R.W. Songdog

The Good News is Bad News is Good News

2008-03-13T13:40:00.002-04:00

Hey folks
To all of you who keep checking here, thank you so much. I have not abandoned the project. I have sat down on 3 different occasions this week to write but, for perhaps the first time for me as a songwriter, I am experiencing what the "pros" call writer's block. This had never really happened before as I lacked the focus to get to the end of a song no matter what the problem was. I never made it far enough to fail in this way. As mentioned, there have been many attempts this week and I could have posted a couple of them, but they were even a bit weaker than I had anticipated at the onset. So instead of using the internet to wipe my ass and call it a song, I'll keep plugging away till this passes.

Would you all like an email when the next song is up? ( hopefully soon) or do you want to obsessively check every day as I would?

rwsongdog@gmail.com
I'll be back
RW

Dang - Week Seven - Song One ( kinda )

2008-03-10T15:18:00.002-04:00

Hey there everyone.

No new song today, but check out my remix of Dang by Buck 65 .

Listen to it here.

It was part of a contest. See how mine compares to the others and let me know what you think.

Thanks and enjoy.

Not Much of a Cowboy - Week Six - Song Two

2008-03-06T15:17:00.002-05:00

Hi there all.

Quick song today. Not much time for production.
Enjoy

Not Much of a Cowboy

Never did care much for horses
They never thought much about me
Never felt drawn to the wide open skies
I’d feel more at home by the sea

I can’t really drink too much whisky
My stomach would never agree
A tall pint of stout or a glass of red wine
Is usually enough for my needs

I guess I’ll never be much of a cowboy
I’ll never ride west now I’m not a young man
I guess I’ll never be much of a cowboy
But I’m doing the best that I can

I never liked chewin’ tobacco
My aim is so bad, I never hit the spittoon
And speaking of aim, man my pistol’s ashamed
Can’t hit the side of a saloon

I followed you out to the country
I thought there was nothing that I wouldn’t do
And the ten gallon hat never looked all that bad
But my arches can’t handle these boots

I guess I’ll never be much of a cowboy
I’ll never ride west now I’m not a young man
I guess I’ll never be much of a cowboy
But I’m doing the best that I can

So I’m leaving you here in the country
Taking the 4:20 to a less dryer clime
I’ll say howdy now, I’m not good with goodbyes
It sure was a hell of a time

But I guess I’m not much of a cowboy
I never got used to the dust in my eyes
I guess I’m not much of a cowboy
But I least I dear I gave it a try

RW

Strong and Free - Week Six - Song One

2008-03-05T20:34:00.003-05:00

Hi everybody.
I'm back with a new song. I'm at a point now where I have to start focusing on things such as playing live, picking songs, getting folks together, and getting ready to work towards a disc. This also means that I have to step up my job hunt. Needs me some cash. I've also been sick for the past couple of days, but not so sick that I could not go see Steve Earle in concert. The man is a brilliant performer!! Really, if you ever get the chance, do not miss it.

I will try to do as many songs a week as possible. No worries, the dog still has a lot to bark about. I just cannot guarantee that I'll get to one everyday. Please keep listening and commenting. Your ideas are making me a better writer. Feeling a bit shy about posting comments? Email me direct at rwsongdog@gmail.com.
Enjoy

Strong and Free

Don’t want to care about politics
I just don’t trust the government
Heart and mind don’t easily mix
Except for when I need to vent

Listen close to what I say
Never same on any given day
I’ve still got these bills to pay
Like you I’m waiting for a break

I see them on my TV screen
Talking change and the American dream
We tend to think we’re not the same
But Canadians play all those games

Listen now I’m still a proud
Citizen of this great land
But if we don’t shout all this out loud
We may lose the upper hand

We don’t need wave the flag or
Put more ribbons on our cars
We just need to use our heads and
Not forget
Forget about our hearts

Don’t be calling me a hippie
Or doubt my patriotic views
Sitting back and doing nothing
Is worse than standing up to lose

If we can’t all get along
At least we still can all agree
It’s us that keep the True North strong
Oh, let us work to keep it free

RW

Week Six - Where is the song?

2008-03-03T14:44:00.002-05:00

Hi everybody

This week is shaping up to be a little crazy. There will be no song today and I cannot guarantee anything for the rest of the week. I may have to change the focus to 2 or 3 songs a week. Not sure yet, I will keep you updated though.
Thanks
RW

The Contentedness Blues - Week Five - Day Five

2008-02-29T20:21:00.004-05:00

Happy Friday everybody.
Enjoy the weekend and if you get a moment check out my new myspace page.
We can all get myspaced-out together. Right now there are only the better ( as far as production values are concerned ) songs from this page, but as I get more recording done.....changes to a lot of the songs written here, I'll be posting them there.
Enjoy

The Contentedness Blues

This time
I’m not complaining
There’s just no need

I looked around
For answers
Then you found me

Days seem a little longer
Hard heart’s a little stronger
I feel a little more at peace

I can’t
Quite explain it
Who would believe?

Somehow
When we’re together
I’m finally me

I feel a little braver
You have become a savior
I feel as saved as damned can be

This house
Just bricks and mortar
But it’s a home

Somehow
It so much warmer
Than manufactured stone

We’ll beat the odds again
We’ll stand out in the rain
Sometimes it’s easier to see

RW

Blood Work - Week Five - Day Four

2008-02-28T15:14:00.004-05:00

Boy, there sure are a lot of words....keep scrolling.
Enjoy

Blood Work

Blood work
Guess who’s next
Coming at you with
X-ray specs

Blood work
Take a guess
It’s all about you
Not just a test

I’m down
But I’m not out
I’ll come back wet
When I end this drought

Too late
Or maybe it’s early
I’ll never get to see
Those gates so pearly

I’ll be
Burning inferno’s
Dante’s got nothing
On a man not mortal

Low key
But always blasting
Living life like a king
On just a shoe string

My sign
Comes with a stinger
Born in bad time
Not much of a singer

But I try
Despite shortcomings
I’ll always be strumming,
Humming, and drumming

In time
Or maybe too late
I’ll keep my own beat
Try and synchronize my heart rate

Too fast
To ever feel rested
Weary from the blood drain
Weak from the tests

I’m fine
But I woke up early
Does damage to the mind
And I feel unworldly

Got lost
Somewhere in time
The years were passing
Like an elevator chimes

Down to
the very last floor
I saw my own future
Right there on the floor

That’s fine
I’m never too worried
Having too much fun
To be in a hurry

RW

Collide - Week Five - Day Three

2008-02-27T23:37:00.003-05:00

Good evening.

Had some writer's block today, so I dusted off an old nugget and finally finished it. I've been playing these chords for at least 4 years with the intent to finish it as a song.
Enjoy

Collide

I’m just here fishing for
The perfect words to make you wanna listen more
Hoping you’ll stick around
And be here when the day and night collide

Cause I’m waiting for the right
Time to tell you
Hoping that you might
Might as well say
Be with me tonight
I’m so lonely
You’re so full of life

Hoping you’ll stick around
And be here when the day and night collide

I’ve got no class, I’ve got no style
If I can make you laugh
You might hang out a while
And If I can play it cool
You’ll be here when the day and night collide

Cause I’m waiting for the right
Time to tell you
Hoping that you might
Might as well say
Be with me tonight
I’m so lonely
You’re so full of life

Hoping you’ll stick around
And be here when the day and night collide

RW

Not One Swingin' Door - Week Five - Day Two

2008-02-26T16:45:00.003-05:00

Hi there.

Happy budget day!
I am sure we'll all get what we deserve. One way or another.

Enjoy.

Not One Swingin’ Door ( The Ballad of the Concrete Cowboy )

I’ve been a wanderer all my life
I’ve seen the rivers dry
And stars collide

I never cared for cityscapes
With walls of grey
That litter the skyline

I’d rather be out in the great wild
On a trail that leads to nowhere
With a sky that never dies

Robbing banks ain’t fun at all
But it keeps me far from
Living nine to five

And I won’t hurt no one
Unless they're dumb
Enough to put me in their sights

I’d rather see
A dusty old saloon
And general store

But all that’s around
Are cafés, clubs
Not one swingin’ door

I guess I’ll head out west
I hear there’s plenty there
To please a guy like me

I hope that there’s a hope in hell
That I can find my way
Before I freeze

RW

Walk Away From This - Week Five - Day One

2008-02-25T22:35:00.003-05:00

Tuesday Morning........Boxstr is back up.
Enjoy.....I didn't change a thing....for better or worse
RW

Happy monday folks.
It looks like Boxstr.com is down again. Such a shame as they really are the best one for this project. Hopefully they are just fixing whatever caused last weeks debacle.
I'll post lyrics and fight every fibre of my being to not re-record today's song. I like the song but I feel it needs a key change to accommodate my 1/2 octave vocal range. I put little time into the production of this one as well. It's about the song....it's about the song.....it's about the song........my mantra.

I'll post the audio as soon as boxstr is up again.

Walk Away From This

Every time the same old story
I can’t leave the page
When it’s either guts or glory
When I have the nerve to say

Hey you
Who do you think you are?
I wouldn’t do that
If I were you I’d walk away from this

Every night has wasted shadows
Where I should hide away
From all of the daily battles
From all of the dues I pay

Its true
Who do they think they are?
They never lose it
If they were me they’d walk away from this

This time
I’m not letting it go
When it comes down to blows
I’ll fight

Getting tired
Of lines that I tow
Everyone knows
That it’s never about
What’s wrong or right

All the complicated logic
All the twisted rules
Make me feel less analog it
Makes me feel just like a fool

I knew
Nothing before
And I don’t really know too much more
If I were you I’d walk away from this

RW

Bright and Burning - Week Four - Day Five

2008-02-22T21:22:00.005-05:00

Hey Folks,
I'm not going to lie. I may be running out of topics to write about.
Or maybe not.
My wife was reading an article about the rise and fall of Britney. It was funny that they compared her behavior to that of Michael Jackson, only he was never admitted to the psych ward. It got me thinking about the price of fame. I never read the article though, so many pages. I did look at all the pictures however. And yes, a long explanation for a song that really is about Britney freakin' Spears will make me feel like less of a tool. Perhaps it's a study in post modern cultural iconoclastic feminine figures of the turn of the century in north American culture under a fragile regime............um....yeah.
I feel this one would be better mixed on another day as my ears are tired, but I've a deadline to keep.
Enjoy

Bright and Burning

Tell me how it’s so tough being you
When everybody loves the things you do
And everybody thinks that you’re so cool
The price of fame is worth more than the truth

All these people know your every move
You like to fantasize that you're still you
Paparazzi eyes will disapprove
You’re clinging to the edge of all you knew

The lights are bright and burning
I think you’re finally learning
Though your head is whirling
It’s true
It’s not enough to be new

Twinkle like the stars out in the sky
But never let them look you in the eye
Or let them see the breadth of your disguise
The cost of being whored to the franchise

“Lolita style” fading as you age
You like to think that comebacks are all the rage
Crash and burn away on the front page
Who cares when you fail if you don’t fade

The lights are bright and burning
I think you’re finally learning
Though your head is whirling
It’s true
It’s not enough to be you

RW

Goodbye Kate - Week Four - Day Four

2008-02-21T23:23:00.003-05:00

Hey, sorry for the late post.
Today's song was constructed from fragments of a country song that I had kicking around in my head for a few years. I guess I just wasn't feeling very country today, for better or worse. I would love to re-record the vocals but I have neighbors, and to keep them happy sadly it is you who will suffer. They aren't that bad, just lacking the necessary oomph. Also had to mix on headphones.
Enough excuses, I know. This site is about the songs, not the production....I know........I know....but I want it to sound as good as possible in the given time.....I Ramble

A true story.
Enjoy

Goodbye Kate

You know I probably should just go
I’m sure I really shouldn't stay
‘cause there’s too many “It’s not you’s”
And too many “it’s just me’s “
For me to take

And though I really didn’t mean
To leave you standing in the wake
I’ve done enough but not much more
So I’m heading for the door
Good-bye Kate

You went and jumped another gun
You must’ve thought I was “the One”
We only dated for a week
When you gave me your key
I should have told you this out loud
I hate to say it, I’m not proud

But I can’t take another day
Because I’m really not that brave
Goodbye Kate

You never really saw the signs
For you the road was always paved
With gold and glittered centre lines
And the sun would always shine
Upon your way

I guess I should have been more clear
And not have been so cavalier
But ports can be worse than the storms
A lesson learnt and so much more
So Goodbye Kate

You went and jumped another gun
You must’ve thought I was “the One”
We only dated for a week
When you gave me your key
I should have told you this out loud
I hate to say it, I’m not proud

But I can’t take another day
Because I’m really not that brave
Goodbye Kate

I’d say you’re better off this way
But you wont listen anyways
So goodbye Kate

RW

Lie To Me - Week Four - Day Three

2008-02-20T15:41:00.004-05:00

Hi there

I did this one pretty quick. Sorry if it shows. I'm heading to an open stage at Rasputin's
Have a great night.
Enjoy.

Lie To Me

You don’t lie much
But you can fake love
Just enough to fill your needs

If you’re willing
And if I’m lonely
I won’t care if you lie to me

We all survive on what we hide
We close our mouths and then our eyes
Never thinking that we’ll find
The empty place where the truth lies
Truth won’t lie
But you can lie to me

You don’t want much
You don’t need love
You just want some company

“Ever-afters”
Become disasters
Better off if you lie to me

We can’t deny the years we tried
To close the wounds of compromise
Echoes through the hall of blame
With all those crocodile goodbyes
And no replies
So you can lie to me

Honesty has a way of leaking through
The cracks of life
Every time I drop my guard
They infiltrate the
Very heart of mine
Can’t you just lie to me?

We can’t decide we’re the kind
To close our hearts and then our minds
Without the truth we tossed aside
Will our deception make us blind?
You’d better lie
You better lie
You better lie to me

RW

The February Blues - Week Four - Day Two

2008-02-19T12:37:00.005-05:00

When the wind blows edition

Oh the joys of another Ontario winter.
Glaring your way, British Columbia folk. So very jealous.

Because I am a nerd I decided to try and write a "blues" song every week. Not so much a blues song, but a song with the word blues in the title. So far three weeks out of four. Perhaps I'll need two this week to catch up

Enjoy

The February Blues

Listen up
I’m gonna tell you something
Listen close
I’m not too loud

Every twelve months
the same thing always happens
Next year I wanna be
Livin’ in a warmer town

Used to be
It never mattered
But these old bones
Are growin’ frail

If we don’t leave this place
Before the november’s cold embrace
My locomotive heart
Could be derailed

Every year
It’s the same old story
But the plot
Is getting worse

I’ve seen enough damn snow for
A thousand frozen lives
Seems like Global warming
In reverse

RW

Your Wasted Time - Week four - Day One

2008-02-19T08:41:00.005-05:00

My attempt to take it easy yesterday seemed to have been thwarted. The song that I recorded was one that was about 40% written. I thought I'd have an easy monday....then it got out of control. First with the server issues and then with my inability to leave well enough alone........
I hope that it was not all for naught.
I was also considering adding live from the floor acoustic versions of the songs as I am practicing some of them for the stage. I have done a quick take on Happy Freakin' Birthday that I will include in the same player as the original and in the idog player to the side.
Enjoy

Your Wasted Time

Never had a saving grace
Never been a pretty face
Never thought I was one to compromise

But I spent a few years in a place
Like a piece of me was erased
Now I’m ready to pencil in those lines

And you write in fog on the window
While I chase yellow lines
I know I’m driving away from things
That are better left behind

I’m not going to be your wasted
Not gonna be
Not going to be your wasted time
Be your wasted time

Never had an ounce of faith
I’ll never cling to dated ways
I’ll never need a deity divine

When I look into your face
All my burdens just fall away
And my worries they all become benign

And you write in frost on the window
While I count highway signs
I know I’m driving away from things
That are better left behind

I’m not going to be your wasted
Not gonna be
Not going to be your wasted time
Be your wasted time

Someday when we’re old and gray
And days are measured in aches and pains
I hope that we still realize

It’s never been about yesterdays
Or all the unheard communiqués
Not always the past that makes us wise

I’m not going to be your wasted
Not gonna be
Not going to be your wasted time
Be your wasted time

RW

Still broke......

2008-02-18T22:48:00.002-05:00

Hey there again

Seems that Boxstr.com is still having problems. They assure me that my data is safe.....phew!
If you want today's song I can email it to you. I'll be hitting the proverbial hay soon, so if not tonight then perhaps in the morning. Just send an email request to rwsongdog@gmail.com. It's only been mixed with headphones, so it will sound better on headphones. But i think that about all the songs.
Good night
RW

I may have broke the internet

2008-02-18T19:55:00.004-05:00

Hi there

Looks a though there is a problem with one of the servers that I use to post audio to this blog. I cannot post right now as the site boxster.com is down. It is also likely that this is why most of the songs will not play either....I'll wait it out for a bit. Then seek a new solution if they don't get up and running soon. Today's song is done ( maybe needs some remixing) .....really it is.

Happy Birthday Repo

2008-02-17T13:32:00.004-05:00

Acoustic version added

So, I'm not so good at sending cards.
Nor am I much of a punk player.
So, why dear god, why?
Why not.
Happy birthday Bro.

Happy Freakin’ Birthday

So it’s your birthday
But you’re so far away
I’m gonna have to drink alone

Sure it’s not quite the same
But I’ll do it anyway
Until I get that golden glow

It’s your birthday
It’s your birthday
And I’m drunk
It’s your birthday
It’s your birthday
And I’m drunk

What else can I say
I’m sure you’d do the same
Never stopped us once before

At least you’re far away
Where there’s no snow today
And you can drink out on the porch

It’s your birthday
It’s your birthday
It’s your birthday
And I’m drunk

So it’s your birthday
But you’re so far away
I’m gonna have to drink alone

It’s not quite the same
But I’ll do it anyway
Until I get that golden glow

It’s your birthday
It’s your birthday
And I’m drunk
It’s your birthday
It’s your birthday
And I’m drunk

rw

Friday Night Blues - Week Three - Day Five

2008-02-15T23:53:00.005-05:00

Fridays....what can I say?
I actually wrote this friday in the early afternoon and not friday night. Nor am I blue. But it is friday, one out of three. That has to be worth something.

Thanks to everyone who has been enjoying this blog. Three weeks in and 15 songs ( plus 1 bonus song)....whew. The comments have been great. Keep them coming. I need all the feedback I can get.

Or just say hi.

Have a good weekend all

Friday Night Blues

Forty hours down
Another week in the life
Waiting around
Find a place I can hide
In a crowd

There’s a feeling around here
Like some mardi gras
As though Monday been canceled
One last hurrah
For the proud

I hear them all laughing
Clapping their hands
Friday won’t happen
If they don’t make plans
To go out

All of my days wouldn’t seem entwined
If you were around when I call
Everyone says it’s a frame of mind
But I don’t feel Friday at all

So I head to the bar
They’ve got TV and beer
Sure I’ve got that at home
But there’s more channels here
And a tap

The Bartender’s friendly
But leaves me alone
Filling my glass
While the regulars drone
About crap

The waitress counts tips
I can see her tattoo
I’d talk to her but
She reminds me of you
Makes me laugh

I wouldn’t be like a damn cliché
If you’d never left here at all
Everyone says it’s a matter of days
But I don’t feel Friday at all

How these nights used to be celebration
We were always so high
Now they shake me right to foundation
I just watch them fly by

All of my days wouldn’t seem entwined
If you were around when I call
Everyone says it’s a frame of mind
But I don’t feel Friday at all

Alone on the street corner
Watching my shoes
Never to far
From the Friday night blues
In the rain

RW

Lie Detector - Week Three - Day Four

2008-02-14T23:58:00.005-05:00

Sometimes you can try so hard to get to the sound in your head that you get something completely different. It is either divine or ambitiously flawed.
Which brings me to todays song. A long lost relic, a quarter of a song from years ago. I thought that I'd give it some finishing.

Can something be divinely flawed?

Lie Detector

Waiting on a phone call
Flipping through the dial
Looking for a little piece of something
I can cling to for a while
You won't believe it
But you just can’t deceive me anymore
I’ve got a lie detector
Hidden in my baseball cap

I never thought much about it
Before now
Like I’d live without it anyhow
I dream in stereo
But there’s static on the radio
Static on the radio

Now I’m going out to parties
I’m the first to make a toast
I’ll be having sex with strangers
On the bed with all the coats
You wont believe it
But you can’t quite receive the signal here
There must be something blocking
Out all your frequencies

I never thought much about it
Before now
Like I’d live without it anyhow
I dream in stereo
But there’s static on the radio
Static on the radio

Waiting for the slow burn
While I tally up the dues
Looking in the paper
for a sign of any news
But I can’t find you

I usually looking forward
When I’m going in reverse
I always feel much better
Right when things are getting worse
It’s an affliction

So I’ll keep your little trinkets
Since you’re taking so much more
I likely keep your picture
On the wall behind the door
So it stays open
And I can’t see you

I’ll go put on my finest suit
And head out in the street
I’ll smile and say hello to all the people that I meet
They don’t know me

RW

Chipped Tooth - Week Three - Day Three

2008-02-13T17:31:00.007-05:00

Writer's block on a busy day. What to do? Try and think outside of the box. So, I took a line that I've been carrying around for years and tried to write as song around it.......using piano. Anyone who knows me know that I have a hard enough time trying to spell piano, let alone play one. So with caution tossed blindly to the wind, a ballad. Slow and short to accommodate my minimal skills.

Chipped Tooth

I’ve got a chipped tooth and a black tattoo
I wrote I new song I could sing to you
There’s a few lines that resemble truth

I’ve got a strong back and an attitude
a bottle of gin I could share with you
if its enough we could set the mood
we can stay here till the crack of noon

You won’t believe
What I have up my sleeve
You won’t believe
At all

You’ve got a kind heart, but it’s beating slow
Never too far from just letting go
Never too far from the blowing snow

We could get lost in a crowded place
Everything fades away but your face
That’s about as close as I get to faith
That’s as close as I get to crazed

You won’t believe
What I have up my sleeve
You won’t believe
At all

RW

The Dipper Harbour Shoreline - Week Three - Day Two

2008-02-12T22:35:00.002-05:00

Hey there.
I guess today I was feeling a little bit country. Started yet again with some drum loops....bless you Beta Monkey.
Some timing issues, makes it feel loose and live though. Um.. yeah.....
Enjoy

The Dipper Harbour Shoreline

It’s loud enough to break hearts
It’s dark enough to blind
All those shots in the dark
All the lives entwined

They won’t call you the breeze
Never find your way back
Or find the forest through the trees
Or the night in all this black

Like the lights out on that
Madawaska Freeway
Never coming into view
You like to brag on how
You always did it your way
But I did it your way too

It’s not enough to be smart
When you’re on the run
Always under radar’s arc
When the sky takes the sun

They won’t call the police
When they find you around
But vigilantes are the least
Of your worries now

Like those nights out by
The Dipper Harbour shoreline
Never thinking we could lose
You like to tell me why
You always did it your way
But I did it your way too

Like the lights out on that
Madawaska Freeway
Never coming into view
You like to brag on how
You always did it your way
But I did it your way too

RW

Thirty Two Steps - Week Three - Day One

2008-02-11T22:44:00.002-05:00

I started today's song, Thirty-Two Steps, while messing about with a software synth on my mac. The phone ringing at the end is real though. Just the sound of me screening my calls. Actually I was so close to the end of the take, I figured I'd just leave it in.
Enjoy

Thirty-Two Steps

It’s thirty-two steps up to your place
Thirty-two ways to make a break
Too many times I look away
Too many lines across my face

Thirty-two years have gone to waste
Looking around for what to chase
Making it hard to keep the pace
Thirty-two steps up to your place

Thirty-two weeks of all this same
Making it hard to play this game
Never did feel the lurid shame
Never had need to lay the blame

Thirty-two tears have all been cried
This is a hell of a long ride
Counting the days as they collide
Thirty-two steps are far and wide

Thirty-Two steps up to your place
Finding a place to hide the blade
Never admit it’s all decayed
Too damn scared to be afraid

Thirty-Two nights of empty rage
Thirty-two words upon this page
Thirty-two ways to be betrayed
Thirty-two steps up to your place

RW

First Call - Week Two - Day Five

2008-02-08T23:53:00.002-05:00

I wanted to make up for the weakness of yesterdays song.
So......well....I may have got out of hand.
Built from the ground up starting with the Beta Monkey loops again. Could probably use a good remix.
Hope this posts in time. It's 11:57.
Have a great weekend.
Enjoy

P.S - Added new mix Saturday morning. They are both in the same player.

First Call

Rain keeps falling down and soaking my shoes
But I don’t have to worry about a thing
I used to be used to the rainy day blues
Now it’s just a reason to sing

Bar lights flicker but they never go out
I could find this place in the dark
Fill my cup up with a fine pint of stout
Read me like a quotation mark

Find me downtown
I’ll buy you a round
These old stomping grounds
Never looked so good

Sun doesn’t shine long on my shoulders
I’m rising when it’s going to sleep
The bloodshot’s in the eye of the beholder
I’m always at least two fifths deep

Bar girls snicker but there’s never a doubt
They all look the same at last call
Always with the now when I’m left without
Never really matters at all

Find me downtown
I’ll buy you a round
These old stomping grounds
Never looked so good

Line them up
I’ll take them down
One by one we’ll watch them fall
Set them up
I’ll drink them down
One by one I’ll take them all
Step aside
I’m going down
One by one like billiard balls
Close the doors
At closing time
I’ll count the hours till first call

Find me downtown
I’ll buy you a round
These old stomping grounds
Never looked so good

Line them up
I’ll take them down
One by one we’ll watch them fall
Set them up
I’ll drink them down
One by one I’ll take them all
Step aside
I’m going down
One by one like billiard balls
Close the doors
At closing time
I’ll count the hours till first call

RW

The Nice Guy - Week Two - Day Four

2008-02-07T22:13:00.001-05:00

The Eleventh Hour Edition

This is an excellent example of what can happen when you leave things to the last moment. I am happy with the chord progression and some of the melody but I am not crazy about the lyrics. It seems so easy to defer to bitterness when in a rush. A bad habit indeed. Written fast, recorded even faster, for your listening pleasure.
Thanks

The Nice Guy

You never thought I’d
Hit the big time
Find the right line
Make the scene

Never enough to just
Keep believing
The devotion
In the dream

Had enough of living a lie
Had enough, I’m saying goodbye

I didn’t have to
Be he good guy
Be the nice guy
But I’m a nice guy

Think of the reasons
You were so quiet
You were lying
Oh so sly

Had enough of living a lie
Had enough, I’m saying goodbye

Never enough to just
Keep believing
All the devotion
In the dream

You never thought I’d
Hit the big time
Find the right line
Make the scene

Had enough of living a lie
Had enough, I’m saying goodbye

RW

Laika - Week Two - Day Three

2008-02-06T17:53:00.001-05:00

Todays song is pretty stripped down. More warts than usual. Getting ready to go to open mic and still need to eat dinner. This is a first take after taking far too long with the lyrics ( which, as with all these songs, are subject to change).
Enjoy.

Laika

Who would have thought
They could send you so far away
The satellite ride through the sky
Was only one way

Who would have thought
You could lead the great race
Whirling above all the clouds
In a tin cage

That you would obey
The cold war commands
On that November day
Lonely in space
It’s a long way home
A long way home

Found you a stray
Just to send you so very far
With no hope of making it back
Once amongst the stars

Who would have known
When you circled the biggest stone
Left to your own
There was turning home

They took you away
From the cold streets of Moscow
And led you astray
Lost out in space
it’s a long way home
a long way home

That you would obey
The cold war commands
On that November day
Lonely in space
It’s a long way home
A long way home

RW

Heavy Metal Song - Week Two - Day Two

2008-02-05T14:22:00.001-05:00

The idea for this one dates back a few months. I am sure that Scooter and D-Lo could tell you how often I sang the refrain as that was all it was. The idea was born while building cars.

Heavy Metal Song

I’m gonna write a heavy metal song
‘cause I feel like my testosterone is low
I’m gonna write a heavy metal song
I want to see more leather in the first three rows

High times
In 1985
Had my hair down to my shoulders
I was living the life

With teenage dreams
Of fast machines
And American thighs
If you know what I mean

I’m gonna write a heavy metal song
So I can watch my hair re-grow
I’m gonna write a heavy metal song
I want to see more spandex in the first three rows

My sister wasn’t twisted
Never wore metal spikes
All my riots weren’t so quiet
But I knew what I liked

I was back in black
With a bottle of Jack
A trusty bic lighter
and a jacket with a patch on the back

I’m gonna write a heavy metal song
I’ll wear snakeskin boots and skintight jeans
I’ll get a stripper girlfriend in a plastic thong
She’ll be wearing my three quarter sleeve concert tee

It seems these days
It’s all so tame
I gave away my cassette tapes
My hair is down the drain

But I don’t think
I could ever give away
That feeling that I get
When the Cinderella starts to play

I’m gonna write a heavy metal song
I’ll give it away free on my website
I’m gonna stay up all night long
And I’ll download “Kill em’ All” just to make Lars cry

RW

Stolen Souvenirs - Week Two - Day One

2008-02-04T13:16:00.001-05:00

A little shorter, a little slower, and a little sadder.
Happy Monday indeed.

Stolen Souvenirs

We don’t know much anyways
So why bother asking
Everybody has a place
Is this yours?

I don’t think about those days
You do all too often
Like another time and place
On those shores

You close your eyes to cry
And I close my heart
And say good bye

All the time we spent in vain
Trying to recover
Like a monument to pain
And fury

Here’s a stolen souvenir
Like a broken relic
All that you’ve been holding dear
It’s nothing

Turn on your heel to leave
I watch you go
And say goodbye

RW

Stop Grinding Hogs!

2008-02-02T12:27:00.000-05:00

Everybody's Working for the Weekend Edition

I know I said that I'd not be "working" weekends, but in a desperate ploy to keep you all interested I thought that I'd give you a bonus song. This song was not written today and has been recorded over a few different sessions. It is indeed still a work in progress. I want to change the lyrics in the last verse as it sounds a bit clumsy to me and I want to totally redo the vocals. Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for listening.
Enjoy your weekend

Barely working telephone

Incongruent, it’s how you live your lives
Leave you choking on the truth
When she’s coughing up her lies
And I can’t show you a better way to shine
If you don’t come out from the dark

Flash her picture like it’s answering the “whys? ”
With the curve of her figure
And the sparkle in her eyes
But I can’t show you a better way to drive
If you cant take it out of park

Every time I talk to you
Sounds like I’m hearing you
Through the wrong end of a barely working telephone
Every time I look at you
It seems like you’re fading
Away from the person that I used to know

Smile like an idiot
You just don’t realize
You can give her everything
But still she’ll sleep with other guys
And you wont listen now
So I wont even try
To help you save you from yourself

Every time I talk to you
Sounds like I’m hearing you
Through the wrong end of a barely working telephone
Every time I look at you
It seems like you’re fading
Away from the person that I used to know

RW

The Technical Knock Out - Week One - Day Five

2008-02-01T19:46:00.002-05:00

I thought that I'd try something a little different today. In honor of the first official "No Pants Friday" I decided to do a bit of a rock song. I also built this song from the ground up, starting with drum loops from Beta Monkey, adding guitars, bass, and then writing lyrics and melody. Fun indeed. There were a few roadblocks, but it ended up alright.
I also almost gave up at one point, not because of the process, but because Ron Hawkins previewed a new song on his website today. It's interesting to be simultaneously inspired and driven to quit at the same time.

The Technical Knock Out

Just let me start some fires
I want to burn like alcohol and spite
I want to run the riots
You know I’m here
You know I’m right

I want to hit some dingers
Set them up, I’ll bang them from the park
Paint the town with middle fingers
You’ll be the fuel, I’ll be the spark
You’ll be the fuel, I’ll be the spark

Don’t want to be like all those hipsters
Don’t want to ride that wave alone
I want to be a surprise fighter
Knowing the unknown
Living in the zone
Taking all it takes to hold my own

I want to sleep in all night diners
I want to close my eyes and see the stars
I want to wake the midnight masses
With broken words
And broken hearts

I’ll be a part time prophet
I’ll see the future hidden in your eyes
A kind of broken slide show
I’ll break the rules, You’ll be the prize
I’ll break the rules, You’ll be the prize

I want to be a suburban cowboy
I want to ride that pony home
I’m want to be a stun-gun slinger
Knowing the unknown
Living in the zone
Taking all it takes to hold my own

Everybody has to do their thing
Not for me to say what’s right
Everybody has a song they have to sing
It’s not for me
It’s not for me to teach them how to sing it right

Don’t want to be a super hero
I'm more like Alcides wearing cheap cologne
I’d rather to find my own true measure
Knowing the unknown
Living in the zone
Taking all it takes to hold my own

I’m gonna start some fires
I’m gonna burn like alcohol tonight
I’m gonna run the riots
You know I’m here, You know I’m right
You know I’m here, You know I’m right

Don’t want to be like all those hipsters
Don’t want to ride that wave alone
I want to be a surprise fighter
I’m gonna be a surprise fighter
Don’t want to be like all those hipsters
Don’t want to ride that wave alone
I want to be a surprise fighter
I’m gonna be a surprise fighter

RW

The High Paying Employment Blues - Week One - Day Four

2008-01-31T14:28:00.001-05:00

Todays song, The High Paying Employment Blues, was written around a few chords and a couple of lines that I had come up with a few months ago while still employed. I decided to keep the theme of the song as I truly could relate. I wanted to keep it feeling pretty loose and lazy and this resulted in some off-time moments. We'll not even talk about the back up vocals....that guy is fired!
Mostly a big "Shout-Out" ( that's what the kids say, right?) to my friends at the factory.
Enjoy

The High Paying Employment Blues

Too much to think about
I’ve got too much to think about
Somewhere between hope and doubt
Like walking on a wire

Too much to worry about
I’ve got too much to worry about
Sometimes I just want to shout
“When can I retire”?

You don’t understand
I’ve been working so hard for the man
Until I get a plan
I’m just keeping up with the Jones’ again
You see this paycheck
It’s nearly gross how much I net
Makes it hard to leave

Too much time too think
I’ve got too much time to think
It leads me to the brink
Of nearly walking out

I’ve got things to do
Got so many things to do
I’ll just work it through
That’s what it’s about

You don’t understand
I’ve been building cars, I can’t feel my hands
Nothing ever seems
To go as smoothly as I planned
At least I’m not alone
There’s others here who haven’t flown
They make it hard to leave

RW

The Real - Week One - Day Three

2008-01-30T11:36:00.001-05:00

Today's song is called The Real. I really had to rush through the lyrics and the recording of this one as "The Window Guy" will be here any moment to install some new windows.
Try and enjoy in spite of this

The Real

Like you, I shouldn’t fall for anything
Like you, I shouldn’t fall
How can I know a bit about everything
But still know nothing at all

You know I never wanted anything
You didn’t understand
Some fires tend to reclaim everthing
When flames are being fanned

I’ve been around the block, I’ve gotten lost
So far from being found
Turned the other cheek so many times
I nearly spun into the ground

I’m letting it go
I'm no part of your show
I’m getting to know
The real

Like me, you didn’t fall for anything
You’ve never had to crawl
Don’t forget it only takes a little pea
to break a princess after all

I’d been around the block so fast it seems
I didn’t touch the ground
I’d been a fool, a downright idiot
I was never looking down

I’m letting it go
Heading for a new plateau
I’m getting to know
The real

I’m letting it go
I'm no part of your show
I’m getting to know
The real

RW

Talk To You - Week One - Day Two

2008-01-29T13:28:00.001-05:00

I wrote this song this morning. Had so much fun that I had to jam out to it when recording it. Enjoy

Talk To you

So much for believing nothing
I can’t help but believe in something
Sunday mornings bring blurry visions
From Saturday’s sacreligion

It’s all so true
I’m believing in the two
With you at my side
There’s just nothing I can’t prove
No need to save a thing for rainy days
All I need do is talk to you

No need for the holy gospel
I’ve heard enough of those clanging church bells
I’ve had enough of the TV prophets
My messiah is in my pocket

It’s all so true
I’m believing in you
Shout to the sky
Confessions of the truth
No need to pray for things to be ok
All I need do is talk to you

Look again
At the so called words of wisdom in the tomes
So many rules now
With cryptic caustic cautionary tones
It’s nothing new
All I can do
Is talk to you

So much for believing nothing
I can’t help but believe in something
Listen close to my sordid sermon
From the mountain of devolution

It’s all so true
I’m believing in the two
With you at my side
There’s just nothing I can’t prove
No need to save a thing for rainy days
All I need do is talk to you

Battle Lines Week One - Day One

2008-01-28T13:02:00.001-05:00

Today's song, Battle Lines was written around a chord progression that I came up with a while back and recorded live to computer with only harmonica overdubbed. I wrote it and recorded it this morning.

Battle Lines

Look at all the time
We’ve been wasting
Closing every door

Never finding time
Just complacent
Just another chore

You know what to do
Fighting off the truth
Hiding in the ruins
Like a war

Battle lines are drawn
With weapons waiting
Sure enough to fight

Inconsistent calm
Interrupted
By implements of spite

You know what to do
Fighting off the truth
Hiding in the ruins
Like a war

Sometimes
You can see the sense in our warring
At night where the fear survives

You know what to do
Fighting off the truth
Hiding in the ruins
Like a war

Look at all the time
We’ve been wasting
Closing every door

RW