Don't look down

from We could fix everything by Stephen Godsall

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about

"Forget the future!" Writing lyrics for me is much harder than writing music. I have a tendency to be over-ambitious; I must keep telling myself it's tricky to write about big issues in a pop song, and it's important not to be preachy. And it helps to keep things a bit vague. This song is about two very different things. First it compares doing challenging things (like improvising in 7/4 time!) to walking a tightrope - you need to practice in a low risk environment, then when the stakes are high it helps if you don't look down. Secondly it's a satire about those people who use scepticism and a phony belief in "freedom" to justify short termism, lazy thinking and selfishness. It quotes from Stevie Wonder "if you believe in things you don't understand, the chances are that you will suffer". Nowadays most people imagine they're not superstitious but we still have too much faith in things we don't understand - like democracy and capitalism when the system is biased to give too much power to money.
The title came from a sculpture in Grizedale Forest so my youtube video to go with this track showcases the work of sculptor Steve Messam.
Musically the arrangement is inspired by the 2nd Blood Sweat and Tears album, hence the 4 part brass section, churning organ, wah guitar and drum breaks.

lyrics

Forget the future, you can't predict it. We want our freedom so don't restrict it.
Forget the tightrope - don't look down
It's complicated; let's make it simple. Don't over think it; take the easy option.
Forget the cliff-edge - don't look down
If you believe in things you don't understand, the chances are that you will suffer.
If you pretend it's all a hoax watch your step - 'cos it's a long way down.
I have the answer, it's staring at us! There's nothing to it, stop blinding us with science.
What was the question? Now I'm not so sure.....
If you believe in things you don't understand, the chances are that you will suffer.
If you believe it's all a joke watch your step - you could fall like a stone
Forget the future, I didn't see it coming!
So what's that cooking? A whole lotta loving.
Forget the cliff edge, don't look down.
It's complicated. It's been over-rated. I know the answer but what was the question?
Forget the tightrope, don't look down.

credits

from We could fix everything, released November 15, 2021
Written by Stephen Godsall
Featuring Sara Harris vocal, Mike Hall saxes, Steve Waterman trumpets,
Andrew Godsall drums, Stephen Godsall guitar and organ.

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