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Ballad, In Retrospect

by Joseph Fisher

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about

This might be one of my earliest preserved pieces of music, and definitely the oldest composition I've published at this point.
The first draft was written in 10th grade in Db minor (8 flats, because I knew nothing about keys,) and grew on and off with me and my life for about 5 years until it came to this. At the time, I still was insecure about my singing, the sappiness of the song, and I guess my art as a whole.
This version was recorded in early 2015, around the same time I made and released A Walk. The song had grown merely from being about unrequited love to how, in time, I realized that never having that person in that way may be for the best.
I stumbled upon this a couple days ago (March 11, 2018,) and realized that it's a lot better than I gave it and myself credit for. Hence, I got Joey to master it, asked for A Little Birdie's photography and Zoë's design knowledge, got permission from the performers and Victor Torres, and here you go. I hope you enjoy this snapshot of a life I once was.

- Joseph Fisher, March 13, 2018

lyrics

So cast away the mem'ries, let them sail
For symbolism in light is bound to fail
I never should have promised we'd be fine
We could never stop the passing of time

So young and naive, how could I resist?
Young as we were, of course swing came to miss
Any chance we had was only true in lore
We'd lived by nature
Nothing more

Fate had dealt to us a cruel, black hand
A life, apart, so many understand
And that is how we live our lives today
Castaways

If only I had known,
Perhaps we could have truly grown
Would now we live in agony, hermetically,
Wading pathetically over ideas of love that could never be?

The years feel so long to me...

If only I had known,
Perhaps we could have truly grown
Would now we live in agony, hermetically,
Wading pathetically over ideas of love that could never be?

Adolescent, effervescent charms
Always losing sight of what we are:
Slaves to human nature at our best
Living in retrospect
Could we ever give up on that dream?
A hope that can feel worth less than nothing?
We'll always be hoping for that day:
For the one who'll always stay...

I thought it was you...

credits

released March 16, 2018
Joseph Fisher - Vocals, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, composition, lyrics, direction, graphic design
Victor Torres - Production, engineering, mixing
Joey Byboth - Mastering
Alex Hunter - Electric guitar, including the rad solo
Andy Mandelbaum - Electric guitar
Caleb Schramm - Drum kit
Veronica Schramm - Piano
A Little Birdie - Photography
Zoë Vande Kieft - Graphic design

Published by Trite Things Played (ASCAP)

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A Study in Expression Arlington, Texas

A record label and publishing company based in Arlington, Texas.

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