"WAYS OF DAYS"

WHAT WAS THE PROCESS OF CREATING,
"WAYS OF DAYS"?

Every year, I write a short song for my daughter-in-law. It's usually only a few phrases or perhaps a single verse and sometimes a short chorus. That's how this one started. It may be impossible to detect a “Happy Birthday” message but it was playful and that's actually where it came from.

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The song is driven by a repetitive bass line that lays down a groove. The chorus is introduced and it brings a landing spot to the tune, each time after two verses. The middle section introduces something new and includes two melodies in counterpoint with the “main” melody having an unusual rhythm. My preoccupation with dissonance and stretched harmonies is evident. I also tried to introduce fun rhythms, but they aren't inaccessible and the piece achieves a certain “toe- tapability” along the way!

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Lyrically, the piece speaks about the passage of time, represented by days. I bring in some personal philosophy about trying to accept and respond to events that occur in our everyday lives. “Don't come unfastened, just try to keep up!”

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There's quite a bit of social commentary in this song and several comments that amuse me. There’s even a hint of forbidden attraction and of getting older!

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“We’d better not fantasize”

“About the memory of those eyes”

“There’s too much road dust on that windowpane”

“But this could be the day”

“Supposedly, they say”

“If nothing happens, we’ll find someone to blame”

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There are more examples found throughout this tune but I don't want to devote pages to “play by play”. Suffice it to say, it was a fun tune write, I loved recording it, and I really enjoy listening to it!