Lyrical Challenge

I've been doing a bit of thinking recently about the difference between lyricists and poets. I know there is a difference but I haven't quite found the right way to articulate it to myself. Those of you that have followed these blogs (thanks Mum) will know that I have been guilty in the past of being a little snobbish when it comes to poetry and certain writers. Well folks that has changed for 2017!

You see... I get moved by poetry. Moved in a way that is difficult to explain and all the more powerful because of that. I don't, however. get moved by music - I know, strange right? And it's not because I'm emotionally turned off or anything in fact I consider myself very much in touch with my emotions - yes I'm a crier!
 My wife can listen to a song and be taken somewhere that I've never been able to go. When Becky listens to the Beatles she is heartbroken, elated, aroused (probably) and in love all in one moment.

Historically, my thinking was that it can't be the lyric because they are just poor excuses for poems. Very often there are lazy or, even worse, forced rhymes that need to be manipulated in order to fit the structure. Lyrics fall in that space between a well structured poem and a free poem. Both are fantastic but I often found the middle ground a bit, well... how would one say it.... bleh!! (That's right in a post about the importance of words I'm using the word 'bleh'!) Or so I thought....

There is a raft of lyricists who don't even sit with musicians and they can create some of the greatest songs in the world. Songs that will cut people (like Becky) in half. The words must be important.

In times like this I like to set my brother (Chris) and sister (Shel) a challenge. Below is a poem/lyrics that I have just written. I'm asking them to make it into a song
a) because they are talented musicians
b) and most importantly, I like to publicly mention how cruel my little sister was for kicking me out of our band just because I hated singing in front of people and would get hideously drunk before our performances in front of 7 or 8 people.

Chris and Shel... enjoy (also anyone out there is blog world who fancies putting music to this feel free)

When I wake before the Sun
And feel you lying there
When shadows make your body
And the moonlight isn't fair.
I forgot to remember to forget you
Maybe I wish I had never met you.

For a moment I can see you
I breath in and you breath out
Then dawn, and you are gone again
And the World just turns about.
I forgot to remember to forget you
I'm not sure I really want to

Ghosts pass me throughout the day
It is they who see through me
I walk and walk without direction
In a mist I follow truly
I forgot to remember to forget you
Maybe I  need something to hold on to.



Rules
- Don't fuck with my lyrics (that means you Chris!)
- You can add a middle 8
- If you want 'I forgot to remember to forget you' to be a bridge then add a chorus
- 1 week to get the song finished

Enjoy

Tequila Dream

I think you would like my Brother and Sister! My Brother writes a hilarious blog about being a teacher and the things that happen and my sister is an unbelievable singer songwriter. Both of them are incredibly talented and as such I have come up with a little experiment for us. 

I don't know a great deal about musical theory - but I've been thinking recently that if I could write some lyrics and put some chords to it, send them to Chris (Bro) and Shel (Sis) then they could independently write 2 melodies and - my hope is - they would be so compatible (as they would only be using the notes in the given chord scale) that it would make a great song!

Ambitious? Crazy?

Well they called Bobby Fischer crazy and.... oh wait!  (little chess joke there for anyone who is interested :-))

Where was I? Oh yes... I hear you ask why I would be the one who writes the lyrics and the chords when I've just explained that they are more talented than me. That's a good question and my answer is in 2 parts

a) Fuck 'em

b) It was my idea so please review point a!

So here is what they will be working with.

Maybe you want to play along too.

Tequila Dream

Verse

A                                              G                           A

We met in Texas when you asked me for the time,

A                                         G

Then you said, ‘Are you looking for fun?’

A

And we crossed the borderline

Chorus

E                              D                         A

It turned into a tequila dream in Mexico

E                                           D                               A

When you heard my song play on local radio

E                                  D                         A

You held me tight all night when you heard that tune

E                                              D                                 A

And for one night we were East of the Sun and South of the Moon.

Verse

A                                              G                                A

I sold my Daddy’s watch to buy you a diamond ring

A                      G

It meant everything to him

                        A

To you not a thing

Chorus

E                             D                       A

It turned into a tequila dream in Mexico

E                                                          D                     A         

When you wanted it fast and my body wouldn’t take it slow

E                                  D                     A

You told me that you would be leaving soon

E                                              D                                 A

But for one night we were East of the Sun and South of the Moon

Middle 8

G             D                            G                  D

Now I’m sat alone at the river’s bend

G                  D                G         D

I knew the dream just had to end

G              D           G        D

Another drink before I go

            A

And one more night in Mexico

Chorus

E              D                       A

I had a tequila dream in Mexico

E             D                    A

I had to stay but she wanted to go

E                                         D              A

She came and went , her heart was immune

E                                      D                             A

But that night we were East of the Sun and South of the Moon

Enjoy