The Story Behind “In a River”

Really, right when we are starting to get past a global pandemic someone decides to start another war and cause so much suffering?

When the war in Ukraine started in 2022, I was compelled to write something about it. How could the atrocities unfolding not be addressed? How could the pop world just continue writing “let’s party” songs? Denial maybe, or perhaps a coping mechanism.

One of my oldest friends had started living in Ukraine years ago and married a Ukrainian woman. Shortly after the invasion, he told me that his wife, along with her mother and their dog, were sheltered in a parking garage, scared to death with bombs exploding all around. They eventually got out of the country safely, but that brought the reality of the war into clearer perspective. Everyday life can be tough enough, right? Now add indiscriminate bombing into the mix. No longer can ordinary citizens enjoy the innocence of watering in the garden, walking the dog, and driving down the street without the threat of being destroyed with an incoming missile.

As much as I wanted to write about the war, everything that came out was too literal and seemed void of any cathartic relevance. I put the idea aside.

Months later, I came up with a new drum beat. Inspired by the drumming of Manu Katché  @manukatche6350  and Phil Collins  @philcollins  I wanted to create a drum beat that incorporated lots of toms. The power and driving nature of the beat was the catalyst to return to the idea of writing a song about this war. New lyrics started to appear and resonate with me around what I was feeling from the horrible images I had seen, and “In a River” started to take shape.

This drum part, which I refer to as “war drums,” has been sent to some of my closest musician friends with the suggestion that they use it as the foundation for their own song. After the release of the song, the drum part will be available to the general public for downloading and using for the same purpose.

I once learned that when Mother Teresa was asked to attend an anti-war protest, she declined but said that when there is a pro-peace rally, she would be there. This song is a pro-peace song.

The release date for “In a River” is set for July 1st, 2023  on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms. The video will premiere on July 4th, 2023 on YouTube.

100% of the proceeds from the sale of the song between July 1st-31st, 2023 will be donated to help supply NAR C.A.T. Gen7 Tourniquets to those on the frontlines for Ukraine.

Lyrics 

In a River

How well we know it
We’ve seen it all before
Dear God here we go now
In another fucking war

God here we go

Someone out walking the dog
Destroyed thinking you’re some demigod
Watering in his garden
History will grant your crimes no pardon
A little girl’s grandmother
An evil monster erasing her
Evil monster

How well we know it
We’ve seen it all before
Dear God here we go now
In another fucking war

Driving on a city street
Treated like a slaughterhouse of human meat
There’s a building of homes
Set ablaze by your gang of drones

Safely ashore
You push us right back in

Game to threaten all existence
Underestimating resistance
What you do your little lifespan
Worth it to be a better man
Greed, hate, and delusion
Draw your own conclusion

How well we know it
We’ve seen it all before
Dear God we can save us
We want no more war

Drum set, acoustic guitar, Moog Subsequent 25, vocals, and lyrics: Michael Faeth
Pro Tools Engineering, Mixing, and Mastering: Peter Wolf at Wolfsound Audio in Fresno, CA

In A River

Imagine Mothersbaugh on the Moog, Levin the bass, Katché the drums, Summers the guitar, and Yorke on vocals. That would be some music worth checking out. May we all continue to make music using organic intelligence and enjoy the labor of love in the process.