Each February since 2009, I’ve participated in February Album Writing Month at fawm.org. The challenge is to write 14 new songs during the shortest month of the year, and the website provides a hub where the FAWM community (folks who call themselves fawmers) support one another in that effort. We share ideas, collaborate, and upload samples and demos for others to critique.
This song came from FAWM 2011. My goal was to be the first to upload a song once the site went live and started accepting uploads at midnight on February 1. So I wrote a song about being first. The idea for the song had actually come to me a few days earlier, but to be fair I waited until midnight Greenwich Mean Time to flesh out the lyrics, record the parts and produce the mix. The lyrics say “I’m gonna be her first in the Pacific time zone”, which is actually based on a misunderstanding (the site goes live for everyone worldwide at the same time), but by the time I figured that out there was no turning back. Fortunately I had completed my mix by then, and excitedly watched the countdown to launch on the FAWM home page. My heart was pummeling as the seconds ticked down to 3, then 2, then 1, then FAWM had started! I eagerly pressed the submit button to upload my file. That’s when the screen filled with program code – a final-hour bug on the FAWM site.
I remained hopeful and determined, and resubmitting repeatedly for hours. The frequency between attempts decreased as my sleepiness increased. My eyes grew heavy and my sight grew dim. I had to stop for the night. Just as I was about to abandon the challenge in favor of a warm bed, I pressed submit, and this time my submission was taking longer to process. It seemed to be doing something. And indeed, it was accepted! But I was second.
Several fellow fawmers voiced their support for my effort, and for the song itself:
- Tim Wille – 2011-02-01 @ 06:52am
SO CLOSE! Aaawwww.
- phlex – 2011-02-01 @ 06:57am
nearly! super fun summer sounding song! i’m loving the vocal harmonies! i can feel the music swing!
- Steffan Pitzel – 2011-02-01 @ 06:57am
Ha! SOOO close. Sloppy seconds.
- Kato Ninetails – 2011-02-01 @ 07:02am
LOL. Very funny. Also, pretty rocking solo at the end there.
- The Kingsguard – 2011-02-01 @ 07:06am
Impressive vocals. This sounds like something the “fun” Springsteen in the 70s would do – that doo-wop rock kind of feel.
- P.M.C.O. – 2011-02-01 @ 07:48am
lovvit! And that’s when i hadn’t even read the lyrics closely… Yeah, she’s our girl!!
- Taylor Tay – 2011-02-01 @ 08:07am
Everyone loves a good old fashioned blues track.
I love the vocal doubling/harmonies (reminds me of the Beach Boys), and of course the lyrics.
I laughed heartily at the censorship.Great track!
- Kenny – 2011-02-01 @ 08:32am
Second? Looser!!
This is great, the censored part was brill. I’m feeling the Beach Boys too. - Girls In Uniform – 2011-02-01 @ 11:05am
Shame
you weren’t actually first, but this is great. I love the solo that
comes in about 40s before the end. Also, great job doing your own
backing vocals; so much fun! - Hero – 2011-02-01 @ 11:52am
It’s such a shame this wasn’t actually first, it’s fantastic nonetheless.
- Sarah Wynia Smith – 2011-02-01 @ 12:09pm
Fun feel on this one.
- figureskater01 – 2011-02-01 @ 08:59pm
Gotta love this song! 😀
- toms – 2011-02-03 @ 07:24am
Excellent.
Guitar solo is absolutely perfect for the tune. We need more songs
about FAWM. I submit my humble attempt, nowhere near as creative or
entertaining, but at least in something like the same spirit:http://fawm.org/songs/10895/
- Errol – 2011-02-03 @ 10:24am
Yippeeee! How fun is this! *laugh* Now you need a video with a bunch of 1950 teens dancing… 😀
- Billy Sea – 2011-02-03 @ 04:01pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Man this is entirely too much fun. A 50’s rock FAWM song and I really L’d out loud.
Great! 😀
- 1B King – 2011-02-03 @ 08:59pm
I’m digging the sorta doo wop / Beach Boys vibe. Great entrance!
- Jeff Geissler – 2011-02-04 @ 12:50pm
Fun tune… I like the last verse 😉
- imustbenuts – 2011-02-07 @ 08:57pm
Nice FAWM song. well done! Beach boy feel.
- Winlock Toledo – 2011-02-14 @ 08:00pm
Nice harmonies…. great percussion and guitars.
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