It's So Hard To Write A Love Song

Blue Collar Math

The Moon

Elements

“Bittersweet” is a rock n’ roll investigation into addiction and self reflection and it's the follow-up single to Muhammaed Seven & the Spring's upcoming album "Temples out of Joy" (vinyl pre-release up on the website now). It’s one part roots rock, one part grunge and 100% attitude.

Stream “Bittersweet” (all platforms): https://ffm.to/m7bittersweet

M7's Website: https://www.muhammadseven.com/

Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/muhammadseven

Track credits: https://www.muhammadseven.com/tooj-credits 

Studio footage by Louise Bichan


Bittersweet (Lyrics)

All my damned addictions have been hummin’
Lord, It’s a song I know 

They can’t sing a lick
But it’s the the only music on my radio

I‘ve been holding on
I think a wiser man
Would work on letting go

Oh the well’s run dry
God damn this heat
And the back yard’s full of bittersweet 
Oooooh, ooooh...
Bittersweet

All my damned addictions have been hummin’
hummin 
lord, It’s a song I sing 

I left the tender hand that you reached out to me just
Waiting in the wings

Try so hard to hide my honest feelings
Baby, I can’t feel a thing

‘Fore the snow comes down
And the pipes all freeze
we better tear out the bittersweet 

Oooooh, ooooh...

Bittersweet

Layin’ there beside me
Oh I’m  
Begging you guide me 
Do you know?

I know how
To make things die
But I can’t seem
To make this garden grow

All my damned addictions have been hummin’
hummin’
No matter what I do

I turn up to ten
But then they play so loud
It leaves me black and blue

All my bruises hidden on the inside 
Like renegade tattoos

Oh the well’s run dry
God damn this heat
And the back yard’s full of bittersweet 

Oooooh, ooooh...

Bittersweet

All my damned addictions have been hummin’
Oh it’s a song I know...

Bittersweet

Episode 8 of We Flew Off features the talented, wonderful songwriter extraordinaire Chris Pureka. Chris and M7 have relatively different writing processes and the conversation is full of wonderful revelations, fascinating little peaks into Chris’ mind and some great laughs.

Intro (0:00)
Opening Interview with Chris: (2:57)
Song #1: (21:03)
Song #2: (35:34)
One Cool Thing: (1:00:55)
Farewell and Links: (1:06:53)

Links!

Chris Pureka
- Website: https://www.chrispureka.com/
- Bandcamp: https://chrispureka.bandcamp.com/album/the-longest-year
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0TcLzrilnmNFyaTgLULSg3?si=9jaw4dU2T6a_QChneO9IZg
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrispureka
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisPureka/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrispureka

We Flew Off The Page
- Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/muhammadseven
- All links: https://linktr.ee/wfotppod

Muhammad Seven
- All links: https://linktr.ee/muhammadseven

Other links
- Lems Zero Drop, Wide Footbed Shoes - https://www.lemsshoes.com/
- Tara Brach’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/tara-brach/id265264862

Chris Pureka Is Not A Chorus Guy (We Flew Off The Page - Episode 8)

I'm trying something new - I just wrote and recorded this song in two days. Instead of holding onto it for a year before I make a better recording and release it wide, this time I thought I'd just drop the demo right away, for free. 

What I love about Anthony Bourdain is the same thing everybody loves about him, whether you know it or not. Anthony Bourdain was a man of the people. He spent his life in kitchens, mostly fancy kitchens, and built himself up out of the idea that food should not be pretentious. If you read his books, if you read his cookbooks, if you watch his shows, this is the throughline that carries them all. On No Reservations he traveled the world, almost entirely in search of people’s stories, so that we all might feel more connected. What he treasured above all else was the simple food of working people. He loved a roadside food stand, meticulously staffed by poor and working class people who were experts at the delicious, nutritious dishes they made every day. 

But more than that, he delighted in being invited into a person’s home, where usually across a language barrier he was served the food of that family’s tradition, offered with the kindness and generosity that characterizes most of us. It was powerful because it was about more than food. It was a statement. It was a critique of greed, of naked, materialism, and of the wars we wage to maintain those things. Everything he did said “ this is who we really are”. and because we could all relate to sharing a good meal with friends, new and old, it touched us. Well, I wrote this song for him.

I’ll end with a story I read about Anthony Bourdain after his death. He was raised with money, and chafed against all of the properness and pretensions of his upbringing. Not long before he died. He talked about all of his tattoos, and how much his mother hated them. Then, after his death, to honor him, Gladys Bourdain got her first tattoo – “Tony” across her wrist. And there you have it. I told you it’s a doozy.

The Ballad of Anthony Bordaine
(Before I Fall)

My favorite beer is a cold beer
Served quickly
With minimum fuss

My favorite meal’s when I’m hungry 
Made by my mother
From whatever she’s got

My favorite story’s a doozy
one day I’ll tell you
if you ask me nice

My favorite gift
is unexpected 
and it don’t cost nothin’ 
That’s my favorite price 

Chorus
My favorite friend is a  true friend
My favorite job doesn’t feel like work at all
My favorite kiss lasts forever
My favorite moment is the pride before I fall

Chorus
My favorite band’s gone forever
My favorite memory’s a secret I forgot
My favorite song makes me cry every time 
Where I’m standing is my very favorite spot

My favorite beer is a cold beer

https://www.muhammadseven.com/

The Ballad Of Anthony Bourdain (demo)

In Episode 9 of We Flew Off The Page, M7 and Pamela Means discuss tellin’ it like it is as a songwriter, our relationship to our most personal work and cosmology (among other things). 

Intro (0:00)
Opening Interview with Pamela: (2:59)
Song #1: (22:26)
Song #2: (40:00)
One Cool Thing: (56:50)
Farewell and Links: (1:04:12)

Links!

Pamela Means
- Website: https://www.pamelameans.com/
- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PamelaMeans
- Bandcamp: https://pamelameans.bandcamp.com/
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2WE8xiYhbdijI7v0po4dnH?si=7j44oXxPRg-2Ou5A8ovBWQ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamelameansmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamelaMeansFanPage
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/pamelameans

We Flew Off The Page
- Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/muhammadseven
- All links: https://linktr.ee/wfotppod

Muhammad Seven
- All links: https://linktr.ee/muhammadseven

Pamela Means Doesn’t Care If You’re Uncomfortable (We Flew Off The Page - Episode 9)

May’s episode features wanderer, Bulgarian heritage harmonizer, and wonderful songwriter Louisa Stancioff. Her new album “When We Were Looking” is out everywhere.

Intro (0:00)
Opening Interview with Pamela: (3:05)
Song #1: (31:46)
Song #2: (55:16)
One Cool Thing: (1:10:48)
Farewell and Links: (1:17:40)

Links!

Louisa Stancioff
- Website: https://www.louisastancioff.net/
- Bandcamp: https://louisastancioff.bandcamp.com/
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/57bd2dcysq88J5fleUcS57?si=O907x_WsT5iW2OP735oUrQ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lou_wee_za
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stanciofflouisa
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@louisastanchoff

We Flew Off The Page
- Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/muhammadseven
- All links: https://linktr.ee/wfotppod

Muhammad Seven
- All links: https://linktr.ee/muhammadseven

Other Links
- Steven van Betten: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Txt8BxMl4npWRDxQAKvX7?si=E9emyThcRXyU-noUW42SPQ
- Iranian Mythical Creatures Card Game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS3nIkRM0lY

Louisa Stancioff Loves Harmonies That Hurt So Good (We Flew Off The Page - Episode 11)

WFOTP turns double digits, with episode 10 featuring special guest Carsie Blanton! If you don’t know Carsie’s work, you will soon - she’s leading the way in the all important job of making the revolution fun. Hot off the success of her brand new hit album “After The Revolution”, Carsie and I sat down to talk Chomsky, songwriting chops, Che Guevara and a whole lot more.

Intro (0:00)
Opening Interview with Carsie: (3:44)
Song #1 “Twister”: (40:55)
Song #2 “After The Revolution”: (57:30)
One Cool Thing: (1:22:13)
Farewell and Links: (1:25:09)

Links!

Carsie Blanton
- Website: https://www.carsieblanton.com/
- Online Store: https://www.carsieblanton.com/shop/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@carsieblantonmusic 
- Bandcamp: https://carsieblanton.bandcamp.com/
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1NkiZTHV6voDpcA7eEQQMb?si=a6PsLLyfRJeY-EVFyTTeRA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carsieblanton/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carsieblanton

We Flew Off The Page
- Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/muhammadseven
- All links: https://linktr.ee/wfotppod

Muhammad Seven
- All links: https://linktr.ee/muhammadseven

Other Links
- Hope (official music video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itgrqn_vUuM
- Carsie Blanton on Palestine (YouTube video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtnQoIOQPvQ
- Carsie on the Off Trail Learning Podcast (2015): https://soundcloud.com/blakebo/carsie-blanton-on-unschooling
- Carsie on the Borrowed Ladder Podcast (2020): https://overcast.fm/+j0JmINFQc
- Carsie on the Bringing It Backwards Podcast (2020): https://overcast.fm/+SPcCgpJjE
- Why Woman Have Better Sex Under Socialism by Kristen R. Ghodsee: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39089024-why-women-have-better-sex-under-socialism
- It’s Not You, It’s Capitalism (illustrated guide to capitalism and socialism) by Malaika Jabali: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/103511768
- Adrienne Maree Brown on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adriennemareebrown/?hl=en
- The Upstream Podcast: https://www.upstreampodcast.org/
- A Woman’s Heart: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Woman%27s_Heart_(compilation_album)
- The Island performed by Dolores Keane (Note: looks like Carsie and I were both wrong and this song was written by Ashley Wales / John Richard Timothy Coxon! If lyricfind.com can be trusted, anyhow.): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvcxBT5Bx8Q
- The Island (Paul Brady version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXVxKhzJRp0

Carsie Blanton Is Making The Revolution Irresistible (We Flew Off The Page - Episode 10)

Fans of the banjo! Fans of punk and folk and poetry! Fans of awesome, brilliant women! (I should have all of you at this point). This month’s guest is one half of the band “The Lowest Pair”, songwriter and all around great hang Kendl Winter. The two songs we discuss in this episode are totally unlike any other songs I’ve had on the show and this is one great episode. Don’t miss it and don’t miss Kendl’s brand new album of banjo instrumentals, “Banjo Mantras”, Available in some awesome different vinyl colors, if that kind of thing tickles your fancy.

Intro (0:00)
Opening Interview with Kendl: (3:53)
Song #1: (25:56)
Song #2: (53:01)
One Cool Thing: (1:07:58)
Farewell and Links: (1:12:16)

Links!

Kendl Winter
- Website: https://www.thelowestpair.com/
- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/KendlWinter
- Bandcamp: https://kendlwinter.bandcamp.com/album/banjo-mantras
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/32iM5mg9ke0SyutYzWwkbM?si=yjgUxPikRSiRWirGc7-U9A
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winterkendl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KendlWinter

We Flew Off The Page
- Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/muhammadseven
- All links: https://linktr.ee/wfotppod

Muhammad Seven
- All links: https://linktr.ee/muhammadseven

Other Links
- “When They Dance The Mountains Shake” Official Music Video - https://youtu.be/hPmUevabXvI?si=ecJtpFmXjDnQHYO5
- Mary Gauthier, “Saved by a Song: The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting” - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54860396-saved-by-a-song

#podcast #banjo #olympia #olympiawashington #americana #punk #arkansas #folkmusic #songwriting

Kendl Winter Has Hummingbird Energy (We Flew Off The Page - Episode 12)

Lizzie No brings her whole bold, beautiful self to this episode, speaking openly about her process as an artist, life, love, liberation and more. M7 and Lizzie tear up on a few occasions. They also laugh! And immerse themselves in two songs from Lizzie’s newest album, Halfsies.

Intro (0:00)
This episode is sponsored by Strawberries: (0:57)
Opening Interview with Lizzie: (6:13)
Song #1: (35:32)
Song #2: (55:40)
One Cool Thing: (1:21:10)
Farewell and Links: (1:24:00)

Links!

Lizzie No
- Website: https://www.lizzieno.com/
- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32290539
- Bandcamp: https://lizzieno.bandcamp.com/album/halfsies
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/32iM5mg9ke0SyutYzWwkbM?si=yjgUxPikRSiRWirGc7-U9A
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzie.no
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lizzie.no/

We Flew Off The Page
- Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/muhammadseven
- All links: https://linktr.ee/wfotppod

Muhammad Seven
- All links: https://linktr.ee/muhammadseven

Other Links
- Lizzie No talking about “Halfsies” on the Basic Folk Podcast episode 250: https://open.spotify.com/episode/63VAejtyzaYzvpBeTfHmrd?si=5ba6a43deb794012
- Lizze No article in No Depression, January 2024: https://www.nodepression.com/spotlight-lizzie-no-takes-hold-of-possibility-in-music-and-beyond/
- Information on The Abortion Pill from Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/abortion/the-abortion-pill
- “Yellowface” by R.F. Kuang: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62047984-yellowface

Lizzie No Hangs Her Harp Upon The Willow (We Flew Off The Page - Episode 13)

Josh Ritter is a successful and celebrated songwriter, and I feel convinced after my conversation with him that his songwriting is so good, in part, because he does not particularly care about being successful or celebrated. As he once wrote in “Snow is gone”, “I'm singing for the love of it / Have mercy on the man who sings to be adored”. I loved talking to him.

Intro (0:00)
This episode is sponsored by sponsors: (0:35)
Opening Interview with Josh: (2:40)
Song #1: (22:30)
Song #2: (38:20)
One Cool Thing: (1:01:40)
Farewell and Links: (1:05:06)

Links!

Josh Ritter
- New album, “Heaven, or Someplace as Nice”: https://orcd.co/jrhosan?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaYYer3G4CJLwdyHjlyGRHEv7fUQ20NGwopDhCcSR4Bm3aTv_8LpkEmtYM_aem_TVni7lLRry6kh3XSQdG04g
- Website: https://joshritter.com/
- Bandcamp: https://joshritter.bandcamp.com/album/heaven-or-someplace-as-nice
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6igfLpd8s6DBBAuwebRUuo?si=2wk4g30EQ-aELHcVVRyVwA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshritter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshrittermusic/

We Flew Off The Page
- Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/muhammadseven
- All links: https://linktr.ee/wfotppod

Muhammad Seven
- All links: https://linktr.ee/muhammadseven

Other Links
- M7’s old tweet to Josh: https://x.com/muhammad7even/status/960849753599823873
- Ritter with Joe Pug on “The Working Songwriter”: https://soundcloud.com/twspodcast/josh-ritter
- Ritter with Ben Opipari on “Songwriters on Process”: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6LYs02YvsE3bCo5m7L8z5F?si=8e6cde85e8ef41d2 
- Al Pacino on The NY Times’ “The Interview” podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f1P5x47poA 
- The RV tournament app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/remote-viewing-tournament/id1451894531

Josh Ritter’s Chaotic Magic (We Flew Off The Page - Episode 14)

An interview with americana artist Muhammad Seven about his album "Bedouin Cowboy" (which he made on his iPhone).  With host Mava Fakoori on Radio Iran KIRN 670 AM Los Angeles(4/29/2016)

Popular tracks by Muhammad Seven