about
The previous version of the concept started and ended in a circular way. The first and last song, both titled 'Tempus Fugit', shared the same harmony and lead melody. They served as an introduction to the World War II scenario (Part 1 contained a war siren sample and the BBC war radio broadcast) and a hopeful exit at the same time. The minor key of Part 1 subtly turned into a major in Part 2, which was also intended as a ‘end credits’ feature for a theatrical live version of the album.
When it came to refactor the album, there was a section of 'Tempus Fugit Part 1' that I always liked, as it was more evocative and had an eerie feel to it. It was also, coincidentally, the section that I personally wrote for that tune. I kept it, discarded everything else before and after, and rebuilt a song around.
The core bass line was the key feature to me, so I started with it, along with the playground sound effect. In the end, the song is a representation of 13-year-old me who went to the cinema to watch a film, The Day After, and came out traumatised. I created a new piano progression around the bass groove and everything started making sense.
lyrics
Nineteen-eighty-three
On a Friday night—I think
When I took my seat
And the lights went off
On the biggest screen
I cannot tell the way it was
But I went miles away
A boy in a foreign land
A farmer, a soldier
A groom and a bride
Children, a daughter
In the countryside
A doctor, a nurse
The fire in the sky
A priest and a curse
Burns to the eye
Nineteen-eighty-three
On a Friday—I believe
When I watched the film
And the fear would never leave
Never leave
Never leave
Never leave
credits
from
After 1989: A Trip To Freedom (Original Demos & Outtakes),
released April 30, 2020
Written and produced by
Simone Silvestroni
Performed by
Simone Silvestroni / vocals, bass, drums, piano, sound effects
Paolo Clementi / electric guitars
Management by
Christopher Carvalho / Unlock Your Sound Ltd
© 2019-2020 Minutes to Midnight.
℗ 2019-2020 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Minutes to Midnight. Minutes to Midnight is the exclusive trademark of Simone Silvestroni. All trademarks and logos are protected.
Made in the EU.
license
all rights reserved