"Creatively Filling the Void"

This week's song is one of my darkest, which I wrote a little over 11 years ago.  I wanted to portray a life in the day of someone who was simply becoming resigned to be unhappy--how depressing!  I was living in Chicago at the time, and I was struck by the sadness and isolation of the city, as well as how people struggle to fill their lives with meaning and the mishaps that happen when they fail to fill the void.  Of course, I suppose all songwriters draw upon their own life experiences in their songs, but this is one where I took some creative license and painted a much more depressing and exaggerated picture of anything I had ever felt or perhaps could only imagine feeling or experiencing.

At any rate, I decided to share this song with you because I really like how I structured the chord progression.  It's super chromatic--which means that I play a lot of chords that have notes outside the normal key--and I like how the chromatic harmonies work in sequence and with the melody I sing.  Speaking of which, this song is difficult for me to sing, and I think I would sing it better if I would record the piano and voice parts separately, but that is outside the scope of what I am trying to do right now.  (Remember, Challenge No. 1 is all about recording each of my favorite songs in one take, no editing.)  At any rate, here goes:

Music and lyrics written by Victoria Malawey © 2013 All Rights Reserved

Title: "Creatively Filling the Void"

Written November 2001

Lyrics:

Creatively filling the void

Why must it always have consequences?

Fighting so hard and then giving in

Booze, drugs, and all the men

Creatively filling the void

It’s dark outside when she awakes

In that groggy state where she feels fine

But then reality invites her misery

And all she knew is gone

Creatively filling the void . . .

She moves through her day, puts on a happy face

But inside she knows she’s lost this race

Hopefulness in conflict with hopelessness

Creatively filling the void . . .

And the sun comes down, night sets in

The streets are sad and lonely tonight

All that’s left is time for bed

And so she rests

We believe we should be happy

But everything comes at a price

Really it’s not about happiness

Rather it’s about sacrifice

Creatively filling the void . . .