The Two Sides (2007): Nothing Is Like It Used To Be

Story
"Nothing Is Like It Used To Be" was one of the first songs I wrote. I, basically, arranged some GarageBand loops very simply, and the lyrics just came into my head. The lyrics had no specific theme - just the fact that I was tired that nothing is like it used to be, in real life.

Personally, I always pictured John Lennon in the protests with this song, so that's more or less where the concept came from.

The "aaaaaah" shouts were inspired by Led Zeppelin's song, "Immigrant song".

The first take of this song, with some of David's help, became the master. A never-used-again take of the song, Take 2, appears in the "A few words" bonus disc.

Concept
After having a normal life in "Wanna Know My Name? Later", the protagonist goes out to the streets and protests about the things of today. The song's lyrics are what he is saying. It's just a common thing about growing up - become an opponent of, basically, everything. His life, for now, is still normal.

Lyrics

Nobody know what I've become
Everybody thinks I'm paranoid
Who can tell me everything's gone?
Who can say something unknown?

It is now that nothing I know
Can you tell me why I want more?
More and more and more and more
I've been feeling this won't stop
(Oh, yeah, here we go)

'Cause nothing is like it used to be
Everything now is irony
'Cause nothing is like it used to be
And there's no more fantasy

Why I see that nobody knows
the complex reason why I am on
these paradoxes of the entire world
that has been changing since I was a boy

All I see is one thing I know
Everything's different and horrible
The world's not like it used to be
and everything now is irony

'Cause nothing is like it used to be
Everything now is irony
'Cause nothing is like it used to be
And there's no more fantasy

'Cause nothing is like it used to be
Everything now is irony
'Cause nothing is like it used to be
And there's no more fantasy

Technical stuff
Lyrics by James Castells. Produced by David Constante and James Castells.

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