Tune/Composer: “Worth The Fight” by Brian Chartrand, copyright 2011, Flying Lessons Music ASCAP
Type: Home studio DEMO 9/7/11
Band/Instrumentation: Guitar & vocals by Brian Chartrand
Images:
Written on 8/27/11, which was a beautiful sunny day in Phoenix. I was listening to “El Camino,” a track on Amos Lee’s new record (see above). I picked up the guitar and started figuring out the chords to Amos’ tune and I stumbled onto the verse progression for “Worth The Fight.” The two songs are very different, so I am not sure why or how it happened. I think I had been throwing around this opening chord and rhythm in my head for a little while though and it just wanted out. I wrote the tune in an hour; from the very first pass, to the finished product. Its got a light bouncy guitar part which is an interesting backdrop for a fairly introspective song. The lyrics came out very quickly without many edits at all. I think the chorus melody is super hooky. Its almost too hooky, which makes me think I totally ripped off someone else’s song. It has happened before…(see “My Rainy Day”). I like the lyrical contradiction of the bridge and the chorus too. And I don’t see the lyrics as being negative or sad. While the narrator is feeling a bit defeated and frustrated, I feel like there is still hope, compassion and love.
This is the first song I’ve written since June, which is a pretty long drought for me. From May 15th to August 16th, I was basically bouncing between NYC and PHX living out of a suitcase without a real homebase in either place. It was exciting and fun, but exhausting and unsettling. It’s nice to finally have my own place where I have my computer and recording gear set up so I can get ideas down, even if they are just quick sketches. As much as I love traveling and how it inspires me, the traveling this Summer made it tough to write because I never really had the opportunity to get into that creative work space; all my gear was baking in a non-air-conditioned storage unit in Tempe. Luckily, it didn’t all melt.
This tune is about looking a relationship in the face and asking it some tough questions. Maybe you’ve been there too.
Lyrics:
My love
Dry your eyes for me
My love
We’ve run out of things to say
If neither one is right
Is it just a waste of time
is this love worth the fight?
And love
Can mend a broken heart
And love
Can tear it apart
If neither one is right
Is it just a waste of time?
Is this love worth the fight
Don’t let him find out he’s right, Sarah
I wont let you find out your right tonight
If neither one is right
Is it just a waste of time
Is this love worth the fight?
