by Alex Wilson (songwriter)
Album
City Limits Serenade
Year
2025
Genre
Country/Americana/Singer-Songwriter
Duration
4:18
Description
A soulful Americana ballad exploring the tension between the mundane realities of city life and the persistent dreams of the heart. "Empty Well, Full Heart" captures the quiet struggle of an individual seeking meaning and purpose amidst the daily grind, ultimately finding a flicker of hope within themselves. The song blends country and singer-songwriter sensibilities with atmospheric instrumentation and heartfelt vocals.
Lyrics
(Verse 1) The dawn spills through my window, another day unfolds Lipstick on my coffee mug, same script, the story’s old This 9-5’s a shadow, a flicker on my screen Chasing fleeting fireflies, lost in a waking dream (Chorus) Hollow spark, full heart, I’m a dreamer out of tune Counting hours, chasing stars, beneath a paper moon Searching for a shimmer, a pulse, a truth to weave Down this neon maze of hours, longing to believe (Verse 2) I’m wading through the city, heels click in morning’s hum But my wild heart’s caged in, a song that’s gone numb Strangers brush my shoulders, each a tale I’ll never read Trying to trap a comet’s glow, before it’s lost to need (Chorus) Hollow spark, full heart, I’m a dreamer out of tune Counting hours, chasing stars, beneath a paper moon Searching for a shimmer, a pulse, a truth to weave Down this neon maze of hours, longing to believe (Bridge) Maybe the light’s not out there, in the buzz of city air Maybe it’s buried deep within, beneath the weight I bear I shut my eyes and listen, to the rhythm of my core And let my quiet wildfire roar, to make me whole once more (Verse 3) The clock keeps ticking onward, another day is done The office lights are fading, as sets the evening sun But something feels a little different, a stirring in my soul A tiny flicker growing, starting to make me whole (Chorus) Hollow spark, full heart, I’m a dreamer out of tune Counting hours, chasing stars, beneath a paper moon Searching for a shimmer, a pulse, a truth to weave Down this neon maze of hours, longing to believe (Outro) The hollow spark, it starts to bloom, a glow at a time My spirit starts to dance again, in this soul of mine. Yeah, in this soul of mine. This fire in this soul of mine. This never fading fire in this soul of mine.
Notes
Instrumentation: The song opens with a delicate fingerpicked acoustic guitar arpeggio in G major, creating a sense of intimacy. Subtle, atmospheric swells of pedal steel guitar enter during the verses, adding a layer of melancholy. The bass guitar provides a simple, walking bass line, emphasizing the steady, reflective mood. Drums play with brushes on the snare during the verses, adding light cymbal crashes on the choruses for dynamic contrast. The piano lays down chords and fills primarily in the lower register, offering harmonic support and a touch of warmth. A fiddle can be introduced in the second verse, playing simple, melodic lines to enhance the country feel. Arrangement: The arrangement builds dynamically from the quiet intro to a more layered chorus, then retreats for the verses. The bridge should be slightly more intense, with a fuller sound and perhaps a subtle increase in dynamics, leading into the final chorus. The outro gradually fades out with the acoustic guitar and pedal steel, leaving a lingering sense of hope. Vocal Delivery: The vocalist should deliver the lyrics with sincerity and vulnerability, conveying both the weariness and the unwavering hope within the song. Subtle vocal harmonies can be added in the choruses to create a richer, fuller sound. Tempo: The BPM of 90 creates a slow, introspective tempo, ideal for a country ballad. Maintain a consistent tempo throughout to emphasize the steady rhythm of the song. Key: The key of G Major provides a bright, optimistic feel while remaining comfortable for a female vocalist. Consider adding a subtle modulation to the relative minor (E minor) during the bridge to enhance the feeling of introspection before resolving back to G Major for the final chorus.