My Grandmother-in-Law
Feb 25, 2024
EliasSZ
Dream Weaver
I had a dream recently that my fiancée’s grandmother gifted us a comically large fur coat in my childhood home because we could sell it for money if we needed it. In the non-dream world, I’ve known her for like 10 years, and I think she likes me, but sometimes seems a bit confused by me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Lyrics:
Toni called I guess she says she’s coming over
Taking 17 to Ithaca even though she knows its colder
And the pressures building while her tire pressures getting lower
I am 99% sure that it won’t be what we think
I don’t think its ever been a thing we could predict
She parks in the parking lot adjacent to my bedroom
Even though we tell her that it don’t belong to us
“Maybe someday,” she says, standing at her walker
Walking to my front door that is not where I recall
I take her arm to help her enter my house through the wall
Oh well she’s got doubts but she likes me, she likes me anyway
But that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni
My grandmother-in-law
She makes it inside through a door that leads to nowhere
Carrying something I didn’t see with her before
A fur coat the size of something in the movies
I was scared that PETA’d show, toss blood into the fur
Felt like anything could happen in this backwards world
Toni says that its a gift but that feels pointed
It’s backhanded feels more like an insurance policy
“If things don’t work out you can sell it for a profit”
She says “99% sure it’ll fetch a hefty fee”
She’s got chasing Pitchfork backwards, thinks its Frankenstein’s destiny
She wants to make sure Hannah’s taken care of in my dreams
She’s got doubts but she likes me, she likes me anyway
And she only likes two restaurants she just wants consistency
And I see that she’s getting real nicer to servers
I like to think its cause she knows I worked in that industry
But that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni
My grandmother-in-law
And then your brother’s there he’s sitting on my couch
Holding his new kid who’s quietly just screaming from her mouth
They don’t look too happy we’re the beneficiaries
Maybe he thinks we’re still out here just living care free
But maybe this fur coat will become money that we need
Oh she’s got doubts but she likes me, she likes me anyway
But that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni, that’s Toni
My grandmother-in-law
She’ll outlive us all
My grandmother-in-law
Looking for feedback on
Was having trouble with filling the transitions, would love thoughts on that. Also thoughts for drum parts? Feels like its begging for it, but I don't know how to program drums lol.
Discussion
Rmal March 4, 2024 8:25pm
The vocals sound terrific. It’s inviting and draws me in. Like the incorporation of the synth 4:05 – subtle and cool. The stripped down vocal at 50 sec sound great. It’s an anthem.
alechutson March 2, 2024 6:57pm
Agreed with Nick – nice to see this different face of your songwriting! Very engaging and I love hearing the character come through in the delivery of the lyrics. In terms of drums, you can always start by getting some drum loops to sketch out the feel you are going for, and then chop/paste as you see fit
EliasSZ March 3, 2024 12:59am
Thank you! It felt fun to stretch this songwriting muscle. Good idea to use loops to sketch it out – maybe I’ll try that for the next tune.
nick March 2, 2024 10:20am
Agreed to everyone’s comments. Love this slightly more comical side of your songwriting. Not over top, just hilarious and wonderful, not at the expense of the song’s quality. There are so many great parts to this—the comedy in the verses, the poppy repetitive sections in the chorus, the unique but relatable chord progression. I think yes, this is my favorite submission of yours so far. Others have certainly been great, though. Something about this is special. Give @@Ryan the stems and 20 minutes to make the drums. jk. you can do it, get to it!
EliasSZ March 3, 2024 12:58am
Much appreciated Nick – glad you enjoyed. lol I won’t make @@Ryan do that, I just gotta dive in to drumville.
Carseat February 27, 2024 11:19am
This chord progression is TIGHT. It gives Pinegrove energy. PLEASE inform us when you add them drums n bass, need it in my life.
EliasSZ February 29, 2024 6:39pm
Thank you! Appreciate it, really. Maybe I will add that rhythm section…
Ben February 27, 2024 10:27am
She makes it inside through a door that leads to nowhere
Carrying something I didn’t see with her before
A fur coat the size of something in the movies
I was scared that PETA’d show, toss blood into the fur
This ^^ verse is pretty close to perfection. Great performance, delivery, writing, sounds, etc. I agree, this song would be so great with some light but poppy indie rock drums and fuller rhythm section. That would allow it to have higher, more meaningful highs and lower, more meaningful lows.
I also really enjoy that minor chord that finds its way into the “that’s toni” verse.
This reminds me a little of something from Inside (Bo Burnham). Your voice and guitar playing is actually sort of similar! The whole song kind of sounds like one of his slightly less jokey, more songy songs from that album. Lighthearted, funny, and fun to play/listen to, but not a parody or joke.
This is so great.
EliasSZ February 29, 2024 6:38pm
Cheers Ben, thanks. Bo Burnham is such a fun and kind comparison, seriously.
Totally agree with you – I really was feeling the lack of dynamics but was running out of time on Sunday lol. Glad you felt the light-hearted-but-still-not-totally-a-joke – I think I spent most of my time trying to figure out how to hit that balance hahaha.
Ryan February 25, 2024 9:18pm
A certified banger! This is so fun haha. The verse is so well-crafted and catchy. Also, the lyrics have me dying. I’m so stoked that you were able to take a bizarre dream and turn it into such a compelling story—the humor’s there, but so are the heavier things like doubt. Killer.
Love the arrangement, and the transitions work for me. You’re absolutely right that this is begging for drum and bass parts. I’d go out of my way to describe what I’m hearing, but, like, they’re already in there. Know what I mean? My only suggestion is to download Addictive Drums and then click and point your life away. You’ll be a pro in no time. Man is this thing gonna bang once it’s filled out even more.
Ben February 26, 2024 1:31pm
^ agree with all of this! Striking that balance between lighthearted/tongue-in-cheek without being silly/Weird Al is tough, and you nailed it! Love the double-tracked vocals—throwing a pop filter in front of your microphone will help with some of those harsh sounds in the P’s. As it’s a long song, you might want to switch up some of the instrumentation—I appreciated the breakdown at 3:42, but maybe switch up the guitar sound to add a little more variety. Can’t wait to hear the version with drums.
EliasSZ February 29, 2024 6:36pm
Thanks guys. I definitely felt the challenge of trying to keep the comical nature of it, while also adding some genuine heartfelt feelings about family complexities.
Definitely agree that the instrumentation needed to mix up a bit – I think I didn’t get the mix right on the synth sound I was trying to use to flesh out the lower end and was feeling a bit stuck in how/where I wanted to mix things up. I like the idea of switching the guitar sounds, which is not something I tend to lean towards – tend to be more of a keep adding new elements sorta guy lol.
Addictive Drums, I’ll have to check it out…