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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2008 10:39:10 GMT -5
we used to do something like this with creative writing in school. it's just for fun.
i choose a word and you write a song around it.
you can have as many entries as you wish.
the winner, as voted by you, the people, gets to choose the next competition word.
you can't vote for yourself.
i figure we can try this once and if it works, great, if it doesn't, no big deal.
the first word, aptly, shall be 'begin'.
you have until friday......
good luck
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Post by loopysanchez on Jan 11, 2008 10:57:01 GMT -5
Damn, I wish Colin Hay hadn't already written "Waiting for My Real Life to Begin". I'd win this thing for sure... I'll see what I can come up with...
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Post by loopysanchez on Jan 11, 2008 12:10:27 GMT -5
Ok, here's one I threw together from scratch in the time since my last post (45 minutes?). It's just a typical little song about a crush that goes unfulfilled, y'know, the stuff every guy goes through at some point in high school or college... Half autobiographical, half fiction...
"Begin" (For Lack of a Better Title)-- Copyright Don Henderson, 2008.
VERSE 1 You never did anything wrong You’re like that with everyone I’m the one who tagged along So now my heart’s the heavy one
HALF-CHORUS (TEASER) And I know you'd probably say That we never did begin So tell me why today Feels like a bitter end
VERSE 2 I’m the one who tried to keep you amused Your laughter was my cardiology I’m the one who started writing tunes Consider this one the apology For every time my nervous charm Sounded one of your alarms And for every single awkward pause My presence ever caused
CHORUS 1 And I know you'd say That we never did begin So tell me why today Feels like the bitter end Seems that when love’s over Before it’s begun My hope fades so much slower ‘Til my faith burns down to none
BRIDGE So now I guess we both get to begin You, a brand new life with him Me, rebuilding myself from within That’s something that never will end
CHORUS 1 And I know you'd say That we never did begin So tell me why today Feels like a bitter end Seems that when love’s over Before it’s begun My hope fades so much slower ‘Til my faith burns down to none
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Post by billhammond on Jan 11, 2008 12:11:52 GMT -5
Don -- Suggestion: "bitter wind" instead of "end," maybe?
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Post by loopysanchez on Jan 11, 2008 14:07:37 GMT -5
Thanks, Bill! I can already envision a couple of tweaks that would let the "bitter wind" work quite well. And as I'm re-reading it now after a good Mexican lunch, I see a few other areas that might need adjustment, too. Now I just need a good chord progression and melody. I'm thinking a basic I-IV-V, with a whiny little repetitive melody... Y'know, like something you might find on a cool indie station, or maybe a hipster movie soundtrack?
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Post by Cornflake on Jan 11, 2008 23:09:55 GMT -5
girl don't you know being chaste is a bore? I'm begin oooh I'm begin
your pretty pink blouse would look good on my floor I'm begin oooh I'm begin
there's something you got that I sorely need good looks didn't work so I'll just have to plead
you want me to grovel? okay I concede I'm begin oooh I'm begin
(I just felt like cheating.)
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2008 4:32:48 GMT -5
tut tut sir flake.........
*************
The Birds And The Bees
The beekeeper On our road, Mary Sweeney said that he lived alone. So I called up To his house And I asked him what was that all about?
He looked a bit mad but I was just little So he didn't really show me the door. He said son it's like I told you before There's only one bee gets the queen for his own And that wasn't me.
The birdwatcher He looked down. I heard Mary say that his wife left town. Come here son,he said to me, I got something that I want you to see.
See the blackbird doing his best there That's a cuckoo in his nest, All he has she's going to take it away, Ain't no feeling like feeling betrayed, Ain't that for sure.
And I tell ya, it wasn't nice, Findin' out they weren't just telling lies. And Mrs.Sweeney, where were you? You missed a field day, no one sang out my blues. But you know son what I'm gonna tell you Is what I wish that they had said. It don't matter how many teachers you get You'll still begin to learn for yourself, The birds and the bees.
***************
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Post by Cornflake on Jan 12, 2008 9:38:51 GMT -5
Good one, Con.
Jokes aside, I don't think of songwriting as a competition so I won't enter. I elected to treat this as an exercise, though, and that was interesting. What I came up with isn't a keeper but it prompted some thoughts that might eventually lead to one.
I’ve watched the pickets with their signs Outside Planned Parenthood Now there’s a thorny issue That I’ve never understood What some would call a private choice Some call a mortal sin I have to say I’ve wondered too: When does life begin
I’ve done my work without a smile I’ve tried to get ahead The theory is it all pays off Some bright day up ahead I’ve seen the leaden faces though Does anybody win? It’s not good to be wondering When does life begin
I’ve watched my daughter study As the autumn days unfold She’d rather have been playing But she did as she was told I fear I may have led her wrong Those days won’t come again I hope she never has to ask When does life begin
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2008 9:56:52 GMT -5
to be honest i think competition is the wrong word. it is an exercise, just with a way to keep it going and to keep it fresh.
strangely enough, writing within certain limits brings out some great songs, or at the very least the seeds of some great songs.
i think what you've submitted is very impressive.
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Post by Cornflake on Jan 13, 2008 20:32:41 GMT -5
Thanks, but I think it's just okay and I'd never perform it. It's half-hour exercise.
"strangely enough, writing within certain limits brings out some great songs, or at the very least the seeds of some great songs."
I think you're right. Once you get used to the limits, whatever is on your mind may come out and find a ready-made structure. That's one of the many reasons I'm happy to work well within the boundaries of a certain tradition.
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Post by Jawbone on Jan 15, 2008 21:11:52 GMT -5
Unlike Loopy, it takes me upwards of a year to write a song. So I'll have to get back to ya.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2008 6:46:20 GMT -5
sadly it's been a poor enough turn out. entries will no longer be taken.
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Post by Marshall on Jan 18, 2008 9:14:23 GMT -5
Damn. Sorry I haven't been around here in a while. I like the idea of this exercise. And I like the outcomes.
Connie, I like that one a lot.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2008 9:39:39 GMT -5
cheers. hopefully it'll be something that people get involved in a bit more. make sure to keep an eye on the next one.
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