Phantom Woes - New Woman, New Cry

from SpinTunes 20 Round 1 by Spintunes

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about

A different kind of duet, "New Woman, New Cry" examines opposing perspectives on the universal human necessity: love. Our singers are not each other's exes (yet?) but their conversation is designed to loop, ending with "just fall in" and starting with "love" (the sole term that is sung in unison) — because whether we think we've given up entirely or remain optimistic eternally, the hurt of heartbreak does pass.

Phantom Woes records exclusively with organic instruments. This particular song is RIYL the gothic bombast and melodrama of Gene (the '90s answer to The Smiths), which we came to realize we were channelling without intention.

Thank you for the OPPORTUNITY.
—Pete & Gary

lyrics

BOTH
Love

HIM
You were warned
Dying, the moment you’re born

A party of one
Cast aside, crushed and shunned
My heart’s been ripped out and rent
Why try amends?
Love always ends

Hurt
Only so much you can take
Curse
The fickleness of fate
Go and cry in your beer 'cos you’re not wanted here
You’re on your own
Again

I can’t take a chance
For one more failed romance
Will be the death of me yet
Don’t place this bet
Love’s no duet

Hurt
An all-consuming ache
Heart
Inevitable break
Go and cry to your friends you’ve been cheated again
You’re all alone
“The end”

HER
Silly boy
Why embrace every case of the blues?
Pick yourself up and dust off your shoes
Happiness is yours to choose

This is no time to stop
Opportunity knocks
Spin the bottle and maybe you’ll win

Now and then
Love can transcend
Just fall in

credits

from SpinTunes 20 Round 1, released March 21, 2023
PETE NICKERSON: guitar, piano, bass, drums; mix
GARY GAHAN: sax, vox

with
ALISON MERCER: vox

license

some rights reserved

about

Spintunes Union, South Carolina

Spintunes is a semi-annual songwriting contest. Every other week, the competitors receive a challenge and a week to meet it.

Each album on this site contains the responses to a single challenge.