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about
Awkward alert. This new single Bigger/Better has some innuendos... (*nervous chuckle* even the name of the song) I was on the fence about recording this one, but the lyrics are purposeful and say something that I’ve been working through for a while. The lyrics serve a dual purpose: a social critique of the idea that “technology solves all of our problems” and a reflection on my own struggle to use technology as a tool rather than a way of seeking purpose/validation. Our desire for instant gratification and purpose is often sought in the wrong places, particularly with social media. The innuendos are simply drawing a parallel to the concept of our cultural view of sex as commodity. This song is not intended to vilify the use of technology, rather a way of expressing that love is the long hard road we must walk, and insta everything is often at odds with self sacrificial, others first love. I really hope you folks like it. My band/collaborators worked their magic as usual and really elevated this song in a way I didn’t anticipate.
lyrics
Everyone wants it bigger and better
I want our burdens as light as a feather
I want to smell the salty sea
I want to be light on my feet
Everyone wants their love on sale
Everyone wants to ride the rail
I think it’s time we finally count the cost
Everyone wants a love that’s easy
Like and share but you feel lonely
I think it’s time we finally turn it off
Head down for this dopamine upper
Face glow, sleepless it’s a bummer
Instant feeling, virtual greetings
Swipe to give me digital meaning
It’s simple and fleeting
Everyone wants their love on sale
Everyone wants to ride the rail
I think it’s time we finally count the cost
Everyone wants a love that’s easy
Like and share but you feel lonely
I think it’s time we finally turn it off
But it turns me on
credits
released April 30, 2021
Merritt Harris: Vocals, hand claps (by far the best instrument), electric guitar, bass guitar, percussion, synthesizer, vocal samples
Joel Hinojosa: Background vocals, vocal samples
John Ryan Wake: Baritone guitar, background vocals, Wurlitzer, piano, glockenspiel, ukulele, tambourine (yes, we needed three tambourines on the final chorus)
Joshua Dekaney: Drums
Steven Carbone: Horns
Cory Fujimori: Hammond B3
Amy Holsten: Background Vocals
Jenna Wilkinson: Background Vocals
Shawn Flemming: Background Vocals
Song written, produced, arranged and mixed by Merritt Harris.
Song Mastered by Cory Fujimori (Candid Media).
Everything was recorded in various homes by the above mentioned people.
Special thanks to Steven Brown at Brown Mix and Master for some mix feedback even though his wife went into labor and he couldn't master this song. That's next level.
Mountains & Valleys makes music that your ears will love. It's raw and real yet could still be the soundtrack for a lucid dream. We are not interested in sounding like anything other than honesty.
This was a band I used to be in as drummer. We has so many good times and we wanted to sound like Spoon meets Plus/Minus. I'm really proud of this EP and you can have it for free if you want it. Mountains & Valleys
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