The blog of photographer Kim Ayres

Tell Me

Last weekend Scruffy Buzzards were back in Dumfries playing under the Midsteeple again, fortunately this time to a slightly larger audience.

Although we were on at 3 o’clock on a Sunday afternoon, we were sandwiched between bands Pepperjam and Steve Dowling & the Obliviates – and with three bands being featured it had attracted more of a crowd.

I have to confess though, I’m rarely at my best in the middle of the afternoon. Although my energy levels are considerably better than they were through the several years of ME/CFS, I’m not sure if I’ll ever be back up to full strength. Not that I was ever great at that time of day. Even back in my days at university I discovered that I rarely took anything in during mid-afternoon lectures. I’ve thought for a long time that I’d probably be much happier living somewhere down near the Mediterranean, where there’s much more sunshine, and siestas are commonplace.

Unfortunately, a thousand miles north in the land of cool, damp greyness, at least half the gigs we’ve played this summer have been in the afternoon. I can manage it at the time – there’s always a slight adrenalin rush from being up on stage – but I pay with excessive tiredness later. Perhaps we’ll get more evening gigs as the autumn draws in.

Meanwhile, Graham, from Steve Dowling & the Obliviates, has uploaded a video of us playing "Tell Me" - which is the first song I’ve ever written lyrics for.

I’ve been heavily involved in the music for many of the Scruffy Buzzards songs, but for some reason, song lyrics don’t come easy to me, in the same way poetry doesn’t. Short stories, blog posts, conversations, general chat – these are the areas I’m best at with word constructions, but I never got the hang of rhythmic wording.

Perhaps part of it is the fact I rarely ever listen to song lyrics. The voice is just another instrument to me, so the person could just as well be singing in a different language for all I will notice. This has been a long-standing source of contention between the music choices of me and Maggie.

Maggie does listen to the words – indeed for her they are often very important. She will seem to love a track because the words are deep, meaningful and moving, but if the melody, chord structure and rhythm do nothing for me, then I'm not interested. Likewise she will get frustrated with songs where the lyrics are lame, but I really like because of the music.

To date, then, "Tell Me" is the only Scruffy Buzzards track featuring lyrics by me, and I have no doubt it will continue to be a rarity. In fact, for all I know, Richie might have changed the lyrics completely and I won't even have noticed...

Oh, and the wee boys running across the screen towards the end of the video, distracting you from Richie’s guitar solo, are Richie’s sons, so he only as himself to blame for that...



12 comments

Falak said...

First things first- I really liked this song! There's an almost haunting, thoughtful quality to the music...And the lyrics add to its depth.

It's an interesting topic you've put forth- whether it's the lyrics or the music that make a song. For me, the music is what grabs my attention and the lyrics (in case they're any good) either add to my appreciation of the song or make me completely despise it.
I think good music doesn't necessarily need lyrics as it will always have a story to tell, just like how good poetry always has inherent rhythm.

savannah said...

:)

xoxo

Rab said...

Hi Kim,

Its good to read that your energy levels are up even if they are not up to the level you would like. From what you wrote it reads very much like ME/CFS is in the past- I do hope that is the case.

One thing struck a real chord. The time zone thing. I've said that about myself to others in the past that I thought I should have been born in a different time zone. My general well being seems to increase as the day progresses.

Anway, just wanted to say I enjoy reading your posts and love your photography.

All the best

Rab

Kim Ayres said...

Falak - tyhanks for the positive feedback about the song :) I know words can make a huge difference to how the song is received by some people, but unless they are incredibly irritating, I don't tend to notice them :)

Savannah - :) xoxo

Rab - welcome to my ramblings and thank you for taking the time to comment, and for your warm words :)

Kim Ayres said...

Rab - I was going to leave a comment on your blog, but it has restricted access. So in case you come back and read this, let me recommend you have a look through the posts I wrote on Mickel Therapy. I'm not saying you should rush out and find a Mickel Therapist, but you might find some of the things I discuss overlap with some of your own symptoms. And if you want to discuss anything, feel free to leave comments in any of the posts or contact me directly (email available from my profile)

http://kimayres.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Mickel%20Therapy

Wishing you all the best on your journey :)

Anonymous said...

I liked the music and the words...are the lyrics somewhere on the web so I could read them all the way through?! As far as I'm concerned you did fine with your rhyming ;)

Pat said...

It grows on one.
Little buzzards!

Kim Ayres said...

Theanne - the lyrics are:

Tell me what you see
Tell me what you hear
Tell me what you feel
Tell me what you fear

I dream of a life desired
I dream of a life required
I dream of a life inspired
I dream of a life of unknown

Tell me what you want
Tell me what you crave
Tell me what you yearn
Tell me what you need

I dream of a life attained
I dream of a life explained
I dream of a life maintained
I dream of a life fulfilled

I’m aching in my heart
I’m aching in my soul
I’m aching in my heart
I’m aching in my soul
I’m aching in my heart
I’m aching in my soul
I’m aching in my heart
I’m aching in my soul

Tell me what you see
Tell me what you hear
Tell me what you feel
Tell me what you fear

I dream of a life desired
I dream of a life required
I dream of a life inspired
I dream of a life of unknown

I’m aching in my heart
I’m aching in my soul
I’m aching in my heart
I’m aching in my soul
I’m aching in my heart
I’m aching in my soul
I’m aching in my heart
For you to take control


Pat - fledglings :)

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

I have to come back to listen...the tv's on loud...my mother, who's here with me...

When it comes to music, I like most...lyrics, no lyrics, poetry, fluff, wicked guitar or not. For example, there's some really good music out there, they call it World Beat, sometimes I don't understand a word, but the music just *talks* to me.


Rab said...

Doh! Cheers Kim. I had no idea it was restricted access so will change that too. I appreciate the offer of an e-mail. I'll send one soon.

Many thanks,

Rab

Anonymous said...

Cool music and lyrics. The boys (running through) looked like the roadies.

Kim Ayres said...

GG - hope you came back and listened :) Later today I'm heading off to start recording 3 tunes with the rest of the band :)

Rab - :)

Allen - :)

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