A DIY home-recording autodidact from Amsterdam, Netherlands, creating music with an unpretentious, raw edge.
Inspired by the ethos and artistry of icons like Jonathan Richman, Billy Bragg, Evan Dando, Joe Strummer, Tim Armstrong and Ryan Adams, I craft a unique singer-songwriter style. My repertoire? Loosely played, straightforward tunes that capture the essence of life’s quirks.
The joy of making music lies in diving deep into the creative process, losing myself in it, and reveling in what emerges from nothing.
My lyrics delve into life’s tangled web: confusion, doubt, self-mockery, raw emotion, and those fleeting moments of decision-making. They shine a light on the imperfections: the “flies in the ointment” of existence.
Amsterdam Songwriters Guild Open Mic Amsterdam ASG FAWM
Max Vanremmerden is een Amsterdamse singer-songwriter die bekendstaat om zijn doe-het-zelf aanpak en unieke muzikale stijl. Als autodidact legt hij zich toe op het thuis opnemen van muziek, resulterend in een repertoire van eenvoudig gespeelde, ongekunstelde nummers. Zijn teksten behandelen thema’s als verwarring, twijfel, zelfspot, emotie en oprechtheid, en reflecteren de alledaagse beslissingen en uitdagingen van het bestaan.
In 2010 bracht Vanremmerden het album ‘5-Second Songs’ uit, bestaande uit twaalf nummers die elk slechts vijf seconden duren. Dit innovatieve concept werd positief ontvangen en geprezen om zijn originaliteit.
Naast zijn eigen muzikale projecten is Vanremmerden sinds 2006 lid van de Amsterdam Songwriters Guild. Hij was van 2011 tot 2016 gastheer van de Open Mic Amsterdam en organiseerde de Grande Soirée Amsterdam van 2022 tot 2025.
Vanremmerden neemt ook deel aan FAWM (February Album Writing Month), een jaarlijks evenement waarbij muzikanten worden uitgedaagd om in februari veertien nummers te schrijven. Zijn bijdragen aan FAWM zijn te beluisteren op zijn Bandcamp-pagina.
When it comes to songwriting or performing live, never let anyone steer you off your own path. There are no real rules. They exist only in people’s minds. Art thrives on resisting settled opinions. It grows by slipping past expectations. If something feels wrong in the eyes of others, that might be the very reason to do it anyway. Podsafe audio: https://studio273.bandcamp.com/track/did-it-anyway#liveperformance#thanksihateit#singersongwriter#trope#acoustic#guywithguitar#acousticonetake
My style is defined by single-mic, one-take recordings with a handful of added layers.
Lyrics
I know it’s not wise
but I did it anyway
Told me once told me twice
still I did it anyway
Everything could go wrong
but I did it anyway
First line came out wrong
but I did it anyway
did it anyway
I’m so glad I found the nerve
and I let go of all my fear
I’m not sorry no I don’t feel bad
just happy to be here
I feel fine
I feel so good
I know I should wait
but I did it anyway
Then again it might be too late
well I did it anyway
Now I’m here I won’t go back
no I did it anyway
Trying hard to own this stage
so I did it anyway
did it anyway
I’m so glad I found the nerve
and I let go of all my fear
I’m not sorry no I don’t feel bad
just happy to be here
So good to see you smile
’cause I did it anyway
My god it’s been a while
but I did it anyway
and yeah it feels so right
’cause I did it anyway
So happy what a night
yes I did it anyway
did it anyway
I’m so glad it worked out fine
so good to hear you sing along
I’m not sorry no I don’t feel bad
this is where I belong
Need more practice need to learn
but I promise I will return
Oh yeah it feels so right
’cause I did it anyway
so happy what a night
yes I did it anyway
did it anyway
I’m so glad it worked out fine
so good to hear you sing along
I’m not sorry no I don’t feel bad
this is where I belong
I feel fine
I feel so good
I feel fine
I feel so good
Love that percussive guitar playing and upbeat tempo. Catchy "sing along" chorus. cool
@trashmilk2026-02-16
Good sing a long! This is gonna leave earworms in all of us! And you did it anyway, the madman!
So good to see you smile ’cause I did it anyway My god it’s been a while but I did it anyway and yeah it feels so right ’cause I did it anyway So happy what a night yes I did it anyway did it anyway
My favorite stanza! Good fuel for when we all go back to performing after a month of creating!
@ampuhakka2026-02-12
So good! Wonderful, I sang along and I did it anyway! Great start for the season then ;)
@ccsanders2026-02-04
Wow, love love love this. the way the "I did it anyway" lands is chefs kiss ... Damn now I am intimidated and will always think of this song. I have one song I wanted to write this FAWM about stage fright (for my concept EP) and now I need to get yours out of my head to be able to start with a blank page 😀
@nuj4x2026-02-03
Crushed it as always, Max. I feel like for the rest of my life, if I or anyone else says “I did it any way” I’m going to hear your voice singing it in my head. Really memorable. Simple, clever, and catchy. You never disappoint.
@chill4matt2026-02-02
What a wonderful song! Every part of it is terrific. Well done!
@markblevis2026-02-02
Thank you for this. I love how optimistic this song is, and perfect advice as we look down the barrel of 14 songs. :)
@pippa2026-02-02
Way to go, Max! Catchy, singalong, and most uplifting. Wonderful first listen this second day of FAWM. I'm also happy you did it anyway!
@indietonesg2026-02-02
Got a great early rockabilly/punk vibe. I listened with a smile on my face.
@innerspear2026-02-02
Needed to hear this song tonight. So sick of dealing with people who don't see my vision, not just in music but for my life! Time to move forward and write some music on my own planet and not look back! Cheers!
@johnkaniecki2026-02-02
Hey you're number one! I know the sentiment of your song. Great way to kick things off
@deandra2026-02-01
Good song! Story of my life :)
@kfigu2026-02-01
I’m so glad I found the nerve and I let go of all my fear I’m not sorry no I don’t feel bad just happy to be here
Thank you so much for this and for you. Getting Frank Turner vibes from this.
@namjunerobot2026-02-01
Amazing start Max! Let the games begin!
@bangstick2026-02-01
Hey Max! Glad to see ya back here! This is a banger, can't tell you how many times I've "done it anyway"! Reminds me a little of Billy Bragg, love the energy!
@phylo2026-02-01
Oh, well done, Max! This is so well written and sing-alongable. Great performance as well. I like it.
@nathanjoelong2026-02-01
This is a great FAWM mantra/anthem. Melody is super catchy and it all feels like it's fitting together just right. Thanks!
@undershirtuncertain2026-02-01
nice jaunty start to the challenge. i like how happy it feels.
@joshalmond2026-02-01
The "did it anyway" part is infectious! I expect it's going to stick in my head awhile. Great way to start off FAWM!
@cts2026-02-01
Haha! And I'm so glad that you did! I was just reading the forum topic about tropes. A good little rockin' ditty first thing in the AM is all good. The feel good about this song reminds me of a tune Sting put out a couple of years ago called "If It's Love" - or something like that. At any rate, it gave me good feels and this tune is doing that very same thing. Glad I came across this, Max.
@pumpkinhead2026-02-01
Solid work and live, just the way I like it. Thanks.
@damschen2026-02-01
Woke up on FAWM morning anticipating the first songs and this did not disappoint! Ready to write some songs! Thank you for this happy and encouraging start!
@haloquin2026-02-01
I listened to this and was so inspired I decided to jump into my big personal challenge of this years FAWM - demoing with acoustic accompaniment to build skill and confidence. Great song musically, but I can't actually give higher praise than "you got me to be brave and just do it anyway". Cheers!
@dragondreams2026-02-01
Such fantastic energy in this one! And such a great way to push the message. I love it!
@artie2026-02-01
Great way to kick-off FAWM! I haven’t listened to a ton of Bob Mould, but I suddenly have a hankering to.
@joeycyclone2026-02-01
Great start to FAWM, Max. You’ve set the tone perfectly and ‘so good to hear you sing along’ could not be more true. So catchy from the off and we’ll all still be singing it when FAWM rolls around in 2027
@beren2026-02-01
why wait!? do it anyway! really fun and catchy song, Max, nice job!
@beacon2026-02-01
Congrats on being the first song this year, and it's a banger sing a long. We need more "and I did it anyway" in this world right now.
@froggymagee2026-02-01
Dancing around to this tune, wow, Max, this ROCKS! It's just put me in a fabulous mood :)
@rica2026-02-01
I resonate the line ”just happy to be here”☺️
@rogerhammond2026-02-01
The singalong with Max is off to lightning start. The super-catchy melody, the uplifting message of encouragement and the infectious bouncy rhythm all trademark vintage Max. I think my favourite line is "First line came out wrong but I did it anyway". I had a little chuckle at that.
@esc4p32026-02-01
It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission 😄
A real feel good anthem to kick off FAWM, nice one. The words "but i did it anyway" will be on my mind the rest of the day
@troubadette2026-02-01
Oh this is catchy as hell. I'm genuinely having a little solo dance party - it's 1am here, so it's subtle, but this tune requires a boogie!
Lyrically, this really, really resonates with me. What a way to kick off FAWM - ready to make cool things, let go of fear, and do it anyway. I'm happy you're here too!
@gordon2026-02-01
Catchy as ever Max and a singalong chorus. What's not to like!
@coolparadiso2026-02-01
I knew you would be out of the blocks quick. Very uplifting start. nice message! i hear you bro- believe in yourself! nice catchy chorus
@sapient2026-02-01
Ah, that's a perfect message to kick off this year's FAWM, for famlings and veterans alike 😀 The world is a better place for having another upbeat Max tune in it!
What comes to your mind when you hear my name
Do you still have good memories, still feel the same
It’s been a while, I know I’m to blame
Please let me know, have your feelings changed
What’s your opinion, do you even care
Is our connection still strong, is it still there?
Would you like to catch up someday?
Share a drink, talk the night away
See if the spark is still alive
not just a story from another life
Would you like to catch up someday?
Do you still play and perform on an open mic night
Do you still laugh until the morning light
Do you think of the times when we felt so free
or is that just a good memory only for me?
I’m reaching out softly, just to know
what’s your take on it, should we give it a go?
Would you like to catch up someday?
Share a drink, talk the night away
See if the spark is still alive
or just a story from another life
Would you like to catch up someday?
No promises, no heavy words
just a chance to see if it still works
A moment, a smile, nothing more to prove
I just want to know if you still feel the groove
Would you like to catch up someday?
Share a drink, talk the night away
See if the spark is still alive
or just a story from another life
Would you like to catch up someday?
Would you like to catch up someday?
Wow, this sounds great, from the chord progressions and the strumming pattern to the vocals. I can relate heavy to the lyrics on this one. Altijd leuk om een andere Nederlander tegen te komen op Fawm!
@nancycunning2026-02-04
Wow, Max. I like the glimpse of your process. It sounds so efficient and effective. I like how this song feels like it’s playing out in the singer’s head, rehearsing a reconnection that could maybe still happen if he can work up his courage. This feels very real to me. Trying to overcome inertia and reconnect.
@websheldon2026-02-03
Love the idea for the subject of the lyrics, such as the line "not just a story from another life" - we have the same life, but it feels almost like we don't after so many years, people change and you wonder if you'd still get on etc.. The guitar is cool in the chorus, it's light and rhythmic and sets the scene for an easy meeting to catch up again.
@kosch2026-02-02
Sounds great - and totally relatable subject matter. Thanks for sharing your recording techniques - I'm always looking for new thoughts. Have a great FAWM!
@coolparadiso2026-02-02
You are slowing things down a bit this year! Nice though i should say. i like the story - feels authentic. nice
@thetau2026-02-01
Glad you’re back in the mix. Russ
@rogerhammond2026-02-01
Sweet vibe, Max. And yes I would like to catch up again soon!! I'm pretty sure you were softly reaching out to the old Amsterdam Singer Songwriter crowd, I reckon plenty of them would wanna catch up. You're already off to a rip-roaring FAWM start... lots more to come I feel
@max2026-02-01
Thank you Roger. I really hope to have you singing in my garden this spring/summer. I mean, our gathering in november was amazing. Why not do it more often eh?
@max2026-02-01
[3] ✵ 𝙉𝙤 𝙀𝙘𝙝𝙤
2026-02-02
#fomo#singersongwriter#guywithguitar#acoustic I have no idea how this came to be; it simply flows and wanders. A reflection on FOMO, written from the perspective of a soul left behind. It is all pure fiction. No need to worry for me. Podsafe audio: https://studio273.bandcamp.com/track/no-echo
My style is defined by single-mic, one-take recordings with a handful of added layers.
Lyrics
I really need to find out what this is all about
No, it isn’t quite clear what happened here
Tell me please what it is, what have I missed?
No text, no call, I know nothing at all
I would like to be informed, to be told,
to be warned, to be notified
Not to be ignored, not to be left behind,
not to be thrown aside
I need to know somehow, don’t shut me out
Could you give me a clue, what can I do?
Just a little sign, or am I wasting my time
Don’t leave me in silence, are we still friends?
I would like to be informed, to be told,
to be warned, to be notified
Not to be ignored, not to be left behind,
not to be thrown aside
Is there something I should know?
Don’t fade away, don’t let me go
Is there something I should know?
Don’t let me go, no echo
I would like to be informed, to be told,
to be warned, to be notified
Not to be ignored, not to be left behind,
not to be thrown aside
Is there something I should know?
Don’t fade away, don’t let me go
Is there something I should know?
Don’t let me go, no echo
I love this. ITs a real thing this feeling of being ghosted, by people in our lives. You sum that feeling up quite well. love the flow. It sounds great too. Well done!
@aeye2026-02-05
The whole feel of this song is superb. You mentioned how it flows, and it really does. It just flows effortlessly from place to place with that really great chorus in there.
@dasbinky2026-02-02
Really digging the vibe here. The color in the chord choice here is killer. The prior comment on early-era Radiohead really comes through in the melody. Really solid tune, man!
@bangstick2026-02-02
I'm picking up that sense of longing. Beautiful work, Max! Love the chorus melody, kinda reminds me of Pablo Honey era Radiohead
@froggymagee2026-02-02
That chorus, wow! Definitely will be listening to this one over and over again. Your voice and lyrics are beautiful!
@rogerhammond2026-02-02
I really like your voice in this one, especially in the chorus, which is catchy and has a soulful melancholic feeling and something of an indie-band-from-the-80s vibe. Nice, easy groove too.
@wynia2026-02-02
You know a song hits when you are humming along a harmony before you get to the end of the first chorus. This has a really nice nostalgic vibe to go along with the questioning and pensive lyrics. Great listen 😀
@max2026-02-02
[4] ✵ 𝙇𝙚𝙩 𝙈𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙇𝙤𝙤𝙠
2026-02-03
#badhabit#annoying#selfaware#singersongwriter#acoustic#guitar This is about my own annoying habit of taking things over way too quickly when I see someone struggling.
I see your hands are trembling
you’re halfway through the knot
Before you even ask me
I’m already on the spot
You still need to learn
but patience isn’t mine
The clock is ticking
I’ll cut it down in time
Let me have a look
I can’t sit still, no delay, no I can’t wait
let me have a look
it shouldn’t be difficult, let us get this straight
let me have a look
come on, just do it, we haven’t got all day
let me have a look
I’ll fix it faster, now get out of my way!
Get out of my way
Of course I know it’s wrong
but I like to get it right
I should let you try
just stand here by your side
I know I cross the line
I shouldn’t be involved
But you’re still puzzling
I think I got it solved
Let me have a look
I can’t sit still, no delay, no I can’t wait
let me have a look
it shouldn’t be difficult, let us get this straight
let me have a look
come on, just do it, we haven’t got all day
let me have a look
I’ll fix it faster, now get out of my way!
Get out of my way
I love the flamenco tinged feel of this, the chorus separates really well from the verse with major hints providing contrast. The repeats in the lyrics are great and I like the call and response set up. Great tune.
@headfirstonly2026-02-05
My mind immediately went to "Oh, this is a song about Microsoft's Clippy" and for that I can only apologise. This is great fun and oh yeah, the struggle against that urge to intervene is brutal when you see someone struggling, even though you just know they'll never learn if you do take over. And I say that as someone who worked in learning and development for more than forty years. Oh, boy, how I can relate.
@froggymagee2026-02-03
Everything about this is awesome, Max! The multiple voices on the "let me have a look" line WOW!
@robinleaf2026-02-03
OMG...I have been on both sides of this hahaha. I HATE it when someone does it to me, but I know I do it sometimes, too.... 😅 😅 😅 I love this song - the lyrics are GREAT and the chorus is catchy AF. Bookmarking! ❤️
@artie2026-02-03
Catchy as hell and relatable. Great hook to build the song around. The double octave layer on the title lyric is so fun!
@rogerhammond2026-02-03
Another crazily infectious chorus, Max. The "let me have a looks" weaved into that choppy punk beat are like trip back to the early 80s... oh, and the flipside of the coin is that you're just very helpful and don't wanna see others struggling! Elke nadeel heeft z'n voordeel ;)
@ajna19602026-02-03
I love those harmonies and extra vox... such fun and so perfect for this song. The way that you analyse you own behaviour reminds me of myself, where I have certain traits I am sure my friends with that I did not possess !
You're in luck! We've just got some new coolywoop tulytaps in stock... they're on the shelf next to the thingameebobs. But seriously ... wonderful again Max. The banjo always works a treat with your voice. Such a familiar, welcoming sound.
@elainedimasi2026-02-04
I. love. this. so. much.
What a great idea. I adored that it's ok to pronounce coolywoop tulytaps with emphasis on either the 1st syllable or the 2nd. And I celebrated the part of the song that gave AI the side-eye and stopped telling it the truth!!!
Musically cooly and tulytappy as well!
@nathanjoelong2026-02-03
The song is super catchy and your voice sounds fantastic, suits the song well. Such a relaxed atmosphere and everything pulls in the same direction, great work, thanks for posting it.
@feb21sundari2026-02-03
The song is musically very sophisticated and leaves me curious to find out what's behind the word.
@pabrizzer2026-02-03
enjoyed - yep they've got to be somewhere
@max2026-02-03
[6] ✯ 25x25 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙨
2026-02-05
#10x10#25x25#brillbuilding#lovesong#28wordslater#capochallenge#trope#guywithguitar#acoustic#pop 25 x 25-second brill building love songs in one track. https://fawm.org/forums/3606 I was aiming for a 50's -60's Brill Building sound mixed with my own style. All sweet 'boy meets girl' and love songs. Plus I wanted many doo whap's and sha la la's. 😄 Why 25-Second Songs? Well, I've done 5-sec, 10-sec, 15-sec and 20-second songs during previous FAWMs, so I raise the bar every year. https://website.beacons.ai/maxvanremmerden/websites/live/bf399778-73b1-46cf-993d-4d9d53295e71 I know it's a lot to ask to listen to this track in its entirety. No problem at all if you only listen to a small part and don't leave any comments; I completely understand.
My style is defined by single-mic, one-take recordings with a handful of added layers.
Lyrics
1 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚
Love-love love-love
I would not be alive
in a world without love
love-love
In a world without love
I couldn’t survive
Love-love love-love
2 𝙂𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙚 #capochallenge
You’re serving my table
Love on a plate
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la
I need to gather my courage
Ask you out on a date
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la
3 𝙇𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙧 𝙇𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 #capochallenge
A folded note
x’s and o’s
Who could be the sender?
Well, one person knows
Shoo-bob shoo-bob I wonder
where she goes
Shoo-bob shoo-bob I wonder
where she goes
4 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙎𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 #capochallenge
Your hand touched mine
Sweethearts during summer break
On cloud nine
Two straws, one strawberry shake
Darling you know that I love to dance
with you ooh hoo ooh hoo
5 𝙎𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙎𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚 #capochallenge
Your smile is as sweet as a candy store
Sweet love sweet love
I keep coming back, I want more
Sweet love sweet love
Sweet smile
7 𝙏𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙏𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙨 #capochallenge
I’ve got tickets to see the band
on Tuesday
Please be my front-row love again
on Tuesday
8 𝙇𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜
I asked you out on a date
You kissed me on my cheek
Long-lasting lipstick
I won’t wash my face
for a week
9 𝙎𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙙𝙚 #28wordslater
I brought my guitar
under your window light
I call your name
I want to see you tonight
I look up
hoping to catch your smile
I play you my song
Please show your face
for a while
10 𝘿𝙤𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥 𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜
I took you home and said goodnight
Maybe soon it’ll feel alright
for us both to stay together
I wish to be with you forever
11 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘 𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 #capochallenge
Red light
I see you smile so sweet
Green light
You’re gone
My heart skips a beat
You traffic tease
12 𝙍𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙍𝙞𝙣𝙜
I sit here all alone
ring-a-ding
Waiting by the phone
ring-a-ding
Ring once, I am dreaming, yeah
Ring twice, I am screaming, yeah
ring ring ring-a-ding
ring ring ring-a-ding
13 𝘾𝙪𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙙-𝙐𝙥 𝘾𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙚
I gave you my sweater
You’re curled up inside
I put my arms around you
and hold you tight
I wanna stay close to you-ooh
I wanna stay close to you
14 𝘿𝙧𝙞𝙥 𝘿𝙧𝙤𝙥 #capochallenge
Raindrops fall
We forgot our coats
drip-drop-drip-drop
One umbrella
We squeeze in close
drip-drop-drip-drop
Please keep raining
Don't let this feeling stop
drip-drop-drip-drop drip-drop
15 𝙈𝙞𝙡𝙠𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙙𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩
do-whap-do-whap do-whap
At a late night diner do-whap-do-whap
Milkshakes and fries do-whap-do-whap
Your crimson smile do-whap-do-whap
Under neon skies do-whap-do-whap
do-whap-do-whap do-whap
16 𝘿𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 #capochallenge
I got you to dance all night
ooh-wee-ooh ooh-wee-ooh
One beat in
You pulled me tight
Step left, right spin
Dance all night
I got you to dance all night
ooh-wee-ooh
ooh-wee-ooh
17 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙧𝙨. 𝙍𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩
All clichés are true
when I spend my time with you
My sweet darling
I love you so
It feels so good
won’t let you go
18 𝘽𝙪𝙩𝙩𝙤𝙣 𝘽𝙖𝙗𝙮
First time we met
we kissed and became friends
You were wearing buttons
of all my favorite bands
Our love never ends
19 𝙎𝙠𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨
We’re having so much fun
wintertime on ice
We’re skating side by side
baby it feels so nice
It might be cold
but I feel warm with you
It might be cold
but I feel warm with you
20 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙋𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙙
I got your postcard in the mail today
It’s like paradise is what you say
A tropical beach so far away
Stay right there, I’m on my way
21 𝙍𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙍𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙤
We’ve just checked in
romantic radio on
I pour two glasses
of Dom Pérignon
22 𝘽𝙤𝙢 𝘽𝙤𝙣
My bom bon
you are delicious girl
M bom bon
you make me twist and twirl
My bom bon
I don’t know what to do
without you
bom bon bom bon
23 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙚𝙧
Up up up
up we go
I feel so light
I love you so
Up up up
up we go
Higher higher
24 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙃𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨
You’re too good to be true
Head over heels
Is it real who’s fooling who?
Head over heels
Can’t believe you love me too
Head over heels
Please don’t mess with me
I’m madly in love with you
25 𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚
Everlasting love
We don’t need no break up song
You and I are still going strong
Everlasting love
Bonus 𝙈𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙭
Remmerden Remmerden
Max Vanremmerden
Remmerden Remmerden
Max Vanremmerden
Remmerden Remmerden
Max Vanremmerden
Remmerden Remmerden
Max Vanremmerden
Remmerden Remmerden
Max Vanremmerden
Remmerden Remmerden
Max Vanremmerden
Ha! I loved each one! I also appreciate the bonus Max R pronunciation guide/jingle at the end.
Did you have some of the ideas waiting in the wings prepared to be let out into the wild during FAWM, or did you sit down and try to come up with them all at once this month? I just did my first 10x10 collecting old voice memos off my phone and it was glorious!
@mardeycranbleson2026-02-10
Love this idea, love Brill building songs, and you delivered incredibly, so many beautiful snippets here!
@mctown2026-02-09
Brill Building got my eye... interesting group of short songs... I've read a lot about that creative groupings of people...mctown
@kahlo20132026-02-08
Absolutely great! Fantastic variety and great sound! I love the 50-60s styles and all the love and sweetness! You nailed it!!!! Made me smile!
@spirulence2026-02-07
Wow, all these challenges together! Swaying in my seat here. Your patience to knock these all out is pretty impressive.
@mckillop2026-02-06
What a smorgasbord @max ! Loved them all - you have a huge vein of song gold to mine! Also loved the stylized video, very cool! Great pop tunes!
@caitlin2026-02-06
I love this to the max, Max! I have it on while I do some tedious tasks working from home today and I love all the catchy shoo-bops and doo-wops and ring-a-dings woven throughout. I feel transported back to a 1960s sitcom with each episode bringing a huge smile to my face.
@songbird632026-02-06
I just LOVE this Max. So many stories. Very very very inspiring. 25-stars review. Writing this comment while your songs float by brings a big smile on my face. Every 25th second is a cliffhanger! It's ike a good old 'dia-evening' with slides fo forgotten holidays. "Not so quick, can you show the previous one again?" Btw: I listened until the end and will play it again one of these FAWN days.
@harsmuse2026-02-06
Very Impressive and a cool idea! Lots of nuggets there for other songs if you chose, though it doesn't sound like you're lacking in ideas. Thanks!
@kkd2026-02-06
A journey of love! This captures so many parts of the journey. Love the vibe, your voice and the guitar. So many pictures in this.
@alicelimoges2026-02-06
Whooooa what an amazing concept! I’ve never seen anything like this. Every single one is a bop. So precious. I love the 50s/60s vibe you chose. I liked the strawberry shake one. I can just imagine the lovebirds in their poodle skirts and rolled up sleeves.
@gardeningangel2026-02-06
Feels like one of those late-night infomercials for golden oldies compilations that only plays a snippet of each song... in this case, a double-disc set. Sign me up TAKE MY MONEY 💰!!! I wasn't familiar with the Brill Building so had to read up. That was a fun little history lesson. Perfect inspiration for the challenge, cranking out the hits. I think "Button Baby" was my favorite but they're all little sparks of brilliance. I'm seriously impressed, this is a double-FAWM win and then some (love that bonus track!) 🏆🏆
@wacha2026-02-05
This is fantastic, I loved the Brill Building feel that you achieved with this. That's a whole lot of short songs to write and weave together and you did it quite well, nice work!
@froggymagee2026-02-05
I just love, love, love your vocal delivery! The way the energy shifts in different sections is like a musical roller coaster!
@rogerhammond2026-02-05
This one has so much Maxness in it that it's hard to know where to start on it. Jam-packed with sweet melodies and catchy rhythms. I think it deserves a longer review but for now I'll just say that it's brilliant and I can't pick out a favourite. A lot of your influences come through in the snippets. I expected to see the late 70s and early 80s but there's a lot from the 50s doowop and 60s in there too. And nice to see some fingerpicking in there... and you're name is surprisingly rhythmic too ;)
@max2026-02-05
[7] The Puppet Master
With • @froggymagee
2026-02-06
#singersongwriter#cajon#acousticguitar#collab
@max, took the time to record some rockin background vocals for this tune, and I just had to mix them in, it's almost like they were meant to be there the whole time! I think they add such an eerie depth to the song! Thanks again, Max, you rock! And happy FAWM to all!
Lyrics
You are the keeper of the winds
I feel you summon and call them
You have the power to stop any storm
But instead, you cause them
You are the one that holds the flame
I see it burning in your eyes
Your molten lava, sinking deep
Through the cracks in my mind
You’ve got me wrapped around
Your finger so damn tight
I'm all wound up I can’t sleep at night
I follow every move that you make me do
You are the puppet master, and I’m under you
Comments
@cmharwood892026-02-22
This is just jaw dropping. I listened to this early on, before the added vox, and it rocked. But hell, this revision is astounding. Kudos to @max for the profound additional texture that his vocals provide. And hats off to you for the cajon, the production value, and for belting it out on that final passage! Flippin unreal
@jeremykazoo2026-02-21
Chilling song. The vocal duet is reminiscent of the band July Talk.
@hazydave2026-02-13
Great production, interesting musically!
@negasi2026-02-10
This is gorgeous. Sounds so polished, and max's vocals are giving me Leonard Cohen vibes. As a lyricist I adore the lyrics too. Absolutely spot on collab you two!
@songbird632026-02-09
Wow, what a great collab here. Your voice and @max his voice fit so perfectly. I really like the song and when I hear ‘lava’, as an Iceland-addict you’ve got me immediately wrapped around your finger.
@burr2026-02-08
oh wow — this is pretty amazing! production is pretty off-the-hook for a "FAWM demo," but clicking through to your bio i can see why. but the song itself would be evocative even as an acoustic one-take and no layers.
so impressed too that as a “fawmling” you’re enlisting some FAWM vets to collaborate with you on your recordings. really feels like a community thing and that makes me smile.
welcome to FAWM!
@froggymagee2026-02-09
Oh wowza! Means the world to have such a lovely comment from the founder of FAWM. Thank you so much for all the work you've put into this. I am loving absolutely everything about it!
@caitlin2026-02-08
This is an absolutely stunning work of art, your voices go together like peanut butter and jelly, only better. I want this on my playlist! “You are the puppet master, and I am under you” is the perfect description of every codependent relationship I’ve ever been in.
@frenchcricket2026-02-08
What a fantastic duet. Well done to both of you. Such understated power, I felt it all. Stunning work.
@johnstaples2026-02-08
This is spectacular! If I could think of a better word I'd use it!! First, your vocals are insanely great! You go all over the place and it sounds phenomenal everywhere with everything you do! A quick HUGE NOD to @max because his added vox really added a layer of shiny wonderfulness to this work of art! I go through and listen to a ton of songs during FAWM and very rarely will I find one like this that I am compelled to share with other friends and musicians but this is just such a song!
And btw, are you familiar with Mary Gauthier? You reminded me of her a couple of times in this song. She is one of my singer-songwriter heroes right up there with John Prine. And you are right up there with the best of the best. OK, I'll stop fawning over you now (but you are kinda amazing!)
@froggymagee2026-02-08
Thank you so much, John! Your words mean a lot to me! And YES I adore all of Mary Gauthier's work, however I actually haven't listened to her in about a year-ish, thank you for reminding me of her greatness!
@rogerhammond2026-02-08
What a lovely song. Haunting melody. Love the refrain. Reverb on the vocals sounds great. Your voices work so well together .. the deep and rugged meets the high and pure. Wonderful collaboration.
@froggymagee2026-02-08
Thank you so very much for your kind words and for stopping by to listen!
@max2026-02-07
Thank you so much Abby! I am happy and grateful to be given this chance.
@greengrassgirl2026-02-07
Excellent lyrics, made even more emotive by your vocal. What a pleasure to listen to your songs!
@eas36372026-02-07
Great song - the image of "keeper of the winds" is so powerful and the rest of the lines fall into place beautifully to support this idea. I also love the way you build the energy of the song with the cajon and the background vocals. So glad I got to listen to this!
@froggymagee2026-02-07
Thanks so very much for taking some time to listen and for your kind words!
@quoththellama2026-02-06
Okay the delivery from "so damn tight" is so cool. You're making me want to collab 😬😅. New fan here for sure
@froggymagee2026-02-06
I would absolutely love to collab, let me know whenever because I am so freaking down!
@beacon2026-02-06
Damn girl! Do you ever do anything that isn’t spectacular? Such great lyrics, vocals and production. Stellar.
@froggymagee2026-02-07
Beacon, I heart you!
@greengrassgirl2026-02-06
I love so much about this: your voice, the lyrics ("But instead, you cause them"), and the way everything works together. The abrupt ending is terrific, too. Glad I found your page. And welcome to FAWM!
@froggymagee2026-02-06
Thanks for listening :) will keep an eye out and listen to your future tunes!
@tcelliott2026-02-06
I love the build toward the end. Absolutely love it. Those smooth backing vocals are the perfect bed. Thank you so much for joining us this year.
@froggymagee2026-02-06
Thank you so much for your kindness and for welcoming me with such warmth! So happy to be here listening to your tunes and many others!
@bunga2026-02-06
This is such a complete song, it feels like it all perfectly fits together naturally. Really impressive stuff!
@aeye2026-02-06
Those vocal harmonies are so well placed and effective. I had to listen to this multiple times. For real this is super good
@froggymagee2026-02-06
Thanks aeye! :)
@helenseviltwin2026-02-06
Another cracking song! Lovely harmonies, and when you really go for it at the end of the song, it just shows off the versatility in your voice. Nice one!
@max2026-02-06
EDIT feb7> It was so much fun to do this!
@froggymagee2026-02-06
WOAH THIS IS FREAKING AWESOME! I love the way our voices complement each other so well! SO kind of you to take the time to record something like this, I am awe-struck right now! Your low register vocal has such strength and power to it! Would love to have an mp3 of this version, by any chance could you email it to me, just so I can listen and show friends and family! Also, please reach out if you're in the mood to do a collab!
@max2026-02-06
So glad you like it Abby! Sure, I'll email it to you. This was done very quickly. Maybe I do another version later today.
@froggymagee2026-02-06
Awesome YES!
@coolparadiso2026-02-06
The beat is perfect to keep this moving! damn the puppet masters! Classy delivery great vocals both the main ones and the backing ones! I love your ability to use dark n shade to emphasis lines. class
@froggymagee2026-02-06
Thank you, and yes indeed, damn the souls of the puppet masters! Thank you for your kind compliments on my vocals as well!
@davidtaro2026-02-06
First kazoo and now cajon? You’re spoiling us! In all seriousness, the cajon sounds fab, and sits so perfectly with the reverb-drenched BVs. When you launch into “so damn tight” I get Adele vibes (how does one go about selling a song to Adele 🤔?). This is just an incredibly polished and professional piece of songwriting & production, so glad you decided to do FAWM this year!
@froggymagee2026-02-06
OH man! Thank you! The cajon was dying to be on a track, haha! Also, might have to look into this Adele thing, the search for Adele begins now!
@sapient2026-02-06
Oh wow. This is one of those that gets it's fingers into your soul... Funny, I just made a gentle comparison with someone else's song to something by New Model Army, and here I am thinking the same with this. Do you know them? 🤔 Who knows. Mebbe you'll like them...
@froggymagee2026-02-06
I'm definitely going to have to check out New Model Army; I've never heard of them, thanks for the recommendation!
@musicsongwriter2026-02-06
Unfortunately it really happens in some relationships. So brilliantly expressed lyrically and musically. Your vocals, playing and production are superb. Very moving and powerful song. Amazing work 🎵
@froggymagee2026-02-06
It is quite unfortunate! Luckily, I haven't been in such a relationship, yet I have seen some people close to me get sucked into relationships similar to the story I am telling! Happy you came by to listen!
@slusk2026-02-06
Wow! I got goosebumps when I heard you singing your song. Really, really good. The sparse production was (of course) excellent.
@froggymagee2026-02-06
Thank you 😀
@artie2026-02-06
Such a treat to hear your music. I love the vocal layers. So beautifully performed and produced! Also it made me happy to hear that cajon get on the track. Mine's just sitting under my desk all sad and shit.
@froggymagee2026-02-06
Yeah... mine's been collecting dust for quite a while too, felt good to break it out and just compress the crap out of the "kick" and "snare" sounds haha! Thanks for your kind words and for listening to my tune!
@artie2026-02-06
My pleasure! And you too. Your comment got me so hyped! I'll have to let my brother know you enjoyed his beat.
@richaaaay2026-02-06
Froggy (I hope it’s ok for me to take that liberty with your name)…You got skills….I saw your post and had to hop right on to listening. I’m really hoping the lyrical story is fictional. It’s very creatively written and expertly performed and produced…A treat to hear your music…
@froggymagee2026-02-06
Rich, yes, please do call me froggy anytime! The story is so totally fictional, I promise I am not under a puppet master's spell! Thank you so much for taking the time to listen :)
[8] ✵ 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙏𝙤 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝙔𝙤𝙪
2026-02-06
#decisionfatigue#gift#stress#valentine#present#singersongwriter#acoustic#guitar Coming up with an original gift idea isn't always easy.
I don’t know what to get you
I need to figure out
what you would appreciate
I’m constantly in doubt
I want to be original
but modest as well
I haven’t got a single clue
I just couldn’t tell
I don’t know what to get you
but I want it to be right
I don’t know what to get you
I’ve been thinking all night
Something handmade, something to keep
something expensive or something cheap
something to listen to, something to wear
something so common or something rare
It’s not about perfection
it’s about being true
Still I don’t know what to get you
still I don’t know what to get you
I want it to be personal
it has to be real
Funny but meaningful
not that big of a deal
I hope to bring a smile
and happiness if I could
Wrap something nice
so we both will feel good
I don’t know what to get you
but I want it to be right
I don’t know what to get you
I’ve been thinking all night
Something handmade, something to keep
something expensive or something cheap
something to listen to, something to wear
something so common or something rare
It’s not about perfection
it’s about being true
Still I don’t know what to get you
still I don’t know what to get you
This has something of a swing feel to it. Maybe it is the vocal style. It defintely flows along nicely and is very relevant to me with my wife's birthday approaching.
@rogerhammond2026-02-08
Such a relatable dilemma and beautifully described! I like the jazzy chords too.... I heard a gentle trumpet playing along with this one.
@greengrassgirl2026-02-07
LOVE: "I want to be original/but modest as well." Great line! This song is SO relatable--I think we've all been in this situation. Also like "Wrap something nice/so we both will feel good." You have a knack!
@mardeycranbleson2026-02-07
Love the soaring vocal breaks in your songs! Another lovely tune to relax to.
@willow12026-02-07
This is all so great- spontaneous gift giving just feels better than premeditated. Really appreciate your detailed explanation on your song writing/capturing process.
@sophielynette2026-02-06
I like spontaneous gift giving but I hate mandatory gifting holidays. The lyrics capture my frustration well. Your voice has a bit of a lounge quality. Catchy melody.
@froggymagee2026-02-06
Really love the story you're telling here, I tend to struggle with gift giving because I want it to have meaning, instead of just giving a gift to give a gift. And just like you say, "it's not about perfection, it's about something true," which I think just sums it up so perfectly! Wonderful vocals and guitar playing as always!
@johnnycashpoint2026-02-06
Nice jazzy feel. Reminds me of the Mike Flowers Pops (not meant as a backhanded compliment!) I like it (naturally)! Good to hear you again J$
@coolparadiso2026-02-06
OOO good one Max - i really like the phrasing here . although poppy has a bit of a jazzy feeling in here. a real genre mash up. Really works for me. Not about perfection ..... onya bro spot on
Over more than twenty years of participating in February Album Writing Month (FAWM), I’ve settled into a workflow that lets me capture a solid recording almost as soon as a new song exists. Everything begins with a guitar progression and a melody I’m humming into place. Once a few words surface, the actual songwriting kicks in. Even with all the digital tools available today, I prefer to keep things grounded by playing real instruments. I print the lyrics in large type, hang the sheet above a camera, and run through the song a few times. Usually the fourth or fifth take is the one I keep. FAWM taught me early on not to get stuck chasing “perfect.” After recording, I pull the audio from the video and drop it into a mixing program. Most of my effect settings are locked in beforehand. Then I add extra vocals and additional instruments like guitar, banjo, piano, keyboard. Once the mix sounds clean enough, I sync it back to the video. Every year I pick a new two-tone color theme for these recordings. If a song is captured this way during FAWM, it’s considered finished. After the month ends, I usually have three or four keepers that I test live on stage. Performing them helps the songs develop, but I never rerecord them. Around ninety percent of everything I’ve written in the last two decades began during FAWM: simple, consistent, effective. These days I use ChatGPT to check my lyrics for grammar and spelling and to offer suggestions; before that, I leaned on native-speaking FAWMers. The audio mix I upload to Bandcamp is identical to the one in the videos.
What a sad feat. Love it though!! Xoxo “All we ever had will vanish in the sea” my favorite line/s
@val2026-02-09
This is absolutely true. And one can only wonder how long civilization as we know it can hang on. Such a mellow tone for such a deep subject. So soothing if you ignore the message in the lyrics. 😄
@chill4matt2026-02-08
A message for the masses (or at least for those who choose to listen to people who thoughtfully lay it out).
@rogerhammond2026-02-08
Another pensive song from your good self Max with history and ancestry as themes. It's natural to be reflective in these strange times, I think. I like how this one takes the long view .... the rise and fall of empires, the cyclical nature of everything and the way 'even the strongest prove to turn out weak'. Very relevant. And you've presented it all in such an inviting easy-to-listen-to way.
@songbird632026-02-07
I love this song and the lyrics Max. Serious shit wrapped in a sunny breeze. So that the theme you bring across can really land and goes under my skin.
@mardeycranbleson2026-02-07
Yeah been thinking about this.... but really love the song, the melody and delivery are so soothing and pleasant. Great vocal performance on this.
@froggymagee2026-02-07
So beautifully informative! Your lyrics flow perfectly with the melody. Really like the juxtaposition of the uplifting chords paired with the overarching feeling that we will be passé! Another fantastic tune max!
@barkstales2026-02-07
Speaking truth. Nice guitar playing. Good story telling.
@sapient2026-02-07
An important lesson, worth remembering, even if just as a message to make the most of each moment! Iwas pleasantly surprised by how light and summery the music feels. Nice to have some of that on a damp February day ;)
@max2026-02-07
😄 You haven't been outside yet? ☀️
@max2026-02-07
[10] ✵ 𝙈𝙮 𝘼𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙮
2026-02-07
#familytree#heritage#research#singersongwriter#acoustic#guitar For a few years now, I’m working on my family tree, only the direct line. It gives you a good insight into history. And once you're in the 12th century it makes you realize we're all brothers and sisters.
Again, very catchy! I hear this as a Reggae with bass and a female choir on the chorus! Great pleasure to listen!
@songbird632026-02-08
Wow! Great song. A real sing-a-long chorus. This song of yours arrived at me at the right moment. Today I thought a lot about my dad who suddenly passed away, now 38 years ago today. Thanks Max.
@max2026-02-08
🤣 AI-subtitles thinks I've inherited more characteristics. 🤣
@rogerhammond2026-02-08
You got me singing along again Max, ... got their genes, got their blood got their DNAAAA.... you never fail to come up with a catchy hook and a foot-tapping rhythm. Cool subject for a song too.
@lizandthelovelies2026-02-08
I love this concept so much! Yes it's true we are made of millions of people. We think about ourselves at the top of a pyramid but we are at the bottom! Love your hook!
@froggymagee2026-02-08
Loving the fade out at the end! Oh man, you’re just so awesome!
@max2026-02-07
[11] ✵ 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚
2026-02-08
#worldcancerday#singersongwriter#guywithguitar So many people I know, family & friends, are fighting cancer. Some battles won, some battles lost. I find it incredibly difficult to witness someone being given a terminal prognosis of just months or years. Podsafe audio: https://studio273.bandcamp.com/track/the-end-stage
My style is defined by single-mic, one-take recordings with a handful of added layers.
Lyrics
It is back
You’re sick again
They tell you you will die
but can’t tell you when
This time it’s incurable
There’s nothing they can do
It is true
it’s killing you
It is true
it’s killing you
The end-stage
They give up
They tell you it’s untreatable
The spreading will not stop
Medication
just buys you time
But nothing blocks the flood
of tears you cannot hide
You’re worried ’bout your loved ones
How do they get through?
It is true
it’s killing you
It is true
it’s killing you
Soldier on
It’s not fair
Check-up after check-up
Constantly aware
This time it’s incurable
There’s nothing they can do
It is true
it’s killing you
It is true
it’s killing you
It’s killing, killing, killing, killing you
I really shouldn't have listened to this, having just completed my chemo and radiotherapy, but I'm sure glad I did! I think it's important to maintain a sense of humour during even the most challenging of times, and this lifted my spirits, in a dark, perverse way. Nice job!
@consolidated2026-02-10
Very catchy as others have said-I like that aspect of it. I feel like this sentiment could be applied more broadly to what is going on! Great work!
@seemanski2026-02-09
I'm so confused, why am I so happy listening to this song. I should be miserable, also I have the very real problem that I will burst into random singing with "it's true, it's killing you" in our local co-op. Absolute killer, pun intended, I loved it.
@ampersandman2026-02-09
Wow. No ironic twist or comic relief in the lyrics, and sometimes that's just the hard truth one has to grasp. But you presented them in an upbeat, catchy song that seems like a raised middle finger to cancer. And rightfully so. Seriously, fuck that shit.
@froggymagee2026-02-09
Your music always puts a big smile on my face, and your lyrics are really making me think about my loved ones, especially my mom, who battled and won the fight, but it's still something that lingers in the back of my mind! Anyways, fantastic job on this tune ❤️
@burr2026-02-09
i gotta be honest: i lost 3 people over the past year in this exact way. fought it off, in remission, and came back with a vengeance. it’s part of the reason i didn’t have it in me to play my part in hosting 50/90, i just knew i wasn’t going to be up for the emotional labor of running the website for 3 months while fielding that.
but anyway — about the song! i often enjoy these kinds of “cognitive dissonance” songs that are poppy and singable but about darker subject matter, and this is definitely one of them!
@rogerhammond2026-02-08
Very catchy song again Max... despite the difficult subject that touches everyone at some time or another
Oh, I know that mindset much too well. I feel like "It keeps me awake at night / for reasons I don’t know" is tattooed on the insides of my eyelids. And yet this song takes that feeling and wraps it up in a mellow, gently soothing hug.
@charlie_leemburg2026-03-03
Oh yeah I like the vocal melody here with the doubled sound is fun, strong chorus. Topical too.
@mikeskliar2026-02-13
This is wonderful- what a great lyric and the music with those minor chords is a perfect fit! A song for our time, sadly!
@froggymagee2026-02-10
Max! I know I have probably said this before, but I just love your writing style so much. Everything you say just feels so genuine. Another fantastically crafted tune.
@rogerhammond2026-02-09
Yeah, 'worst thing' is tricky! Nice to hear you singing the slow ones. Very topical subject too .... relatable lyrics.
@max2026-02-09
[13] ✵ 𝙇𝙚𝙩'𝙨 𝙂𝙤 𝘿𝙚𝙚𝙥!
2026-02-11
#ska#upbeat#needswyniaontrumpet#acoustic This is one of those songs where the meaning of the lyrics doesn't carry much weight. The text was more or less improvised and then fleshed out later. If a 2-Tone band were to play this track, it would really just be about the good and optimistic vibes you're supposed to get from it. My style is defined by single-mic, one-take recordings with a handful of added layers.
Feb 16: I recieved two trumpet tracks by @wynia this morning. https://fawm.org/songs/325257🎺🎺
Lyrics
I’m gonna take you by the hand
We will see where it ends
Come on
Let’s go deep!
Can’t dance
Can’t swing
but I love it when we try
We’re gonna dance all night
Can’t shake
Can’t jive
Let's find out if we can fly
Why don’t you hold me tight?
I’m gonna take you by the hand
We will see where it ends
Come on
Let’s go deep!
Can’t skank
Can’t bump
but I love it when we try
We’re gonna dance all night
Can’t twist
Can’t hop
Let's find out if we can fly
Why don’t you hold me tight?
I’m gonna take you by the hand
We will see where it ends
Come on
Let’s go deep!
I’m gonna take you by the hand
We will see where it ends
Come on
Let’s go deep!
New demo: https://fawm.org/songs/325257 ft. Sarah Wynia Smith.
@chipwithrow2026-02-13
So fun, and I dig the video! Guitar bounces brightly, and the vocals are top-notch. Groovy!
@tageule2026-02-13
This is so much fun! Really catchy. And relatable. The only dance I know is Pogo, but I won't let that stop me.
@rogerhammond2026-02-12
You got my ska legs kickin' and my shoulders boppin' here, Max.... haven't skanked for a while... but you got me thinking maybe I should try again! Would be great to hear a version with brass from @wynia
@songbird632026-02-11
Another not-dance song! Great tune Max!
@paulotteson2026-02-11
Really digging this energy! So catchy and perfectly excecuted :) Love when you you kick that chorus harmony up at the end!
@froggymagee2026-02-11
Fabulous Max! You've got me dancing around my studio :)
@wynia2026-02-11
Hep hep hep! Great upbeat ska-adjacent track! I enjoy the chord progressions at “I’m gonna take you by the hand”
Do you have brass parts in mind? I mean…even if not I could have a crack…
@max2026-02-11
Thank you @wynia. I don’t have any brass parts in mind. You’re serious? Would you like to try? That would make my day, my FAWM even! No pressure tho, whatever suits you. I’m happy with every note added. 🎷🎺
@wynia2026-02-11
Let’s do it @max ! I can hear some things! What’s the best way to add the horns? You could email me the audio file at wynia.smith at gmail and I can go from there 🎺
I went ahead and worked on Bob's original without letting him know first, because I wanted to surprise him back since he surprised me with something else. Glad I have his blessing to call this a collab and repost it. (@max)
Lyrics
Copyright 2026 by Bob McKillop
Verse 1
Am F C
What do you feel when you think of me?
F C G
Do you miss the life that we had?
Am F. C
Can you look past all of the hurt and pain
F C G
Do you only find the sad?
Verse 2
Am F C
I betrayed your faith and trust
F C G
The low point of my life
Am F C
No way to change the past, you know
F C G
If I could, I’d make it right
Chorus
C
You are kind to me
F C
Keep a civil tongue
Am C
You’ve moved on, you say
G
Don’t think about those days
C
You’re not bitter
F C
You found a life to live
F G
But you don’t know the word
C
Forgive
Verse 3
Am F. C
The needs of our children entangle us
F C G
You wish that were not true
Am F C
If you could kick me to the curb, you would
F C G
I’m a albatross to you
Repeat Chorus
Comments
@catetaylor2026-02-24
Love the banjo! The bv’s sounds really lovely under the lead vocal too. They’re two very different voices but really complement each other and the story. Lyrically it seemed tender but also dark. I’d join in on the pub sing for sure!
@mckillop2026-02-25
Thanks Cate! Appreciate you listening! I'm so happy that @max decided to collaborate with me on this one, he really improved the track!
@gabriel2026-02-13
love the lyrics, structure, singing, and the multiple instruments. feels very intimate with a lot of depth too.
@jaxmuzak2026-02-12
This is great. Smooth on the surface, deep and dark beneath. The "albatross" image is going to stick for me. Thank you for sharing.
@jerrypettit2026-02-12
Hard not to sing along to this one--nice simple, but wonderful song! Great collaboration! ❤️
@williamh2026-02-12
What a great song. Nice job collaborating Great sound and vocals
@froggymagee2026-02-12
What a fantastic collab you two! Beautiful lyrics, I see why you felt inclined to put it in a pub-like atmosphere, also loving the banjo, nice touch!
@rogerhammond2026-02-12
Wonderful. Love the lyrics. Such a clear story.. and the tune is a real singalong.
@max2026-02-12
When I heard the original song by Bob I imagined it being sung in a full pub with Shane Macgowan in the centre. Although it is a personal song, many people can relate to it because they know a similar situation. With the added layers, I tried to create a kind of pub atmosphere, in which the rest of the crowd sings along in a subdued manner. Thank you @mckillop for your approval-stamp. It was so much fun to do.
YAWA KLAW DNA OG TSUJ
GNIHCRAES NO PEEK OT DEEN ON
YADOT EREH SREWSNA ON
TIDERC HCUM OOT EM GNIVIG ER UOY
TSEIGGOF EHT TON EVAH
TSEIGGOF EHT TON EVAH
OG TI TEL UOY TNOD YHW
TI TEGROF OT RETTEB STI
?WONK OT TNAW UOY OD YHW
AEDI ON EVAH YLLAER I
RAEWS I ,WONK TNOD I
LLEW SA EM OT RAELCNU STI
ERAWANU YLPMIS MI
GNILLIWNU MI TAHT TON STI
YAWA KLAW DNA OG TSUJ
GNIHCRAES NO PEEK OT DEEN ON
YADOT EREH SREWSNA ON
TIDERC HCUM OOT EM GNIVIG ERUOY
TSEIGGOF EHT TON EVAH
TSEIGGOF EHT TON EVAH
OD NAC I GNIHTON SEREHT TUB
DNATSREDNU OT TNAW UOY
EULC A TOG TNEVAH I
SNOITSEUQ FO TOL A TOG EVUOY
NO EVOM OT RETTEB
TSEIGGOF EHT TNEVAH I
?NO GNIOG SI TAHW
EM GNIKSA PEEK UOY TI SI YHW
This is sooooo awesome! Makes me want to reverse some things
@johnnycashpoint2026-02-12
Ha! Cool! I think the backwards chords progression is very good in itself! If I could work it out, I would nab it! j$
@max2026-02-12
[16] ✵𝘾𝙤𝙙𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣
2026-02-13
#banjo#fire#smoke#wood In the Netherlands, we live together in a small country. I really enjoy lighting my wood-burning stove, but there are rules in Amsterdam. In some cities, it is even prohibited. We have a national app that indicates whether the air quality and weather conditions are optimal for wood burning, so that it doesn't bother anyone. Unfortunately, it has been foggy and damp lately 🙁
I have been living on the Mediterranean Coast for 10 years now (30 before in the interior). But this winter has been the first we've needed to turn the heating on.
Damn you off-course jet stream and your freezing wet and windy weather patterns!
@sonicdeatheagle2026-02-15
As one who lives out in the country and relies in part on a wood stove for heat I feel you! There's something about a fire. This has a lovely wistful nostalgic hopefulness. Looking for code green in a lot of places.
@songbird632026-02-13
Great song Max. Relaxed and a bit sad as well. These Dutch rules. The banjo fits perfectly with the theme. Btw: at the Waddenshore we can still burn wood like crazy. Next time you come here we’ll do that.
I love the lyrics..love a nice fireplace, wish I had one. Lately in our state, particularly in summer, we have a no "outside fires" ( burning rubbish or campfires) due to drought and the possibility of massive fires. Two summers ago, Canada had massive fires that reached our air in Delaware, south of NY. It was so foggy and air quality so bad they recommended staying indoors. I like this played on the banjo. It was a very nice balance of homey, not too sad but with the vocal line somewhat serious, which is unusual for banjo songs.
@gordon2026-02-13
Love me a slice of factual storytelling Max, and this really hits the spot. Catchy banjo action too
@max2026-02-13
[17] ✯𝙁𝙖𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙢𝙚 (𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕘𝕖w2)
2026-02-14
#personal#ww2#oppression#acousticguitar#trashfind#sawtooth#challenge I wanted to do too much at once with this song. In hindsight, probably too much, because I’m not satisfied with the result. I wanted to use this nylon-string guitar I recently found in the trash. It has a warm sound, and I haven't even touched it yet. These are the same strings that were on it when I found it by the side of the road. At the same time, I wanted to incorporate the 'sawtooth challenge' into this track. On top of that, I wanted to give shape to my disgust of a fascist regime by telling the stories my parents and grandparents told me as a child. I am still cautious about speaking out, as I was always told that under fascist oppression, there are consequences, if not for yourself, then for someone else. I could have made it less personal by writing about how a fascist regime begins by banning books, rewriting dictionaries, collaborating with religious leaders, excluding groups of people, and misleading the masses. But the stories of those who actually lived under such a regime teach you the most, especially when it’s your own family and you've seen how it echoed through the rest of their lives after liberation. Maybe the subject is too delicate to have it recorded the FAWM-way. I should have run through the lyrics a few times before recording to get them right and in real sawtooth melody instead of monotone, but eh, it's FAWM.
My grandparents were taken out of their home on Museumsquare Amsterdam in WW2 because a high German Officer took residence in a building close to theirs. The whole block had to be emptied to create a safety zone. They were relocated in the houses from where Jewish families had been deported shortly before. June 1943.
Lyrics
My parents told me what it’s like
when they bang on your door at night
Heavy boots out there in the street
Under a fascist regime
My grandpa said he had to hide
From forced labor, Eastern Front fight
How they heard the neighbors scream
Under a fascist regime
On a bike with tires made of wood
My aunt traded silver for some food
Soldiers grabbed her on the street
Under a fascist regime
So they told me to be wise
To be careful avoid the fight
You’re life means nothing to them
Under a fascist regime
My family got kicked out their home
To create a so called safety zone
Germans swept the entire street
under a fascist regime
My dad, a boy in a strange house
Were Jewish kids were taken out
They still heard the walls scream
under a fascist regime
Please be warned, don’t speak out
if they can’t find you they will pick one out
a random person will be executed
Under a fascist regime
Comments
@andyt132026-02-18
I can't fucking believe that in my lifetime we went from "punching Nazis is as American as apple pie" to "why is the left so violent? Why won't you comply?'
@br0th3rh00d2026-02-15
The monotone actually works, it's the deadening effect. And the lilt of the melody gives it the poignancy. Excellent and important. A complement to Niemoller and finds echoes in contemporary experiences. ICE quotas and shootings just one example.
There's nothing wrong with the editing or lyrics that I see. I don't think you should feel bad for putting this out there. Anti-fascism remains important brave opposite to anticipatory obedience but there should be no victim-blaming of those who were ultimately just trying to survive. I think current rhetoric can tend towards dehumanisation each way some of the time - and it is very visceral tied into a sense of very real threat to people but it keeps getting realer!
Without so direct a personal connection but as a pacifist, activist raised in a Labour activist household in the UK during the miners' strike and aftermath in the 80s, being a late diagnosed neurodivergent (Hans Asperger and all that), in my faith as well, and reasonably informed at a surface level I have been thinking about commonalities and processes towards authoritarian horror: particularly consistencies and inconsistencies and actually drawing the lessons that were being shown, including that nobody is safe. But also not safe from being the bad guys. Hitler Stalin and even Churchill were all genocidal eugenist supremacists (Bengal famine a genocide for Churchill, oversaw empire; his eugenics bill as chancellor wasn't passed, an orientalist, sentimentalist who said many racist things & by turn expressed affectionate support in his ongoing commentaries: he was somewhat inspired & constrained by his/national circumstances, public and elite opinion, his overton window) & America inspired Hitler writing his opus/manifesto. America was formed on a two-sided multipart genocide of indigenous peoples and enslaved peoples and their many nations, ignoring their laws and English law on the basis of the doctrine of discovery and then continuing the apartheid.
@songbird632026-02-15
Wow, this is very touching. These stories need to be told over and over again. And I love it that you post it even if you are not satisfied with the result. May be that has nothing to do with your song, but with the fact that in general we can stop fascism only for so much, but it was, is always will be somewhere in this world?
@sueawesome2026-02-14
I think it's so important to speak the truth of the past. I'm so glad you wrote this and put it to song. my only wish is that after the first verse or two it picked up with drums and a lot of punk attitude and sound and there was even yelling. because we should be allowed to be angry over the past and present atrocities. keep going.
@rogerhammond2026-02-14
Heavy stuff. In Europe our parents and grandparents lived through all this, or many cases didn't make it out the other side.... it's all still close enough for horror stories like these to come up during family gatherings... you've told it so well, Max. Direct and to the point, with a captivating melody.
@corinnecurcio2026-02-14
You've told your story very well. My favorite line "They still heard the walls scream". And melody fits the challenge perfectly.
@persaab2026-02-14
Sorry I can’t really say anything. Your story tell’s more than I can never comment here.
@max2026-02-14
[18] ✵ 𝙎𝙠𝙞𝙥 𝙄𝙩
2026-02-14
#oldgeezer#grumpypop#beentheredonethat#nothanks#singersongwriter#acoustic I’m not like Statler and Waldorf yet but I have to admit I've stopped being totally and unreservedly enthusiastic about everything.
Haha yep, the older I get the less hoots I could give about so many things! It’s a beautiful thing really! The rhythm of the lyrics here goes so well with the music. Really appreciate all of it!
@alissimon2026-02-17
Love this chord and melody combo, especially the ‘really not my thing’ bit!! Such a great capturing of the concept, love those lyrics!! I feel like this some days haha, you have a great talent for writing catchy melodies :)
@nadine2026-02-15
Why is this so catchy? I know MANY people who will fall into this category.
@celineellis2026-02-15
Oh i love this chord progression - and it was nice to work it out with you on the screen! Love the line ‘same old same old de ja vu’ - great vibe as well in this, with the vocal melody in chorus is really nice
@songbird632026-02-15
Yes! Yes! Yeah! Very recognizable theme Max. Lovely tune, it sticks to me.
@val2026-02-15
The lyrics say, “Not cynical”, but cynical odd the first word that popped into my head. 😀 But I feel the lyrics. I am old and grumpy. This could be my new theme song.
@ltunes2026-02-14
Cool chord progression. Doubled vocals are cool. I'm swaying to the rhythm
@sadcoolgirl2026-02-14
this is so good! i really like how you layered the vocals and you're guitar playing skills are clearly there. thank you for sharing!
@max2026-02-14
[19] ✵ 𝙉𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙊𝙬𝙡 𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙖𝙧𝙠
2026-02-15
#alarm#sleep#retirement#singersongwriter#acousticguitar I still have no clue what my biological clock is going to do now that I’m not tied to a work schedule anymore. I was a night owl, working afternoon/evening for thirty years, but for the last ten, I’ve been all about that 'early to bed, early to rise' life.
Awesome! I work varied hours so I totally vibe with this!!! Some mornings, some late nights. It fucks up your body but I guess you get used to it! Love your stuff. ❤️
@songbird632026-02-16
This is great! Such an energy in your song. A nice contrast with the theme of retirement. You lucky bastard! 😉 And you deserve it.
@rogerhammond2026-02-15
Nice to be freeeeee, eh Max? Lovin' the unbounded energy and the groovy beat. dadadada "Now the clocks don’t tell me when, I don't have to work ever again"...nice
@froggymagee2026-02-15
I am more of a morning lark, yet fawm has turned me into a night owl. Love it, Max!
@headfirstonly2026-02-15
Here's to retirement! It's fun! The subtle harmonies on this really open it up. And this rockets along like nobody's business. Lots of energy! Which I most certainly do not do have in the mornings. Not without plenty of coffee. I'm definitely a night owl.
@max2026-02-15
[20] ✯ 𝙄𝙘𝙚 𝙎𝙠𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 (𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕘𝕖)
2026-02-16
#fieldrecording#challenge#repetition#skirmish#improv#acapella This morning I thought it would be fun to do the 'field recording challenge' at the Amsterdam outdoor ice rink. While skating I sang a song while filming my skates. Just now, while editing the video, I saw the 'repetition skirmish' and subsequently repeated the same video and audio fragment four times in the video. Killing two birds with one stone. Field recording: https://fawm.org/forums/3902 Me improvising while skating. In the background there's the sound of skates, peoples voices and on the speakers was "50 ways to leave your lover"
Lyrics
Improv while skating
Left Right
Left Right
Skating on the ice
Left Right
Left Right
It feels so nice
Left Right
Left Right
Skating on the ice
Left Right
Left Right
It feels so nice
Left Right
Left Right
Skating on the ice
Left Right
Left Right
It feels so nice
Left Right
Left Right
Skating on the ice
Left Right
Left Right
It feels so nice
Here on the ice in Amsterdam
Comments
@nateger2026-03-02
Woah! This is fascinating to watch and I love how you used the rhythm of your skating as the foundation for your singing. I just love how inspired that is. So creative!
@markblevis2026-02-26
I'm a baseball guy, rather than a hockey-blooded Canadian. Still, there's nothing quite like the sound of cold steel on hard ice. Such a great sound. Great poem.
@sph2026-02-26
A "Schaatser" field recording, now that's so very dutch. Wonderful. How long do we have to wait for the follow up song "Fifty ways to skate in Amsterdam"? I remember the day of the up to now last Elfstedentocht in January 1997. My friends and me tried to drive home from Ameland to Germany and didn't expect the excitement and mass of people in Friesland...
@200ghosts2026-02-18
Nice! Very chill, and a great voice. I would've fallen 20 times trying to get one take XD
@kahlo20132026-02-17
This is really beautiful and relaxing! So enjoyable and to listen to your skates and words! I felt like I was with gliding on the ice!
@musicsongwriter2026-02-16
Fun take on the prompt. Im super jealous of your skating skills and singing at the same time. Brilliant concept and take on the prompt.
@froggymagee2026-02-16
I loved this so much Max, I feel like this song will be in my head every time I come across some Ice
@hmstreetteam2026-02-16
This is an adventurous concept, and works well. The opening words help make the point that some of the most basic things in life are founded on repetition.
@berni19542026-02-16
Nice bit of serendipity here! What fun that you could use that clip in your song.
I believe there was a time when you could skate on the canals in winter, wasn't there? Does that happen occasionally, still?
I used to live briefly near Prinzengracht when I wasn't exploring the Fietspaden from Rotterdam to Sneek, visiting hunnebeden near Drenthe or else cycling down to that village which has bits in Belgium and bits in Holland. 😁
@max2026-02-16
I worked on Prinsengracht for 28 years 😀 Some winters we could skate during our break, yes. Sounds like you know your 'pappenheimers'
@berni19542026-02-16
I don't know about "Pappenheimers"... But I do know my onions! 😉 (the English equivalent).
I tried to learn some Dutch, while I was there, but everyone just replied to me in English every time I tried to speak a little. Some even told me I was killing their language. Very direct people the Nederlanders, in my experience 😁
@max2026-02-16
Straightforward and blunt we are. 😄
@andygriff2026-02-16
This is such an imaginative take on the prompt but it's spot on - I kinda love it! 😆
@spikedirection2026-02-16
Simple but highly evocative! you have a very fine baritone!
@gordon2026-02-16
This is very meta Max! I could hear Tom Waits singing this. Maybe one that didn't make it for the Alice album? Good job sir!
[21] Let's Go Deep! ft. Sarah Wynia Smith
With • @wynia
2026-02-16
#ska#upbeat#ftwynia#acoustic#trumpet#brass#collab@wynia heard the original: https://fawm.org/songs/323054 and in her comment she suggested she could try some brass parts. I was over the moon just at the thought that someone would want to do that. You can imagine my reaction when I received her contribution this morning. I’ve never sat behind the mix with so much excitement before. I am so thrilled that @wynia was willing to do this. So happy!
Lyrics
I’m gonna take you by the hand
We will see where it ends
Come on
Let’s go deep!
Can’t dance
Can’t swing
but I love it when we try
We’re gonna dance all night
Can’t shake
Can’t jive
Let's find out if we can fly
Why don’t you hold me tight?
I’m gonna take you by the hand
We will see where it ends
Come on
Let’s go deep!
Can’t skank
Can’t bump
but I love it when we try
We’re gonna dance all night
Can’t twist
Can’t hop
Let's find out if we can fly
Why don’t you hold me tight?
I’m gonna take you by the hand
We will see where it ends
Come on
Let’s go deep!
I’m gonna take you by the hand
We will see where it ends
Come on
Let’s go deep!
Amazing, you are so talented, great vocals, music and playing. I need to look more into your music. Love that you featured Wynia, she is amazing, it fits in so well! This is fun and so good.
@burr2026-02-26
max, i’m so jealous of your guts/ability to do these live acoustic one-takes with overdubs, and now getting brass accents is taking it to the next level!
@rogerhammond2026-02-25
Great stuff! Classic Max and a brilliant contribution from @wynia - the trumpet really adds another character layer to the song.
@gordon2026-02-23
Another cracker! Love that upbeat groove and the trumpets, what a great song. Really good collaboration team!
@andybalham2026-02-20
The brass really lifts the whole thing, which is already a joyous thing. I've had a good day today and this made it even better. Lovely stuff.
@lukas2026-02-20
Whoa dit is een hele nieuwe kant van je Max, heel leuk om te horen met trompet erbij!
@regis2026-02-20
Oh yeah, this is aural sunshine. What a fun tune, love the brass! We need more ska!
@coolparadiso2026-02-19
Ha ha I was wondering how you were going to do your video with wynia well played, that made me laugh a lot. Good song wynia that trumpet adds so much and max always gives us his 100% really good song both of you.
@zecoop2026-02-19
The energy and fun is overflowing in this wonderful song. The horns add to the fun perfectly. The lyrics just pulls us in to the party and the overall energy is just undeniable. What a wonderful song and collaboration!
@frenchcricket2026-02-19
This is such a bouncy blast of fun! Those trumpets are so cool. Amazing collab
@gregscheer2026-02-18
I love the ska feel with an interesting, fresh twist in the chords.
@birdsofpraise2026-02-18
Great simple and direct lyrics, perfect for a track like this. Gets my body moving! The brass is a really welcome addition, adds some lovely warmth.
@shingleton2026-02-18
Love to hear some ska vibes! The trumpets are great addition to the already awesome song. Just such a natural and fun feeling all the way through.
@eas36372026-02-17
Love the horns so much! The song is already so upbeat, and the smooth harmonies of the horns adds delightful extra drama. The walkdown that goes with "I'm gonna take you by the hand" is so satisfying.
@mckillop2026-02-16
Love this, makes me want to dance! Amazing what brass accompaniment can do for a track. Terrific, upbeat lyric too!
@sapient2026-02-16
Oh, YES! Two of my favourite FAWMers! Happy, bouncy, trumpety ska goodness. This ticks ALL the boxes. Love it!
@billwhite512026-02-16
the brass arrangement adds color to the mix without overwhelming it. A cool song made even cooler.
@wynia2026-02-16
This MAKES MY DAY!!! I love what you did with the mix and adding me to the video 🎺🎺 thanks for letting me be part of this!!
#mixedemotions#challenge#singersongwriter#acoustic#guitar#piano I often do it: pairing a heavy or negative subject with a cheerful, danceable track. But I don't think I’ve ever tried it the other way around: putting very positive lyrics into a heavy, minor melody. Don't know what to think of it. Melancholy? Romantic? The result feels a bit Jaques Brell meets Nick Cave. Anyway, thank you for the challenge. https://fawm.org/challenge/29 Podsafe Audio https://studio273.bandcamp.com/track/whats-not-to-like-about-you-w3
Lyrics
Your whole appearance
a dream come true
You’re quite something
What's not to like about you?
So much goodness
is coming through
You’re kind, you care
What's not to like about you?
What’s not to like about you?
Sometimes you fight
sometimes you bend
you always find your way again
Your intelligence,
everything you do
you’re so devoted
What's not to like about you?
You stand your ground
a heart so true
You’re pure, you shine
What's not to like about you?
What’s not to like about you?
Sometimes you fight
sometimes you bend
you always find your way again
Your guitar picking is exquisite. The melody is so beautiful that even though its a minor melody against major love filled lyrics, it totally works. Wonderful piece
@greengrassgirl2026-02-20
So intriguing! The message and the music together make me guessing, which keeps my attention. I keep waiting for the BIG REVEAL, but I know it won't be there! 😀
@andyt132026-02-18
Dude! Strong Johnny Cash vibes! Solid!
@froggymagee2026-02-17
You drew me in with that guitar picking, and then your lyrics kept me so captivated throughout, beautiful way to describe your mixed emotions :) I know I have said this before, Max, you ROCK!
@brewkulele2026-02-17
Not only did you nail the challenge, but this is a really beautiful piece.
@schnowd2026-02-17
This is the perfect example of mixed emotions. The haunting vocals coupled with the fast paced minor picking melody give the song an edgy yet compelling feel. Nicely done!
@max2026-02-17
[23] ✵ 𝘼 𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝘿𝙖𝙮
2026-02-17
#liveperformance#contentment#singersongwriter#acoustic#guitar#banjo#piano A simple metaphor where an entire lifetime is seen as a single day. There is nothing more beautiful than peace of mind regarding your own life. Podsafe Audio: https://studio273.bandcamp.com/track/a-good-day
Lyrics
Walking in the evening light
knowing what will follow is the night
Dawn was full of fun and the day was right
memories of joy colour the skies
Time goes fast
shadows fade
Forget what I’ve lost
remember what I’ve made
Grandchildren singing
a happy tune
so many good things
in the afternoon
Walking in the evening light
knowing what will follow is the night
Dawn was full of fun and the day was right
memories of joy colour the skies
Looking in the mirror
I see the truth
The lines reveal
there was sorrow too
I’ve learned to value
the time I’ve got
knowing what’s important
knowing what is not
Walking in the evening light
knowing what will follow is the night
Dawn was full of fun and the day was right
memories of joy colour the skies
Love the easy groove and 70s AM radio vibes here. Your chorus hits just right, a little ray of sweetness in a bittersweet tune. Great stuff!
@lukas2026-02-20
Wat een fijne tune Max. Tof dat je weer open mics doet, ben je vaker bij die in Noord?
@max2026-02-20
Hey Lukas, Laatste tijd wel weer regelmatig bij Annette Vogel, ja. 5 maart is de volgende geloof ik.
@shingleton2026-02-18
It's cool to hear what your workflow is - I've just listened to a few of your songs in a row and they all have this effortless feeling to them along with that raw new song energy. 20+ years of FAWM and practice will do that! Really enjoying everything I'm hearing.
@rogerhammond2026-02-18
I like your slow and rhythmic side,Max. You always churn out catchy melodies and this one is no different.... such a relaxing singalong. I'll be humming that chorus all day tomorrow.
@jlthunder2026-02-17
Really nice story about a life lived well. I like the recording and the way you so seamlessly add other instruments..
@max2026-02-17
[24] ✵ 𝙊𝙭𝙮𝙩𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙣
2026-02-18
#neurotransmitter#cuddle#massage#pressure#singersongwriter#acoustic#guitar I can't get my head around how people let a complete stranger massage them. The only one I let do it is my love, as her touch triggers so much in me. Here is a simple two-chord song to take the pressure off.
My style is defined by single-mic, one-take recordings with a handful of added layers.
Lyrics
I love it when your hands go down my neck
I breathe it out and let it go while you rub my back
Slowly the tension melts and simply slides away
steady and kind, your hands will find their way
Pressure and release
don’t stop it please
help me find my peace
Oxytocin
You push through the pain and through the ease
you know exactly what my muscles need
The world turns upside down for a while
girl, you know you make me cry, you make me smile
Pressure and release
don’t stop it please
help me find my peace
Oxytocin
Pressure and release
don’t stop it please
help me find my peace
Oxytocin
Oxytocin
Oxytocin
Oxytocin
Nice job of making 2 distinct parts from a two-chord song. Loving the whispering and seductive "oxytocin" along with the subtle backing vocals on the chorus.
@mckillop2026-02-19
Max, this is a great example of the power of simplicity and the two-chord song! Very bright and energetic, the energy pulled me in to the song. And the lyric totally delivered the experience. Nice!
@tippytappymusic2026-02-19
Gdang a video as well as a song! Great performance here, really driving and bouncy !
@fuzzy2026-02-18
Yeah, really. Don't touch me. Great live performance. You're really doing a lot with only two chords. Love those lyrics.
@rogerhammond2026-02-18
All that awesome vibe and catchiness from jumping between D and F in a groovy way. I do like those nicely woven oxytocin backing vocals.
@max2026-02-18
[25] ✯ 𝙎𝙚𝙚 𝙅𝙚𝙛𝙛 𝙏𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙮 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮 (𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕘𝕖)
2026-02-19
#fieldrecording#jefftweedy#trainconductor#singersongwriter#acousticguitar Another one for the Field Recording Challenge https://fawm.org/forums/3902
Background announcements in Dutch and English: The train conductor on the Amsterdam > Utrecht train Feb 18. Thank you whoever you are for this field recording challenge collab. I didn't dare to sing in a full train last night so I added the vocals and guitar this morning.
Jeff Tweedy owns all musical rights to the last bit of this video. One Tiny Flower by Jeff Tweedy.
Lyrics
Riding on the train
To Tivoli today
I’m so looking forward
To see Jeff Tweedy play
So here we locomote
On a busy railway
I’m so looking forward
To see Jeff Tweedy play
I’m so looking forward
To see Jeff Tweedy play
oh, wow. Kind of a tribute to Jeff Tweedy who is a pretty darn good guy. Just read his book "one song" the first week of February because.. well, I guess that's what you do in February, song.
I like your found sounds and your low vocal delivery and steady guitar felt good to hear.
@songbird632026-02-20
Nice tiny tune! I can hear your excitement to see and hear Jeff!
@markipp2026-02-19
Lovely tribute and the spontaneity of the field recording is quite magical. Beautifully done.
@wynia2026-02-19
How cool that you caught this on the way to see one of the greatest songwriting greats! It’s a catchy little snippet of music too that you’ve written to accompany it 😀. If I ever get to see him live, hopefully I still remember this tune!
Well, do I close my eyes?
To violation of rights
Carry on with life
Just trying to survive?
It’s been under the surface
Now it’s breaking loose
Will my children ask me one day
What was your excuse?
Do I close my eyes?
To violation of rights
Carry on with life
Just trying to survive?
It’s been under the surface
It’s been under the surface
It’s been under the surface
Now it’s breaking loose
Will my children ask me one day
What was your excuse?
You bring U.K.Subs back to life here! Charlie Harper eat your heart out. Very inspiring!
@froggymagee2026-02-20
Agreed! It's very hard to stay positive. Wonderful tune, Max, I feel the frustration in your voice!
@audrey2026-02-20
Catchy tune, but I especially like these lyrics. They express exactly how I feel. I believe putting our heads in the sand, opens us up to be future victims. Just because it's happening in another country, or to other people, doesn't mean we're immune. Democracy dies in darkness. We have to shine a light on the atrocities and support good journalism. There's way too much propaganda these days, that and too many people in denial. Denial never solves anything. These are very scary times we're living in. This is a really great protest song. I love it!
@max2026-02-20
[27] ✵ 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛
2026-02-21
#acoustic#guitar#singersongwriter
It is heartbreaking to witness someone in need of help who refuses all assistance for whatever reason. You are standing on the sidelines, witnessing someone neglecting themselves, and you can do nothing.
You’re still working out
your thoughts, your feelings, all your doubts
You’re still bouncing
and spinning ’round
Trying to find a way
to carry all that weight
You keep swaying
on replay
You won’t find answers in booze or pills
they only give you temporary thrills
What you need to work on is time and skills
to learn, learn to love yourself
We’ve been here before
you don’t fight, you don’t explore
You keep ignoring
what’s in store
You’ve got to make it end
find your meaning, find your strength
Stop pretending
Call your friends
You need comfort, an arm around you
Why don’t you make a plan for what you’re gonna do?
Let your loved ones help you through
and learn, learn to love yourself
I know it’s hard to breathe
when you’re drowning underneath
but please let us help you
Let us help you, please
Please let us help you
Let us help you, please
Such a cool song! I can so imagine a large crowd jumping around and singing along at a gig. When? Where??
@max2026-03-04
YES! Ian Margolycz dropped this in my inbox today!
@mahtowin2026-02-24
Cool! Very professional take and i appriciate it so much if someone posts a video! Super catchy music! Lyrics with an important and true message! Enjoyed!
@songbird632026-02-22
I can imagine how this song would fit as a film score. There are so many images hidden in the song. Great performance!
@rogerhammond2026-02-21
Nice latin tint to this one, Max. Super-catchy.... you've got my head bopping here. Considerate message in the lyrics too. (By the way, I can't help but hear a kind of deep-voiced choir singing bass ooh-aahs in the background)
@coolparadiso2026-02-21
I love the beat and rhythm of this one! You have to tap along, of course this doesn't hide the darkness in the lyric! yeah some just wont seek help! Really nice song Max
@celineellis2026-02-21
the up beat rhythm of this conflicts with the lyrical content which is an interesting juxtoposition - nice chords and the vocal melody works well. nice
Bittersweet, but a real head bopper. The banjo and piano sounds good in the background, balanced nicely with the rest of the track
@nancyrost2026-03-06
The motion of the music and that perky banjo really make the truthful lyric of mixed emotions go down easy.
@gordon2026-02-23
Oh Max, what a fantastic sing-along this is. Loving the mixed emotions kind of vibe you've got going on here and of course, digging those harmonies. A very classic rock feel to this one. Good work sir!
@songbird632026-02-22
Hats off! Beautiful combination of sadness, clarity, cheerfulness and hope.
@wynia2026-02-22
A universal set of emotions and sentiments with the breakup song! It is nice when such a song takes a hopeful tone too; not all breakups are for the worst! I like the doubled (tripled?) vocals and the banjo (?) layers you’ve added. Great song!
@mckillop2026-02-22
Musical simplicity and straightforward lyric make this a very memorable track. Max, I really enjoy the way you nail the vocals on all of your songs. Your voice has an interesting timbre to it, you are perfectly in pitch, and you have this sort of appealingly scratchy quality :-). Totally meant as a compliment !
@max2026-02-22
'Appealingly scratchy quality' will certainly be included in my bio; I highly appreciate that compliment.
@lamerabbit2026-02-22
Energy but not too much. If that makes sense. I mean it in a good way, like the energy and the lyrics match so well. I really like the mix that is large but again, not overly done at all. Like just right :) Very, very, very nice vocals! And lyrics! So enjoyable.
@rogerhammond2026-02-22
This is a trip back to the early-mid 60s! Listening, I'm even visualizing how people would dance to this song back then. Love the rhythm, and the melody is so catchy and upbeat. It's one of those songs that gets inside immediately.
@max2026-02-22
Thank you @rogerhammond . I just realized that you are in the video too. 😄 Behind me, under the M, hangs a poster of our legendary concert at Cafe Sappho.
@rogerhammond2026-02-23
Haha that's funny ... those were the days Max! And those concerts we held together back then are beautiful to remember ... cherished memories, my friend. (By the way, I think this song might be my favourite of yours so far this FAWM)
@max2026-02-22
[29] ✯ 𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙤𝙚𝙨 (𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕘𝕖w4)
2026-02-22
#challenge#week4#blues#acoustic I thought I’d knock this out quickly after seeing this week’s challenge. However, it turned into more of an instrumental echo than a response. Anyway, here is a simple Lowlands blues, longing for spring.
I love the way you used call and response structure to build something more...
@catetaylor2026-02-26
This is great Max. I like how you’ve arranged the lyrical pattern. Simple but effective and fun.
@mtanguay2026-02-26
I like the layered vocal, and that breezy vibe is exactly what the doctor ordered in the midst of this endless winter.
@n17422026-02-26
Yes it’s been a long time since sunshine. Great vocal and mix of piano guitar and lovely blend of instruments. Great stuff.
@limazee2026-02-25
There's been snow on the ground so long I forgot about things like sand between my toes. This song has hope in it! Love the lyrics, the banjo and the call and response choice. The humming is a nice touch!
@savvyaz2026-02-23
This is wonderful’ i love it
@songbird632026-02-23
A true beauty this one! You keep on rocking in the FAWM world Max!
@eargoggle2026-02-23
I like that piano echo, that really works well. Nice carefree beach song!
@mckillop2026-02-22
Great tune, Max! Love the groove, and the piano / banjo accompaniment. Guitar work solid as usual. The lyric and vocals are so light and carefree, definitely makes me think of time on the beach in a seaside town. This would make a great dance tune!
Yes it does. And if you find it and welcome it in small amounts, they tend to grow into bigger amounts... that's what I've found anyhow.
@raspberry332026-02-26
Great song, and so impressive to get such a great vocal take while playing.
@charliecheney2026-02-26
Wow! So wonderfully upbeat and up tempo. I really like the message in the chorus. Super fun.
@namjunerobot2026-02-25
True words, I don't think it's preachy. Maybe I have a thick skin? Preach bruh! If I thought in dollars, I'd be depressed lol Great song, I appreciate it!
@rogerhammond2026-02-24
Wise words, Max, and delivered with your characteristic style, energy and all wrapped in another catchy melody arriving at the listener via foot-tapping rythm. As @songbird63 said... uplifting!
@songbird632026-02-23
Very uplifting!!! Yes, it's the little things that count!
@mikeb2026-02-23
I don't think it's too preachy! Catchy guitar. Is that a banjo that comes into the background?
@max2026-02-23
Thank you. Yep, palm muted Banjo.
@max2026-02-23
[31] ✯ Turkish Saz (𝕤𝕜𝕚𝕣𝕞𝕚𝕤𝕙)
2026-02-24
#skirmish#Saz#Bağlama#uncommoninstrument I'm so sorry for all you Turkish people out there, please forgive me. I had to find it on the attic, dust it off and discovered it had only four strings left. The improv, the attempt to tune it, plus searching for the instrument was done within the hour. Yay! Also my apologies to all you musicians with a perfect sense of pitch, this must be a nightmare to listen to.
Lyrics
Improv - obviously 😀
Comments
@songbird632026-02-26
Please don’t tune it and leave it like it is. This will be one of your public’s favorites!! It certainly is one of mines now!
@ambroise2026-02-25
I love how punk and with attitude you made the turkish instrument sound like. tradition and rock'n'roll! It reminded me of film director Fatih Akin's style. (100% recommend his music documentray "Crossing the Bridge - The Sound of Istanbul") I played my greek baglama this year as I did virtually every FAWM. It is tuned in D-A-D but I heard turkish baglama are tuned in 4th (Aa-D-Gg or Bb-Ee-Aa). But I'll let you alone with the movable frets. That would be a turkish delight.
@burr2026-02-25
this is the second baglama i’ve come across for this skirmish! i love how you just ran with it and made something musical out of an untuned(?) miss-ing-a-few-strings long neck lute with improvised meta lyrics. a lot of fun. 🙃
@berni19542026-02-24
I picked up one in Istanbul for a song, back in 1998. I never got on with it's movable frets and set it up like a bouzouki. Friction pegs were a nightmare though. A luthier mate designed me a dome shaped headstock and put guitar tuners on it. I may dig it out tomorrow for a late entry to this Skirmish. It's past music curfew now.
@hoppiern2026-02-24
Love this sound and the honest lyrics are perfect!! This was fun to listen to!!
@mahtowin2026-02-24
I stopped by the title and stayed by the tune! Sounds like Nick Cave goes Turkish! Cool improve!
@robinleaf2026-02-24
My brother has two bağlama sazes (one short neck, one long)! So I've gotten to play them. I was going to get a cura saz but dragged my feet too long and then there were the tariffs and stuff. But I might still get one in the next couple of months. That's the smallest version.
I LOVE what you've done here, song about the instrument you're playing! I love the vocal melody and the accompaniment for "I don't know how to tune it."
I'm going to have to bookmark this to play for my brother when he visits next. I think I'll get a kick out of it. Hopefully he will visit before this is over. He did not want to participate because he didn't think the AI policy was strict enough (even when I explained that it can't really be policed on a site staffed by volunteers). He's so annoying.
@raspberry332026-02-24
LOL - I was thinking of signing those exact same lyrics over my balalaika song. I seriously had to Google the answer (and there were at least four different ones). But, musicians like us can usually find a way. John Lennon once said "give me a fookin' tuba and I'll get something out of it! I loved your skirmish.
@max2026-02-24
[32] ✵ 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝙀𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙
2026-02-25
#inmygarden#frontporchrecording#acousticonetake#indoctrination#education#singersongwriter#fieldrecording It's sunny and warm in Amsterdam today. Crazy winter!
EDIT March 6th: Yes I played this one live last night. Lyrics on the floor and a few mistakes but I did it!
Lyrics
You believe in a book you have never read
You swear it’s true, just because they said
The all-seeing eye never seemed to blink
The people you loved told you what to think
There was no room for education
All you heard was indoctrination
You were raised the way they thought was right
But they never taught you how to fight your own ignorance
Get educated
Don’t stay frustrated
Make new friends
Try to understand the ones you hated
You were told to hate the world outside
You were sure that science and teachers lied
Inside your circle everyone seemed kind
But all they did was mess with your mind
There was no room for education
All you heard was indoctrination
You were raised the way they thought was right
But they never taught you how to fight your own ignorance
Get educated
Don’t stay frustrated
Make new friends
Try to understand the ones you hated
Get educated
Don’t stay frustrated
Make new friends
Try to understand the ones you hated before
wonderful collaboration with nature, great lyrics/ voice guitar skills, love this slightly softer style going on :)
@danieldeshon2026-02-26
I absolutely love the birds in the background! Wonderful tune, along with some very nice fingerpicking. Well done!
@pippa2026-02-26
This is really good, Max! Your presentation is more gentle than usual, clear delicate guitar-picking, and the birds, especially the sweet tag at the end. And the lyrics! I have a friend who is currently trying to extricate himself from his fundamentalist Christian upbringing, and it is very hard for him. Your lyrics brought me to tears.
p.s. how can I write you, do you have an email? or could you write me? (it's about radio)
@max2026-02-26
Thank you. I dropped a message in your inbox.
@songbird632026-02-26
Beautiful how an autumn feel and spring energy come together in this song.
@savvyaz2026-02-25
It’s lovely hearing the birds. Were they actually there or did you edit them in later? I enjoy your voice and guitar picking.
@max2026-02-25
No they were there, so were the plane and the helicopter in the beginning. There's only one extra layer, the backing vocals. In my garden are a lot of Great tits, Blue tits, Blackbirds, Chaffinches, Robins and Long-tailed tits. I was glad the Magpies kept quiet for a while.
@chill4matt2026-02-25
I like the engagement with the audience right off the bat. The subject matter is compelling. Beautiful strumming. This is a song I would buy.
@max2026-02-25
[33] Hands off Greenland! (Reprise)
With • @songbird63
2026-02-25
I posted this song a couple of days ago, to express my anger about the greed of a boy called Donald when it comes to Greenland.
It was a lot of fun shouting in the old punk oi! oi! oi! style from my DIY puberty years. The song turned out to be very contagious.
My old school friend Max was immediately infected and I was honoured he was keen on shouting along with me.
𝙈𝙖𝙭: We went to primary school together, were totally into punk when it started in 1976/77 and started our first punk band in 1980. https://www.bacteria.nl/anti-pope/ After high school, we went our separate ways, only catching up once in a while. Lately, our contact has been picking up again; we mostly run into each other at gigs by old punk bands, The Damned recently, and PIL a while back. Last summer, we actually played music together again, which was a blast. I was thrilled when @songbird63 told me he was joining FAWM this year. And look at us now: 49 years after our punk days began, we’re doing a punk collaboration!
#handsoffgreenland#oioioi#oldpunks
Lyrics
Hands off of Greenland!
Hands off Greenland
Greenland’s not for sale
Hands off Iceland
Iceland’s not for sale
This boy doesn’t want a piece of the cake
This boy just wants the cake (the whole cake)
What’s more, he wants the bakery
He wants to grab it all
Hands off Greenland
Greenland’s not for sale
Hands off Iceland
Iceland’s not for sale
It’s not about expansion
It’s his ego trip
Say no to annexation
Say yes to ownership
Hands off Greenland
Greenland’s not for sale
Hands off Iceland
Iceland’s not for sale
Comments
@sherrycanary2026-03-02
Love the beginning like old school intro. I wish he had hands off the US! Wish I could have been part of the chorus of this anthem. Enjoyable collab
@songbird632026-03-02
Thanks! You would have been welcome to participate.
@theenglishassassin2026-03-01
Yes to protest songs! Donnie needs his grabby little hands smacked really, really hard.
@songbird632026-03-03
I couldn't agree more! What a mess this man makes everywhere on earth.
@nigelthomas2026-02-27
Oh ya! This rocks. Love the reprise. Nice collab
@songbird632026-02-27
Thanks. We had so much fun!
@paulcanuck2026-02-25
Yeah keep yer dirty hands off Canada too 🇨🇦 Good work songbird63 and @max !
@songbird632026-02-26
Thanks! Yes hands off Canada too. 🕺🏼
@cindyrella2026-02-25
Yay!! Glad this came together! Can I yell with you!? Fabulous!
@songbird632026-02-26
O yes that world be great! Yell with us. Feel free to join the collab @cindyrella
[34] ✵ 𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙄𝙩
2026-02-26
#acoustic#punk#singersongwriter No idea where this came from, or what it means. This one just happened.
Over more than twenty years of participating in February Album Writing Month (FAWM), I’ve settled into a workflow that lets me capture a solid recording almost as soon as a new song exists. Everything begins with a guitar progression and a melody I’m humming into place. Once a few words surface, the actual songwriting kicks in. Even with all the digital tools available today, I prefer to keep things grounded by playing real instruments. I print the lyrics in large type, hang the sheet above a camera, and run through the song a few times. Usually the fourth or fifth take is the one I keep. FAWM taught me early on not to get stuck chasing “perfect.” After recording, I pull the audio from the video and drop it into a mixing program. Most of my effect settings are locked in beforehand. Then I add extra vocals and additional instruments like guitar, banjo, piano, keyboard. Once the mix sounds clean enough, I sync it back to the video. Every year I pick a new two-tone color theme for these recordings. If a song is captured this way during FAWM, it’s considered finished. After the month ends, I usually have three or four keepers that I test live on stage. Performing them helps the songs develop, but I never rerecord them. Around ninety percent of everything I’ve written in the last two decades began during FAWM: simple, consistent, effective.
Lyrics
What’s this all about?
Explain it now, spit it out
Tell me what is going on
Let’s have it
What’s been hiding far too long?
Let’s have it
Pull me closer to the truth
Don’t let me guess what’s left to lose
What’s the big deal?
I’m hearing rumours, are they real?
I need to know just where we stand
Let’s have it
You say you’ve still got this in hand
Let’s have it
If you’re gonna break it, break it clean
Don’t leave me in the in-between
What’s going on?
Is it trouble?
What went wrong?
Are we about to crash and burn?
Let’s have it
Or is there still a way to turn?
Let’s have it
Let’s have it
My style is defined by single-mic, one-take recordings with a handful of added layers.
Lyrics
We used to speak
now silence wins
Boots are marching down the street
We’re forced to choke
on fake truth
They caught us in anxiety
Please be aware:
let’s not poke the bear
The calm we fake
the threat that stays
we’re surviving, you and me
No one’s safe
stay low, stay clear
There is no love till we are freed
Please be aware:
let’s not poke the bear
Please be aware:
let’s not poke the bear
Hold down the flame
our rights are gone
All they want is us to bleed
Their hands are quick
they break the laws
even judges can’t compete
Please be aware:
let’s not poke the bear
Please be aware:
let’s not poke the bear
Please be aware:
let’s not poke the bear
The time will come
their power fades
and we will be back on our feet
The time will come
their power fades
and we will be back on our feet
And we will be back on our feet
Please be aware:
let’s not poke the bear
Please be aware:
let’s not poke the bear
Please be aware:
let’s not poke the bear
Please be aware:
let’s not poke the bear
Love the simple piano bass line; it comes in smartly and I found myself really drawn to it. Little things! p.s. Enjoy your internet detox this Summer.
@headfirstonly2026-03-09
Now there's advice I can get behind. And it's delivered with your usual aplomb—this one is going to be playing in my head every time I read the forums ;-)
@johnstaples2026-03-08
Excellent performance of this well written song! Your vocals and guitar sound so good and I enjoy your video very much! Very interesting advice "𝙇𝙚𝙩'𝙨 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙋𝙤𝙠𝙚 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙧" and quite a catchy title/hook you have created! I'm still hearing it in my head well after the song finished!! I really love, Love, LOVE the hope you put in this section,
The time will come their power fades and we will be back on our feet
Great work here!!! I enjoyed my listen!
@mikehex2026-03-02
Great construction, fantastic performance. It hurts, because it's hard to tell what the right action would be. Long arc of history vs. existential imperatives. A thoughtful and effective document of oppression
@songbird632026-02-28
This is a very touching song Max. What a sound! The low piano tones underneath are just beautiful.
@max2026-02-28
[36] ✵ 𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙚𝙨
2026-02-28
#singersongwriter#acoustic#guywithguitar I finished this song earlier this FAWM, but I'm not happy with it. The lyrics don't really work; I didn't manage to say what I wanted to say. But oh well, the tune itself was quite nice, so I figured I’d post it and FAWM it anyway instead of throwing it away. By the way, I’m so exhausted and out of it right now that I can’t even tell if my songs make sense anymore. I've got one more in the pipe line and then it's the end of FAWM2026 Podsafe audio: https://studio273.bandcamp.com/track/white-lies
Lyrics
Please look me in the eyes
Tell me, what do you see?
You know there is no surprise
there’s only one me
I’m an open book, you can see right through
I’ve got nothing to hide
I’m sincere, straightforward and true
as straight as a die
𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦
I hear you say
𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦
𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴
𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺
I know I should have talked
and not keep it inside
Truly believed there was
no need for a guide
I felt better not to bother you
at least, that’s what I thought
I could cope, I could work it out
without any support
𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦
I hear you say
𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦
𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴
𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺
I thought that being strong
meant standing on my own
but the walls I built to keep you safe
just kept me all alone
So please look me in the eyes
I’m done pretending now
Tired of this disguise
I need you somehow
I am not as tough as I claimed to be
glad I can explain
All those white lies that I told
I tried to avoid the pain
I thought that being strong
meant standing on my own
but the walls I built to keep you safe
just kept me all alone
You said something valid and true in this song. Whatever else you wanted to say, I suggest you do it in a different song and keep this one at least mostly as is. I enjoyed it, and find the lyrics meaningful.
@max2026-03-15
Thank you so much! That means a lot and I will follow your advise. I needed that little push.
@catmisgivings2026-03-06
I really liked the tune to this one!!! The minor chords and zippy tempo and unexpected banjo?
I know the lyrics aren't what you set out to write but I think they are good too. There's this built in tension where your speaker is like, what, me? I'm an open book! in dialogue with your other character who is like, whatever, this guy is always hiding something. I think it's really effective.
@guatecoop2026-03-06
Well….I know that you have your idea of what you wanted to say, but I was definitely caught in the back and forth! Your music is super solid and the melody rides along together with it very naturally. Great harmonies in the perfect places. Very well done!
@wynia2026-03-02
I know you say it’s a work in progress but I did quite like it! The minor feel sets the tone for the melancholy and regret of the lyrics. I especially liked this line: “ but the walls I built to keep you safe/just kept me all alone” That’s a powerful visual! Nice song Max!
@max2026-02-28
[37] When Push Comes To Shove (Now with Max!)
With • @sp4cek4a3n
2026-02-28
It feels a little weird posting a song twice, but @max reached out with a banjo part, piano part, and harmony vocal for this song. And I want to credit him, because I love what he did with this, and I was so pleasantly surprised when he reached out.
I dropped his files right into the mix and that was that.
𝙈𝙖𝙭: From the very first moment I heard the original by Aubrey, I was captivated by this song. I couldn't help but sing along. The urge to add more layers was strong. And it was amazing to do. But then, what do you do? I had no idea how Aubrey would react to my unsolicited contributions. Still, I took the plunge and let her hear my additional parts. I am so happy with her approval. And now the collaboration has become a reality. Thank you, Aubrey!
Lyrics
I’ve suffered enough
I don’t suffer fools gladly
I used to do it
It went very badly
Yeah I stand my ground
When push comes to shove
I’ve been hurt the worst
By the people I love
Roll another number
It’s a quarter to eight
Held my head high
In defiance of fate
Wish I had more time
With the people I loved
But I held my ground
When push came to shove
I’d give a stranger
The shirt off my back
I’ve given out things
More precious than that
My time and my arms
My love and affection
My sense of humor
Undivided attention
I might be a fool
Without limitations
Its hard not to develop
Some small expectations
Wish I had more time
With the people I loved
But I held my ground
When push came to shove
You know it’s all too easy
To let it all slide
Stamp down disappointment
Swallow my pride
But now I am full up
Deep down inside
Elaborations
I’ll no longer provide
I’ve suffered enough
I don’t suffer fools gladly
I used to do it
It went very badly
Wish I had more time
With the people I loved
But I held my ground
When push came to shove
Comments
@nancyrost2026-03-03
Serendipity! You two sound great together. I imagine friends having an introspective conversation and jamming in some late-night venue. It's a poignant, multifaceted lyric and I like it a lot.
@darcistrutt2026-02-28
Nice collab and I appreciated the lyrics. I especially liked the list of precious things. All the layers add a lot to the final product.
@max2026-02-28
I'm so happy with this one! Thank you so much. I love the mix.
@sp4cek4a3n2026-02-28
So glad to hear it! Didn't take much at all, just a little stereo massaging.
Thanks again for lending your voice and piano and banjo to this. I'm so happy you did! :D
@disarming2026-02-28
Wow. What a great combo. Listening on headphones and the pan left and right is perfect. You two sounds great together. Love a dual vocals tune. Great addition with that banjo too!
[38] ✵ 𝙊𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙎𝙟𝙚𝙣
2026-02-28
#secondlanguage#strangelanguage#faretheewell#ska#acoustic#german#french#dutch#frysian THANK YOU! See you all next year. It's been a pleasure. Five languages in this song: English, French, Dutch, German and Frysian. I couldn't come up with a chorus anymore, so it has become a bit monotonous.
Lyrics
I hate to tell you my dear friends
Everything comes to an end
It was a month very well spent
See you all next year
See you all next year
C'est génial, je suis heureux
Tous les chants sont mélodieux
Vous êtes très très généreux
À la prochaine, au revoir
À la prochaine, au revoir
Helaas het is nu echt voorbij
Hij is ook leeg de batterij
Een hele maand lang zij aan zij
Tot de volgende keer maar weer
Tot de volgende keer maar weer
Jetzt ist Schluss, ich will nicht mehr
Vergiss es einfach, bitte sehr
Ich bin ja ganz, ganz leer
Tschüss, Auf Wiedersehen
Tschüss, Auf Wiedersehen
Ik soe wol graach noch efkes bliuwe
om noch mear ferskes te skriuwe
Bliksem, no net oer driuwe
It bêste en oant sjen
It bêste en oant sjen
It bêste en oant sjen
Tschüss, Auf Wiedersehen
Tot de volgende keer maar weer
À la prochaine, au revoir
See you all next year
So fun! Love to hear FAWM songs in different languages - this is a whole different level. A lovely send-off to the year.
@wynia2026-03-02
Wow how catchy! Props for so many languages! The chord progression at “see you all next year” is so nice, and gives a bit of nostalgia mixed with already anticipating next year. What a great song!
@songbird632026-03-01
Ha ha ha what a grande finale. When you sang in Dutch a certain clown and a certain acrobat came to mind. “Dag vriendjes… en vriendinnetjes…!” 🤡🕺🏼🔥
@max2026-03-01
🤣 Damn…… That's quite striking how the subconscious emerges in the creative process.
@songbird632026-03-03
🤣🤣🤣
@vosling2026-03-01
"Hij is ook leeg, de batterij" omg 😂 Fantastisch. Heerlijk nummer om de maand mee af te sluiten.
@max2026-02-28
Thank you @burr for everything. Thank you @froggymagee@wynia@mckillop@songbird63 and @sp4cek4a3n for the wonderful collabs we did. Thank you FAWMers!
[39] Recap FAWM 2026
2026-03-01
I had fun this year!
Thank you @burr for everything. Thank you @froggymagee@wynia@mckillop@songbird63 and @sp4cek4a3n for the wonderful collabs we did.
And there was this too. 25 x 25
Comments
@max2026-03-15
@katestantonsings2026-03-14
Nice, Max! Such a perfect ending to your FAWM. Great idea.
@neverquitjeff2026-03-03
Thanks for making it so easy to hear them all. Brilliant idea! Have you already tested some of these out live? Your singing keeps getting deeper and better!
@sherrycanary2026-03-02
What a great last song to end FAWM Always enjoy your creations and innovations.
@songbird632026-03-01
Hats off to the great creator! Amazing what you came up with this month Max. And thanks for the collab on ‘Hands off Greenland’, I enjoyed it so muck and I’m looking forward to March 16th to play together again.
@mckillop2026-03-01
Thanks for the collab @max! What a lot of fun!
@froggymagee2026-03-01
What an epic fawm you have had, Max. You have produced so many extraordinary songs this month!
@rogerhammond2026-03-01
Some classic tunes in there Max. Your talent for a crazily catchy melody and an infectious rhythm really shine through when you pull them all together like this. Congratulations on a fabulously creative and impressive FAWM 2026!! (Oh and I still love Wild Ride... maybe that's my favourite... not sure. I'd like to listen to them all again before deciding)
Ah seen dat U listened to that @froggymagee song about mah attic and I jes wanted to tellya thet I done writ a responsiv song to her song in case ya wanna hear tha rest of tha story!
https://fawm.org/songs/326217
@mckillop2026-02-12
@max , thanks for posting the collab, it’s getting a lot more comments with your name attached!😀
@mckillop2026-02-12
@max Hey, man, I listened to all of "Guess What", and was thoroughly entertained! Nice work!
@max2026-02-12
That makes me really happy Bob. Thank you so much. Are you okay with posting the collab version of Forgive on FAWM. Or should we keep it to ourselves? I’m okay with both.
@mckillop2026-02-12
Hey, Max, sure, let's post it - I'm not sure how that works, can you handle that?
@max2026-02-12
I will post it. It will end up on your songlist as well. So the song count on your profile page will have a double posting, one for the original and one for the collab. I hope you don't mind.
@mckillop2026-02-12
thanks, Max, I see it out there, terrific!
@beacon2026-02-11
Hey Max, your comment on my Comments First song was "rom the perspective of air sacs? Jeez, what a great idea!" Could you explain this a little more? I'm not sure what you meant.
@sapient2026-02-08
Fair question... At the point I'd only been out at about 7.30 to feed Gordon's cat, and I didn't realise it was going to turn into a nice day... 🤣
@willow12026-02-07
Thanks for your comment about my kid jam, I love how random they are.
@froggymagee2026-02-03
Max, really enjoying all of your music so far! Wondering if you'd like to do a collab sometime?
@max2026-02-03
Thank you @froggymagee. It would be more than a privilege.... that means yes!
@froggymagee2026-02-06
Awesome! Just saw that you mentioned it in my comments too! Definitely thinking of both of our voices combined, with some simple guitar to start with. I can always add bass and some percussive aspects if we feel like the song is wanting a bit of that too! Would you like to do lyrics or music, or we can totally brainstorm together on both if you're up for that?
@sueawesome2026-02-02
hi max! so nice of you to always stop by and say hi. happy fawming to you as well, my friend. can't wait until i can have a listen - you've already got 3 posted!
@toms2026-02-02
Cheers, Max!
@guitargabe2026-02-02
And a happy FAWM to you, Max!
@florian2026-02-02
Max, happy FAWM to you as well!
@gardeningangel2026-02-01
Hi Max, Happy FAWM!!!
@negasi2026-02-01
Hope you have a lovely FAWM as well! 😀
@apolez2026-02-01
Happy FAWMING!!
@hornesgiftshop2026-02-01
Good to see you Max - have a great February
@twyllodrus2026-02-01
Viel Spaß bei FAWM. Mögen die Melodien fließen, wie die Milliarden bei Jens Spahns Maskendeals.
@sp4cek4a3n2026-01-31
May the tunes follow you like overeager puppies!
@ryuu2026-01-31
A happy FAWM to you, too!
@theodamus2026-01-31
Happy fawm! Looking forward to your stuff!
@writeandwrong2026-01-31
Happy FAWM 2026! "Here We Go Again!" You betcha!! Love it!
@tjeff2026-01-31
Likewise Max! Have a great Fawm!!
@kinnycloud2026-01-31
happy fawm !! 💖 loved the video in ur bio, u have a lovely voice and a fun energy about u ✨
@nwhosings2026-01-31
Happy FAWM!!
@atam942026-01-31
Happy FAWM, Max!
@debs2026-01-30
Hi Max! Ahh yis here we go again! Your goal is the BEST goal! Time to make some magjic!
@jinx2026-01-30
Heya Max, great to see you again. Class of '06 forever!
@odilongreen2026-01-30
Hello sir! Have an excellent FAWM 2026!
@miltz2026-01-30
Thanks, and happy FAWMing to you too.
@bxphane2026-01-30
Happy FAWM! Wish you some great tunes!
@chipwithrow2026-01-30
Have a super FAWM! I consider myself a fellow one-take, guitar-vocal (with some layers later) guy.
@erbaer2026-01-30
Great to see you!
@carlos2026-01-30
Hello Max!
@ericalbert2026-01-30
Hey, Max, great to hear from you!
@kristian2026-01-30
always a pleasure Max!
@b3nut2026-01-30
Thanks Max! Have a great FAWM!!!!
@ampersandman2026-01-30
Thanks for dropping by! Wishing you a great FAWM too!
@cblack2026-01-30
Rock on!
@sph2026-01-30
Have a wonderful time!
@wacha2026-01-30
Happy FAWM!
@johnstaples2026-01-29
Have a great FAWM, Max!
@djtjb2026-01-29
Hi Max! Have a great month as well!
@chill4matt2026-01-29
Happy FAWMing!!
@pfoo2026-01-29
Have a great FAWM!
@helenseviltwin2026-01-29
Thanks, Max. Happy FAWMing!
@paulmilne2026-01-29
Thanks for the encouragement. Based on the above video and your amazing voice, I'm looking forward to what you come up with this year! Rawk on! 🤘
@namjunerobot2026-01-29
Cheers to you! Have a great FAWM :)
@arkka2026-01-29
I'll drink to that! I wish you a great FAWM! 🍻
@dragondreams2026-01-29
Hi Max. 😀 Happy FAWMing to you too!
@phylo2026-01-29
Always a FAWMing pleasure, Max!
@elainedimasi2026-01-29
Cheers to you Max!
@kosch2026-01-29
Good FAWMing to you!
@leslie2026-01-29
Happy FAWMing to you too!
@ericdistad2026-01-29
Hey Max! Great to see you back again! Have a great FAWM!
@musicsongwriter2026-01-29
Hi Max. Happy and creative FAWM!
@robinleaf2026-01-29
Happy FAWM! Looking forward to your music. 🧡
@quadrivium2026-01-29
I love your FAWM welcome song, Max!
@oldlostjohn2026-01-29
Hi Max, wish you a good FAWM!
@ajna19602026-01-29
Heya Max - Happy February !
@nkrefting2026-01-29
Happy FAWM!!
@fuzzy2026-01-29
Yup, back into my main account! Happy FAWMing!!!
@val2026-01-29
Hello kind sir! If you create like a madman this February, will that make you Mad Max? 😄
@headfirstonly2026-01-29
Good to see you here again, Max - have a suitably epic FAWM!
@cathreu2026-01-29
Let's Party! FAWM FAWM FAWM FAWM FAWM !!!
@joshalmond2026-01-29
Have a great FAWM!!
@rogerhammond2026-01-29
Here we go again, here we go again! Break a leg Max ... see you on the ride!!
@max2026-01-29
So good to have you here on FAWM! Have fun Roger.
@tamsnumber42026-01-29
Have a Great FAWM Max!
@beej2026-01-29
Happy FAWM 2026 Max!
@nahlej3812026-01-29
Same to you my good sir!
@deleted2026-01-29
(deleted)
@deleted2026-01-29
(deleted)
@aeye2026-01-29
Back at ya! I hope you have an amazing FAWM!
@metalfoot2026-01-29
Happy FAWMing! Hope you have a great one!
@mdavisto2026-01-29
Hey @max. You're everywhere at once; it's impressive.
Have an amazing FAWM.
@wynia2026-01-29
Happy FAWM! I’m sure I’ll be again in awe of your prolific output!
@lonelyrobot2026-01-29
Happy FAWM Max! 🎉
@robheron12026-01-29
Happy FAWM! You're the first thing I saw on 2026 login. ❤️ the video. Im inspired to do one.
@katestantonsings2026-01-29
Thank you, Max! Happy FAWM!
@artie2026-01-29
Hey Max! Loved the intro video. Happy creating and listening. May all your chords ring true, and your gear function as intended!
@wobbiewobbit2026-01-29
Have a great FAWM Max!
@mtmelodie2026-01-29
Happy FAWM Max
@robertmyers2026-01-29
Happy 21st FAWM, Max!
@fairplay2026-01-29
Happy FAWM 2026!
@marilisa2026-01-29
Happy FAWM, Max! 😄
@nadine2026-01-29
Welcome neighbour! Happy FAWM 🍻
@sapient2026-01-29
Thanks, Max! Always a delight to see you here again. Have fun! 🥳🥳🥳
FAWMAX 2026 demos February Album Writing Month
![[pic]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/244.png)
![[pic]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/27069.png)
![[pic]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2026/0d896512-d509-4e83-b5fc-47d2a0f706dd.png)
![[pic]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2026/43b1a3d7-14bd-4217-88d9-420c11eb8499.png)
Podsafe audio: 
