I've applied the fairy-story magic-mirror principle to a tale of modern love, turning two songs into one. 'Mirror', a folky ballad, tells the story of a relationship over a number of years; 'Since you asked' is the mirror's stark point of view.
singer
songwriter
musician
uk
acoustic guitar
cubase
reason
sheffield
bass guitar
doncaster
al stravinsky
voxengo
brian delaney
Story behind the song
I've applied the fairy-story magic-mirror principle to a tale of modern love, and turned two songs into one in the process. 'Mirror', a folky ballad, tells the story of a relationship over a number of years; 'Since you asked' is the mirror's stark telling of how things are today, done in a rocky, tongue-in-cheek style. There are trumpets and trombones, violins and cellos, Fender Rhodes, Hammond organs, percussion, several drum loops, and flutes which are all sequenced, plus 3 acoustic guitars, rhythm guitar, bass guitar, lots of harmonies and vocals which are not.
Special thanks to Gilly Slinn who sent me some fabulously angry guitar licks which put the marzipan and icing on this rather too large cake.
Note to non-Brits: M&S used to sell quality underwear and clothes to the whole of the UK; now only a few old men shop there...
Lyrics
Mirror
Verse 1
Once with wonder I recall
Looking in the mirror
And saw her standing next to me
Looking in the mirror;
I asked the question in my head
And the mirror quickly said:
Chorus1
You are fair, so fair in her eyes
That you dazzle like the first sunrise,
And you blow away, like a hurricane,
All suitors who are in the frame.
Since you asked... you are winning her over,
If you ask me... she is yours for ever after...
Verse 2
Busy years went by then I again recall
Looking in the mirror
And saw her and our family
Looking in the mirror;
I asked the question, confidently -
In time the mirror said to me:
Chorus 2
You are fair, so fair in her eyes
That you warm her heart like the summer skies
And you blow away, like a mild cyclone,
All the lovers she has known.
Since you asked... you are still her number one,
If you ask me... your troubles have just begun...
Verse3
Lately, complacently, I looked again
Looked into the mirror
And saw us standing holding hands
Looking in the mirror;
Though for all the world we looked ok
I asked the question anyway...
Since you asked
Verse 1
You are fair, but not beyond compare:
He's pretty and witty, he works-out, has all his own hair;
Well you asked... you are losing her,
If you ask me... I think it's too late, too late
Verse2
His enterprising star is rising, yours is on the wane
Sends her flowers, makes love for hours, his pleasures are your pain.
His ambition, drive and virility
Eclipse your 'get-by-and-survive' mentality..
They go far in his Jaguar he has satellite navigation,
AC/CD, leather seats with total reclination.
Well you asked... you are losing her,
If you ask me... I think it's too late, too late
Middle 8
Take a look at yourself, what do you see?
Is this the way she thought her life would be?
You can't blame the woman for her wayward ways;
She didn't need a shove, she needed more than your love to fill her days,
To fill her days...
Verse2
He frequents the best hotels, he knows good wine and food,
And he's funny and romantic too, he gets her in the mood.
He doesn't buy Pants from M&S
Looks good in a Suit, you look a mess.
He's into sci-fi, hi-fi, computers, but he sweet talks when he calls,
He went to Oxford and not just once to watch the football.
Well you asked... you are losing her,
Well you asked... you are losing her,
If you ask me... I think it's too late, too late...