Blame is about taking a look at yourself in the mirror during a time in your life when you’re not proud of who you are, and taking ownership for the circumstances you’re in, in order to change them.
- - - - - The Story Behind the Song - - - - -
Blame was a song that was 5 years in the making. I have a phone recording from September 15, 2015, with the original chord progression and some of the melody to the song. Ever since day one, the chorus melody has been the same, and the word "Blame" has always been the title and theme of it.
I remember thinking that the verse melody that was coming to me felt very influenced by Incubus, which was strange because I've never been a huge fan of that band. There are a few stand out songs that I had on my iPod years ago, but it's interesting how that influence could creep into my songwriting.
Fast forward to sometime in the spring of 2018, and I was showing my friend Mike Chhangur, a few new song ideas that I had. At that time we were playing together in a band called Breaching Vista, and were looking for new song ideas to run with. I showed him "Blame" and it immediately caught his attention. By this time, I had written the song in full and he really made a connection to the song. I mentioned that I wanted to take the song into the direction of Imagine Dragons and AWOLnation, exploring some of the electro-rock modern day sounds, but that I had no idea how to get the song there. We played around with it a bit in his studio to the point where a short 30 second demo was created, just enough to get the idea of where I wanted to take it.
Then out of nowhere I said "I wonder if Jay from USS would want to produce this song?" kind of surprising myself at the thought, and Mike paused for a moment as if to process the thought himself, then quickly agreed that Jay would be the perfect guy for the job. A few short messages between some mutual friends and within a day or two, I was connected with and pitching my song idea to Jason Parsons, the popular DJ "Human Kebab" and one-half of the alternative rock outfit, Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (aka USS).
Once Jay heard the demo and direction that I wanted to go, he was fully on board and got straight to work. His manager, Liam, helped facilitate and arrange some studio time at Coalition Music (Studios) in Toronto, and the backbone of Blame was created.
In a twist of fate, Mike and I were forced to switch gears in order to complete a Breaching Vista song that was in the middle of production at that time, and Blame ended up taking a back seat. Jay went on an extensive tour with USS at that time as well, and Blame became a project song that would be chipped away at over the course of another year, with the help of many more contributors.
With the disbanding of Breaching Vista in late 2019, I knew that the first few months of 2020 would be spent rebranding myself as a solo artist and releasing new songs right out of the gate. I knew that Blame was going to be my 3rd single, because I already had plans for the first two, and it would give me just enough time to tie up the loose ends with Blame and finally get it released. I'm so happy and grateful now that Blame is finished, and ready to rock speakers around the world.
lyrics
Lyrics:
I messed up, get dressed up, confess up
The worst of my feelings are very mischieving
My best of, consists of, the rest of
My being, that I’ve gotten good at concealing
And I don’t know why I can’t close my eyes
And escape to the places that I visualize
Maybe it’s the fear? No, it must be the fear
Of the unknown and actually leaving
I struggle and blame myself
(Blame)
It’s my fault
The guilt that ties knots in my stomach
And taunts as it carries the weight of contemptment
Suppressed by the highs, undressed by my eyes
Temporary relief like a substance
And I can’t make sense of my flawed conscience
As it’s caught in the toils of its residence
Gut check on myself, time for therapy help
Navigating the waters of my mental health
Too much, too hard, too soon to find the comfort in
Learning pain is your friend
Too bad, so sad, you dug the trench you’re living in
Survival takes digging in
It’s too late, too late, too late, too late, too late,
Too late, too late, too late, too late, too late,
Too late, too late, too late, to give up now
I’m on the outside looking in
I struggle and blame myself
(Blame)
It’s my fault
credits
released April 3, 2020
Credits:
Produced by: Jason “Human Kebab” Parsons
Co-Produced by: John Maksym & Mike Chhangur
Programming by: Jason “Human Kebab” Parsons
Mixed by: Shawn Moore
Mastered by: Siegfried Meier at Beach Road Mastering
Additional Engineering by: Adam Royce at Coalition Music (Studios)
Additional Engineering by: Siegfried Meier at The Cat Box
Additional Engineering by: Mike Chhangur at Chhangur-La Studios
Additional Editing by: Jericco Vera
Lyrics & Music by: John Maksym (SOCAN)
Musical Arrangement by: John Maksym & Jason Parsons
Lead Vocals & Acoustic Guitar by: John Maksym
Bass, Lead Guitar & Additional Vocals by: Mike Chhangur
Additional Guitar by: Al Malnar
Additional Vocals by: Live Hart
Artwork Concept and Design by: John Maksym
Lyrics & Credits Page Layout by: John Maksym
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