow
the fire still burns but the body’s a no-show
i choked when you spoke; and now I’m heartbroken
but I don’t know why… I don’t know why…
we could start over and over ‘til I start to cry
what happens when you’re sick and you’re tired
i found out the loneliest number was you
i kicked while you screamed but I don’t think we argued
the last one in line is the first one to lose
that’s not so bad, that’s not so bad
you rolled me over and over but now I feel sad
(go)
let’s hold our breath until someone gives in
let’s make a bet that they prayed for our sins
that’s just the breaks, maybe that’s just the blues
i don’t know how, I don’t know when
you knocked me out cold—cold—
baby, you win.
All Words & Music written by Chance
©2015 Upside Down Left Handed Music (BMI)
This song was written just as my father and my cousin was dying. One of old age, the other from ALS (a brutal disease).
I attempted to put myself in their shoes and just ask myself how long before the fire goes out.
As deeply personal as that is (or sounds), I still wanted it couched in something more familiar instead of deep-cutting. So I framed the words as if it were a couple arguing late on a Friday night, and one of them is just about to give in and say, hey you win this one.
Sonically speaking I had so much fun arranging this, especially the end. It feels me with great spirit, which is either ironic or poignant depending on your take of life.
I actually wrote the lyrics and melody to this song just a minute or so before my cousin called me from Oklahoma and said, “Hey, time to come. Your Dad doesn’t have long.”
Brutal.
Recorded & mixed at Supey Studio
DAW: Pro Tools
i/0: Universal Audio Apollo
Written, recorded and mixed by Chance
Masted by Rob Beaton for meetbeaton.com
Performers:
Chance: Vocals, Guitars, Piano, Synths, Loops, Snaps, Tambourine
Microphones: All Vocals-AKG C-451, and a few others for backgrounds
Guitars: Fender ’57 Strat, through a Mesa Boogie amp
Piano: Yamaha Baby Grand
Brian Levy: Drums
Sebastian Ciceri: Bass
Henry: 1-2-3-4
Ryan Kienstra: Trombone
Erika Lipkes: Trumpet
Richard Conti: Saxophone
Cool Geekout Notes
Lots of firsts: first time recording live drums on my solo material. First time recording live piano too. All of the next 8 singles, part the the album “The Glitter and the Glue” were recorded in my brand new studio, Supey Studio.
Piano is all stabs; no sustain pedal. Used a TON of reverb. Primary guitar is Fender 57 Strat. Yes, those are real horns at the end. I wish you could see the smile on my face. So grateful to the musicians who helped. (Trombonist, I didn’t even meet; he did his part from home and emailed it to me.)
This might be my favorite end/outtro I’ve ever written.
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