I Can't Complain

from Live At The Roundhouse by Plaid On Flannel

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*Song Description By Noles*

The music for "I Can't Complain" was written on February 14, 2013. I had just started recording the 13th song for the Mission Of Mercy album "Emergency", and I was gearing up to write the remaining material for the album. "I Can't Complain" is driven by a guitar riff that moves it's way through the F# and A chords in the verses of the tune. I knew this movement would be a big part of the song when I wrote the music for it. With different chord variations in the choruses and bridge.

I wrote the lyrics for "I Can't Complain" on February 23, 2013. It might be the only tune in the Plaidalog with 4 full verses. The songs I write usually have 2-3 verses. "I Can't Complain" is a song about gratitude and perspective. The tune deals with one's mindset on life. People who complain under any circumstances usually live the worst lives. All because of the lens that they look through every day. "I Can't Complain" is really about appreciating what you do have. And knowing that being alive is the greatest victory of all.

I began recording "I Can't Complain" on February 25, 2013. There's a megaphone effect on the lead vocal in the final verse and chorus of "I Can't Complain". For this, I was inspired by the megaphone effect used on the 3rd verse of "Feeling Good" by The Sheepdogs. Which was a new song at the time. I completed the recording of "I Can't Complain" on March 5, 2013, and the entire Mission Of Mercy album was released on May 20, 2013.

After I moved to Toronto from Peterborough in September of 2013, the Plaid On Flannel band started on February 15, 2014 as a 3-piece. "I Can't Complain" was part of the first batch of my original songs that I brought to the band. We soon began playing it live, and Les Cassling's bass on the tune made it more funk oriented. Keyboardist Jen Doyon joined Plaid On Flannel the next year on February 22, 2015, and we continued to play "I Can't Complain" at shows. It was probably the funkiest song that we played. "I Can't Complain" is a tune I've basically retired from POF's live repertoire. While it's a song that stands on it's own, I feel like it's better suited to stay strictly on the Mission Of Mercy album.

lyrics

Words and music by Nolan Randall

My life was always worth it, your life's an open circuit
His life would seem much better
Her life's under the weather
Take time to make an action, find time for satisfaction
Look for the unexpected, things you never detected

I can't complain
There's something you should ascertain
Too many people live a life of so much pain
Most of the world would find
your life rather germane
Sometimes it's way too cold, but still I can't complain

Why should you be so hungry
Because of your home country?
It's not the way we want it, why must it be so haunted?
Falling away from logic, how it seems so ironic
We are so self-interested, it seems so unlimited

I can't complain
There's something you should ascertain
Too many people live a life of so much pain
Most of the world would find
your life rather germane
Sometimes it's way too cold, but still I can't complain

It's a bit of an under-statement
Walking with no shoes on hot pavement
All of the sudden you've lost that feeling
Looking away was just so appealing
Wanting everything you never will have
And it won't make you mad
Take a look at what the circumstance is
Can't remember how we all began this

Run into unknown places
Now we're off to the races
Care only if you suffer
Swear that you'll be much tougher
A lot of ways to wonder
Things that you won't uncover
Seems like you're willing to trade
A life that's not under-paid

I can't complain
There's something you should ascertain
Too many people live a life of so much pain
Most of the world would find
your life rather germane
Sometimes it's way too cold, but still I can't complain

Never thought this would happen
Must've been while we're nappin'
Two thirds of why you're living
One third is not forgiving
Odds are they're in your favour
Upon your good behaviour
No time to groan a big fuss, it's time to be curious

I can't complain
There's something you should ascertain
Too many people live a life of so much pain
Most of the world would find
your life rather germane
Sometimes it's way too cold, but still I can't complain
Yeah

credits

from Live At The Roundhouse, released October 28, 2016

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Plaid On Flannel Toronto, Ontario

Plaid On Flannel is an alternative indie blues rock act from Toronto, Canada. With 80+ original songs recorded since 2011, singer-songwriter Nolan Randall has remained the sole constant member of the band. POF's music is known for guitar riffs/solos, memorable hooks, catchy melodies/harmonies, evocative lyrics, & superb musicianship. While keeping a focus on originality and songwriting quality. ... more

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