Open Up
Writing
I wrote the chords to this song summer 2008 in Berlin. Almost as soon as I had written the chords I was hearing the walking bass line you can hear on the final track.
Usually when I write a song, I find a chord pattern that I like and soon after find a melody that I enjoy singing over the chords. Sometimes though, as in the case with this song, I can't hear a melody straight away. Instead of forcing one over the chords, I usually let it stew for a while. I then play the song from time to time to see if anything has arrived yet.
Unfortunately, nothing was coming with this song. So, I decided to record a scratch version of the chords pattern and the walking bass on my MacBook.
Here is part of that scratch recording. You can hear the newness of the song in my stiff playing:
Once I listened back, I could hear the melody straight away. The rhythm I was playing on the guitar took a bit of concentration and probably blocked me from getting into the song enough to hear the melody. Once I was free from the guitar, everything opened up. Bad pun, I know.
This was one of the first lyrics I started working on in Berlin. On August 30th, 2008 I wrote in my journal:
Lately, lately I've been trying hard to reach you
I never find you
There's just and empty silhouette I talk to
I didn't get much farther on the lyrics but keep working on it here and there, adding a few lines every month or so. It wasn't until June 12th, 2009 when the lyrics were finally finished.
Recording
Fab heard this song as a straight forward, cocky, attitude filled rocker. So, with that instruction, Dave, Peter and myself bashed this out very quickly in the studio. After a few takes, we listened to the play back and were happy but not satisfied.
Dave suggested that we tweak the structure and strip it down to its core. Instead of the third verse, then the chorus and then outro, he suggested ending on the third verse with the music breaking down quietly in the background. An early Elvis Costello moment was the idea. So, a few more takes later and we were all satisfied that we had hit on the right version. I love that this song is so short hopefully leaving you wanting more.
Two weeks later, I overdubbed some extra guitars and re-sang the lead vocal using a drum microphone to give it a radio sound.
Track Information
Eric:
Electric Guitars (Hohner Semi-Hollow body (live with the band) & Washburn), Acoustic Guitar (through distortion box and amp), Classical Acoustic Guitar (through distortion box and small amp and with weird tuning), Lead Vocal
Fab:
Backing Vocals, organ, Korg analogue synth
Dave Hingerty:
Drums
Peter Cheevers:
Bass
Tom Fanore:
Percussion
Lyrics
Open Up
Lately, lately I’ve been living in a bad dream
I never reach you
There’s just an empty silhouette I talk to
Chorus:
Forget the rain ‘cause there’s no one to blame
Just shake it off, come on, I know we can make it
Listen to me, we don’t have to agree
Just open up, don’t stop, you’ll never regret it
Maybe I could find, if you’d open up your heart
Maybe I could find, if you’d open up your heart
Maybe, maybe there’s a secret that surrounds you
I try to listen, I only hear the static you're transmitting
Chorus:
Forget the rain ‘cause there’s no one to blame
Just shake it off, come on, I know we can make it
Listen to me, we don’t have to agree
Just open up, don’t stop, you’ll never regret it
Maybe I could find, if you’d open up your heart
Maybe I could find, if you’d open up your heart
Maybe I could, maybe I could, just open up your heart
Lately, lately I’ve been living in a bad scene
I never reach you
There’s just an empty silhouette I talk to