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Excuses

by Ali Sperry

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about

In keeping with the archetypal characters in this record, “Excuses” centers around the person who you want to give the benefit of the doubt to but repeatedly let’s you down, a person that makes a mess and holds no accountability. As I continued to tease out the lyrics to the second verse, I found myself picturing our then president and wondering whether in his quietest moments he was ever able to experience the weight of the harm he was doing.
The recording of the song came together much more quickly than the writing of it and we were thrilled as everyone’s tracks came in--after the drums were laid down, then came bass from Owen Biddle, keys from Jen Gunderman, and then we got Sadler Vaden’s guitar parts back and that rip-roaring solo knocked me off my seat. I still get excited every time I listen to it. Kai Welch added the finishing touches with additional layers of synth surprises.
Historically speaking, as a songwriter and as a person, I have tended to lean-in to what feels safe and comfortable to present to the world--sweetness, love, pleasantness, and humor. In this record, and especially this song, I gave myself permission to show more of myself, a broader palette of colors, and to channel into music some of the innate anger that comes with being human.

lyrics

Everyone’s attacking you, oh
But they can’t run as fast as you
You say “catch me if you can”
Words you choose bite back at you, you know
No it’s not the way that you
Had planned to play the game
Oh, I’m sure you can explain
But all I’m hearing is excuses
I don’t want your excuses now
I’m not rooting for you to fuck it up
But you did it again somehow
And everybody loses
When you play the part of the party clown
With these useless excuses now
Amazing how you nail it every time
Imagine what you tell yourself
When you lay down your head at night
Don’t you ever tire of the charade
The jig is up but you just keep
Dancing anyway
Yeah, I’m sure you can explain
But all I’m hearing is excuses
I don’t want your excuses now
I’m not rooting for you to fuck it up
But you did it again somehow
And everybody loses
When you play the part of the party clown
With these useless excuses now
These useless excuses now

credits

released February 25, 2022
Ali Sperry: vocals
Jen Gunderman: organ, fender rhodes
Kai Welch: moog, OP-1
Sadler Vaden: electric and acoustic guitars
Jamie Dick: drums, percussion
Owen Biddle: bass
Allison Russell: background vocals
Kyshona Armstrong: background vocals

Written by Ali Sperry
Produced and engineered by Jamie Dick
Mixed by Joe Pisapia
Mastered by Dave McNair
Cover artwork by Jennie Okon
Album design by Fetzer Design

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all rights reserved

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about

Ali Sperry Nashville, Tennessee

Ali Sperry, when faced with a year of trauma, racial reckoning, and downright worldwide existential crisis, did what she has always done-turned inward and wrote songs that channeled, mirrored and ultimately DISTILLED those cultural currents…
In Front Of Us will be released march 11, 2022, a record that should quietly find its way into a lot of needy hearts.
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