It's Hard To Write A Song On Monday

It's all about me.

2012-01-28T22:43:00.006-06:00

It's all about me (or how I almost pissed myself last Thursday.)

I'm thinking of writing a blog post for each song I do. It'll be whatever I remember about writing and recording the song. FAWM starts Wednesday so I have a lot of songs coming up in the near future.

But I have doubts. Lots of doubts. Like I doubt my own stamina to complete both 14 songs in 28 days (even though I've hit 28 and 31 the last two years) while still updating the blog for every song. I also have the toilet songs that I promised I'd do at least once per month (no songs since November) and I was tempted to try recording a song a week.. you know like proper recordings. But I didn't even feel tempted to start this year. I should have a sad face. Why? I'm not sure, but I know it's fear of some sort. Fear of sucking? Fear of facing myself in the mirror? Fear of actually have to work for something instead of just doing what comes natural and being fine with it?

And I doubt anyone reads this... well maybe I've got one or two subscribers. So if you see this could you make a comment and tell me that yeah, you've read it and I should stop being a whiny baby and man up? I'd appreciate it. Yeah, I'm totally needing a connection with someone, anyone.

I don't do blog posts like this, normally. But you know what? I like it when others do this sometimes (not all the time.) I mean I wanna get inside someone's brain and figure out what causes them to do what they do... especially if it's related to songwriting. I figure if they can do it, why can't I?

I'll tell you why. Because I'm afraid. I don't always get to be this honest with myself and I'll probably delete this post tomorrow, but yeah, it's fear. If I stop to think about it, I'll convince myself otherwise, but it's fear. Mostly fear of not being good enough. But by whose standards? You might think it's not good enough for whoever stumbles upon my music. But you know what? It's not. It's fear of not living up to my own standards. It's an odd thought that just came to me, but it rings of truth. Fear of myself... fear of my own expectations. Fear of actually working, striving hard for something. But fear none the less.

I have stage fright. Sometimes more than others. Talking in front of groups of more than 3 or 4 always gives me stage fright. Playing music in front of people always makes me feel the stage fright. But the more I do it, the less the frightening aspects rear their ugly heads. Thursday I had a gig with my band. And it was the most comfortable I've felt playing out with this band. And it was still uncomfortable. Before every solo I had doubts. I had to banish the thoughts that I was gonna make a mistake and feel foolish. And mostly I was successful*. Which is odd. Even inundated with doubt I was able to do an okay job. That should give me confidence, and maybe it does, but I sure don't feel confident.

*Even though I was so scared at one point I almost pissed myself.

So anyway. As long as I'm feeling confident in myself, I figure I'll start using this here blog as a kind of journal. So, hopefully, there won't be anymore postings like this one. More along the lines of thoughts and notes and memories of my projects and the like. But I think there is some value in baring your soul and letting anyone who wants to (no matter how unlikely) enter your little world of doubt and fear and see what it's like to be a blubbering idiot with the natural ability to fake his way through music. Well, I'm doing the best I can. That's not true. I'm doing okay, but I could be doing lots better. Here's to doing lots better. And to the truth. *drinks another beer*

You Make Me Feel Like Sh** (NSFW) - Songs From The Toilet

2011-11-21T05:01:00.002-06:00

The second video in the series of songs from the toilet. This time I'm playing a song from my successful attempt at writing a song a week for the year in 2010.

No Presents - Songs From The Toilet

2011-10-03T05:39:00.002-05:00

I've started a video channel for a new project that I hope keeps me practicing and learning songs. It's called Songs From The Toilet. The first song was started many years ago and was just finished a few days ago in the last stages of the songwriting challenge 50 Songs in 90 Days.

http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Learning To Breathe Again

2011-05-09T18:00:00.001-05:00

This is a co-write with Mark L. Berry and a companion song for a chapter in his memoir. It's a very touching chapter and it has been an honor to work with Mark on this song.

I sit and look at your white-gold engagement ring
My heart breaks as I sit and stare at this thing
She only wore it for two months and four days
This ring and I live just like two castaways

I saw a doc to resolve all of my outbursts
He made me count from 100 by 7's in reverse
He knew I needed help to learn to grieve
So he said he would teach me how to breathe

I'm just trying to learn to breathe again
Trying to live another day
I'm just trying to learn to breathe again
As I try to find my way
I'm just trying to learn to live again
Trying to end this slow decay
I'm just trying to learn to breathe again
To get this pain to fade away

No words
Can explain this pain
Nothing will ever feel the same

I'm just trying to learn to breathe again
Trying to live another day
I'm just trying to learn to breathe again
As I try to find my way
And I'm just trying to learn to live again
Trying to end this slow decay
I'm just trying to learn to breathe again
To get this pain to fade away

Cloud-Cuckoo-Land

2011-04-16T14:32:00.004-05:00

So... the plan was to record a song a week in 2011 and have an album (or two or three) done by the end of the year. Well that didn't happen. But I saw this title on songfight and had no idea what the connotation was at all. But I wrote this song and I think it fits pretty well. Feel free to go over there and vote for me and some other good songs till voting ends.

They say I'm living in a Cloud
I'm just one of many
There is quite a crowd
They say I'm living in a Cloud

They say I'm like a cuckoo bird
I'll tell you stories
The strangest that you've heard
They say I'm like a cuckoo bird
(I'm flying high)
(Up in the sky)

No matter where I go
or what I say
How much I wish
How much you pray
It's not your fault
I ended up this way
They say I'm crazy

They say I live in a faerie land
They just don't want
To try and understand
They say I live in a faerie land
(Brownies and pixies and sprites)
(Magical dust and pots of gold)

No matter where I go
or what I say
How much I wish
How much you pray
It's not your fault
I ended up this way
They say I'm crazy

Don't Tell Me That It's Over - Song A Week 2010 - 52

2010-12-27T21:40:00.002-06:00

So.... last song a week for 2010. I've officially succeeded in writing at least one song every week of this year. Some songs were better than others, some demos or work tapes were better than others. But I'm happy I stuck with it.

This one was a veiled attempt at writing about an ending, but the lyric is a bit odd. I guess I channeled the end of the challenge into a new direction.

It's been years since you trusted someone else
Now you only pretend
I wonder when you're gonna realize
You've lost your only friend

Don't tell me that it's over
That it's coming to an end
I don't wanna know about
the shit you're always in
Don't tell me that it's over
Our time will be no more
Don't tell me that you loved the ride
As you lock me out your door
Don't tell me that it's over

You say you just refuse to believe
In noble acts
You say this world is built on greed
You just recite the facts

I know it's not the easiest
Thing you've ever done
But when you think about someone else
The better you become

I know you haven't heard a word I've said
So let me set you straight
You're gonna have a meeting in hell
And you won't be late

I'd Do It Again And Again - SAW 2010 - 51

2010-12-20T23:38:00.003-06:00

A last minute one. Second to last of the year. One to go. Bout damn time, too.

You come home late from work
And you've had a really bad day
You look tired, you look worn down
You walk into a dirty house
You snap at me as I say hi
You go off at the slightest sound

You say what you say
And I say what I say
We don't always see eye to ey
Through all the trials
The good times and the bad
We are just trying to live our lives
I'd do it again and again

Both the kids start a fight
Ask you what there is to eat
All you want to do is take a break
Hey Mom sissy's touching me
She hit me when I told her to stop
Somehow you get another headache

You ask me if I'm coming to bed
It's late and you're getting tired
You say it's time to hit the sack
I lie down and hold you close
Tell you it will be okay
If you want I'll even rub your back

Say Goodbye - SAW 2010 - 50

2010-12-13T22:07:00.003-06:00

I wanted to write a song that kind of metaphorically represented the end of the challenge. I like the idea in this song, and it was fun doing a lyric first for a change, but I'm not really happy with it overall. Luckily I have two more weeks to get one I do like. I did try to use the new method of lyric writing but it didn't work as well as the first time. Will try again soon, I'm sure.

One Room Apartment - SAW 2010 - 49

2010-12-06T05:04:00.001-06:00

Only three to go. This week I experimented with destination writing. I admit that I did not do it 'properly' but I did use the idea of using a journal and writing in a free form, free expression sort of way to get ideas for the lyric. I think it has a lot of potential and the abbreviated method I used didn't take much time. I'm hoping this proves very fruitful in the future.

One Room Apartment
T.C. Elliott

I knew I said the wrong thing
Soon as the words came out
I hurt you, made you angry all at once
Now it’s too late to take it back
All those words I said
And the hurt you said felt just like a punch

This one room apartment
Makes me realize
You were right and I was wrong
This one room apartment
Lets me fantasize
You won’t make me stay away too long
When will you let me come back home?

I hear the neighbors fighting
‘Bout that last cigarette
I wonder how they got stuck living here
I open my wallet
And see a picture of you
As I fight back another tear

This one room apartment
Makes me realize
You were right and I was wrong
This one room apartment
Lets me fantasize
You won’t make me stay away too long
When will you let me come back home?

Lonely Memories - SAW 2010 - 48

2010-11-29T04:42:00.001-06:00

Another song about my Grandmother who passed earlier this year. This was suppose to be the juxtaposition of sadness with good memories but I think I failed pretty thoroughly in that effort. But at least it was somewhat cathartic.

I saw a bird up in the trees
I couldn’t help but think of you
Up on your shelf, all those figurines
Always watching after you

Lonely memories, Feeling alone
I feel lost without you
Lonely memories brings tears to my eyes
Whenever I think about you

Your beautiful smile would light up the room
I never met a gentler soul
Your gentle touch wiped my tears away
Your tender kiss made me whole

Lonely memories, Feeling alone
I feel lost without you
Lonely memories brings tears to my eyes
Whenever I think about you

I try to sleep, I close my eyes
But I’m still awake with the sun
With the daylight it’s easy to see
My placid front has come undone

Lonely memories, Feeling alone
I feel lost without you
Lonely memories brings tears to my eyes
Whenever I think about you

Empty Bottle, Empty Man - SAW 2010 - 47

2010-11-22T13:07:00.001-06:00

Sharon Goldman over at The Songwriting Scene Blog posted a challenge to write a song about, referencing or inspired by the word 'cheese.'
Eventually this song kind of plopped itself down in front of me and of course I couldn't help but put the reference in there.

I'll never be beautiful
I'll never be a pretty man
I've done some things sorrowful
(That) not even I can understand

Sometimes I feel like old Swiss cheese
With all these holes in me
I know it's gone, a missing piece
I just don't know what it could be

I am a man with an empty bottle
I want my life back again
So here I stand with an empty bottle
with this bottle I have been
An empty man

Why can't you see I'm a different man
I've pulled myself off the floor
I've given it up, can't you understand?
I'm not like that anymore

I am a man with an empty bottle
I want my life back again
So here I stand with an empty bottle
with this bottle I have been
An empty man

What can I be without that bottle?
What can I be without that glass?
I've lived my life full throttle
Now my brakes are locked up, I'm out of gas

Your Breath On My Skin - SAW 2010 - 46

2010-11-15T04:51:00.001-06:00

Challenged to use the line 'turkey baster on the nightstand' by the creative giant that is Nancy Rost, I have this song to show for it. This is song 46 out of 52 in my Song A Week endeavor.

I get so excited when you
Look into my eyes late at night
I wanna hold you so close that you
Know that I will love you till it's light

I can feel your breath on my skin
You know that it drives me insane
And you know it tickles madly
But you'll never hear me complain

I get so excited when you
Tie me up next to the bedpost
We take turns just to see who can
Make the other beg and plead the most

I see the twinkle in your eye
And know that you have a sneaky plan
You let me see the lotion and the
Turkey baster on the nightstand

You don't call it torture
You say it's just a game we play
I obey your orders
You're the boss if only for the day

A Wounded Heart - SAW 2010 - 45

2010-11-08T09:47:00.004-06:00

It didn't start out this way, but here is a song for Mary Kate Letourneau.

She says that she never wanted
To be living this way
Can’t you see that it’s true love
What else can she say?

And now she has to go away

She packed her bags, she has to leave
And now she’s saying goodbye
She’ll miss the kids and the school
She’s been living a lie

And now she has to go away

She tries to hide and lick her wounds
But she’s torn apart
She suffers from a wounded heart
A promise told has been betrayed
She knew it from the start
They left her with a wounded heart

Eighty months goes by to slow
When you’re still in love
She can’t wait until she’s out
Life can be so tough

And now she has to go away

Chorus

He was on thirteen years of age
When they first became engaged

Chorus

Hacksaw Legs - SAW 2010 - 44

2010-11-01T05:11:00.001-05:00

Almost to sleep about a week ago and the wife started snuggling, which is perhaps my most favorite thing in the whole world. Just as I was getting to sleep I suddenly sat upright in bed with a song idea and had to write it down. You'll never guess where I got the idea.
Sorry, Honey. But I told you I was gonna write about it.

You ask me if I'm ready
To come and sleep in your bed
I love your smile, the way you wink at me
I wanna kiss your pretty little head

But when I try to lay down with you
I feel pain when I'm in your bed
You say you only shave every week or two
And I'm tired of your hacksaw legs

I love the way you look at me
With that twinkle in your eye
You hold my hand and whisper sweetly
I love that you will always be mine

You ask me if I'll come with you
You wanna go into our bedroom
But there's one thing I want you to do
Something you can't do too soon

You Keep Me Running After You - SAW 2010 - 43

2010-10-25T05:30:00.002-05:00

I believe this is the first blues piece for Song A Week. I did an album of acoustic blues in February but I do not believe any made it to this challenge.

You Keep Me Running After You
Written and performed by: T.C. Elliott
Acoustic: Yamaha acoustic/electric
Vox: AT2020 Condenser
One take live: It is what it is
Recorded: BR-900CD
Mixed: Reaper DAW
Vinyl Effect: iZotope Vinyl plug in

Every time I see you
You just turn the other way
I tell you that I need you
You just turn and walk away
Then you call me like a dog
You keep me running after you

You say you're comin' over
But then you say you just can't stay
You say we'll be together
But it just can't be today
You got me rollin, like a dog
You keep me running after you

I called your momma on the weekend
She said you just can't talk right now
She said you'd call me on a Tuesday
But you said you lost my number somehow
You got me beggin', like a dog
You keep me running after you

You Didn't Even Say Goodbye - SongAWeek- 2010 - 42

2010-10-18T05:01:00.000-05:00

Ten weeks to go. I'm counting down. Last night I saw Diesel Island play in St. Louis and got inspired. But by the time I finished this little song it sounds nothing like it began. More my usual style than the style I was heading for. Looks like I'm doomed to be me for good or bad.

In my eyes
You wouldn't look into my eyes
And you never said goodbye
Why won't you look into my eyes?

In my arms
I woke without you in my arms
Now I'm lost 'cause you are gone
I want to hold you in my arms

You would wake up with the dawn
When I woke up you were gone
You got up and let me lie
You didn't even say goodbye

And your smile
I got lost in your smile
I saw the future for a while
But now I'm missing your smile

Say goodbye
You didn't say goodbye
You never even told me why
Is this suppose to be goodbye?

You would wake up with the dawn
When I woke up you were gone
You got up and let me lie
You didn't even say goodbye

I Don't Know How To Say Goodbye - SAW 2010 - 41

2010-10-11T09:31:00.002-05:00

This song was written with two groups of people in mind. This summer I attended my high school reunion and last week was the end of the 50 songs in 90 days songwriting challenge. This was written for two groups of people who, with a few exceptions, I generally only communicate with in a sporadic or infrequent manner.

This song was written 10 days ago. All of the other songs to this point were written within 7 (and a half) days of the post date, but I've had a case of bronchitis this week so singing is out and I decided not to post an instrumental.

Goodbye, all of you
Glad you came around
Don't know where you're headed now
Where you can be found

I'm so glad you came around today
Won't you come around again
I don't know how to say goodbye

So long and fare thee well
turn out all the lights
Dawn turns into dusk again
And fades into the night

I'm so glad you came around today
Won't you come around again
I don't know how to say goodbye

Dangerous - Song A Week 2010 - 40

2010-10-04T21:28:00.003-05:00

Valerie Cox is awesome. I sent her this short instrumental track and she sent back a finished track. I bow in awe.

Lilac In the Dark - Song A Week 2010 -39

2010-09-27T17:01:00.000-05:00

Another skirmish song. I'm beginning to like the time restraints. It's fun to write about things that normally don't touch you.

I met you in the evening
I met you in the night
You said you'd give me a good time
You said you'd make it all right

A hundred dollars
All inclusive
I promise not to
Become abusive
I tell you my name
You tell me yours
Your my flower
My Lilac in the dark

You were standing on the corner
Down on 12th street and vine
I love those clothes you were wearing
We both had a good time

A hundred dollars
All inclusive
I promise not to
Become abusive
I tell you my name
You tell me yours
Your my flower
My Lilac in the dark

Collection Round (The Rot Band) - Song A Week 2010 -38

2010-09-20T05:30:00.002-05:00

This week is a song by the re-uniting Rot Band. I had the guitar part and Nancy and Hoops added all the good parts.

Tommy Rot (T.C. Elliott): guitar (the original music composition)
Gerald Teacup (Hoops): lyrics, vocals, drums, bass, production
Nancy Rot (Nancy Rost): backing vocals, banjo, accordion

Views expressed in this song are probably not the views of the writers.

Everything in life
Brings me down
From the nuclear bomb
To the collection round

Collection of the bins
Brings me out in a sweat
It shouldn’t be done
It causes first world debt

I find it hard to believe
That we spend our cash
Paying human beings
To collect our trash

Make everything from plastic
So it doesn’t decay
We can leave it in the streets
And it will be okay

No time to get angry
Only time to...
Break some arms and break some legs and
Break some bastards’ heads

Everything I do
Everything I say
I do because I’m right
And it’s the only way

You might think I’m wrong
But I know what to do
So you can live in a world
That is better for you

A Thousand Sunsets - Song A Week 2010 -37

2010-09-13T16:40:00.002-05:00

This was a skirmish song from a week ago Sunday. But 23 minutes into it I had to leave. So I finished it today when I realized it was better than other songwriting efforts. Although to be fair I haven't really listened to all the songs from this week.

If I had the time to spare
I'd give you all I own
All my joy, my hopes and dreams
I would give to you alone

A moment with a the sunset
A lifetime drifting by
A thousand tears and regrets
And sunsets floating by

If I had a moment more
I'd spend it in your arms
I'd get lost in your loveliness
And stay lost in your charm

Chorus

If I could stop time for a day
I would hold you close to me
I'd memorize your lovely face
To hold for eternity

Chorus

And in my mind I know it's time
That I set you free
And learn to live in my emptiness
All alone with my memories

Chorus

Voices - Song A Week 2010 - 36

2010-09-06T18:08:00.003-05:00

So some weeks I barely squeak out one song, and others, like this week, I have eight to choose from. Although to be fair, most of these are shoddy recordings of barely more than sketches. This song kind of came out of nowhere.

I know I'm never gonna be alone

Voices keep on talking to me alone

Lonely voices talking to me alone

Never ever leave me alone

I am alone

Dog Days of August - Song A Week 2010 -35

2010-08-30T14:24:00.002-05:00

The Songwriting Scene blog posted a challenge for August and I had this chord progression just sitting there so I did this quick song. I actually did meet my wife at Taco Bell.

I only wanted
A quick bite to eat
When I went into the Taco Bell
I guess you never know
Just who you will meet
It's true you never can tell

I wanted a burrito
Maybe two or three
But I got a wife instead
Give me some of that hot sauce
And a french kiss on the side
Hot sauce does strange things to your head (badly sung)

Dog days of August
Are the best time of year
Dog days won't let me forget
Dog days of August
Bring up those memories
Of the time that we first met

Fifteen years later
I still think about
All the times that we have shared
Through the good times and the bad
We always talk it out
It shows how much we both cared

Chorus
Chorus

The Last Song - Song A Week 2010 - 34

2010-08-23T22:28:00.002-05:00

A song that started off being a random break up song but ended up being a song about my Grandmother. Odd how the mind works sometimes.
18 weeks to go *crosses fingers*

The Last Song – T.C. Elliott

This is the last song I will ever write
This is the last song I will sing
AS ai sit here without you by my side
Without the comfort that you bring

‘Cause I’m missing you
I can’t go on
Right now everything feels wrong
When I think of you
I can’t go on
I can’t sing another song
This is my last song

Your empty house feels just like a tomb
With silence slowly creeping in
I try to organize all of your things
I don’t know where I should begin

‘Cause I’m missing you
I can’t go on
Right now everything feels wrong
When I think of you
I can’t go on
I can’t sing another song
This is my last song

I can still feel the warmth of your smile
And I can still feel your hand on mine
I can hear you whispering in my ear
How can fate be so unkind?

Verse – guitar

‘Cause I’m missing you
I can’t go on
Right now everything feels wrong
When I think of you
I can’t go on
I can’t sing another song
This is my last song

Lost In The Moonlight - Song A Week 2010 - 33

2010-08-16T09:54:00.003-05:00

Barbara, over at the 50 Songs in 90 Days site, posted a song yesterday that just hit me in the right way. You can hear it here: http://fiftyninety.fawmers.org/songs/3507

Which inspired this song from me today.

I say I love you every day
You just can't hear what I say
Your eyes look up to the sky
As I stand here wondering why

I try to hold you at night
You say I hold you too tight
Your eyes look up to the sky
I reach for your love but it's too high

Lost in the moonlight
Too blind to see
Lost in the moonlight
Lost to me

The more I love you the more you run
Your Daedalus wings melt in the sun
Your eyes look up to the sky
My heavy love won't let you fly

Lost in the moonlight
Too blind to see
Lost in the moonlight
Lost to me

It's been a year
Since he passed on
It's been a year since he's gone

Lost in the moonlight
Too blind to see
Lost in the moonlight
Lost to me
Lost in the moonlight
Too blind to see
Lost in the moonlight
Lost to me

Right On Time - Song A Week 2010 - 32

2010-08-09T05:40:00.003-05:00

Another skirmish song. This is where a title is posted and then an hour is given to write and record a song. I actually finished this one in about 38 minutes or so. It needs polish, but I'm pretty happy with it.
Oh, and the melody of the hook line is the same as a popular Green Day song... might have to change that. (Thanks to Morti for pointing that out.)

She was only a minute away
From saying, ‘ I do.’
When I walked into that church-house yard
I got up the courage
To tell her, ‘I love you’
Turned out not to be that hard

Let me tell you baby
You should be all mine
And I’m glad I got here right on time

She was only seconds away
From becoming Mrs. Black
When I stormed through the church-house door
When I said those words
To try and win her back
Her mother fainted right on the floor

Let me tell you baby
You should be all mine
And I’m glad I got here right on time

As she turned to look at me
Imagine my surprise
She wasn’t the girl of my dreams
Apparently those directions
Were blurred by tear-stained eyes
I missed my chance or so it seems

You just aint my baby
And now she can’t be mine
I’m in the wrong place right on time

You just ain’t my baby
And now she can’t be mine
I’m in the wrong place right on time

The Void and the Future

2010-08-02T08:51:00.002-05:00

This is another Skirmish song. A title is posted and we have one hour to write/record a song. This one was completed and uploaded in 33 minutes. I think it needs a bridge or something else, but it has a lot of potential.

This time flies by so fast
Nothing ever seems to last
Never depend on luck
Or you will end up
Trapped by the void and the future

The plans you make can fail
The spice of life can stale
Never depend on luck
Or you will end up
Trapped by the void and the future

If you are lucky enough
Then you will find true love
You won't depend on luck
And you won't end up
Trapped by t he void and the future

I Believe In Angels - Song A Week - 2010 - 30

2010-07-26T05:10:00.003-05:00

Influenced by all the youtube videos of Susan Cowsill I've been seeing. Thanks to Brian Henneman for turning me onto her.
This demo is a rough one take version. I'm off to go camping in a bit.

I believe in angels
As I life my life of sin
As all this trouble
Keeps on sinking in
I need an angel

My mother raised me in a small town
Where they say the good life can be found
She would go to work
To give us what we had
She is my Angel

I believe in angels
As I life my life of sin
As all this trouble
Keeps on sinking in
I need an angel

I met a girl down at the Taco Bell
Where love is found you can never tell
We fall in love
Time and time again
She is my Angel

I believe in angels
As I live my life of sin
As all this trouble
Keeps on sinking in
I need an angel

I’ve got two girls that I call my own
Two sneakier kids you have never known
They smile so sweet
As I pull out my hair
They are my angels

I believe in Angels
As I live my life of sin
As all this trouble
Keeps on sinking in
I need an angel

Satin (And Other Vices) - Song A Week 2010 - 29

2010-07-19T07:15:00.002-05:00

This is another skirmish song. A title is posted and we have one hour to write and record the demo. I don't have my condenser so the vocals are through a sm58 which does *not* suit my voice at all. Other than that I'm not too unhappy with this hour long song.

Satin (And Other Vices)

I know you're a lover
I know you're a sinner
You know that I want you
The memories still linger

I love your leather
And I love your lace
But it's a touch of satin, baby
Makes me yearn for your embrace

I see your picture
And I can smell your hair
I don't know where you went now
But I wish I was there

I love your leather
And I love your lace
But it's the touch of Satin, baby
That makes me yearn for your embrace

I know you know
That I love Your afterglow
You have the power to make me bleed
You're everything that I'll ever need

I love your leather
And I love your lace
But it's the touch of satin, baby
That makes me yearn for your embrace

You Make Me Feel Like Shit - Song A Week 2010 - 28

2010-07-12T06:01:00.000-05:00

This was recorded very quickly and just might be the song I enjoy the most out of the song a week experience that has become my life. At least for now. My wife loves it when I write break up songs.... *not*

You Make Me Feel Like Shit – T.C. Elliott

I know I make you angry
I didn’t mean it to be this way
And I know that you’re unhappy
With every word you say

And you and me
Were never meant to be
Cuz you make me feel like shit

Why do you come back to me
When you stay out all night?
Are you just feeling sleepy
Or do you wanna pick a fight?

And you and me
Were never meant to be
Cuz you make me feel like shit

Sometimes you say you’re sorry
When you want me to buy you things
Then you ask me to drive you over
So you can pawn our rings

And you and me
Were never meant to be
Cuz you make me feel
And you and me
Were never meant to be
Cuz you make me feel like shit

See You Again - Song A Week 2010 - 27

2010-07-06T07:29:00.004-05:00

I wrote 6 songs in a little over 2 hours on Saturday. This one is fast but I think has lots of potential. Forgive the short demo. Sunday was July 4th (Independence Day here in the states) so today is really Monday to me (Plus I was out of town.)

See You Again – T.C. Elliott
Way back in the hills
Just past Still-House Hollow
I saw you swimming in that dirty pond

You didn’t notice me
Peering through those bushes
Right next to the pile of clothes you left

When I see you sitting
Out on your front porch
I always make a point to smile and wave
And you may not know it
But I’m your biggest fan
You’ve made a believer out of me
And I can’t wait to see you once again

My momma asked me, “Son
Where are you going?”
Gonna take a walk out in the hills

It’s not a waste of time
To see the things I’ve seen
I love to see the sights out in the wild

When I see you sitting
Out on your front porch
I always make a point to smile and wave
And you may not know it
But I’m your biggest fan
You’ve made a believer out of me
And I can’t wait to see you once again

Hard Landing - Song A Week 2010 - 26

2010-06-28T23:49:00.001-05:00

Half way. This demo is the rawest possible. Very un-finished. The project for 2010 is to write a song every week. The recordings are very rough at best and can be much worse. I am hoping to have an updated demo of this song soon for you to listen to.
After talking in chat this weekend I've contemplated continuing the song a week into 2011 but instead of writing a song every week I'm thinking of recording a song every week. That might mean that I would write and record a song for a particular week but more likely it'd be recording an older song (possibly one from song a week 2010.)

At any rate, here's another songfight song. As I said, if I get a better recording this week I'll update this.

Hard Landing

I know it's wrong
I'm glad you're gone
You're like a chain holding me
Now you're gone and I'm free

You're like a drug to me
Whenever you're around
Another needle in my arm
And I'm headed for the ground
Hard Landing

It's been ten days
Since you betrayed
I'm wide awake in the night
A blade of steel held so tight

You're like a drug to me
Whenever you're around
Another needle in my arm
And I'm headed for the ground
Hard Landing

I do what you want me to do
I wish I didn't love you-

My eyes held shut
Salt in the cut
I can't help but think of you
Or the things you could do

You're like a drug to me
Whenever you're around
Another needle in my arm
And I'm headed for the ground
Hard Landing

Dirt Nap - Song A Week 2010 - 25

2010-06-21T04:51:00.000-05:00

Songfight.Org is a place where a title is posted every week and half or so and anyone who wants to can write and record a song and submit it. Listeners can vote for all their favorite entries and the song with the most votes wins. This past week was the dead line for a song called "Dirt Nap." Those of you who know me will not be surprised that I went the way of the murder ballad.

Open your eyes and see what I have done
I know that you’d be proud of me
You always told me I could never make it alone
But I don’t need you anymore

I washed the dishes but still you would complain
I was never good enough for you
Look around. I’ve got to clean up now
I don’t need you anymore
No, I don’t need you anymore

You’re taking a dirt nap, honey
You’ll never ever hurt me again
Now that you’re laid out on the floor
You’re taking a dirt nap, honey
And I won’t have to feel this pain
Cuz I don’t need you anymore
No, I don’t need you anymore

No-one notices. There’s no-one left who cares
No-one to come and check on you
This is your last chance to send your last goodbye
I don’t need you anymore
No, I don’t need you anymore

You’re taking a dirt nap, honey
You’ll never ever hurt me again
As I drag you out the door
You’re taking a dirt nap, honey
And I won’t have to feel this pain
Cuz I don’t need you anymore
No, I don’t need you anymore

I kiss you goodbye through the tears and pain
As I dig this grave out in the rain
It’s not easy for me to say goodbye
But I don’t need you anymore
No, I don’t need you anymore

You’re taking a dirt nap, honey
You’ll never ever hurt me again
No, you can’t hurt me anymore
You’re taking a dirt nap, honey
And I won’t have to feel this pain
Cuz I don’t need you anymore
No, I don’t need you anymore

Take Off Your Pants (And Jacket) Song A Week 2010 - 24

2010-06-14T04:58:00.000-05:00

Chad, our drummer, made this comment at practice last week. Who says the stalker song genre is obsolete?

Beer #5 - Song A Week 2010 - 23

2010-06-07T21:01:00.003-05:00

In a forum about 50/90 over on FAWM.org/ someone posted that they really don't get started or comfortable until beer number three and it got me thinking. So I wrote the lyric to this really fast. Then I just put the simple common chord progression to it. This is a one take acoustic/vox all recorded at once type of demo. Just to get it done so I can go to bed and be up early for work.

With beer number one I’m ready for fun
But I just can’t get too relaxed
Gotta find a chair with nobody there
Gotta find me a place to collapse

Beer number two goes down real smooth
As I start to get loosened up
I start to sing as I shake that thing
Boy can I cut a rug

Solo

With beer number three I start to believe
I can do most anything
I boast with the best and wager the rest
I have the whole word on a string

With beer number four I’m ready to pour
A shot of jack on the side
I let it slide down ‘til I’m ready to drown
This bar is a carnival ride

Solo

With beer number five I really come alive
Are you ready for an awesome night?
Don’t be dishearted ‘cuz we’re just getting started
Everything will turn out right

Solo

Additional verse by Vanncad from Songcrafters.org
Beer number 10 and I'm p*ss drunk again
Don't think I'm gonna make it to work
My mind's in a trance and I just p*ssed my pants
Why does everybody think I'm a jerk?

You Just Don't Give A Damn - Song A Week 2010 - 22

2010-05-31T23:58:00.001-05:00

Umm... not much to say about this one. I think I stole part of the melody from another song I wrote about a year ago, but cannot find it. Must not have been that good. Hopefully this is an improvement.

You Just Don’t Give A Damn – T.C. Elliott

I know you just don’t understand
And you have ruined all my plans
Can’t you just try to believe?
How hard can it really be?
You just don’t give a damn

Some days you sit there and pretend
That we will always be best friends
Then you say something not quite right
Somehow you always start a fight
You just don’t give a damn

Sometimes I wonder why I try
When you tell another lie
For six years we were the best of friends
And now you’re gonna let it end
You just don’t give a damn

Chances come so infrequently
And you know what it really means to me

Will you just try to understand?
Will you face me man to man?
Do you know what it really means?
There is more to it than it seems
You just don’t give a damn

Cherry Chapstick - Song A Week 2010 - 21

2010-05-24T05:20:00.000-05:00

This is a co-write with Travis Allen. Travis is the singer and guitarist in our band, Melancholy Trousers. A special thanks to Travis for allowing me to use this as a song a week.

Give Me Five - Song A Week - 2010 - 20

2010-05-17T05:29:00.000-05:00

I've played the 'give me five' game with both of my daughters for years. I have no idea why this idea came running out of my noggin but it did.

Give Me Five – T.C. Elliott

Give me five on the side
Way up high, way down low
You’re too damn slow
Give me five on the side
Way up high, way down low
You’re too damn slow

It isn’t easy at six years old
It isn’t easy just doing what you’re told
Mommy and Daddy always fight
And they know neither one is right

Chorus

There was a program at school
And my Daddy just wanted to look cool
So he came up with this game
So now Daddy bares the blame

Chorus

There were people all around
Laughing at me I hate that laughing sound
People just stood there and stared
No-one ever seems to care

Chorus

My Daddy saw the teardrops in my eyes
So he gave me a little surprise

Give me five on the side
Way up high, way down low
Way to go
Give me five on the side
Way up high, way down low
Way to go

Truckin Down The Highway - Song A Week 2010 -19

2010-05-10T23:35:00.000-05:00

A quick one. A fun one. An easy one. A light one. These are the phrases I choose to describe this weeks song.

Truckin Down The Highway

Truckin down the highway of love
Truckin down the highway of love
Back to the girl I've been dreaming of
Truckin down the highway of love

Been singing my songs
For three weeks straight
But now I'm headed back to you
I'm driving my truck
Down the interstate
I'm driving the whole night through

Chorus

Five hundred miles
Another tank of gas
Seven hours closer to my home
I wear a bigger smile
With every car I pass
Soon I won't be alone

Chorus

These Stairs - Song A Week 2010 - 18

2010-05-03T22:06:00.001-05:00

This week was a pretty quick write. It's a one take vox/guitar with an additional track of lead acoustic.

These Stairs – T.C. Elliott

You said you didn’t want to see me
‘Round here ever again
Of course you say a lot of things when you’re mad
What is it that I did
To make you feel this way?
Am I really all that bad?

Here I am walking down these stairs again
You shut me down, you never want to let me in
Here I am on these stairs again

I remember first year college
I saw you on the street
You said I could pick you up at eight
You looked so good that night
Walking down your stairs in moonlight
I fell in love on our first date

Here I am walking down these stairs again
You shut me down, you never want to let me in
Here I am on these stairs again

Now I’m walking up to your door
To make you understand
There is nothing we can’t overcome
If you let me in I’ll tell you
How much I want you near me
Who wants a heart that’s on the run?

Here I am walking down these stairs again
You shut me down, you never want to let me in
Here I am on these stairs again

Intro: G D C D x2
Verse: G D em C, G D C x2
Chorus: Em D C B, G D x2, Em D C B Em

A Matter of Time - Song A Week 2010 -17

2010-04-26T16:33:00.003-05:00

My next door neighbor was diagnosed with cancer and given about six months to live... that was almost a year ago. The details in this song are completely fabricated, but the spark that led to the song is real, lives next door and still waves to me sometimes when I mow my lawn.

A Matter of Time – T.C. Elliott

He’s been here for years
In this neighborhood
As the world just goes on by
All the things he loves
Turns into memories
They grow old and then they die

A lonely teardrop falls
The only sign of pain
He knows that this too will pass
It’s only a matter of time

All his kids are grown
They’ve all gone away
So he sits lonely and alone
He talks to the photographs
Hanging on his walls
Lonely in the house that was his home

All his pills are gone
And so is all his wine
Soon his pain will go away
He’s been sick for years
Now his time has come
He knows he’s better off this way

Hate And Pain - Song A Week - 16

2010-04-19T11:44:00.001-05:00

Two local college students, both in their teens, recently littered on Mizzou campus. They threw cotton on the ground outside of an area frequented by black students. Needless to say it has been in the headlines around here quite a bit.
This song kind of takes a look at it.

Hate and Pain

Two dumb kids with nothing to do
Dared each other with something to prove
They snuck in and didn't make a sound
Then they threw cotton on the ground

Oh how could you be so stupid?
Did you know what you were gonna do?
Did you really want to stir up all of this hate and pain?
Stupid boys was it worth it?
A bag of cotton and your future
Did you really want to stir up all of this hate and pain?

They messed up and went to jail
Who is gonna go their bail?
Just two monsters they wanted to be
We locked them up and threw away the key

Chorus

They call you racist boys
Do they really know?
Is it a prank or is it more?

They let them out and tears were shed
Now they try to get ahead
Are they monsters or stupid teens?
Nobody knows what it means.

Chorus

Never Alone - Song A Week 2010 -15

2010-04-12T16:25:00.001-05:00

I wanted to do a rock song so I put aside my first few ideas this week and went with this. I'm hoping to get more time to do demo stuff and have more rock sounding stuff but I'm willing to take what I can get.

Never Alone

Never Alone – T.C. Elliott

You never smile when you walk around -- D A GG
You like it when you’re the talk of the town
Red lipstick and eyes painted black
And a punk rock t-shirt with a ripped up back

But I know -- em A
Don’t you think I don’t know -- em A
You’re too afraid to ever be alone -- em A D

You’re wearing chains around your wrist
You’re wearing leather you just can’t resist
And a tattoo of a dagger on your arm
You wear a bracelet with skulls for charms

Chorus

In the dark of the night -- C G D
You close your eyes and pray for the light -- C G D
You hope no-one can see the fear and the pain -- em C G D
When you’re alone -- C - D

And don’t you think that I don’t know
Your silly little act has got to go
There’s something beautiful hidden inside
Won’t you forget all those pretty little lies

Chorus
Chorus
And now you never have to be alone

Believe - Song A Week 2010 - 14

2010-04-05T22:00:00.001-05:00

Helen Robertson was so kind as to send me a rough demo of an incomplete song she had lying around, a backing track, in response to my complaint that I was not motivated to write a song this week. I added a bit of guitar and voice and lyric and here we go.

Believe - T.C. Elliott and Helen Robertson

A singer
A player
with that magical touch

When you say it I believe
When you say it I believe
They say I shouldn't trust you anymore
You don't believe

You want to
You need to
But you don't have the time

When you say it I believe
When you say it I believe
They say I shouldn't trust you anymore
They don't understand why I still care
Why I still care
They say I shouldn't trust you anymore
You don't believe

Holding Hands Underneath The Stars

2010-03-29T05:00:00.001-05:00

This week I had a song idea for a sweet love song. This ain't it. Well it's the idea, but I perverted it as is my style such that it is. I have intentions of re-writing this as a love song but whether I get to it or not is anyone's guess.

Direct link to 'Holding Hands Underneath The Stars'

We had a fight just last Saturday night – GCDG
You said you had to leave – GCD
I guess we grew too far apart – eCDG
Is it hard to believe? – CCD

In my mind I can see you smile – CCDG
Through both space and time so far – CCD
I think about all those times we shared – eCDe
Holding hands underneath the stars – GCDG

Two days later and you’re still not at home– GCDG
That door is still closed– GCD
I tried to call but you just hang up– eCDG
As I miss you the most– CCD

In my mind I can see you smile – CCDG
Through both space and time so far – CCD
I think about all those times we shared – eCDe
Holding hands underneath the stars- GCDG

I don’t know what to do – aG
I don’t know what I would say – aCD
But I know that I miss you –aG
The longing grows every day - aCD

I called your sister just about an hour ago– GCDG
She said that you were gone– GCD
I don’t know how we got to this place– eCDG
It turned out all wrong– CCD

In my mind I can see you smile – CCDG
Through both space and time so far – CCD
I think about all those times we shared – eCDe
Holding hands underneath the stars- GCDG

Home Town On Parade - Song A Week 12

2010-03-22T05:00:00.001-05:00

I woke up at around 4:00 a.m. Went to work to finish up some stuff as no-one else was awake and on the way home the phrase "home town on parade" kind of seeped into my consciousness. A few minutes after arriving I recorded this in one take. Sometimes you gotta love it when inspiration doesn't need too much coaxing to show up.

Home Town On Parade

I smashed my thumb in a windowsill
At that big church up on 10th street hill
Where I got a shot in my ass
So I could start second grade
And this is my home town on parade

And now I'm passing Lover's Lane
The worst street to ever have the name
There was no place to park
No place to get laid
And this is my home town on parade

I use to walk to Berjuan park
I would drink vodka in the dark
I'd go there with my friends
Whenever we got paid
This is my home town on parade

And now I wonder why
I felt I had to leave
Being here once again
I get lost in my memories

And there's the place I almost died
In the back of a pickup. What a ride!
Being chased by rednecks
In a Chevrolet
And this is my home town on parade

Foxey - Song A Week 2010 - 11

2010-03-15T21:45:00.003-05:00

So I cheated. Last year I wrote a song about my 12 year old puppy, Foxey. Yesterday she died next to me on the kitchen floor. So I re-wrote this as a way to purge the sadness. I did some writing on it last night and today I recorded it. So I guess it isn't really cheating.

For Foxey

I sit here watching time go slipping by
It wasn’t long ago a puppy was by my side
I sit here with the memories from our past
It wasn’t long ago that she appeared
But now that dreadful time is slowly drawing near
I wonder why our time is fading fast

Foxey Lady you are the one for me
You’re all I ever want, You’re all I ever need
Foxey Lady, I’ve loved you all these years
And now I’m fighting back all of these tears
I sit here with the memories from our past
And I wonder why our time is fading fast

When I look into those loving eyes
I find it very hard to say my last goodbyes
And I think about the memories from our past
I met you before my youngest child was born
And now I say goodbye before these tears can form
And I wonder why our time is fading fast

Foxey Lady you are the one for me
You’re all I ever want, You’re all I ever need
Foxey Lady, I’ve loved you all these years
And now I’m fighting back all of these tears
I sit here with the memories from our past
And I wonder why our time is fading fast

I sit beside you on the kitchen floor
Running out of time and wanting even more
I hold you as you take your last breath
Then my daughter comes running up the stairs
She asks that question that just sits in the air
How do I explain your sudden death?

Foxey Lady you are the one for me
You’re all I ever want, You’re all I ever need
Foxey Lady, I’ve loved you all these years
And now I’m fighting back all of these tears
I sit here with the memories from our past
And I wonder why our time is fading fast

Three Little Words - Song A Week 2010 - 10

2010-03-08T21:56:00.004-06:00

Week ten of Song A Week 2010 and I'm having the hardest time writing a song this week. This was the worst trouble since week three with 'Beg Steal or Borrow.' With that one at least I could bury myself into the production a bit. This week was hard. I'm not sure if I'm happy with the song or not.

Three Little Words

I see your car keys on the table
And I can see the bed unmade
Your breakfast dishes lie about
And I slowly feel afraid

Are you gone, why did you go?
Did someone wait for me to leave?
Did you step out with some man?
Somehow I just cannot believe

I came home but you just aren't here
And somehow I expect you to appear

Where'd you go, what did you do?
And do you know that I miss you?
Three little words that you would say to me
Why can't I say them too?

Then you walk in through the door
You came home from your walk
And I pretend I didn't care
That you went around the block

I came home but you just aren't here
And somehow I expect you to appear

Where'd you go, what did you do?
And do you know that I miss you?
Three little words that you would say to me
Why can't I say them too?

My Peace of Mind - Song A Week 2010 - week 9

2010-03-01T21:09:00.004-06:00

This one was started back in '06 or '07 and was finished last week. I think it needs a bridge, but that will either have to be ignored or wait till sometime in the future. Song A Week #9.

My Peace of Mind

I didn't know
What I would find
When I met you my sweet love, I was out of my mind
You let me love you
And you said you'd be mine
I swore that I would love you till the end of time
You give me my peace of mind and I love you

My money was gone
Yeah, and my friends were too
But you gave me your sweet love just to see me through
When I'm in need
You are there for me
And if I don't say those words I hope you can see
You give me my peace of mind and I love you

I never told you
How much I cared
So I hope you hear these words as my heart lies bare
And I wanna hold you
never let you go
So I can whisper these sweet words and let you know
You give me my peace of mind and I love you

Chasing Snowflakes Through The Air

2010-02-22T04:30:00.001-06:00

Another song that fulfills the "try to write a happy song" challenge given to me by a fellow songwriter over at SongCrafters, a pretty cool recording/songwriting forum. Check it out if you are at all interested.
Song eight in my attempt to write a song a week in 2010. I'm kind of surprised I've made it this far. In fact I've written quite a few songs this year. Thanks to FAWM I have 14 in the month of February alone. Check it out if you wanna hear some great new music all of which is being written in the month of February.

Chasing Snowflakes Through The Air

I look out my window and see
Both my daughters are playing in the street
A white shroud hovers 'round
I watch as it covers the cold winter ground

I smile as they start to run
Under a grey sky blocking the sun
A trip, a fall and they slide
They go headlong for a winter ride

They Jump, they run
They have some winter fun
They laugh, they fall
They try to make snowballs
With grey winter skies
Come the children's joyful cries
Chasing snowflakes through the air

Snowballs slowly start to roll
Made into a snowy winter soul
A carrot nose and empty shoes
One big snowman waves to me and you

Chorus

Soon they will grow up
They will leave our home some day
But for now I can see them play

I see them laying in the yard
In soft snow and the ice so hard
Little angels on the ground
They keep on running around and around

Chorus

Who Is With You

2010-02-15T05:00:00.001-06:00

This is a Valentine's song for my wife, Phoebe. Also, I was challenged to write a song that wasn't such a downer so I hope this qualifies. This is the seventh song in my attempt to write a Song a Week for the year in 2010.

Who Is With You

All alone once again
Just waiting for you here
I feel like a different man
Whenever you are near

It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do
It only matters who is with you

I love to sit and think
About you my dear wife
And don’t forget our two girls
The best things in our life

It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do
It only matters who is with you

Is it enough to know that I will always love you?

Through fourteen years of love
We’ve shared our ups and downs
But like a treasure once thought lost
I hoard this love we’ve found

It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do
It only matters who is with you

For Isabel

2010-02-08T18:48:00.003-06:00

Thank you to everyone who has been listening to the song a week stuff. I've written two songs (well actually four) this week. I was debating on posting this one but a friend and on-line collaborator has suggested it should be heard.

This song is 100% true from what happened last Tuesday when I wrote it. As a result of this song I made a trip and saw my Grandmother before just before she passed. So it turned out to be a good thing. My grandmother was in a bit of pain and is much better off now. She's where she deserves to be.

For Isabel

They said you were almost gone
By the time I called to check on you
I've been working overtime
And there is nothing I can do

I feel guilty as I think of you
And all the times you were by my side
I know I would do you no good
If I let let you see me cry

My heart breaks and your heart stops
As the morphine drips into your veins
I sit here helpless so many miles away
Wishing I could take away your pain

I sit here about to change my mind
Though there is nothing I can do
You were always there for me
Now I'll be right there for you

My heart breaks and your heart stops
As the morphine drips into your veins
I sit here helpless so many miles away
Wishing I could take away your pain

Gone Shopping

2010-02-01T06:15:00.001-06:00

Song number 5 in my attempt (doomed for failure) to write a song for every week in 2010. My wife went shopping last night and I got the idea for this song. The melody in the first line of this song is exactly the same as the melody in the first line of my first Song A Week "Heart in a Bottle." This was unintentional.

Recently there has been some discussion on the FAWM boards about unintentional theft in creating songs. This is where a songwriter uses a melody or part of another song in his or her own songs and doesn't realize it until after the fact. In this case I did it to myself. And it did sound familiar. It wasn't until I ate breakfast and re-listened that I figured it out. Sometimes speed writing is awesome and sometimes not so much...

Gone Shopping

You said you were going to the store
You were coming back in a minute
Hours later and you’re not here
It’s an empty bed without you in it

You’ve been gone the whole damn evening
I don’t know where you’ve been
It doesn’t matter anymore
What kind of trouble you’re in

I feel. I feel so bad.
I feel. I feel so bad.
You left me all alone
Out here on my own

If you come back to me this evening
I will hold you in my arms
I feel lost when you’re not here
So let me keep you from harm

I feel. I feel so bad.
I feel. I feel so bad.
You left me all alone
Out here on my own

© 2010 T.C. Elliott

Bury Me Where That Train Passes By

2010-01-25T05:30:00.002-06:00

With apologies to Otis Gibbs here is the fourth song in my attempt to write A Song A Week (as challenged by Billy Sea.) This is obviously a rip off from the last track on Otis Gibbs' last disc. (Otis should have a new disc out this year, most likely in April.)

I have a few songs similar to this and when I get enough I'll put them all together in a package of some sort. Till then they'll just sit idle most likely.

Bury Me Where That Train Passes By
(c) 2010 T.C. Elliott

My heart is heavy, my eyes filled with tears
For all the things forgotten through the years
Now I am weary, I've come to the end
But I can hear that train coming 'round the bend

Here comes that train
Travelin' so slow
It's a passenger train in the sky
My time is at an end
But I still have far to go
Bury me where that train passes by

If you ask me what do I see
It's a hill town that's filled with peace
No trouble inside those gold brick walls
As he shows you into his great hall

Chorus

I hear that engine coming down the tracks
I can hear it coming back
I've got my ticket as I climb aboard
As I go to see my Lord

Chorus

My heart is heavy, my eyes filled with tears
For all the things forgotten through the years
Now I am weary, I've come to the end
But I can hear that train comin' round the bend

Chorus

Beg Steal or Borrow

2010-01-18T17:43:00.007-06:00

This is the third installment of my attempt to write a song for every week of 2010.

I had one verse of this back a few years ago. This weekend I figured out the music and wrote the rest. It was fun and the type of stuff I use to play with quite a bit.

Beg, Steal, or Borrow
(c) 2010 T.C. Elliott

You said I left you all alone
To live a life of tears and sorrow
You said my love was always gone
And you had to beg steal or borrow

You said I didn't love you yesterday
I told you to wait until tomorrow
I'll give you my love in my own way
You won't have to beg steal or borrow

You said the good times would last forever
Now all the good times just fade away

You said I was never there
That my love for you was hollow
It was more than you could bare
To have to beg steal or borrow

You said I didn't love you yesterday
I told you to wait until tomorrow
I'll give you my love in my own way
You won't have to beg steal or borrow

If I told you that I loved you
Would you still walk away?

You can download this song at this link.

Desert Rain

2010-01-11T05:00:00.001-06:00

Billy Sea is a mean and ornery fellow. He talked me into attempting to write one song every week for the year in 2010.

This is the second song of the year. I have spent a bit more time recording this one than last week and hope it comes through in the demo. Please let me know what you think by commenting below.

Desert Rain
(c) 2010 T.C. Elliott

Lyric:

I can feel the raindrops falling
Slicing through the hot, dry air
I can feel the raindrops falling down

I can feel the cool wind blowing
Cool relief from the desert heat
I can feel the cool wind blowing in

I stand and let the raindrops pelt me
Wash away the stains on my soul
Mother earth revives my spirit
Restores me with Desert Rain

I can feel the sand beneath me
As it scours the pain away
I can feel the sand against my skin

I can feel your eyes upon me
Staring through both space and time
I can feel your eyes upon me now

I stand and let the raindrops pelt me
Wash away the stains on my soul
Mother earth revives my spirit
Restores me with Desert Rain

I stand and let the raindrops pelt me
Wash away the stains on my soul
Mother earth revives my spirit
Restores me with Desert Rain
Restores me with Desert Rain

Heart In A Bottle

2010-01-04T22:09:00.006-06:00

So the year before last an on-line friend and collaborator wrote a song every week for the year. Actually she wrote more than that but she managed to post at least one song every week. That's a lot of consistency right there. You can listen to her music here: Deborah Linden

Yesterday Billy Sea posted on facebook that he was gonna do it and asked other songwriters to join him. Well I'm all for a challenge so here I go. I'm gonna state up front that I will probably fail at posting a new song for every week of the year in 2010. I really need to focus on recording instead of songwriting. But songwriting is what I enjoy and songwriting is what I do so here I go writing songs. We'll see how many weeks I can get a new song written.

Last night Billy suggested writing a song a week and I wrote this song and recorded it in about an hour. It's not my best work and it has some flaws, but I do enjoy speed songwriting. Sometimes you get some pretty rough gems out of the process.

Heart In A Bottle:

You can download this file here. Right click and save link as (Firefox.)

When Will It End?

2009-11-23T07:30:00.001-06:00

So NPR has a blog on their site called Monitor Mix and they asked for artists to write and record a song and send it in. They gave us 24 hours to complete the challenge 'Write a Song in a Weekend.'

So I had to use one of the following words: Dog, firecracker, lampshade, Japan or NPR. I of course used them all. In fact I used the first four in the first line and the last one in the second line. The song ended up being fairly political which is rare for me. I generally try to write about issues or scenes or moments without being decisive or opinionated. Obviously my view point or the one I take for a song is displayed... and sometimes that's the opposite view that I hold. As a songwriter I put myself aside and let the song become what it will. What I am and become is part of the songwriting process and a necessary one, but I feel that putting too much of my views into a song is not a good thing. It doesn't work for me. Putting a lot of my personality into a song, on the other hand, can be a wonderfully fulfilling tool to use.

So I ended up with what is my first political song, "When Will It End."

It's not my best work as a songwriter or a recorder. But from beginning to end the song only took a total of about two and a half hours. And that was with interruptions. Of course after writing over 14 songs in 28 days at FAWM and writing almost 50 songs in 90 days I guess I'm getting pretty good at speed writing.

But I was in a hurry and didn't submit it properly. Actually that's not accurate. I submitted but they had a problem with their mail box being too full. They received over 150 songs and mine was not one of them. Why? Because I got in a hurry and didn't verify that the email was sent properly. I hit send and then left to go do other important activities like letting the dogs out or making sure Charley, my youngest daughter, had her homework done. Are these valid reasons to get sidetracked? Yes, most likely. Does it matter in the end? Nope.

My point is this. I spent time writing, recording and creating new music and then had it just sit on my computer doing nothing as I did not follow up. I did not ensure that everything was completed. As a result I lost out on being able to have my song among many others on a web site. Would it make me money? Nope. Would it get me lots of rave reviews or lots of new fans? Probably not. But that's not the point. The point is I let down the music.

I've learned a lesson and maybe you can as well. Always follow through. Always follow up. And always be sure that you do your best. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

How To Write A Song (Part One)

2009-11-09T09:30:00.000-06:00

In 2008 I discovered the online Timed Songwriting Challenge (TiSC) FAWM or February Album Writing Month. It is free and open to the public. This is an invaluable community for a songwriter of any caliber but it is especially valuable for the novice songwriter. While encouraging people to sign up and write some songs I’ve experienced one common reaction. “I can’t write a song.”

What is a song? Webster’s dictionary defines it simply as: a short metrical composition intended or adapted for singing. As far as FAWM and other on-line challenges, the definition is left to the artist. For instance, by that definition instrumental music would not count as a song. But we as a culture often call instrumental pieces songs. From Link Wray and Lonnie Mack to Buckethead, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, we commonly use the word song for short pieces. Also, there are many successful songwriters who are lyric only writers. They write beautifully crafted sets of lyric and then send them off to music composers to be set to music. This is also a very valid form of songwriting. But for most people a song is a piece of music with lyric intended for singing.

So how does one write a song? How does a person write “a piece of music with lyric intended for singing?” At its most basic level a song is merely a lyric and a melody. Sing to yourself (out loud) the first line of “Mary Had A Little Lamb.” Done? Good. That’s a song.

Now it’s your turn. Think of a phrase or a sentence. For this example I’m going to use the random sentence generator. The very first sentence was, ‘Inside a yeti poses the congested operator.’ You should get your sentence. Use anything. At this point is useful to say it out loud. It gives you a natural cadence or rhythm. After saying it out loud I’ve mentally, almost subconsciously, evaluated the phrase. And now I’m going to sing it. I’m using those words but I’m singing it without thought to what the melody will be. Often the first thing that comes out will be emotionally expressive of our sentence. Our brain makes associations and when we just do something, when we disengage the active part of our brain. It often will make associative leaps that is more natural than most of the things we construct logically. I’ve recorded my first line and the melody seems to be appropriate to the line.

What do I mean by “appropriate to the line?” Remember Mary? Take that melody and change the words to, ‘Stab him in the chest again.’ Sing it. Does the melody, the music, fit the line? Not really. While the rhythm of the line fits the melody, the emotive aspect of the melody doesn’t fit the emotive aspect of the lyric. And while at times we can make the decision to use a melody that doesn’t really convey the feeling of the lyric to add tension and interest into our songs, it is generally good practice, especially for the beginning songwriter, to use a melody that is supports the emotion of our lyric. Mary’s melody is a bit more happy, bouncy or bubblegum for a line of lyric that includes ‘stab him in the chest.’ Just doesn’t quite fit.

So sing your line. Sing something. Sing anything. Got it? Congratulations by our basic definition you’ve just written a song.
Okay, okay. You want something a bit more than one line sung to a melody. At least I would. At this point most novice songwriters will discover that their melody is the exact melody from another song. And this is quite the concern for most songwriters. On many occasions I’ve written a song and not quite known if I’ve unconsciously used a melody from some other song I’ve heard. After all, the human race has been singing for thousands of years. Often I’ll have a snippet of melody or a line that will float around for quite a while before I get around to using it or fleshing it out. Sometimes a line will be around for a week or two or maybe a few days… or sometimes even a year or two before I get around to making a song out of it. Sometimes I’ll come up with a brand new idea and realize that I’ve either had the idea before or actually used it in a song. I’ve used the same chord progression for the verse in one song and the chorus of another. Sometimes you can do so intentionally and sometimes you do so inadvertently. I’ve learned not to worry too much about it and to give some space to ideas that may be taken from another source. A week away, or even a few days, from a newly hatched song will give you perspective. You can better tell if it is un-original or even if there are rough spots that need to be smoothed over. Maybe a better phrase could be used or the melody could be tweaked.
You’ve probably noticed that I digress quite a bit. Get use to it. I do it. I try to edit it down later, but usually I just leave it in with some minor tweaking. If you want brief go read a comic strip. So where was I? Oh right, we were evaluating our new melody.

Up to this point we’ve used inspiration to write our song. We came up with a random line. In my case I used an on-line sentence generator for inspiration. Then we just sang the first thing that came to us. Now we start the craft of songwriting. Some songwriters depend on inspiration to write. They do just a little bit of editing and polishing after the whole song sort of jumps out and writes itself down. Other songwriters are meticulously crafting every word of the lyric and every note of melody. They spend a week or weeks on a single song until it is just right. I’m somewhere in the middle, but closer to the inspiration side. I generally write the music and the lyric roughly at the same time and I try to flesh out the lyrical content quickly. It is not uncommon for me to start with a blank page and an hour later have a work-tape of a song posted to be evaluated and commented on by my friends on-line. For me this works very well. For some writers letting someone hear a song that hasn’t been given the last finishing touch would be a very scary venture indeed.

So when it’s time to use craft as the primary force in creating our song, what do we do? We evaluate what we have and then try to help it along. Much like a chick leaving the shell, sometimes a bit of help will do wonders at making a nice strong bird escape the restrictive confines of its shell. Take your melody. Is it monotonous? Try adding some shape to the melody. Start on a higher note and end on a lower note. Or do the opposite. Maybe try a pause in the middle at an appropriate spot. Or maybe have the beginning of the melody rise in pitch and the end lower in pitch. There are lots of ways to change, tweak or make a melody more interesting.
Once we’ve gotten our melody we then have the hardest part of the song ahead of us. We must craft the rest of the song including expanding the lyric, extending the melody and creating additional sections to complete the structure of the song.

A great resource for the beginning songwriter as well as a more advanced songwriter looking for new techniques in lyric writing is Andrea Stolpe’s book “Popular Lyric Writing” which describes the technique object writing.

We’ll explore how to develop our idea further in the Part II.

The Bottle Rockets - Part 2- LEAN FORWARD album review

2009-10-26T09:35:00.000-05:00

The bottle rockets released their most recent album, Lean Forward (Bloodshot), on August 11th, 2009. This album was scheduled to be recorded in December of 2007, but due to general burn out and road weary band members was put off until the summer of 2008 in the midst of the Bottle Rockets 15th Anniversary Tour. In 2008 the band played 15 headlining shows for the entire year. They opened up two contests on their message board. The first contest you could enter to win 'Bottle Rockets For Life', every album that has ever been released or ever will be released and two tickets to any show they headline forever. The second contest was a slightly used Creston custom made electric guitar. Brand new except that Brian used it at every show during 2008.

Why do I mention these fun facts? Because it's a key to the success of the album. Brian has mentioned that at the end of 2007 the band was weary from playing more shows to less people. Something he called playing to 'dwindling returns.' But after allowing his message boarders to write the set list to every one of the 15th anniversary shows, playing to sold out shows across America, and connecting more viscerally with their fans, the Bottle Rockets hit the studio with Eric 'Roscoe' Ambel producing to record one of their strongest efforts to date. And with albums such as The Brooklyn Side, 24 Hours A Day, and Zoysia that is saying quite a bit.

Lean Forward starts off with the song, 'The Long Way.' This song sums up the attitude and plight of the band. With a chorus that says in part, "The long way isn't the wrong way, and a wrong turn isn't the end." the band sums up their attitude of perseverance in the odds of the changing music business and rough economic times. With all the inherent obstacles of being a band trying to breakthrough in these rough times, The Bottle Rockets seem to finally have found the right path.

'Hard Times' is the perfect song for these times. With it's funky rhythmic intro and classic guitar hook, 'Hard Times' is easily one of my favorite songs on this disc. It's a song lamenting the rough time many of us are facing now, but it holds at it's core an optimism that we can all make it through. With lines like, "I'm not broke down, I'm just out of gas" Brian uses car imagery to really *ahem* drive home the point.

The car imagery and analogy continues in 'Nothing But A Driver', a song about driving other people's cars for a living, and 'The Kid Next Door' which features the lines: 'Sitting there all alone, Parked out back like his tombstone, A black '02 Camaro, With a silent kick ass stereo." 'The Kid Next Door' is a song about war that really gets the listener thinking but it does it in such a way that does not come of as overtly political or preachy. Brian took long time collaborator Scott Taylor's lyric and molded it into a moving tribute to the kids that fight for our country.

Keith Voegele makes an impact with back to back songs 'Done It All Before' and 'Open Your Eyes.' The former song is musically an upbeat pop rock gem, but lyrically it seems to be an ode to the morning after a night of drink. It's ultimately hopeful, but it has a touch of 'Sunday Morning Coming Down' disguised as a bouncy little tune. The later song is a love song couched in failure. Lyrically it resonates of past mistakes in lines such as, 'Opened up my eyes to fear of rejection, Through the error of trials I learned my lesson' before giving credit in the chorus to the unnamed 'you' for learning those lessons. 'Open My Eyes' is a slower, sadder song musically but a much more upbeat song lyrically than 'Done It All Before.' Keith has ability to fuse together contrasting emotions to make something greater as a whole and the album is stronger for the diversity he's added to the songwriting.

After listening to the album for a couple of months and seeing the band live twice in the past two weeks I've come to appreciate how this album works as a whole. Upon first listening I had a few favorites, 'Hard Times' 'Shame On Me' and 'Give Me Room' all were immediate likes. But as time has passed and I've settled into listening I've discovered that there aren't many weak tracks. The band has taken the concept of distance, be it literally in songs like 'Get On The Bus' or figuratively as in 'Solitaire', and made a conceptually consistent album that is musically and lyrically diverse yet still easily seen as a whole. This album bears repeat listening. There are lots of nuggets both musically and lyrically that really come out after it seeps into your mind. And best of all, these tracks work beautifully live. Do yourself a favorite and catch The Bottle Rockets live when they are near you.

In closing I'm including a message from Brian as he posted on The Bottle Rockets Message Board:

Here's who did what.
The way we credit things, lyric writer comes first, music writer second (Except for "Shame On Me" where Keith came up with the chorus, and "Give Me Room" where John came up with the guitar solo, and chord progression beneath it...).
One writer means he did it all.

"The Long Way" Mark Ortmann/Brian Henneman
"Shame On Me" Brian Henneman/Keith Voegele
"Nothin' But A Driver" Brian Henneman
"Hard Times" Brian Henneman
"Done It All" Keith Voegele
"Open Your Eyes" Keith Voegele
"Kid Next Door" Scott Taylor/Brian Henneman
"Way It Used To Be" Robert Parr/Brian Henneman
"Get On The Bus" Brian Henneman
"Slip Away" Mark Ortmann/Brian Henneman
"Solitaire" Joe Flood/Brian Henneman
"Give Me Room" Joe Flood/Brian Henneman/John Horton

There's always cross-pollenation with the music, for instance, I don't come up with Mark's drum parts, but, the credit goes to whoever "establishes" what the song is.
If you just heard Mark's drum parts, you probably wouldn't recognize the song.
If you can play what you came up with on acoustic guitar, by yourself, and have it recognized as "the song", you get the music credit.
My guitar solo is not considered a co-write on Keith's music for "Open Your Eyes", but, John's contribution to "Give Me Room" was too big to go uncredited, that solo is my favorite part of the song, and I sure as HELL wouldn't have thought of those chords.
It a "curve" grading system, and it pretty darn accurately represents who was responsible for the big picture of what made the song "what it is"...
Brian

The Bottle Rockets - Part 1- Live at Mojo's 23-Oct-2009

2009-10-26T09:30:00.000-05:00

The Bottle rockets are: , Mark Ortmann- Drums and percussion, Brian Henneman-Guitar and Vocals, Keith Voegele- Bass and Vocals, and John Horton- Guitar

After dinner out for our anniversary, my wife and I went to see the Bottle Rockets on October 23, 2009, our 10th anniversary, at Mojo’s in Columbia, Missouri.

We arrive and talk with Keith, the bassist, for a few minutes. Then we meet up with Kirbie, a fellow bottle rocket's message boarder, and his friend and have a nice conversation. The opener ends up being a local band called Jaktar. I liked the music but every other song ended up sounding pretty similar. It was pretty loud for acoustic instruments as well. The main singer and guitarist has a pretty good voice for that old timey music. And the mando/singer did a pretty good job as well. I was impressed that a group of guys could get together and play some cool music you don't normally hear and make it work. I would like to see them mix up the show a bit, but I'm probably being picky at this point.

Eventually the band shows up and starts playing. There was a pretty rocking attitude going on. The room is fairly full but not packed at all. There was plenty of elbow room and it was nice not being sweated upon by people. The band has sold out Mojo’s the past few times they’ve played so this was a change of pace for them. The first several songs hit pretty hard and then came the song 'Happy Anniversary.' Brian announced that it was our anniversary and I gave Phoebe an anniversary ring. It wasn't the exact one she picked out, but I planned ahead and gave it to her in the dark recesses of a rock show... kept the possibility for disappointment to a minimum. Apparently she likes it so it worked out okay. Brian mentioned that the message of the song doesn't really fit, but we both really like that song so it works for us. After 10 years of marriage and over 14 years together I think we can handle the bad *ahem* mojo that might come from the message in that song.

After I get a nice anniversary kiss we pay attention to the show and this was one of those nights I could just close my eyes and get lost in the music. I really enjoyed it and probably couldn't tell you a hand full of songs from memory but it was awesome. One of those totally in the moment shows for me. I did take time to notice that I look at fret-boards quite a bit. Brian's trashpicker , John's flying V when he is facing our direction and Keith's bass quite a bit. I guess I'm trying to figure stuff out. I don't know. Watching Mark drum is really cool as well. He hits lots of little fills and bits and makes it all look effortless. It sounds like he's a permanent resident of "the groove." He’s just always right on top of things. On several songs the ending was drawn out a bit more than usual, which was cool as I noticed a little bit of the interaction in the band. It was easy to tell the band had fun on stage.

The band played several songs from their new album, LEAN FORWARD. ‘Shame On Me,’ a song in which the singer is taking responsibility for his mistakes even as he admits he’ll do them again. ‘Solitaire’ a song about the loneliness of a failing relationship. ‘Hard Times, ‘ a song appropriate to the rough economic times but with a light at the end of the tunnel look at the future. And ‘The Long Way’ which seems to sum up the journey the band has undertaken. Around for over sixteen years, the band has had shots of the big time but always seems to be stuck right in the middle. This is a song about perseverance and the optimism that comes with a new album and a new enthusiasm for making music. This band does it for the love of music and it shows in how they play.

After a brief break the band hit the stage for the encore and after a few strums from Brian they launched into "American Girl." Apparently this is the first time the band has played that particular song but it sounded well rehearsed. I have to give major credit to John for hitting all of those cool parts that just MAKE that song guitar-wise. Seriously good interplay with band.

The nice gal next to us waved herself a rebel flag with the word "redneck" across the front and the band launched into 'Wave that Flag' just for her. I found it quite ironic myself, but it was great to hear the song live again. In case you aren't familiar with the song 'Wave That Flag' it is pretty much and indictment of the mindless use of that symbol which is now associated with slavery. We could go on and on about the real meaning of the flag and if/how/when it changed, but this song gets to the heart of the matter from the view point that many Americans hold. It's summed up nicely in the line, "If somebody owned your ass, how would you feel?"

Afterward we got our picture taken with the band and with Janet, Brian's wife. We spoke a few minutes with the band and it got cold so we vamoosed so the band could leave for their lengthy drive to their hotel. It being homecoming here in Mizzou country (GO TIGERS), I'm sure they had quite a ways to go for lodging.

I would write more about the show itself, about the great interplay of guitars wielded by John Horton and Brian Henneman. How Keith Voegele and Mark Ortmann lock into a groove on every single song and build a foundation that lets the songs climb to new heights. I could even write about some tender moments such as during 'Smoking 100's Alone' and 'Welfare Music.' But the only way to truly "get" the Bottle Rockets is to go see them live. This band shows up. Do yourself a favor and support the nicest guys in the music business and go see a show.

Boss BR Recorders - A helpful site

2009-10-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

64Guitars has a wealth of knowledge and is moderating a forum for the use of BR recorders built by Roland. If you have a BR recorder you owe it to yourself to tap into this community.

In addition to the BR recorders there are also conversations about recording in general, and other non Roland products. Someone posted recently about Audacity, a free.. yes I said free, computer based program you can use to record and mix your own music. It's very powerful for a free program. There have been several links posted to help users.

When I was first starting to use my recorder the folks that are now on this site were invaluable. This is a very useful tool. Visit the Boss BR Community.

Introduction

2009-10-19T21:16:00.000-05:00

So I've been talking songwriting and music appreciation with some on-line songwriting and appreciating friends. I've been having these discussions mainly on the forums at the 50 Songs in 90 Days and on the Bottle Rockets Message Board and I have a few ideas that might be interesting to them and hopefully others like you. I figured I'd better introduce myself and maybe let you in on what you can expect.

My name is T.C. Elliott and I've been writing songs for years as a hobby. I'm a fan of the guitar and blues and classic rock and some traditional music and all sorts of music in all sorts of genres. My favorite bands are The Holy Modal Rounders and The Bottle Rockets and Jimi Hendrix and Neil Young and the list goes on.

In 2008 I discovered the Timed Songwriting Challenge (TiSC) called FAWM. February Album Writing Month, in which you challenge yourself to write 14 songs in 28 days. I succeeded in doing this but most of the songs weren't very good. One of the first songs I wrote was called "It's Hard To Write A Song on Monday" and I couldn't (and still haven't) figured out the chords so I just sang it with some hand claps. (If I figure out how, I'll post a snippet of it here.) And really, it is. I mean Monday is just a bad day to write songs. The worst of all the days in my opinion. So instead of writing and recording music I'll spend Mondays blogging instead.

Since that time I've learned to record a bit better with some decent results. And my songwriting is entirely more consistent than before. I had some gems, but now I have a good chance of getting something productive from most any songwriting session. I've also collaborated with several songwriters, mostly on-line, with some really cool results. At one time that was nearly impossible for me to contemplate much less accomplish.

And on this journey of learning to write songs and record music and listen to other songwriters of all levels I've discovered that music really does get the blood moving. It can bring a bear of a man to tears and it can bring a wisp of a girl to roar. It can bring joy and cause pain. Music has in it all the thoughts and dreams of the human race and the ability to communicate it in new and inspiring ways. It has in it the ability to make each of us wince. Music is so powerful that it's hard to describe it in a few short sentences. I hope I can share my glimpse into the power and the joy I feel for and with and about music. I hope you can feel it as well.