Clare Frances Leonard

So, listen. I’ve created a new installment of awkwardly confessional pop folk for you to listen to and cry. You’re welcome.

But seriously, I like this song. I think. It’s hard for me to say whether or not I actually like it, and how it stacks up to the others, because it’s so fresh (fresh like new and just completed and I haven’t had any distance to observe it, not fresh like Will Smith). But, there are some things I really do like about it. I think the best way to put it is that it’s my version of honest. It represents the way my thoughts actually come together in my head, which may be good or bad, but it’s me. I think that’s why I like it; it makes a lot of sense in my head. I hope it makes sense in yours.

Just in case you need a little hint, here are some things the song may be about:
a) flirting
b) drinking
c) being fairly decent at a and b
d) Catholic guilt
e) the emotional consequences of a through d
f) you.

Probably not f. Sorry.

So here’s the song:

And here are the lyrics:

I sharpen pencils to construct my eyes; Im outlining a stencil that’s much smaller than I realize. But the girl that I become is almost beautiful to some. In this cathedral, where every whiskey is our offering, my need will draw me to you like a moth to flame. But I know just which smile to throw to guarantee I won’t be going home.

I careen headlong into the weekends. Instead of being strong I sacrifice myself. At every turn I’m further deep in. Maybe I should tone it down tonight.

The night transforms me: I’m a wide-eyed angel drunk on you. You adore me, ’cause every word you say is ground I lose. And the girl I turn into is a savior, now, to you. But in the morning, you use words like “girlfriend” and “mistake.” I’m mourning–not for myself, but for the vows I break. And I don’t know the lines to say to absolve this all away.

I careen headlong into the weekends. Instead of being strong I sacrifice myself. At every turn I’m further deep in. Maybe I should tone it down tonight.

I didn’t ask for this–to live and die by who I kiss.

I careen headlong into the weekends. Instead of being strong I sacrifice myself. At every turn I’m further deep in. Maybe I should tone it down tonight. And everyone is drinking through their demons. And maybe I have more than I would like. I’m sorry, Mama, I’ll try to be better. Maybe I should tone it down tonight.

Serious thanks go to my friends Karl and Emilee, who, respectively, did the recording, and bought us pizza and poured me a glass of whiskey to “sooth my voice” after she listened to me sing the same 10 words 23 times. In addition to providing food, shelter, and audio production to starving artists, Emilee is a crafty minx. Please check out her beautiful creations on her blog. Thanks also to Greg who plays guitar on the recording, because I write songs I can’t play.

FYI this is just a first version (Karl is going to do some audio magic), but I just want to get it out there. Additionally, should you be so inclined, take a trip down memory lane and listen to Numbers Game and What’s Worse. More to come, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Thank you for listening to my song; I hope you like it.

This entry was posted on April 12, 2011 at 9:46 am and is filed under Uncategorized . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.