First Draft - "Bird Inside A Cage" (Patreon)

Hello Witches,

Here is my "first sketch" version of new song Bird Inside A Cage.

It's a story of a mother and daughter, navigating love, failure, protection and grief. I've used the analogy of a bird in a cage to symbolise many things:

a parent trying to keep a child safe by building borders around them

the difficulties of growing from a young girl into a woman, knowing that the world is built around the needs of the patriarchy

the limits of every human life, striving to change the previous generation's mistakes

I actually think this version of the song has a happy ending which I'm not too keen on, so it's subject to change. Here what happened.

The Good Stuff:

I'm happy with the chord progression, piano part (it's so fun to play!) and melody. It's catchy and I think pretty strong, sounds like an old folk song with a new twist. I especially like the instrumental it goes.

C#m F#7 Bmaj7 Emaj7 Amaj7 F#m6 G#7sus G#7

C#m F#7 Bmaj7 Emaj7 Amaj7 F#m6 Bsus7 B7

Those of you who know me know I love my chords so this was particularly pleasing as it almost follows the same progression as "Autumn Leaves", another sad song about a dying love.

To Be Improved:

I need to develop the arrangement lots - it deserves a soft, folky choir, strings, brass and a steel-string guitar just for starters. I'm also not at all happy with these lyrics, some are gold and some are just a bit questionable, so I'll be re-working it soon.

For now I need to step away from it and give it some space. I'll be back with fresh ears.

However, I would love to know what you think of it at this early stage?

Thanks for being here for another month. I am very grateful to share my songs here.

Love,

Mishkin