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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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