“Winning You Over” (Original Post-Election Jim Fusco Acoustic Song)

By Jim Fusco:

What a happy day it is here at the Fusco-Moore Experience (home of FMP Studios).  We were both (along with all of my friends and family) pulling for Barack Obama to win the Presidential election.  We watched every minute of it and I didn’t stop watching until about 2 am.

It was a great night for the country because it was actually a decisive victory- a true electoral landslide.  Yes, the popular vote was closer, but as the Republicans proved in 2000, the country-wide popular vote means nothing in a presidential election.

So, tonight, my Laptop Sessions Original Wednesday video had to be something extra-special.  I actually sat down and wrote a new song just for the occasion- talk about a turnaround!  I had the tune to the verse of this song for a few weeks now, but never did anything with it.  I’m not going to explain the words of the song or what it’s about.  You’ll have to deduce that answer on your own.  Oh, and one tidbit- this actually ISN’T going to be a track off of my upcoming album, “Halfway There” that’s already been mixed and mastered.  So, you get an extra-special bonus with this song tonight!

I will say that I’m pretty proud of this video.  It took me many takes to get right, mostly because I didn’t know all the words yet!  But, the song’s structure is cool- the “chorus” is actually more of a “tag” to the song, making the bridge more of the chorus, if that makes sense.  I wanted to write a topical song that wasn’t overtly so.  I think, given the day on which it’s being posted, that the song fits into the political landscape well.  But, I hope that people can listen to it at different times of the year (without knowing what day I wrote it) and still understand the sentiments I’m trying to get across.

I’ll say this: one of my big hopes for America is UNITY.  It’s about time after so many years of being truly divided.  Say what you will about political views, etc, but Barack Obama is the first president in over 20 years to get elected by a true MAJORITY of American voters (over 50%).  That says something very powerful to me, and I hope he can bring this country together and help to heal the divides of politics, racism, and religion.  Good night, America- I hope you’ll join me in rejoicing as we usher in a new era for the United States.

“That Was The Day” (Jim Fusco Original Acoustic Rock Song)

As they say- one hand washes the other.  I helped Chris on Monday with his Sugar Ray video and tonight, he helped me with my original song, “That Was the Day”.  It’s truly a shame that it’s been this long here on the Laptop Sessions before we’ve done this original song.  I’d say, as unknown Jim Fusco original songs go, this is my most “famous”, as it’s been a staple in our live act and a fan-favorite for four years now.  Actually, I can’t believe it’s only been four years- hard to imagine a time when this song didn’t exist.

“That Was The Day” is a song written about the day I met my fiancee Becky.  I had a talk with Chris Moore about the “fact” that a perfect girl didn’t exist.  I said to him, “Well, if she does exist, I’m definitely going to take advantage of the situation.”  I’m not saying Becky is perfect- no one is- but, it was only a day or two after that conversation that I met her, and instantly knew she was the one.  It’s been over six years since that day.

This song just poured out of me one day- rarely in songwriting do I get so inspired and just get the whole tune, chorus, and middle sections out so quickly.  I knew that this would be my “single” for my current album of the time, “That’s All…”.  Of course, the song didn’t go anywhere, but whenever we play it live, I notice the heads looking up and noticing the band.  That’s always a good feeling.

In a hilarious note, I couldn’t walk for a full five minutes after this take.  Something about the way I was standing with one leg on a stool made my left hip just give out.  It felt like someone hit me with a crow bar!

In a completely unrelated note, Chris and I just got through watching the debate tonight between Obama and McCain.  We don’t get political on this blog (although I would bet good money that Chris, Jeff, and I are all on the same page…along with my family), but the debate tonight proved one thing I’ve been saying for a while.  Whether you’re a supporter of McCain or not, from my point of view, he just reminds me of a father giving you a lecture.  He reminds me of the old VFW guys that used to lecture us “kids” in Boy Scouts back in the day about how we didn’t have respect and how they should be treated better because of their age and their service to this country.  That may be true, but again, no one wants to hear it.  It comes across as crotchety and annoying.  I HATE being lectured to (or preached to, for that matter) and McCain literally makes me say, “Please change the channel” every two minutes.

Always one for consistency, Chris refused each time.  I only remembered at the end of the debate: “Hey, it’s MY television!”

Enjoy tonight’s original song and I hope you’ll come on back for great acoustic rock cover songs from Jeff and Chris over the next two days.  We’re excited to see America at the Wolf’s Den in Mohegan Sun on Saturday, so I have to make sure I post early!  But, I have at least two new bands coming up during my next three videos.  I can’t believe it myself, because it almost seems like there can’t be any more to do!  Which new bands are they?  You’ll just have to wait and see.  Until then…

“I Need…” (Original Acoustic Song by Songwriter Jim Fusco)

By Jim Fusco:

Welcome to another edition of “Original Wednesday” here on the best music video blog of all time: the Laptop Sessions!

After the success of last time’s “Jim Fusco downer song from ‘My Other Half'”, I decided to give you another cut from the same album: “I Need…”.  Actually, in a half-hour span, I wrote these two songs.  It was a difficult time for me- I knew my relationship was ending, but dealt with it by writing two “downer” songs, but with different meanings.  On one hand, I had “I’m Just Waiting” that was about the end coming in the relationship.  The other, this tune: “I Need…”, dealt with the fact that I was going to be without someone again.  That wasn’t something I was too happy about, but new love will always come eventually.  It’s MUCH better than being unhappy in a relationship, I’ll tell you that.

That’s why, over the past few years, I haven’t had much to write about relationship-wise, as I’ve had such a steadily growing relationship.  In fact, the songs on my upcoming album (which I’m mastering tonight) that deal with my relationship are simply about my unhappiness that after all of this time, I’m still forced to be away more often than not.  I’ve waited long enough, I say! 🙂

I hope you enjoy tonight’s original Wednesday Laptop Session.  I’d write more, but as a guy, I find that I can’t do two things at once.  I have to go back to mastering my songs now so I can give a copy to a select few to review and tweak.  Until Saturday, enjoy Chris and Jeff’s videos!

“I’m Just Waiting” (Original Wednesday Jim Fusco acoustic song)

By Jim Fusco:

Welcome to another “Original Wendesday” edition of The Laptop Sessions!  I hope this once-a-week treatment is becoming a favorite of yours, because we truly believe our original tunes can stand alongside the other major-label bands’ songs we play on the music video blog.

If you want to hear any of our original music, make sure to visit the websites of Jim Fusco (me), Chris Moore, Jeff Copperthite, and our band (with Mike Fusco) Masters of the Universe.

Today, I bring you a “classic” Jim Fusco tune from the epic album, “My Other Half”.  This album is a unique concept where it takes you on a journey from the beginning to the end of a relationship.  How did I get my inspiration?  Well, I lived through it and wrote a song each step of the way.  I didn’t do it on purpose- it just happened.  Strong emotions always make me want to write.

I’ve never had trouble coming up with tunes for my songs.  I’ve always had them floating around, waiting to be written out.  The trouble I have sometimes is coming up with something substantial enough to write about.  That’s why you’ll notice many of my songs are about some sort of big event or emotional period in my young life.

During the days of the “My Other Half” album, relationships were so new to me- I wanted to write about every facet of them.  That’s probably why I ended up with over 25 tracks…

Nowadays, things (as far as relationships go, at least) have definitely settled down.  I’m happy, but comfortable, too.  So, you’ll notice that the songs off of my upcoming album (who knows when that will come out…) are mostly about when something or someone bothered me in some way.  I think you can learn a lot about me, my life, and my emotions by listening to my albums in order.

This song was written in one night with another song that I’ll be bringing to you next Original Wednesday in three weeks.  I was in a very bad mood back in January of my senior year in high school.  I knew my first ever relationship was going to end, but it hadn’t yet.  I didn’t want it to because ANYTHING was better than being alone at that point.  But, I didn’t know when things were going to happen.

Isn’t it funny to have those moments when you know something is going to happen, you can’t stop it, but you’re not sure when it’s all going to come to pass?  Well, that’s how I felt then, and it ended up in a simple, yet heartfelt song.

I think some may think this is a kind of “suicide-song”.  It isn’t and was never meant to be.  “The end” that I speak of is the end of the relationship, not my life.  And for that matter, if I ever felt that way, I wouldn’t end my life- I would continue living just to get back at all the people that made me so miserable in the first place! 🙂

Okay, enough of the explanation: get to watching this video!  I hope you enjoy it.  I’ll be on the “cover song” track on Saturday with another great tune from Paul McCartney.  Stay tuned to the best music blog on Earth!