Special (Joe Hawley Cover w/ Lyrics)

this one is very special (ha) to me for a few reasons.
first, despite having played them for the better part of nine years, this is the first time live drums have appeared on the channel.
second, writing rap is not something i do often, and have struggled deeply with in the past. despite that, i'm quite fond of how that section of the song turned out.
finally, the minutiae of the whole creative process from start to finish was enlightening in a way that most previous covers weren't, and that i can't be bothered describing.
so basically, i'm pretty proud of this video. and that's good enough for me.
see you again soon...
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LYRICS:
- simultaneous lyrics indicated by () parentheses -
- new, original lyrics indicated by [] square brackets -

Generally, I'm a modest guy.
I've eaten my share of humble pie.
Sometimes that's delicious, but I do have wishes
to swim with the biggest of bigger fishes.
What would be the point if we were all the same?
Life would be an abject, hackneyed game.
(I pledged to play no part in that abject, hackneyed game.)
No frame of reference for pleasure when there's no pain.
I'd rather not refrain.
I'd rather not abstain.

Do you believe I'm special?
Would you agree I'm special?
How could I be so special?
Do I believe I'm special?

I'm not afraid to be cast aside.
Invisible guys don't need to hide.
The struggle is real, but what's the deal
when folk feel like they need to have the most appeal?
I remember practicing most weekends
at the expense of spending joyful time with friends,
imagining that it would yield the best rewards,
not four repeating hip-hop, doo-wop chords.

Do you believe I'm special?
Would you agree I'm special?
How could I be so special?
Do I believe I'm special?

[Mom always told me that I was one of a kind.
But as I got older and wise, that sentiment began to weigh on my mind.
What makes me different from all of the others dreaming?
I can't seem to recall the reason that I'm worth redeeming.
I say indifference is bliss so when I inevitably miss,
this dissonance that I'm listening in
suspends my solipsistic senses a little bit less;
makes my hurt less intense.
If you claim it's how you planned it, you don't have to make amends.]

[But I'm not stupid. I know when it's lies that I tell.
If there's one person in this world that I can't trick then it's myself.
I suppose it's just the problem with trying to be self-aware:
you don't need a mirror to see the misery in your stare.
But I see through this senseless entropy.
These maladies made a man of me.
This blade that Dionysius insidiously insisted on Damocles
is one that bodes an omen of darkness... or so they tell,
without giving us a chance to see the hand in which it's held.]

And anyway, who am I to fret like this?
Maybe a key change can pull me out of this abyss.

Sooner or later I shall find myself
and make amends with the me left on the shelf
[in a jam session and lesson taught of love and sin,
until we finally find that great, resounding din.
So] maybe I'm unique and maybe not,
but I might as well deliver all I've got.

Do you believe I'm special?
Would you agree I'm special?
How could I be so special?
Do I believe I'm special?

Do you believe I'm (we're) special?
(You know we've been to this scene, an aboriginal meme.)
(Join if you keep it coming back, and coming back)
Would you agree I'm (we're) special?
(Had a smotherful mother full of meddle and steam.)
(and coming back, why don't we keep it coming back?)
How could I (we) be so special?
(Can't believe what we've seen, won't be burned to the ground,)
(and coming back.)
Do I (we) believe I'm (we're) special?
(though make ourselves castles every tide we're around.)
(Join if you)

Oh, live the dream
(Do you like how I walk? Do you like how I talk?)
(keep it coming back, and coming back)
in a time machine, you've been waiting forever.
(Do you like how my face has learned to tick like a clock?)
(and coming back, why don't we keep it coming back?
Oh, live the dream
(I have a wonderful life, I know a powerful Bob. (Todd.))
(and coming back.)
in a time machine, you've been waiting forever.
(He eulogizes me for being geocentric. Ha ha ha ha.)
(Join if you want it coming back.)

[ChonnyJash]

a parallel hell;
two roads run by left and right.
black and white sighs brighten day and stain the night.
consolidation, though inevitable is a twisted fight to fight,
at least if we're to keep that rope untied.

a thin and blurry line,
the one that tries to part push and shove.
the saint, the mother, mary averts her gaze in skies above.
a black so deep as a starless sky, a white to stun a dove.
a thin and blurry parallel hell;
this dual, dead, dueling love.

7

[patrickstarmie]

2:55 i love these moments where your covers bleed into each other. It's a pure sensory overload and I mean that in the best way possible

[Im_not_an_expert_lol]

Don't worry Chonny, we believe you're special.

[destinyyoung]

I used to be a big Twenty One Pilots fan. Still love them, but stopped listening to their music as much for a reason I can't remember. Anyway, some of their songs really resonated with me and I felt like I related to them on a personal level. The rap verses in this made me remember that. It's the same messages, the same kind of rapping, same style of rhymes, it even sounds so much like Tyler Joseph's voice in those parts that I literally started crying when I heard this for the first time. I used to have big issues with myself, thought that I wasn't really worth much. That I ruined everything. They helped. No, they didn't save my life like they did for some other fans, but they mean a lot to me and this brought that back. This made me remember that and made me realize how much I've grown. That I used to relate to this and just... _don't_ anymore. It's nice knowing you've conquered your self doubt. I guess what I'm trying to say is thanks, Chonny.

[Spades-]

Now that we have heard you rap imma need a Labyrinth cover. In all seriousness you make me smile like no other musician. Your original music and covers have helped me through some very hard times.

[_safaristyle]

my heart grows three times larger and i cry a little bit while listening to this song i love this song

[sydmohammadali]

I had a dream last night that chonny covered Dream Sweet in Sea Major

[ChonnyJash]

THIS IS PART OF A 27-TRACK, 1HR-48MIN-LONG COVER ALBUM OF MARVIN'S MARVELOUS MECHANICAL MUSEUM BY TALLY HALL, AS WELL AS A FEW SONGS FROM RELATED SIDE-PROJECTS (Miracle Musical, Joe Hawley, Light & Night.)

IF THIS INTERESTS YOU, YOU CAN LISTEN TO THE ALBUM IN ITS ENTIRETY FOR FREE HERE:

AS WELL AS DOWNLOAD THE ENTIRE THING - AND MY OTHER ALBUMS - FOR FREE, AT FULL QUALITY HERE:
chonnyjash.bandcamp.com

SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE MUSIC, WHETHER IT BE TALLY HALL OR NOT.
THAT IS ALL.
FEEL FREE TO STICK AROUND AND ENJOY THE RIDE.

[ellies]

listening to this in math class. absolute banger. i love the incorporation of time machine, mind electric and variations on a cloud. that’s at least what i heard the first time over

[AyeTSG]

This song is very personal to me for "special" reasons. Thank you so much for this Chonny.

[icedmorning]

I hear Special, Welcome to Tally Hall, Variations on a Cloud (Ruler of Everything), Time Machine, and Labyrinth in here. That’s insane.

Edit: Also The Mind Electric at 1:56

[broskydoodle]

Such an underrated Joe Hawley song, I'm overjoyed to see you covering it!

[Deader-Than-Dead]

That amalgamation of songs at the end was just absolutely outstanding. Keep these amazing works coming out.

[mirrorteru-viewing]

Man, I just found your covers like... an hour ago. These all slap, I love them??

I wish they were on Spotify, I would listen to them on repeat, oh gosh.

Edit: chonny was my top artist for the spotify wrapped for i am plenty aware---

[syvvieon]

i'm coming back to say that, in all honesty this is probably one of my favorites of CJ's covers. i may cover it myself later down the line

[clayfrazee]

I honestly think that Chonny's music [this album and this song especially] helped me through alot of tough shit this year. Im so glad I found it

[angelfacepeanut]

FUCK this was sooo good. Another bopping ass cover chonny. Ending gave me chills and the rap section was so well written. Adore this. Would really love to see your takes on Taken For A Ride and & next honestly. Whatever it is tho I'm hyped. You've definitely got a lot of talent as these covers completely change the meaning of the word 'cover'

[chillygamingreal]

Incredible cover, one of the best Tally Hall covers I've seen. Unique videos, enjoyable vocals and your own twist. Insanely good!

[spidunno]

holy shit I just noticed the mind electric in the instrumental at one part

there are so many subtle things like this I keep noticing its so cool

[ApolloSkyes]

Playing drums for this cover definitely made this video more special! Thank you for this upload, have a good one!