When I started this project in January, the intent was to write some new material, finish some ideas that had been lingering, and find a home for some songs I’ve had for a while. This leads me to June’s entry. ‘Not One To Complain’ is a song that I have been trying to find an arrangement for for a couple of years now. This song has made appearances in both my solo sets and with the now defunct Carousels. As it turns out, the best treatment for this song was to perform it exactly the way it was written years ago, which is what I present here. Lyrically, this song is a tongue-in-cheek look at a relationship gone sour with no chance of revival. Perhaps this song could have come from personal experience, but I truthfully don’t recall now…so let’s call it fiction.
It’s fitting, as we reach the halfway mark, that June’s entry features a solo performance. I laid down an acoustic guitar and a vocal, and then struggled to find an appropriate accent to compliment both the finger picking and the melody. Eventually, I messed around with a glass slide and ended up finding the sound I wanted.
As always, I’d like to thank Sean Boyer, who mixed the song (at the last minute…sorry bud).
I’d like to thank everyone who has subscribed to this project, and to all of the musicians who have generously contributed their time and talents. I’d also like to thank CFMH Campus Radio, who have started a monthly feature on the project on their Top 30 Countdown program, which airs every Tuesday.
I hope you enjoy it.
Not One To Complain
You stayed for the start but you left for the ending
You tore it apart and tried to put it back together again
and asked “you wanna be friends?”
But this broken heart doesn’t take to your mending
I’ve played my part and I’ll never be that character again
it’s just not where I fit in
And the sad that I feel let’s me know that it’s real
I’ve grown accustomed to mundane
but it’s better than smiles that are plastic
and I’ll take a sad heart anyday
I’m not one to complain
Well you looked in my eyes and you told me a story
Sold me a lie and said that you’d be mine for a song
you even sang right along
But the bridge struck a chord and it crumbled like London
it’s burning and bored and I’ll never travel that path again
No, I don’t wanna be friends
And the sad that I feel let’s me know that it’s real
I’ve grown accustomed to mundane
but it’s better than smiles that are plastic
and I’ll take a sad heart anyday
I’m not one to complain
And the anger I show is a seed I must sow
and I’m already watering
The leaves that will bloom in the dark of this room
will cool me off with their shade
I’m not one to complain
Not One To Complain – Clinton Charlton
(to download, right click and select “save as”)
Note: This song is also available in both .WAV and FLAC formats. If you’d like a copy in either format, please write to clintoncca@gmail.com