Write Away The Lyric Writers Magazine

Better Days

As a song writer, one question that I’m asked most often is, “how do I go about writing songs?” “Is it the words or the music that come first?” Without the risk of sounding trite, my answer each time is pretty much the same - It depends on the circumstance. I believe there’s a song in almost everything that surrounds us. I read that on a visit to New York City Elvis Costello saw a song in everything imaginable. “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields” by The Beatles were both drawn out of fond memories when Marvin Gaye’s classic “What’s Going On” addressed social and political commentary. The vast majority of my songs present themselves when least expected and where I least expect to find them - exemplified in my song titled “Better Days.”

Sometime after 9/11, I was invited to play on a recording session, not far from ground zero. Living forty-five minutes outside of Manhattan, this became one of my first visits since the devastation. Covering the city I felt sadness grabbing hold of my emotions. I grew up in this city but it resembled nothing like I remembered. Removed was the appearance of the thriving and vibrant mecca called “The Big Apple.” Landmark sights mournfully replaced by posters of missing loved ones. A somber and ominous bleak-filled shell was how I described it. My heart and spirit had become absent from everything except the current affairs in my home town.

I arrived at the studio oddly located in a hotel, for most studios were closed.
This hotel accommodated firefighters com- ing to New York helping with the rescue effort at ground zero.

In the lobby stood firefighters from around the country. Without knowing each other, these men bonded together heroically referring to themselves and other firemen as ‘brothers.’ Their terminology ‘brothers’ provided hope and encouragement which became the impetus for writing “Better Days.” During that time my un-enthusiasm for playing music directly transformed into an obligation to encourage my listeners with the same encouragement that these firefighters proudly demonstrated. The opening verse to the song is: “Take a message to my brother, let him know I’ll help carry on, keep him standing strong.” Each verse justifiably speaks of reassurance, before moving into a reaffirming chorus of inspiration and faith. The song is summa- rized by the final lyric which states “... tomorrow is gonna be a better day.”

https://soundcloud.com/adamfalconfan- base/better-days

http://www.adamfalcon.com/