Week 2 – Keeping the Antannae working

Hey Folks!

It was a great week to be an observer!

One of the cool upsides of being more intentional about observing is that it also meant that in conversation with people I was more present. I have always loved that part of the songwriting process – where the ideas – the spark – the inspiration comes from!!!!

MOMENT 1:

The first idea came from a conversation that I was having with my mom. At 73 she is preparing to move into her own place! during one of our more recent chats she spoke of the experience of going through her things as she is preparing to downsize and move into her new place – which could very well be her last place!  She spoke of the memories that were being conjured up – good and painful.  This conversation reminded me of how little I have actually retained from different times of my life  – to make a long story a bit shorter what cam to me as I idea was if I remembered more – it would probably result in more regret!

MOMENT 2:

I was waiting for dinner at Pizza Pizza earlier this week. A man walked in to place his order and was asking about one of the specials – he discovered that if it was going to be a different sized pizza that the deal was no longer available – he said something along the lines of “that’s a game changer” – not exactly sure where it’s going to go from there and it’s not a new idea – but there’ll be something that comes of it.

MOMENT 3:

“You Wore me Down” – was watching a movie called – ‘Stuck In Love’ – there was a great scene with the daughter of the main characters and this young man who was trying desperately to woo her but she was having none of it – she said he reeked of romance and good intentions – which is a brilliant line that I cannot steal of course. Eventually – over the course of the next few scenes this ‘nice’ young man – day by day, bit by bit – started to grow on her.

MOMENT 4: 

“What’s missing is the truth” – this is a line that I read in a online newspaper article – love the line – again not sure where it is headed but it’s a great concept!

MOMENT 5:

Over the last little while I have had many a conversation with my older sister about relationships – more specifically about getting out of them – it can be very challenging sometimes – we worry about burning bridges – should we – shouldn’t we????  I was recent conversation with her reminded me of a song idea that I have had for a long long time.  The song that I wrote this week was called “Better Off Burned”

Here is the Lyric

Better Off Burned   (Carrie DeMaeyer 2014)

Looking back it’s so easy to see all the reason

You and I would not end well

I fell for every line and your pale blue eyes

I could not help myself

I’m not gonna lie there was something in the way you were looking my way

We gave it a try but there is nothing left of us today

This bridge is better off burned

                   There were so many lessons we never could learn

                   I’m done with the twists and tired of the turns

                   This bridge – is better off burned

Like a bottle of red – you messed with my head

The fog was slow to lift

With a slightly bruised heart – I picked up my guitar

And I channeled Taylor Swift

I’m not gonna lie – there was something in the way you were holding me close

We gave it a try but now it’s time to find a boat that floats

This bridge is better off burned

                   There were so many lessons we never did learn

                   I’m done with the twists and tired of the turns

                   This bridge – is better off burned

There’s no point in pretending

                        That you & l will are gonna stay friendly

                        It was fun while it lasted

                        Time to strike a match -and scatter the ashes

This bridge is better off burned

                   There were so many lessons we never did learn

                   I’m done with the twists and tired of the turns

                   This bridge – is better off burned

Thanks everyone – have a great Week 3!

Week 1 – Done!

Hey Everyone!

Like many have already shared – I endeavour to get to as many of the songs as possible in the next little bit – what I have listened to so far has been really great!  In addition to the songs – there is so much to get out of the rest of the posts – so thanks for all of it folks!!

Despite what I thought I already knew about my song-writing process, there have been some interesting reveals in week!  How fun!!!  Looking at titles, first lines and themes was a really great exercise.

Titles that caught my eye:

– Accidental Babies – Damien Rice

– Chaos & Piss – Pink

– That Kind of Lonely – Patty Griffin

Favourite first lines:

“Go ahead push your luck find out how much love the world can hold” – Dar Williams – After All

“Well there’s wine on the page, and my heart’s in a rage and I must call the cops on myself” – Steve Poltz – Kicking Distance

“I open my hands up to see what I’ve got, my days slip like coins into a slot – they are gone…” – Indigo Girls – Love of our Lives

Themes

–  heartbreak

–  redemption

–  love

Titles/Lines/Theme:

1 Little Boy Blue – Theme – the journey of the underdog

First line – ‘Beautiful and perfect laying on your Mama’s chest’

2. ‘Deer in the Headlines’ – Theme – trying not to live in fear

First line – ‘It’s either buzzing or it’s beeping either way – it stops me sleeping’

3. ‘Leave Tennessee Alone’ – Theme – the end of the relationship

First line – ‘By the time I made my way into Kentucky – the sunset hit ne right between the eyes’

4. ‘Left Over Lonely’ – trying to rid oneself of emotional baggage

First line – ‘For so many reasons I keep waiting on the leaving that you haven’t done’

5. ‘I’m no good with bad news’ – breaking up

First line  – ‘Contents may have shifted at point along the way’

Week 1 Song

“Little Boy Blue”

Beautiful and perfect laying on his mama’s chest

All fresh and new for all the world to see

He got here safe and sound we never felt so blessed

A brand new branch upon our family tree

First born only son

Marches to a lonely drum

Little boy blue – is not okay

Little boy blue – won’t be out to play

It’s hard to put a finger on – what is right and what is wrong

But something is going on  – with little boy blue

For awhile he did the best he could to find a place to fit

T-ball, scouts and house-league soccer games

A friend or two along the way but he may not be equipped

To carry on the family name

First born only son

Keeps marching to a lonely drum

Little boy blue – is not okay

Little boy blue – can not come out to play

It’s hard to put a finger on – what is right and what is wrong

But something is going on – with little boy blue

Time has turned this boy into a man

I hope someday he finds a safe place to land

Little boy blue – is not okay

Little boy blue – can not come out to play

It’s hard to put a finger on – what is right and what is wrong

But something is going – with little boy blue

C. DeMaeyer 2014