Friday, August 31, 2012

Week 35 - "Into the Blue"

This week is similar to last week in that it is an experiment with using an accompaniment pattern that repeats verbatim.  The challenge is in varying the vocal melody enough to define the formal sections.


Lyrics:

I think I've come undone
While you were having fun.
What did you think you'd see
When you disconnected me?
When you disowned your life
And waited for the knife
That would remove your wings,
Were you confusing things?

And you knew I'd never sleep at night.
And you knew I wouldn't put up a fight.
It's overdue.
And you knew it never felt so right
As the moment that I held you tight.
I wish I knew
Where it is you flew.

Into the blue
Is where you're going to.
Can I follow you
Into the blue?

It's very hard to fly
With wings you did not buy.
Where can you go from here?
Your way is so unclear?
Don't you give me a sign.
Don't want to hear that line.
Why can't I see your face
Reflected in your sword and mace?

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Week 34 - "Sins of Youth"


I wrote this song originally for a girl to sing in first person ("I'm a snake, I'm a temptress...").  I'm still working on getting a recording of that version.  In the meantime, I've created this version sung from the perspective of the man.  I think it works okay either way.



Lyrics:
My heart had flown away to greet the brand new day.
My mind cannot be swayed to heal the pain of yesterday.
The wind blows through my hair as I walk in the evening air.
But I cannot pretend I've overcome what happened then.

Your life has so been built to bear the weight of crushing guilt.
You take your dagger by the hilt and watch the flowers as they wilt.
Destined to break my heart, I think I knew it from the start.
But I am not alone.  No one can melt your heart of stone.

You're a snake, you're a temptress, you're a devil in a black dress.
Your lips never spoke a word of truth.
Do you feel so restricted from the pain that you inflicted?
Should I forgive your sins of youth?

You warned me that I must never bestow you with my trust.
You'll leave me in the dust.  You'll leave me soul to rot and rust.
You'll leave me standing there.  You wouldn't even really care.
While I real from the sting, you will not feel a single thing.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Week 33 - "Crocoturtle Cove"

This song is the first of the Year of Song that was written for an advertisement.  This is a short version, which may be extended later for longer ads.  It is for my wife's business - Crocoturtle Cove.


Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Week 32 - "Chuck Norris"


This song is dedicated to my friend Kevin in Missouri.  He is, by far, the biggest Chuck Norris fan I have ever met.

Lyrics:
The day that Chuck was born
The doctor slapped him on the back
Then Chuck knocked him to the floor
When he countered with a spin attack.  Oh yeah.

He grew to be a karate star
So you better watch what you do.
Rest assured he knows who you are
And any second he'll be coming for you. Oh yeah.

That man gives me such a fright
It makes it hard for me to sleep at night.
When you see him coming, what you gonna do? He's a-
He's a one man wrecking crew.
That's Chuck! Chuck Norris! That's Chuck! Chuck Norris! Look out!

You can joke about his mustache,
But you shouldn't do it to his face.
The last one who did - Chuck kicked his ash,
And smacked his head into outer space, oh yeah.

That man gives me such a fright
It makes it hard for me to sleep at night.
When you see him coming, what you gonna do? He's a-
He's a one man wrecking crew.
That's Chuck! Chuck Norris! That's Chuck! Chuck Norris! That's "Mr. Norris" to you!

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Week 31 -"Caffeine"


This is my parody of the song "Cocaine" by J.J. Cale (which was covered by Eric Clapton).



Lyrics:
When you're feeling kind of squirrelly
'cause the alarm woke you too early -- caffeine.
When you arrive late to work
And you could really use a perk -- caffeine.
Time for work, time for work, time for work, caffeine.

When you stayed up late last night
And you ain't feeling very bright -- caffeine.
When you're moving pretty slow
And you need a cup of Joe -- caffeine.
Fill it up, fill it up, fill it up, caffeine.

Don't you drink it too much,
Or it will become a crutch -- caffeine.
You think you're doing yourself a service
But it'll make you mighty nervous -- caffeine.
Take it slow, take it slow, take it slow -- caffeine.