Hi there.
I know I haven't written in nearly a month, but I'll make up for it with what I think is one of my best songs, I promise.
The day after Fearless came out were the CMA (Country Music Association) Awards. They were brilliant. I loved watching every minute of it. The hosts were Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, and the former opened with his new single featuring Keith Urban, "Start a Band." The thing with those two is that they are the best guitar players in country music (if not in all of music) that together they burn up the stage, while looking as though they are having such fun. The next performance was Kellie Pickler with "Best Days of Your Life," which she co-wrote with Taylor Swift; it's a really fun song, and she performed it with vivacity. Then was Alan Jackson having a "Good Time." Too bad I don't really like this song, because I love Alan Jackson. After Alan was the incredible Miranda Lambert (who has the most beautiful voice), singing "More Like Her," which has such a beautiful melody. Lady Antebellum sang next, with their hit "Love Don't Live Here," a really nice song that catapulted the group to stardom. The next two numbers didn't really make an impression on me, Martina McBride's "Ride" and Rodney Atkins' "It's America," which was really a shame because the former has such a lovely voice and the latter is one of my favourite men of country. Then was Taylor Swift with the amazing "Love Story." Before the last verse, she changed dresses halfway and then as she was singing the last part, the guy (Justin Gaston) from the video came out; but my favourite part was when she hit the mic on one of the posts she had there. I encourage you to check it out. The next singer surprised me tremendously, Kid Rock (who knew he sang country?) with "All Summer Long." The song is terrific. Ironically, I was looking at a video of Travis Zajac's hockey highlights (it was lame) the next day on youtube, and the song playing in the background was this one. Next was the immortal George Strait, whose song name I unfortunately didn't catch, but you can be sure it was wonderful (it's George Strait, how could it be anything else?). Then was Jason Aldean with "She's Country." The lyrics were okay, but it had a great guitar line. Brooks and Dunn were next, with Reba McIntire, singing "Cowgirls Don't Cry," a song which nearly made me cry. After this was Darrius Rucker, with his fantastic first country single "Don't Think I Don't Think About It." I just about screamed when they announced him, because I love love love him. (For those who don't know, he used to be the lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish.) I practically screamed again for the next performance, Brad Paisley's "Waiting on a Woman," which was on his album Time Well Wasted but re-released with a music video. He is simply perfect, in every way. Keith Urban performed "Sweet Thing," which was lovely and is his new single. Next was Carrie Underwood, whose "Just a Dream" was introduced by a widower whose late husband was killed in Iraq (which ensured that there was not a dry eye in the audience before the song even began...although I have to say I didn't even tear up, I've listened to the song so many times that I'm immune). After Carrie was the spectacular band Sugarland, whom I "Love." I think it's a weaker song on their part, but Jennifer Nettles proved me wrong. Except what the hell was she wearing? James Otto was next, with his breakout song "Just Got Started Lovin' You." Aside from Josh Turner, he has the deepest voice in country currently, I believe. Kenny Chesney sang next, with his new single "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven," not my favourite of his songs, but his stage presence is incomparable. Then was Trace Adkins, with his sentimental "You're Gonna Miss This," which is one of my favourite song ever. The Eagles closed the show with "Busy Bein' Fabulous," a song I like but whose video makes no sense to me (where did the monkey come from? why do the women start looking at each other so strangely?).
And of course, the night was about the awards, the presentations of which were interspersed between musical numbers-
Musician of the Year: Mac McAnally
Music Video of the Year: "Waitin' on a Woman," Brad Paisley (when has he NOT won this?)
Musical Event of the Year: "Gone Gone Gone," Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Song of the Year: "Stay," Jennifer Nettles (well-deserved)
Album of the Year: Troubadour, George Strait
Single of the Year: "I Saw God Today," George Strait
Vocal Duo of the Year: Sugarland (duh)
Vocal Group of the Year: Rascal Flatts (again, duh)
New Artist of the Year: Lady Antebellum (I was hoping for Kellie Pickler, but yay LA, too)
Male Vocalist of the Year: Brad Paisley (!!!!)
Female Vocalist of the Year: Carrie Underwood
and...Entertainer of the Year: Kenny Chesney (who has a running streak of this category at the CMAs and at the ACMs)
The song I am going to post will not win Single of the Year, or Song of the Year or anything, but you can bet I love it anyway. It was conceived when I was brushing my teeth (like that's not weird or anything) and I was thinking about the incomparable feeling of just pure safety people feel in someone else's arms, and it began taking shape in my mind, although the final draft is nothing like the first version, except for the first verse. It's the first time I feel really exposed with a song, because I love to keep the memory in the second verse and the bridge to myself, but it just fit nicely in the song. With that said, he never pulled over and hugged me, I was sitting in the back seat.
Do You Feel Safer Now
I woke up crying when I was five
the guys in black were in my mind
death was the one thing I was afraid of
and even more for those I loved
I lay there crying and I called for daddy
and I knew with love he'd save me
he came in sleepily and pulled me in his arms
CHORUS:
and said do you feel safer now
it's okay, you can get up when you fall down
hold on tight, here comes the world
but I'm here, you'll always be my little girl
do you feel better now
someone will always be around
to hold you like this, and ask do you feel safer now
five years later I'm in the car with my friend's dad
and thoughts I have are making me sad
like I don't want to grow up too fast
and I want my childhood to last and last
I told him that I was really scared
cause those I love someday won't be there
he pulled over and pulled me in his arms
CHORUS:
and said do you feel safer now
you can get up when you fall down
hold on tight, here comes the world
but in your heart, you'll always be a little girl
do you feel better now
someone will always be around
to hold you like this and ask do you feel safer now
(softly)
BRIDGE:
my friend's dad was killed that September
at his funeral they asked us to remember him
but I can't connect him to the towers' fall
cause when I think of him, I recall
when he pulled over and pulled me in his arms
CHORUS:
and said do you feel safer now
it's okay, you can get up when you fall down
hold on tight, here comes the world
but in your heart, you'll always be a little girl
always be a little girl
do you feel safer now
someone will always be around
to hold you like this and ask do you feel safer now
do you feel safer now
I feel safer now
I feel safer now...
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. "White Horse" is Taylor's new single. In case you were wondering.
p.p.s. Congratulations to Livingston High School on their win in the State Championships for football this afternoon, 28-8 over Hackensack. I was there, with my dad. It was cold, but a tremendously fun game.
06 December 2008
17 November 2008
Fearless!
Hello, all.
Tomorrow marks a week since I sat down by the fireplace and unwrapped my newfound treasure and turned on my dad's CD player (mine broke on the trip to Arizona) and pressed the play button. I opened the booklet, read the liner notes first, and then followed along with the lyrics. The sweet acoustic chords of "Fearless" filled the earphones, and it wasn't until the last dramatic drumbeats of "Change" faded out 53:26 later that I dared breathe. For those of you who want a play-by-play with the CD, here goes:
"Fearless" - Beautiful! It's the "best first date I haven't had yet song," and the lyrics make me want that type of date, too. As well as the songwriting prowess that emanates from every Taylor Swift song. Capture it, remember it.
"Fifteen" - This is what I've always wanted a friend to say to me, and she sounds like a best friend. In your life you'll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team / I didn't know it at fifteen / When all you wanted was to be wanted. It sounds like the kind of normal life that is lacking in my school. Or at least in my life.
"Love Story" - It's a fairy tale! How much more can I say about it? I love the banjo in the background, and I love how Taylz performed this at the CMAs last Wednesday (She changed dresses halfway through! And the guy from the music video was there, too.) My favourite part is the anticipation (acoustic guitar, percussion, banjo) leading up to the final glorious burst, Marry me Juliet you never have to be alone / I love you and that's all I really know / I talked to your dad go pick out a white dress.
"Hey Stephen" - Hey, Stephen, I could give you fifty reasons why I should be the one you choose / all those other girls, well they're beautiful, but would they write a song for you? This song puts me in a good mood whenever I listen to it. It's so cheerful. And the fingersnaps at the end make it even more so. Apparently it was written for a member of Taylz's opening band, Love and Theft.
"White Horse" - Songs don't get much better than this. The harmonies in the chorus are enough to satisfy your passion for good music, and then the bridge and the variations in the chorus (I'm gonna find someone someday who might actually TREAT me well / this is a big world, that was a small town there in my rearview mirror disappearing now) are sheer brilliance.
"You Belong With Me" - The pre-chorus is wonderful (She wears short skirts I wear t-shirts / she's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers or She wears high heels I wear sneakers / she's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers), and then the change to the chorus is terrific as well. This song is probably the catchiest on the album.
"Breathe" - A duet with Colbie Caillet. I love the first line of the chorus (And we know it's never simple, never easy) and the first line of the second verse (Music starts playing like the end of a sad movie.
"Tell Me Why" - Listening to this song, I can imagine Caitlin's violin sawing in half (that's Taylz's fiddle player). And I need you like a heartbeat.
"You're Not Sorry" - I think this is the weakest song on the album, but every time I hear it, I find something new to love. For instance, I love the bridge (You had me crawling for you honey and it never would've gone away / you used to shine so bright but I watched all of it fade). And the piano in the background. Ah!
"The Way I Loved You" - She wrote this with John Rich (of Big & Rich), and lately it's my favourite song on the album (this changes day to day, however). The difference in melody between the verses and the chorus is pure poetry, and I love the music to the verses and the bridge. I love the triangle (or is it a xylophone?) when she sings 'cause I'm not feeling anything at all.
"Forever and Always" - Second-catchiest song on the album. Was I out of line / did I say something way too honest? The chorus is terrific, but on first listen it's slightly hard to follow, as she switches from "you" to "he" and back.
"The Best Day" - The introduction to this song reminds me of the intro to a Kenny Chesney song, from his The Road and the Radio album. And it's the one song on the album that made me cry the first time I heard it. And the second, and the third. It's exactly how I feel about my mom, that she's my best friend. The relationship is gorgeous. I grew up in a pretty house and I had space to run / and I had my best days with you.
"Change" - I love the electric guitar part in the background. This song can be applied to so many circumstances, and it shines. Tonight we'll stand and get off our knees fight for what we've worked for all these years / and the battle was long it's the fight of our lives / but we'll stand up champions tonight / it was the night things changed, can you feel it now these walls that they put up to hold us back FELL down.
So that's my run-down. There are so many things to say about each song, and about the entire album, but I'll limit my glowing comments so that you won't be bored to tears.
I feel weird posting on of my lame songs after such a spectacular array of Taylor's, so I will end the post here and write another one soon.
Much love and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. OMG! Best game ever on Saturday! Way to go Scottie Clemmensen, and congratulations to Trav on a 3-point game! Win on Thursday?
I have nothing to put here now!
Tomorrow marks a week since I sat down by the fireplace and unwrapped my newfound treasure and turned on my dad's CD player (mine broke on the trip to Arizona) and pressed the play button. I opened the booklet, read the liner notes first, and then followed along with the lyrics. The sweet acoustic chords of "Fearless" filled the earphones, and it wasn't until the last dramatic drumbeats of "Change" faded out 53:26 later that I dared breathe. For those of you who want a play-by-play with the CD, here goes:
"Fearless" - Beautiful! It's the "best first date I haven't had yet song," and the lyrics make me want that type of date, too. As well as the songwriting prowess that emanates from every Taylor Swift song. Capture it, remember it.
"Fifteen" - This is what I've always wanted a friend to say to me, and she sounds like a best friend. In your life you'll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team / I didn't know it at fifteen / When all you wanted was to be wanted. It sounds like the kind of normal life that is lacking in my school. Or at least in my life.
"Love Story" - It's a fairy tale! How much more can I say about it? I love the banjo in the background, and I love how Taylz performed this at the CMAs last Wednesday (She changed dresses halfway through! And the guy from the music video was there, too.) My favourite part is the anticipation (acoustic guitar, percussion, banjo) leading up to the final glorious burst, Marry me Juliet you never have to be alone / I love you and that's all I really know / I talked to your dad go pick out a white dress.
"Hey Stephen" - Hey, Stephen, I could give you fifty reasons why I should be the one you choose / all those other girls, well they're beautiful, but would they write a song for you? This song puts me in a good mood whenever I listen to it. It's so cheerful. And the fingersnaps at the end make it even more so. Apparently it was written for a member of Taylz's opening band, Love and Theft.
"White Horse" - Songs don't get much better than this. The harmonies in the chorus are enough to satisfy your passion for good music, and then the bridge and the variations in the chorus (I'm gonna find someone someday who might actually TREAT me well / this is a big world, that was a small town there in my rearview mirror disappearing now) are sheer brilliance.
"You Belong With Me" - The pre-chorus is wonderful (She wears short skirts I wear t-shirts / she's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers or She wears high heels I wear sneakers / she's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers), and then the change to the chorus is terrific as well. This song is probably the catchiest on the album.
"Breathe" - A duet with Colbie Caillet. I love the first line of the chorus (And we know it's never simple, never easy) and the first line of the second verse (Music starts playing like the end of a sad movie.
"Tell Me Why" - Listening to this song, I can imagine Caitlin's violin sawing in half (that's Taylz's fiddle player). And I need you like a heartbeat.
"You're Not Sorry" - I think this is the weakest song on the album, but every time I hear it, I find something new to love. For instance, I love the bridge (You had me crawling for you honey and it never would've gone away / you used to shine so bright but I watched all of it fade). And the piano in the background. Ah!
"The Way I Loved You" - She wrote this with John Rich (of Big & Rich), and lately it's my favourite song on the album (this changes day to day, however). The difference in melody between the verses and the chorus is pure poetry, and I love the music to the verses and the bridge. I love the triangle (or is it a xylophone?) when she sings 'cause I'm not feeling anything at all.
"Forever and Always" - Second-catchiest song on the album. Was I out of line / did I say something way too honest? The chorus is terrific, but on first listen it's slightly hard to follow, as she switches from "you" to "he" and back.
"The Best Day" - The introduction to this song reminds me of the intro to a Kenny Chesney song, from his The Road and the Radio album. And it's the one song on the album that made me cry the first time I heard it. And the second, and the third. It's exactly how I feel about my mom, that she's my best friend. The relationship is gorgeous. I grew up in a pretty house and I had space to run / and I had my best days with you.
"Change" - I love the electric guitar part in the background. This song can be applied to so many circumstances, and it shines. Tonight we'll stand and get off our knees fight for what we've worked for all these years / and the battle was long it's the fight of our lives / but we'll stand up champions tonight / it was the night things changed, can you feel it now these walls that they put up to hold us back FELL down.
So that's my run-down. There are so many things to say about each song, and about the entire album, but I'll limit my glowing comments so that you won't be bored to tears.
I feel weird posting on of my lame songs after such a spectacular array of Taylor's, so I will end the post here and write another one soon.
Much love and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. OMG! Best game ever on Saturday! Way to go Scottie Clemmensen, and congratulations to Trav on a 3-point game! Win on Thursday?
I have nothing to put here now!
08 November 2008
Truth
Hi there,
Another single from Fearless has been released on iTunes, "You Belong With Me." Taylor is awesome.
Here's the song (I'm sorry this post is so short, my heart's not into writing much today, sorry), but I should mention that the title and the second verse are not mine. The words were given me, and all I did was make them rhyme.
There's nothing more to say.
Truth
so that's it then, it's all been said
all my tears dried up and counted
your explanation has been heard
so now we don't say another word
CHORUS:
but if you'd let me, I would say
you think it all went your way
but it was my victory, seeing you look at me
you drew me in and I couldn't breathe
so it's fitting now, that I'm walking in the rain
cause the last time I did, I was calling your name
you know the horror of the words
those that should never be heard
there's no easy way for them to be said
and so they fall, fall like lead
CHORUS:
but if you'd let me, I would say
you think it all went your way
but it was my victory, seeing you look at me
you drew me in and I couldn't breathe
so it's fitting now that I'm walking in the rain
cause the last time I did, I was calling your name
(softly)
it's my victory, cause you looked at me
you drew me in and I couldn't breathe
(crescendo)
but now I'm walking in the rain
hoping you'll hear me, calling your name
and I wanna go back to all those times
it was just you and me and your eyes and mine
but have it your way
there's nothing for me to say
CHORUS:
but if you'd let me, I'd say this
you think it went the way you planned it
but it was my victory, having you look at me
you drew me in and I couldn't breathe
so it's fitting now that I'm walking in the rain
cause the last time I did, I was calling your name
oh, I've got plenty to say but nothing you wanna hear...
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. OBAMA!!!!!
Fearless releases on Tuesday! :)
Another single from Fearless has been released on iTunes, "You Belong With Me." Taylor is awesome.
Here's the song (I'm sorry this post is so short, my heart's not into writing much today, sorry), but I should mention that the title and the second verse are not mine. The words were given me, and all I did was make them rhyme.
There's nothing more to say.
Truth
so that's it then, it's all been said
all my tears dried up and counted
your explanation has been heard
so now we don't say another word
CHORUS:
but if you'd let me, I would say
you think it all went your way
but it was my victory, seeing you look at me
you drew me in and I couldn't breathe
so it's fitting now, that I'm walking in the rain
cause the last time I did, I was calling your name
you know the horror of the words
those that should never be heard
there's no easy way for them to be said
and so they fall, fall like lead
CHORUS:
but if you'd let me, I would say
you think it all went your way
but it was my victory, seeing you look at me
you drew me in and I couldn't breathe
so it's fitting now that I'm walking in the rain
cause the last time I did, I was calling your name
(softly)
it's my victory, cause you looked at me
you drew me in and I couldn't breathe
(crescendo)
but now I'm walking in the rain
hoping you'll hear me, calling your name
and I wanna go back to all those times
it was just you and me and your eyes and mine
but have it your way
there's nothing for me to say
CHORUS:
but if you'd let me, I'd say this
you think it went the way you planned it
but it was my victory, having you look at me
you drew me in and I couldn't breathe
so it's fitting now that I'm walking in the rain
cause the last time I did, I was calling your name
oh, I've got plenty to say but nothing you wanna hear...
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. OBAMA!!!!!
Fearless releases on Tuesday! :)
03 November 2008
Tonight
Hello, all.
Taylor Swift's new single came out on iTunes, "You're Not Sorry," which she composed on the piano. I think that's a new thing for her - most of her songs (I'm assuming) were composed on the guitar. I should also mention that I am not paid to endorse Taylor's music, or to campaign for the selling of her albums (maybe I have election lingo on my mind, do you think?). I just plug her now and then (okay, every post) because she and her music have had SUCH an impact on my life, and her songs have influenced and permeated mine.
So last night, I was practicing the guitar (I always do this sitting on my bed, I don't know why), and I was practicing this chord progression that my super amazing teacher taught me. And I was inspired. So I began to fool around with the three chords (that are played up and down the neck, at the first fret, sixth, and eighth - the E major chord progression). I came up with an introduction, including a strumming pattern, and decided to put it together with the idea that had come into my mind that day (the chorus just came to me, including the melody, it was beautiful, really, the way it just welled up inside me and burst forth). And the end result was this song, "Tonight." I also came up with the chord backing for the entire song, except for the bridge part.
This song is about a girl who is going to tell the boy whom she likes precisely that. It goes through her thoughts the whole day before she will tell him, through the freaking-out moments, and the obsessive thoughts "does he like me back?" "what if he says nothing?" etc. Everything that would run through her mind while counting down the minutes before he comes and she tells him. Writing this song made me wonder how relationships start. Someone has to be the first to take charge, and say it first. Someone has to go out on a limb and risk being hurt and not reciprocated, hoping that it can turn into something sweet. So why not the girl?
If the chorus seems slightly strange, in its structure/repetition, trust me when I say that it sounds really good with the guitar, and it sounds like a real country song. Not that it is. But it could be, one day.
Tonight
Tonight I'm gonna tell him
can't wait to see his face
it's the last thing he's expecting
so when he walks in the place
CHORUS:
he's gonna walk right in
and I'll say sit down I've got something to tell you
then I'll look at him
and say boy, it's all gonna be the truth
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
(I'm in love with you)
it may be news to you, I don't know
but lookin' at you sure gives me hope
and I wanna look at you 'till I die
starting now, starting tonight
I'm rehearsing what I'll say
learning my lines by heart
can't believe today's the day
cross my fingers if I were smart
CHORUS:
he's gonna walk right in
and I'll say sit down I've got something to tell you
then I'll look at him
and say boy it's all gonna be the truth
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
(I'm in love with you)
it may be news to you, I don't know
but lookin' at you sure gives me hope
and I wanna look at you 'till I die
starting now, starting tonight
BRIDGE:
Tonight I'm gonna tell him, that's a fact
wonder if he feels the same way back
(softly)
he's gonna walk right in
and I'll say sit down I've got something to tell you
then I'll look at him
and say boy it's all gonna be the truth
(crescendo)
Just wanna get it off my chest
so we have no more lies
he'll be holding the rest
so I sure hope he smiles
Tonight I'm gonna tell him
can't wait to see his face
I actually have a few questions, my sweet dedicated readers. I need your input. So:
1. Should I repeat the chorus after the third verse (that's the one that ends with "I sure hope he smiles")?
2. The third "I'm in love with you" is in parenthesis. That means that I am not sure if it should be included. What is your opinion? Is it too repetitive having it thrice, or does it merely serve to underscore the emotion? Because the melody works either way.
I like the song, so I hope you do, too.
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK (FS)
p.s. I love Travis Zajac. Just thought I'd put that out there. He's doing an amazing job trying to score tonight, and I'm crossing my fingers that he can capitalize soon. Maybe on this 5-on-3.
p.p.s. I wish Felipe Massa had won the championship, but I can say for the record that he won't win next year (regrettably) - it will be Kimi Raikkonen. Mark my words. I just wish it hadn't been Lewis Hamilton this year. I will blame poor Timo Glock forever.
7 days to Fearless!
Taylor Swift's new single came out on iTunes, "You're Not Sorry," which she composed on the piano. I think that's a new thing for her - most of her songs (I'm assuming) were composed on the guitar. I should also mention that I am not paid to endorse Taylor's music, or to campaign for the selling of her albums (maybe I have election lingo on my mind, do you think?). I just plug her now and then (okay, every post) because she and her music have had SUCH an impact on my life, and her songs have influenced and permeated mine.
So last night, I was practicing the guitar (I always do this sitting on my bed, I don't know why), and I was practicing this chord progression that my super amazing teacher taught me. And I was inspired. So I began to fool around with the three chords (that are played up and down the neck, at the first fret, sixth, and eighth - the E major chord progression). I came up with an introduction, including a strumming pattern, and decided to put it together with the idea that had come into my mind that day (the chorus just came to me, including the melody, it was beautiful, really, the way it just welled up inside me and burst forth). And the end result was this song, "Tonight." I also came up with the chord backing for the entire song, except for the bridge part.
This song is about a girl who is going to tell the boy whom she likes precisely that. It goes through her thoughts the whole day before she will tell him, through the freaking-out moments, and the obsessive thoughts "does he like me back?" "what if he says nothing?" etc. Everything that would run through her mind while counting down the minutes before he comes and she tells him. Writing this song made me wonder how relationships start. Someone has to be the first to take charge, and say it first. Someone has to go out on a limb and risk being hurt and not reciprocated, hoping that it can turn into something sweet. So why not the girl?
If the chorus seems slightly strange, in its structure/repetition, trust me when I say that it sounds really good with the guitar, and it sounds like a real country song. Not that it is. But it could be, one day.
Tonight
Tonight I'm gonna tell him
can't wait to see his face
it's the last thing he's expecting
so when he walks in the place
CHORUS:
he's gonna walk right in
and I'll say sit down I've got something to tell you
then I'll look at him
and say boy, it's all gonna be the truth
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
(I'm in love with you)
it may be news to you, I don't know
but lookin' at you sure gives me hope
and I wanna look at you 'till I die
starting now, starting tonight
I'm rehearsing what I'll say
learning my lines by heart
can't believe today's the day
cross my fingers if I were smart
CHORUS:
he's gonna walk right in
and I'll say sit down I've got something to tell you
then I'll look at him
and say boy it's all gonna be the truth
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
(I'm in love with you)
it may be news to you, I don't know
but lookin' at you sure gives me hope
and I wanna look at you 'till I die
starting now, starting tonight
BRIDGE:
Tonight I'm gonna tell him, that's a fact
wonder if he feels the same way back
(softly)
he's gonna walk right in
and I'll say sit down I've got something to tell you
then I'll look at him
and say boy it's all gonna be the truth
(crescendo)
Just wanna get it off my chest
so we have no more lies
he'll be holding the rest
so I sure hope he smiles
Tonight I'm gonna tell him
can't wait to see his face
I actually have a few questions, my sweet dedicated readers. I need your input. So:
1. Should I repeat the chorus after the third verse (that's the one that ends with "I sure hope he smiles")?
2. The third "I'm in love with you" is in parenthesis. That means that I am not sure if it should be included. What is your opinion? Is it too repetitive having it thrice, or does it merely serve to underscore the emotion? Because the melody works either way.
I like the song, so I hope you do, too.
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK (FS)
p.s. I love Travis Zajac. Just thought I'd put that out there. He's doing an amazing job trying to score tonight, and I'm crossing my fingers that he can capitalize soon. Maybe on this 5-on-3.
p.p.s. I wish Felipe Massa had won the championship, but I can say for the record that he won't win next year (regrettably) - it will be Kimi Raikkonen. Mark my words. I just wish it hadn't been Lewis Hamilton this year. I will blame poor Timo Glock forever.
7 days to Fearless!
24 October 2008
More Like a Fairy Tale
Hello, all.
I think tomorrow could engender some good song material. I may also be wrong.
Taylor Swift has released onto iTunes her new title song, Fearless. I love this song. It's her "best first date I haven't had yet." She inspires me. (Why are all my sentences the same structure and so stupidly simplistic?)
I don't know why I wrote this song. A friend asked "Do you think life should be more like a fairy tale?" And I'm feeling like I want a fairy tale right about now. I just pulled together a few ideas and wrote this in one sitting, but I don't know if it's any good. It's probably really lame. I'll rely on the judgment of my terrific readers. Reader.
More Like a Fairy Tale
She never looked too happy
and no matter what, said sorry
[there's a couplet here that I took
out right now for this release]
I was her friend and one day
she turned to me to say
CHORUS:
Life should be more like a fairy tale
love letters 'stead of e-mails
and the prince is always good and sweet
with looks to sweep a girl off her feet
and the girl is always his one princess
in a world where everybody says yes
and their dreams come true
let me tell you what I'd do
for my life to be more like a fairy tale
Wish I could sing about
the neighbor whose memories are falling out
and his wife, who he'll soon forget
but all she has is the one regret
he never rode on a horse with her
and off into the sunset together
CHORUS:
Life should be more like a fairy tale
love letters 'stead of e-mails
and the prince is always good and sweet
with looks to sweep a girl off her feet
and the girl is always his one princess
in a world where everyone says yes
and their dreams come true
let me tell you what I'd do
for their lives to be more like a fairy tale
BRIDGE:
I spent more time pretending
and staying up all night dreaming
until one day I saw him with her
and I knew it was over
CHORUS:
Life should be more like a fairy tale
love letters 'stead of e-mails
and the prince is always good and sweet
with looks to sweep a guy off her feet
and the girl is always his one princess
in a world where everyone says yes
and their dreams come true
let me tell you what I'd do
for my life to be more like a fairy tale
and then you came out of nowhere
with that smile and soft hair
you were the unexpected prince
and my heart jumped the fence
when you asked, I said yes
I was your princess
It's funny, now that I think of it. Taylor's song, "White Horse," has a chorus as follows: "I'm not a princess, this ain't a fairytale / I'm not the one to sweep off her feet and lead her up the stairwell /This ain't Hollywood, this is a small town / I was a dreamer before you went and let me down." Very opposite to this song, maybe.
Just tell me what you think, straight up. Thanks!
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
SNBK,BTCVWCTIIAL(ANS,WIVLFM).BNIFLABTB.
p.s. I'm am starting to compose my own chord backing/melody, so maybe someday I'll be able to play it. I love my guitar teacher. He's the most awesome person I have ever talked to.
p.p.s. Lewis Hamilton is a jackass.
16 days until Fearless!!!!
I think tomorrow could engender some good song material. I may also be wrong.
Taylor Swift has released onto iTunes her new title song, Fearless. I love this song. It's her "best first date I haven't had yet." She inspires me. (Why are all my sentences the same structure and so stupidly simplistic?)
I don't know why I wrote this song. A friend asked "Do you think life should be more like a fairy tale?" And I'm feeling like I want a fairy tale right about now. I just pulled together a few ideas and wrote this in one sitting, but I don't know if it's any good. It's probably really lame. I'll rely on the judgment of my terrific readers. Reader.
More Like a Fairy Tale
She never looked too happy
and no matter what, said sorry
[there's a couplet here that I took
out right now for this release]
I was her friend and one day
she turned to me to say
CHORUS:
Life should be more like a fairy tale
love letters 'stead of e-mails
and the prince is always good and sweet
with looks to sweep a girl off her feet
and the girl is always his one princess
in a world where everybody says yes
and their dreams come true
let me tell you what I'd do
for my life to be more like a fairy tale
Wish I could sing about
the neighbor whose memories are falling out
and his wife, who he'll soon forget
but all she has is the one regret
he never rode on a horse with her
and off into the sunset together
CHORUS:
Life should be more like a fairy tale
love letters 'stead of e-mails
and the prince is always good and sweet
with looks to sweep a girl off her feet
and the girl is always his one princess
in a world where everyone says yes
and their dreams come true
let me tell you what I'd do
for their lives to be more like a fairy tale
BRIDGE:
I spent more time pretending
and staying up all night dreaming
until one day I saw him with her
and I knew it was over
CHORUS:
Life should be more like a fairy tale
love letters 'stead of e-mails
and the prince is always good and sweet
with looks to sweep a guy off her feet
and the girl is always his one princess
in a world where everyone says yes
and their dreams come true
let me tell you what I'd do
for my life to be more like a fairy tale
and then you came out of nowhere
with that smile and soft hair
you were the unexpected prince
and my heart jumped the fence
when you asked, I said yes
I was your princess
It's funny, now that I think of it. Taylor's song, "White Horse," has a chorus as follows: "I'm not a princess, this ain't a fairytale / I'm not the one to sweep off her feet and lead her up the stairwell /This ain't Hollywood, this is a small town / I was a dreamer before you went and let me down." Very opposite to this song, maybe.
Just tell me what you think, straight up. Thanks!
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
SNBK,BTCVWCTIIAL(ANS,WIVLFM).BNIFLABTB.
p.s. I'm am starting to compose my own chord backing/melody, so maybe someday I'll be able to play it. I love my guitar teacher. He's the most awesome person I have ever talked to.
p.p.s. Lewis Hamilton is a jackass.
16 days until Fearless!!!!
05 October 2008
Genius
Boo! I'm back.
I don't know what it was that happened, but all of a sudden, I couldn't write. It could have been some events that transpired that I couldn't make sense of or make a decision about, or a series of daydreams I kept continuing, or just an incredible influx of work. But, since I'm back, it means I've written another.
During the past two weeks, I've been busy obtaining some amazing albums from my heroes, to supplement my already extensive country collection: Brad Paisley (Mud on the Tires, Time Well Wasted, Who Needs Pictures), Tim McGraw (Let it Go), Kellie Pickler (Small Town Girl), Miranda Lambert (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Kerosene), and Sugarland (Love on the Inside, Enjoy the Ride). I also got Jessica Simpson's country effort, Do You Know, just to see what that was about, and it is surprisingly good. I'm currently obsessed with Tim McGraw (I love love love love love his album Live Like You Were Dying) and Brad Paisley (I think Mud on the Tires is brilliant, particularly "Celebrity" and "Little Moments" and "Whiskey Lullaby"). So I can't wait to get to Nashville, if only to be able to go to some shows of these musical geniuses.
Speaking of geniuses, this new song is entitled as such. It's about this kid who sits next to me in one of my classes. I met him in the spring, when we were working on a show together, but his reputation and that of his family and sister preceded him, so everyone knew that he is a mathematical and scietific genius, which sort of shaped what everyone thought of him before they met him (what a comma splice of a sentence). But me being me, I didn't think anything until I met him myself. I found him...attractive. And annoying. His pomposity and disregard for anything but himself caught me somewhere where I had no idea what to say to counter his attacks on my intelligence. And yet, we became friends. I worked out this system: he doesn't say thank you, he doesn't apologize (both complete opposites from me), so I just balance that with my personality. And it works. So when I walked into the classroom in the fall, I sat down beside him, and it transpired that we were the only ones at the table. The first couple of weeks, he was still that annoying, superintelligent to the point of condescension, slightly jerkish boy I had met in the spring. To make conversation, I asked him about his girlfriend. Ah. They had broken up over the summer. Through a bit of nosy questioning, I asked him why (they had been dating for years), and I ended up finding out that he stopped wanting to date her around June (which was somewhere along the lines of when he started really talking to me). So fast forward to this past week. He began apologizing! He began being polite! Surreptiously, of course, and only like twice a period. But it was still a big difference. And all of a sudden, he seemed to care what I said (which was the most surprising). And you get the seeds for this song.
I'm really proud of this song, because it's the type I've always wanted to write, the kind that shows but doesn't tell. Where something is implied but not expressely stated. Examples: Tim McGraw's "Between the River and Me"--does he really kill the guy? and if so, how?; Brad Paisley's "Cigar Song"--the whole arson storyline; and I could keep on going forever, since it's the mark of a good songwriter. (I'm not saying I'm a good songwriter.) And then there are the songs where you don't know what happens, but it could go either way. I'm not saying that however you interpret the song is the truth, because part of the reason I wrote it this way is because I'm not sure how I feel yet.
(I had qualms about posting this song, based on what you said, but you said you wanted me to.)
Genius
CHORUS*:
he was always the genius of the grade
but I never let that impress me
what led to my opinion being made
was the warmth of his arm on my knee
I had to look hard to find something I liked
and when we sat together I saw that side
he had no defect
the more I saw, the less I wanted to look
then he leaned over and wrote on my notebook
David is perfect
CHORUS:
he was always the genius of the grade
but I never let that impress me
what led to my opinion being made
was the warmth of his arm on my knee
One thing about his being so smart
was that it made me work extra hard
cause I wanted to beat him
but to beat him at his own game
was like stopping the falling rain
and I kept on trying
CHORUS:
he was always the genius of the grade
but I never let that impress me
what led to my opinion being made
was the warmth of his arm on my knee
He said apathy was his best trait
and that he only cared about his own fate
but I knew better
CHORUS:
he was always the genius of the grade
but I never let that impress me
what led to my opinion being made
was the warmth of his arm on my knee
(*Many songs begin with the chorus, like Tim McGraw's Last Dollar (Fly Away).)
You asked.
Criticism accepted, comments appreciated.
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. In my shoutouts section, I want to give Kimi Raikkonen the biggest hug ever. I want to give Joe Biden a hug, too, but Kimi needs it more than Mr. Biden does right now.
p.p.s. I changed guitar teachers, and am currently learning how to play Kenny Chesney's "Beer in Mexico" (which is a cool song) and the best part is that when I play it, it sounds just like his version!
36 days until Fearless! (and for those who are counting, 29 days until Brad Paisley's new album, Play)
I don't know what it was that happened, but all of a sudden, I couldn't write. It could have been some events that transpired that I couldn't make sense of or make a decision about, or a series of daydreams I kept continuing, or just an incredible influx of work. But, since I'm back, it means I've written another.
During the past two weeks, I've been busy obtaining some amazing albums from my heroes, to supplement my already extensive country collection: Brad Paisley (Mud on the Tires, Time Well Wasted, Who Needs Pictures), Tim McGraw (Let it Go), Kellie Pickler (Small Town Girl), Miranda Lambert (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Kerosene), and Sugarland (Love on the Inside, Enjoy the Ride). I also got Jessica Simpson's country effort, Do You Know, just to see what that was about, and it is surprisingly good. I'm currently obsessed with Tim McGraw (I love love love love love his album Live Like You Were Dying) and Brad Paisley (I think Mud on the Tires is brilliant, particularly "Celebrity" and "Little Moments" and "Whiskey Lullaby"). So I can't wait to get to Nashville, if only to be able to go to some shows of these musical geniuses.
Speaking of geniuses, this new song is entitled as such. It's about this kid who sits next to me in one of my classes. I met him in the spring, when we were working on a show together, but his reputation and that of his family and sister preceded him, so everyone knew that he is a mathematical and scietific genius, which sort of shaped what everyone thought of him before they met him (what a comma splice of a sentence). But me being me, I didn't think anything until I met him myself. I found him...attractive. And annoying. His pomposity and disregard for anything but himself caught me somewhere where I had no idea what to say to counter his attacks on my intelligence. And yet, we became friends. I worked out this system: he doesn't say thank you, he doesn't apologize (both complete opposites from me), so I just balance that with my personality. And it works. So when I walked into the classroom in the fall, I sat down beside him, and it transpired that we were the only ones at the table. The first couple of weeks, he was still that annoying, superintelligent to the point of condescension, slightly jerkish boy I had met in the spring. To make conversation, I asked him about his girlfriend. Ah. They had broken up over the summer. Through a bit of nosy questioning, I asked him why (they had been dating for years), and I ended up finding out that he stopped wanting to date her around June (which was somewhere along the lines of when he started really talking to me). So fast forward to this past week. He began apologizing! He began being polite! Surreptiously, of course, and only like twice a period. But it was still a big difference. And all of a sudden, he seemed to care what I said (which was the most surprising). And you get the seeds for this song.
I'm really proud of this song, because it's the type I've always wanted to write, the kind that shows but doesn't tell. Where something is implied but not expressely stated. Examples: Tim McGraw's "Between the River and Me"--does he really kill the guy? and if so, how?; Brad Paisley's "Cigar Song"--the whole arson storyline; and I could keep on going forever, since it's the mark of a good songwriter. (I'm not saying I'm a good songwriter.) And then there are the songs where you don't know what happens, but it could go either way. I'm not saying that however you interpret the song is the truth, because part of the reason I wrote it this way is because I'm not sure how I feel yet.
(I had qualms about posting this song, based on what you said, but you said you wanted me to.)
Genius
CHORUS*:
he was always the genius of the grade
but I never let that impress me
what led to my opinion being made
was the warmth of his arm on my knee
I had to look hard to find something I liked
and when we sat together I saw that side
he had no defect
the more I saw, the less I wanted to look
then he leaned over and wrote on my notebook
David is perfect
CHORUS:
he was always the genius of the grade
but I never let that impress me
what led to my opinion being made
was the warmth of his arm on my knee
One thing about his being so smart
was that it made me work extra hard
cause I wanted to beat him
but to beat him at his own game
was like stopping the falling rain
and I kept on trying
CHORUS:
he was always the genius of the grade
but I never let that impress me
what led to my opinion being made
was the warmth of his arm on my knee
He said apathy was his best trait
and that he only cared about his own fate
but I knew better
CHORUS:
he was always the genius of the grade
but I never let that impress me
what led to my opinion being made
was the warmth of his arm on my knee
(*Many songs begin with the chorus, like Tim McGraw's Last Dollar (Fly Away).)
You asked.
Criticism accepted, comments appreciated.
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. In my shoutouts section, I want to give Kimi Raikkonen the biggest hug ever. I want to give Joe Biden a hug, too, but Kimi needs it more than Mr. Biden does right now.
p.p.s. I changed guitar teachers, and am currently learning how to play Kenny Chesney's "Beer in Mexico" (which is a cool song) and the best part is that when I play it, it sounds just like his version!
36 days until Fearless! (and for those who are counting, 29 days until Brad Paisley's new album, Play)
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