光速 (Kousoku/The Speed of Light)

I think I was chanelling Peter Schilling's "Major Tom" when I wrote the music. I know I was under the influence of Brian Greene's The Elegant Universe when I wrote the lyrics.

Why is the title in Japanese? In 2007, I decided to try writing lyrics before the music, because I always drag my feet when it comes to lyric writing.

I like how Japanese artists title their songs in English, even though they're singing in Japanese. So I decided to title my songs in Japanese, even though I'm singing in English.

(Get Flash to see the track player.)
posted by NemesisVex (6 comments total)

I really dig this. It starts off all new-wave, and then goes all early-REM in the chorus; it's a very good song. The arrangement and mix leaves the choruses a lot smaller than I feel they ought to be, though, in comparison to the verse and break. Still, really nice work.

I'll be honest: I'm probably going to cover this, but not in time for this month's challenge.
posted by uncleozzy at 6:23 AM on June 20, 2008

The like-ness of this song builds and builds.
posted by iamkimiam at 7:44 AM on June 20, 2008

Cool! A cover! I should probably post the lyrics then:

When the melody precedes the words
What do you sing?
What do you sing?

When the words precede the storybook
What do you read?
What do you read?

When the storybook precedes events
What do you do?
What do you do?

And when all events precede a thought
What do you say?
What would you say?

'Cos you can't pass the speed the light
When thought becomes deed becomes destiny
'Cos you can't pass the speed the light
And I tried and you tried and now here we are

And when gravity is never enough
Where do you fall?
Where do you fall?

When atomic forces fall apart
Where do you run?
Where do you run?

And when magnetism draws you in
Where do you hide?
Where do you hide?

And when radiation 's all that's left
How'd you survive?
Would you survive?

'Cos you can't beat the speed the light
When thought becomes deed becomes energy
'Cos you can't beat the speed the light
And I tried and you tried and now here we are

'Cos you can't pass the speed the light
When thought becomes deed becomes destiny
'Cos you can't pass the speed the light
And I tried and you tried and now here we are

'Cos you can't beat the speed the light
When thought becomes deed becomes energy
'Cos you can't beat the speed the light
And I tried and you tried and now here we are
posted by NemesisVex at 9:09 AM on June 20, 2008

Around 1982 my older brother bought a Roland 606 drum machine and a Tascam Portastudio and probably a Flanger pedal and started making songs and that's when I realized that you could make your own songs at home and it changed my life, although I didn't make them at home until years and years after that.
This song reminded me of that time so much, in such a good way.
Also, I had that Peter Schilling record ("Earth below us..")

Incidentally, after first year university I sold my crappy, red 1980's Pontiac Acadian to my brother for $500 and the 606, and have used it on many songs since.

Great tune.
posted by chococat at 9:28 PM on June 20, 2008

Nicely done, NemesisVex.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:11 AM on June 21, 2008

Really nicely done-- good luck with the cd.
posted by acro at 11:29 AM on November 15, 2008