Firecracker

old version with a lot of words
new version with lousy singing/playing

boom

Lyrics

your brand of choice is flying off the shelf
you might've stood in line to pay for yourself
the same little red rockets everyone launches

a slow explosion
has you in its clutches
by day you sit in your cube
and dream where you'll blow up
by night you watch the wick as it burns out
uh oh uh oh

sweep up the ash and start it all again
reading the stars for any notice of when
when you're sparkling you think flying too high would suit you

another four-alarm morning
another day of earning
pushing buttons on a screen
secretly you start the countdown
your burning desire
every yawn behind your hand fans the fire
uh oh uh oh

pull another yesterday off the calendar
the sun through the window turns into a blur
put your glasses on so no one sees how your eyes burn

the pacific ocean
stands no chance to douse you
when you hold your own feet to the fire
buildings collapse with the sound
they'll see you go up for miles around
you go up as you burn to the ground

you know
you glow
my firecracker
you tear
the air
with every sigh
when you send the shuttle up
set to self-destruct
it's the prettiest ending

Music

Chords

verse a:
C, E, Am, F x 3

verse b (quarter-time?):
C, E, Am, F
C, E, Am, Bb, G

outro:
F, G, C, C
F, G, C, E x 2
F, G
F, G, C, C
F, G, C, E x 2
F, G, C

Structure

verse a
verse b
verse a
verse b
verse a
verse b
outro

Author's Notes

this is just a sketch so i don't forget. having trouble writing words/songs/rational melodies that i like, lately, meh. i like the "slow explosion" line, though. the melody of the "b" section is an almost total disaster, possibly because there are way too many words. kind of considering just throwing out the "c" section with its boring melody, and making "b" the "chorus"... hmm. what a mess! however, i <3 you my farfisa. Sara 17:38, 8 September 2007 (PDT)

ok, revised it a bit, removed some words, bumped c to the ending only. not sure if this works, i think there should be a noisy swell and crazy transition into c. unfortunately my voice is out of commission for the near future, stupid idiot injury prevents high notes. how is that even possible? bummer, bummer, bummer. Sara 01:48, 14 September 2007 (PDT)

Comments

the A section is rad. very nice melody. gotta love E major in the key of C. (this progression was once used to great effect in a little song called, "lime." don't let that give you pause! your rhythm and melody are totally different, and only a first coat nerd devotee like myself would even notice.)

i think you're selling the B section short. it's not as rad as the A section, but the first instance of it is really great. i think i like it in particular there because there are fewer words you're trying to cram in, so the melody is less burdened. i think it's good to slow the pace of the melody there as well, which gives you a break from the A section.

i am not terribly attached to the C section except for the phrase "shuttle up", which is like, "shut up". i really do like the way you wrap it around onto itself and the harmonies during the last two times through, though. and it makes a nice breakdown.

these lyrics are not at all bad. for someone having trouble writing, this is awesome. i was going to list my favorite lines, but there are too many in here! keep at it.

Gabemcelwain 09:07, 10 September 2007 (PDT)

oh man. i love the new 'lousy' version. how are we going to have time to learn all these awesome songs?????? there just aren't enough days in the fuck fuck week. -e