Only So Much (Original, song challenge)

Sounds stereotypical, but being stuck inside with the rain pattering against all my windows put me in a thinking mood...so I challenged myself to process that mood into a song and record it in one afternoon. It's not gonna be on an album or anything, but I thought it might be fun for you all to get a peek inside my brain. If anyone's looking for a more detailed analysis of what I think it means, hm. I was chewing on the funny balance between the macro and micro of things - the fact that we are "everything", built from the same stuff that popped out billions of years ago, and yet we can only give back to the universe the bits of everything that we have. It's difficult and important work to appreciate yourself both by acknowledging that you are a miraculous ball of stardust and by acknowledging that this miraculous ball of stardust needs to respect the limits of its own particles if it wants a fighting chance of doing right by other balls of stardust. I digress. 👨🏻‍🚀
Support and follow!
Patreon: / carsonmckee
Instagram: / therealcarsonmckee
Watch more videos!
Originals: • Colorado Soldier - Ori...
Covers: • Don't Let Me Down (Bea...
LYRICS:
On the point of a matchstick, on the back of a hand
In the walls of my bedroom, in the lay of the land
I am spread through the carbon, and it’s spread all through me
I feel spread awful thin - guess it’s natural to be
Ooo-oo, there’s only so much I can do
I may be the fingers, I may be the fire
Burn and be burned, exist and expire
Boots in a puddle, eyes to the sky
Makeup dissolving, pockets still dry
When the water is muddy you can’t tell the depth
If you’re scared of sinking, maybe that’s for the best
Ooo-oo, there’s only so much I can do
I may be the water, I may be the sky
But I can’t fill your cup when there’s nothing in mine
I may be the water, I may be the sky
But I can’t fill your cup when there’s nothing in mine
Acoustic Guitar: 1959 Harmony H-162 restored by Morris Rowell of Nature's Harmony Guitars
Vocal mic: Warm Audio WA-47 one click toward figure 8
Guitar mic: sE X1 R
Interface: Pro Tools Carbon
Camera: Canon SL2 w/ 20mm f/2.8 lens

[@matthewjamestaylor]

I like your brain. Cheers.

[@jfloww]

This is one I’m gonna come back to on those very hard days. Sometimes music doesn’t need to make you feel better, but to express how you feel. Thank you Carson

[@deborahchapman222]

Wow, love it! You are a natural born song writer/poet. I love your songs 😍

[@AcousticVet]

It amazes me that you can write something like this in a day. It's brilliant.

[@michaelosolosax]

I am used to be touched and astonished by the depth of your songs ... but this is the deepest song ... showing surface and depth of live at once. Thank you for your music, thank you!

[@richardmiller6318]

Beautifully written and beautifully sung.

[@adaltroczguitar]

Agreed!

[@AustinLHoward]

Good lord I love you man. Every time you release something (whether solo or with friends) I rush to go see it and it always lights up my day. You seem like one of those guys that it would be great to have a coffee with on some rainy day and just chat about music or life. Thank you so much for all you do Carson, hope you never stop being awesome. :)

[@reedmckenzie]

Love the sound of that over the shoulder large diaphragm condenser. Great writing and playing.

[@dlbstl]

This song is so profound and well sung. I love what you wrote in the description too. I agree! We are all just little balls of stardust trying to make our way. We have only so much to give to each other, and need to recharge every once in a while. Carl Sagan said "we are all made out of star stuff".

[@Cool7Songs]

The slip into the chorus is beautiful.

[@supermankent1041]

Thank you Carson. It has the feel of "Armed and Dangerous:" in melody at times.

[@adrianwoodhouse3774]

That’s awesome, maybe that’s the way to go, no going over songs for days and weeks trying to make them better. That’s come from the heart and I just love it.

MUST be included on the next The Other Favorites album. Absolutely great, super natural and clear, super Carsons.

[@coldflames007]

Jeez. This is bloody good. For a while I thought this must be an unheard song from Dylan

[@A_WaLLinger]

Whenever I get notifications of this channel I just like it even before the video starts.

[@Multi_ToBi]

That is brilliant simplicity...thank you, Carson!

[@EarToTheGroundMusic]

Alright, using the law of deductive reasoning I'll be expecting 364 more on my desk, September 13th of 2024. :) Kidding, of course. Wonderful, as always. The head of the matchstick leading to the line about fire really worked well. That's the image that stuck with me. Cheers.

[@thadsettle2756]

Carson, I'm 75 and a big fan. You're work is right up there with the best. I'm constantly impressed.

[@jamesedwards2687]

You sound like me!

[@beckywatts502]

What?? FABULOUS as always. You are amazing!

[@joemay6907]

Incredible. Thats some dylan song writing levels there. Definitely some similarities and can feel the influence

[@violetgray9568]

Thank you always

[@schoonerdog44]

Whoa, good stuff. I love how you keep it real but still ooze with creativity and talent.

[@impresscoaching]

Mate, this is a good song. I really like it. Maybe it's better than you think! Nice one, please keep them coming.

[@howardn]

Thanks for all that you give us.

[@davidhotson1594]

Love the concept . Days gone by artists may have had simple recordings like this of songs that never progress. Modern day I imagine most artists add and tinker until it’s much more a polished / finished song given the limitless possibilities of technology.

[@freejulianassange3143]

Now you're just showing off. 8p More seriously though, love the imagery and the deceptively simple sounding melody draws us in. You've always got something artful in that cup of yours.

[@philtang7111]

Brilliant! Powerful! Direct and Clear! You are on to something very big. Naturally your next challenge is to compose a whole body of songs - all written within one day. This song is the evidence there is no need to overthink it. Not for you. Thank you for the great song.

[@ElizabethDohertyThomas]

Gorgeous and soothing!

[@arnelarsen4379]

Another very clever one this, Carson!

[@troyclayton]

Beautiful, thank you.

[@pappyfiddle]

Gorgeous, Carson! This is one of the noblest activities humans do -- sit around and make up songs.

[@markbates891]

Oh Carson, your music always speaks to my soul! What a gift you are to the world!

[@gantte]

Sometimes you just have to set out blindly, with FAITH, that things will work out. This was an unexpected treat this morning! Thank you so much! ❤

[@micha0634]

Very beautifull! Thank you! I realy like your original tunes! Keep on going!

[@SmogandBlack]

So sweet, Carson... very good words and I wouldn't be so dismissive ('it's not going to be on an album or anything...') of the whole thing: I played it repeatedly (like 12 times, really...), like I couldn't get enough... which was a bit that wasn't happening to me... (rest assured: I'm the first to be surprised 😉): who knows: maybe you just wrote a hit (...and that would make me really happy for you). 😊👏

[@likebot.]

Well that was nice. I shoudn't have read the description though because I took my own meaning from it based on my life experience and mindset. It's one of those songs like Me and Julio or Lido Shuffle - you invent your own narrative if one isn't given.

[@briangorman1079]

Oh dang this is a really good one C!

[@JaneWillowMusic]

Wonderful Carson!

[@mediamannaman]

Yeah, a rainy day will put you in a mood like that. You manifested it well in that song. Loved the lyrics. At one point it reminded me of Gordon Lightfoot (RIP).

[@MistyMarshall]

Great song! Very talented!

[@ratwynd]

Awesome. Particularly like the classic old school Harmony (I think) guitar you are playing. I sometimes play a similar all mahogany Epiphone from '63, an FC30 Cabellero. The Harmony has an awesome mellow tone that fits your song perfectly. Great job.

[@stuartcg123]

Excellent work.

[@RoseAkerman]

Awesome! You’re amazing!

[@JackFlaps]

thanks for sharing

[@Macatawaman]

Carson. Lovely.

[@BardofCornwall]

Awesome!

[@ErnieVanVeen]

Most excellent!

[@28Person28]

Great insight. "Exist and expire", my favorite line. Keep doing your thing. Always look forward to your videos.

[@Flashcrow]

Nice tune..... and profound.

[@MrJorvik]

WOW- Brilliant❤

[@SpicyCurryWurst519]

A new Carson Original for the oncoming October? Today’s gonna be great. For something you managed to put together in an afternoon, this is impressive. Did the recording/editing take longer than the actual songwriting this time?

[@carsonmckeemusic]

I believe so...I had some interesting challenges getting the vocal and guitar mics to play nicely together.

[@marioc63]

@@carsonmckeemusic This song-writing modality suits you. I believe your die-hard fans would welcome more.

[@jamesedwards2687]

Love you Carson.

[@remixandkaraoke]

You're very talented. Keep downloading brilliant tunes and lyrics like this from the universe and manifesting them into reality. This is clearly something you were born to do, Carson. Well done, sir.

[@gavinjohnson5888]

Thanks for all you do, Carson! Be well!

[@gerryoneill8881]

Great song.

[@agusgarcia_e]

Dude. You're like wine. It keeps getting better and better all the time

[@agusgarcia_e]

and BTW that rhymes.

[@agusgarcia_e]

and that too rhymes with that last line

[@agusgarcia_e]

Alright then. I'm turning myself off before I lose my mind

[@agusgarcia_e]

So bye bye... everybody. Good Night

[@lindamon5101]

Dewd there's 365 afternoons /yr just waiting for you to mingle lyrics with notes let them flow on a breeze of an old ragwood sneeeeeze lol you have it all and then some. Keep on lettin em rip!🙏🏼🤣💦💙🐬🌊🌊🌊

[@dcrate3525]

Very well done Carson, you are a talented songwriter like we seldom get to see or hear anymore.

[@just1mansopinion]

Exist and expire...WOW, gave me goosebumps. Great writing Carson! Of course, the performance is also great, but we've come to expect nothing less. Cheers\=/\=/

[@martinbutzelaar]

Man you sound great

[@karakisla8]

Nice micing technique!

[@GoMathewVideo]

Wow this song is pure bliss!

[@paulmartin8212]

Nice tune. some deep thought there around some interesting chord choices. great job.

[@GhostontheMoor]

Just lovely. Thank you, Carson.

[@raynoladominguez4730]

What a wonderful song. Well done sir.

[@H.Allen.C]

Thanks Carson. Love you voice.

[@diamondsrustmusic]

Great, buddy! Very sincere!

[@72timba]

What a talent you have my friend! Never doubt yourself. Hope you make back to Cincy next year!

[@peterpierson6703]

Luv it!

[@LB-xl5dq]

Good job!

[@Big.E]

Stunning

[@naterfaith1]

Wow !

[@PoetlaureateNFDL]

Gorgeous song! 😊😊🎉🎉

[@marcl5048]

Impressive!

[@LB-xl5dq]

Good job.

[@dominicmacklon7225]

Very very good

[@christopherheflin5919]

What an amazing song. Well done.😊

[@donaldneumeyer4423]

Awesome Carson!

[@SeanSaulsbury]

Beautiful! Well done.

[@Sixth_Beatle]

Отлично, как и всегда!

[@williammartin2275]

Well done 👏

[@bratrecordchannel3]

Che pensieri profondi e intimi !

[@andrewworleymusic]

Love it!

[@_ryanriosmusic]

Hermosa canción Carson!

[@LiamHagan]

The progression that first occurs at 0:47, is it a VIIm7b5 - III7 - VIm? I love the sound of that, anywhere it gets used 😊

[@brucewalker3379]

Just a great little song. Maybe sell it to Bonnie Rait! Or Willie N?

[@gerrishroger]

Beautiful as ever Carson, is that an original or a cover ? Can I find the tabs please ?

[@philtang7111]

Let me clarify: Naturally your next challenge might be to compose a whole body of songs - EACH written within one day.

[@jessicacosiguitar]

Amazing as always! :) I also published one of my original songs on my channel, but it will never be as good as yours!

[@jessicacosiguitar]

@@billyboy2285 Thank you so much!!

[@ckedinho]

Bob Dylan vibes.

[@JonathanCurry-rs4kh]

Is that a Baxendale Conversion?

[@carsonmckeemusic]

Morris Rowell!

[@claudioas]

you are a bass baritone? right?

[@Um0501]

Респект от русских слушателей

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

Fantastic!