Song: Send it Back

Condescending looks and verbal rope-a-dope

The Backstory

I took at songwriting class with Studio.com in March 2022 and one of the challenges was to write a song in a style that you’re not comfortable with so I went for a pop song. Using different drum instruments and sounds from what I’m used to and more synthesizer driven than guitar driven.

There was also a recommendation to have the hook include some phrase that people say and are familiar with, but perhaps not in the way that they use it. I went with “Send it Back" (and “Take it Back”) as when you’re at a restaurant and they bring you something that isn’t what you asked for and you tell them to take it back and make it right. Except I used it to mean that the singer is not accepting their partner’s break-up demand (delivered in an envelope, just like in Get Tight — not sure why I think people do all of their break-ups on fine stationery but that’s a discussion for a different day).

The song is about a couple who are REALLY GOOD at fighting with each other and they’ve settled in to this pattern which would seem like the best thing is to end it, but when that ultimatum is delivered, the answer is “Nope”. And it turns out that neither one really wants it to end.

The Song

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The Music

While the challenge was to write a “beat driven” song using pop drum sounds, when I got to the second verse, I kinda reverted. As the first chorus finishes, the drums drop out and when they come back in, they’re performed on a drum kit, not a drum machine and the song continues with some rhythmic stabs on guitar! I think it actually works really well and adds a bunch of new energy to the second verse and chorus.

Coming in to the bridge section, I went back to drum machine sounds as the mood changes to her perspective. Upon the return from that section the final chorus is modulated and includes BOTH drum kit and drum machine sounds.

The Lyrics

Verse 1
Here we are again - raging in the rain
And you’re looking like you’re all alone

I know that furrowed brow. I know the iron jaw
And that throbbing by your collar bone 

This is the “you are done” 
This is the “I don’t care”
An ultimatum in the envelope

I may be standing here, looking like a dope
Even so I’m gonna have to say nope

Nope nope nope nope    

Chorus
Send it back 
This isn’t what we wanted
Send it back
This isn’t what we asked for
It may be our last chance 
to get it right
Take it back 
This isn’t what we wanted
Take it back
This isn’t what we asked for
It may be our last chance 
to reignite 

Verse 2
So here we are again - just like every time
Two prize fighters who refuse to go down

I know your every move, you know my every thought
Maybe forgetting that there’s common ground

We’re always “never this”
And “whomsoever that”
Condescending looks and verbal rope-a-dope

And yet I’m standing tall, with a bit of hope
Cuz you’re still here even though I said nope

Chorus

Bridge
I don’t want you to leave me here alone
Stay with me
I don’t want you to leave me here alone
Stay with me

Chorus x 2

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