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)
14 September 2008
By the Light of the Stars
I'm back, in less than 24 hours. Actually, even less than 12. Surprised?
I was extremely dissatisfied with yesterday's post, so I had to edit it completely, and I also didn't like the song all that much (was that obvious or what?). So I turned off my computer and went to bed, with the intention of writing another song. And what came out was my favourite song. Ever. The idea had been rolling through my mind for the past two weeks, but I never knew how to write it. I guess I should describe it as "the best first date I haven't had yet." (I got this idea from Taylor Swift, who described one of the new songs as such.) Since I've never been on one, I guess this is what I want. I'm a romantic, so the result should not surprise anyone. But I really really love it.
By the Light of the Stars
the stars were shining the night you took me out
in your red truck we just rode around town
I asked where we were going and you said it's a surprise
you stopped then and told me to close my eyes
you took a blanket from your truck and led me
to an empty parking lot where we lay down
and stared up at the night sky and the stars
CHORUS:
and you said "you don't know how beautiful you are
right here beside me by the light of the stars
I could lay here with you forever
and never let go, not ever
girl, you have no idea"
I held on and captured the night for a memory
your eyes like two black holes looking at me
you cradled my head on your shoulder
and with your other hand showed me the big dipper
two hours later we hated to leave
we rolled the windows down and I let my hair free
our way home was lit by the light of the stars
CHORUS:
and you said "you don't know how beautiful you are
right here beside me by the light of the stars
I could drive here with you forever
and never let you go, not ever
girl, you have no idea"
BRIDGE:
you were saying goodbye with a kiss
and I said I wanted more nights like this
and I could feel the beating of my heart
when you said my eyes reflected the stars
CHORUS:
and you said "you don't know how beautiful you are
right here beside me by the light of the stars
I could stay here with you forever
and never let go, no never
girl, you have no idea"
the stars were shining the night you took me out...
What do you think?? I really really want you to like it.
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
I was extremely dissatisfied with yesterday's post, so I had to edit it completely, and I also didn't like the song all that much (was that obvious or what?). So I turned off my computer and went to bed, with the intention of writing another song. And what came out was my favourite song. Ever. The idea had been rolling through my mind for the past two weeks, but I never knew how to write it. I guess I should describe it as "the best first date I haven't had yet." (I got this idea from Taylor Swift, who described one of the new songs as such.) Since I've never been on one, I guess this is what I want. I'm a romantic, so the result should not surprise anyone. But I really really love it.
By the Light of the Stars
the stars were shining the night you took me out
in your red truck we just rode around town
I asked where we were going and you said it's a surprise
you stopped then and told me to close my eyes
you took a blanket from your truck and led me
to an empty parking lot where we lay down
and stared up at the night sky and the stars
CHORUS:
and you said "you don't know how beautiful you are
right here beside me by the light of the stars
I could lay here with you forever
and never let go, not ever
girl, you have no idea"
I held on and captured the night for a memory
your eyes like two black holes looking at me
you cradled my head on your shoulder
and with your other hand showed me the big dipper
two hours later we hated to leave
we rolled the windows down and I let my hair free
our way home was lit by the light of the stars
CHORUS:
and you said "you don't know how beautiful you are
right here beside me by the light of the stars
I could drive here with you forever
and never let you go, not ever
girl, you have no idea"
BRIDGE:
you were saying goodbye with a kiss
and I said I wanted more nights like this
and I could feel the beating of my heart
when you said my eyes reflected the stars
CHORUS:
and you said "you don't know how beautiful you are
right here beside me by the light of the stars
I could stay here with you forever
and never let go, no never
girl, you have no idea"
the stars were shining the night you took me out...
What do you think?? I really really want you to like it.
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
13 September 2008
Fall In Love With Someone Else
Hey, all.
Did anyone watch the "CMT Music Fest" on ABC last Tuesday? It was hosted by Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler, and (of course) Taylor Swift. The CMA Fest is a week-long event in Nashville during which the artists meet fans and sign autographs and perform on the street. There are also concerts every night, and that is what aired. The real event was sometime in June, but it aired last Tuesday. I myself didn't watch it live, but taped it and watched it last night. There were performances by the three hosts, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Bucky Covington, Keith Urban, Rodney Atkins (when he came on I screamed, he played one of my favourite songs), Faith Hill, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jewel, Dwight Yoakam, Rascal Flatts (they played twice), Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner, Gretchen Wilson, Alan Jackson, Trace Adkins, and Miranda Lambert. I loved it. Taylor opened with "Picture to Burn," but she played again on the streets of Nashville. She played one of the songs that will be on Fearless, called "Love Story." I heard it for the first time yesterday, and saw the video today. Definitely worth watching. So when I watched her play the song, I burst into tears during the chorus. Her songs always make me cry because they're so wonderful! But this one is especially beautiful.
Next is the song. I don't know how good it is. It was spawned yesterday, the result of an emotional me. It's about the same subject as "The Words Were Mine." Things happened yesterday (I won't go into detail) and I hated myself as I had never before done (which is saying a lot). In the end, I told myself severely I'd have to (can you guess?) fall in love with someone else. And I don't want to. But I know I have to, for his sake.
It may very well be the worst song I have ever written. It's probably because I've heard all of Taylor's amazing songs that the gap between the caliber of hers and mine is immutable. I was also going to take his name out of it, but what the hell.
Fall In Love With Someone Else
Matt played hockey and wore a red baseball cap
he had black hair and eyes and was quick to laugh
he said sweet things and I couldn't help it
I used to walk away with a mind full of him
I looked for him but I didn't realize
since we never spoke I'd look crazy in his eyes
I noticed it the first day I didn't see him
that his patience was going a little thin
he walked quickly, didn't wait for his friends
I knew then that I would have to end it
PRE-CHORUS (change of music before the chorus, chorus usually then has different melody):
I guess I was kidding myself
looked for you everywhere I ever was
but I was just trying to save myself
hold onto a hope I thought I'd lost
CHORUS:
but believe me when I say
I know I've gotta let you go your way
and I've gotta stop pretending
and move on to start my happy ending
so I'm letting you go now
cause I know somehow
I've got to fall in love with someone else
I know Matt's favourite shirt was navy blue
but I'll bet he never knew the truth
now it's old news, just another blind guy
another chance for happiness to pass me by
I wished hard and put my heart in his hands
but he didn't get it, didn't understand
now I'm trying hard not to fall apart
cause he don't even know he broke my heart
and now I hate me even more than ever
because I made him hate me back
PRE-CHORUS:
I guess I was kidding myself
looked for you everywhere I ever was
but I was just trying to save myself
hold onto a hope I thought I'd lost
CHORUS:
but believe me when I say
I know I've gotta let you go your way
and I've gotta stop pretending
and move on to start my happy ending
so I'm letting you go now
cause I know somehow
I've got to fall in love with someone else
BRIDGE:
he showed me pretty clearly
he doesn't want to be the one for me
but I'll forgive him anything
cause he sees it all but knows nothing
CHORUS:
but believe me when I say
I know I've gotta let you go your way
and I've gotta stop pretending
and move on to start my happy ending
so I'm letting you go now
cause I know somehow
I've got to fall in love with someone else
leave it up to my Matt
to do it all like that
I don't know if I want to know what you think about this song. But I will tell you that you are completely allowed to tear it apart. Tear me apart, too, for that matter. Tell me I'm an idiot, crazy, hypocritical. Tell me everything I need to know. Thank you.
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. 58 days to Fearless!
Did anyone watch the "CMT Music Fest" on ABC last Tuesday? It was hosted by Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler, and (of course) Taylor Swift. The CMA Fest is a week-long event in Nashville during which the artists meet fans and sign autographs and perform on the street. There are also concerts every night, and that is what aired. The real event was sometime in June, but it aired last Tuesday. I myself didn't watch it live, but taped it and watched it last night. There were performances by the three hosts, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Bucky Covington, Keith Urban, Rodney Atkins (when he came on I screamed, he played one of my favourite songs), Faith Hill, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jewel, Dwight Yoakam, Rascal Flatts (they played twice), Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner, Gretchen Wilson, Alan Jackson, Trace Adkins, and Miranda Lambert. I loved it. Taylor opened with "Picture to Burn," but she played again on the streets of Nashville. She played one of the songs that will be on Fearless, called "Love Story." I heard it for the first time yesterday, and saw the video today. Definitely worth watching. So when I watched her play the song, I burst into tears during the chorus. Her songs always make me cry because they're so wonderful! But this one is especially beautiful.
Next is the song. I don't know how good it is. It was spawned yesterday, the result of an emotional me. It's about the same subject as "The Words Were Mine." Things happened yesterday (I won't go into detail) and I hated myself as I had never before done (which is saying a lot). In the end, I told myself severely I'd have to (can you guess?) fall in love with someone else. And I don't want to. But I know I have to, for his sake.
It may very well be the worst song I have ever written. It's probably because I've heard all of Taylor's amazing songs that the gap between the caliber of hers and mine is immutable. I was also going to take his name out of it, but what the hell.
Fall In Love With Someone Else
Matt played hockey and wore a red baseball cap
he had black hair and eyes and was quick to laugh
he said sweet things and I couldn't help it
I used to walk away with a mind full of him
I looked for him but I didn't realize
since we never spoke I'd look crazy in his eyes
I noticed it the first day I didn't see him
that his patience was going a little thin
he walked quickly, didn't wait for his friends
I knew then that I would have to end it
PRE-CHORUS (change of music before the chorus, chorus usually then has different melody):
I guess I was kidding myself
looked for you everywhere I ever was
but I was just trying to save myself
hold onto a hope I thought I'd lost
CHORUS:
but believe me when I say
I know I've gotta let you go your way
and I've gotta stop pretending
and move on to start my happy ending
so I'm letting you go now
cause I know somehow
I've got to fall in love with someone else
I know Matt's favourite shirt was navy blue
but I'll bet he never knew the truth
now it's old news, just another blind guy
another chance for happiness to pass me by
I wished hard and put my heart in his hands
but he didn't get it, didn't understand
now I'm trying hard not to fall apart
cause he don't even know he broke my heart
and now I hate me even more than ever
because I made him hate me back
PRE-CHORUS:
I guess I was kidding myself
looked for you everywhere I ever was
but I was just trying to save myself
hold onto a hope I thought I'd lost
CHORUS:
but believe me when I say
I know I've gotta let you go your way
and I've gotta stop pretending
and move on to start my happy ending
so I'm letting you go now
cause I know somehow
I've got to fall in love with someone else
BRIDGE:
he showed me pretty clearly
he doesn't want to be the one for me
but I'll forgive him anything
cause he sees it all but knows nothing
CHORUS:
but believe me when I say
I know I've gotta let you go your way
and I've gotta stop pretending
and move on to start my happy ending
so I'm letting you go now
cause I know somehow
I've got to fall in love with someone else
leave it up to my Matt
to do it all like that
I don't know if I want to know what you think about this song. But I will tell you that you are completely allowed to tear it apart. Tear me apart, too, for that matter. Tell me I'm an idiot, crazy, hypocritical. Tell me everything I need to know. Thank you.
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. 58 days to Fearless!
06 September 2008
The Words Were Mine
Hello, all!
It's been a crazy week. But who hasn't had one? I really can't complain, because the best part of my week was yesterday when, during lunch, I went outside and sat at one of the picnic tables by a playground close by. The luxury was fantastic, but so was having the muses around me to majorly rewrite an old song. It was one I had liked before, but having written it in about 15 minutes, it needed the revision I had refused to give it until yesterday. I saw the subject of the song and realized how lame it was, so I decided to make it (a) more relatable, (b) more realistic, (c) less telling, and (d) better.
In its original form, it was titled "Good Luck Tonight," the story of a girl who had always wanted to say that (and the rest of the chorus) to her high school crush, the goalie of the school ice hockey team, but he never saw her and so she was left with nothing but the embarrasment of having been turned down by him; it skipped a few years and there she was, watching him as the big shot goalie on a professional ice hockey team and she still wants to say that (and the rest of the chorus) but she never will. The chorus was "good luck tonight / I hope you stop every puck coming your way / never go down without a fight / the season isn't over until May / so good luck tonight." Lame, I know.
Fast forward a few months later, and the song is entitled "The Words Were Mine," the story of a girl who wanted to tell her high school crush (it is irrelevant as to whether or not he is the goalie of the school ice hockey team) that he is awesome but it came out differently (use your imagination) and so he thinks she is really weird and doesn't speak to her anymore, much to her dismay.
The Words Were Mine
you know I can't stand it when you look at me that way
no smile, just a glance, then you look away
as if I had never been
and it's plain what you think of me
CHORUS:
forgive me for what I said the first time
it was awkward but the words were mine
don't you know about first impressions
if you're wrong, there's an easy solution
just try again 'cause I swear
it's your disdain that I can't bear
I meant to say you'll be great one day
and wish you luck for every game you play
but it didn't come out the right way
so now it's just a glance, then you look away
CHORUS:
forgive me for what I said the first time
it was awkward but the words were mine
don't you know about first impressions
if you're wrong there's an easy solution
just try again 'cause I swear
it's your disdain that I can't bear
BRIDGE:
you wouldn't judge a song by its first note
or discard an author from the first word he wrote
the day is not determined by the morning weather
the block in your road could be as light as a feather
CHORUS:
forgive me for what I said the first time
it was awkward but the words were mine
don't you know about first impressions
if you're wrong there's an easy solution
just try again 'cause I swear
it's your disdain that I can't bear
(the first time the words were mine)
(I'll maintain I don't need disdain)
you know I can't stand it when you look at me that way
If you were wondering how much of the original song remained, it is the first line (and thus the last as well) that is completely unchanged from Good Luck Tonight to this new one, and so are the first two lines of the second verse (although originally I had them during the bridge). The second line of the song used to be "one glance, a moment of eye contact, and then you look away," which I thought was stupid in this rewrite, so I changed that in both cases. And that's it. So it could almost be that it is an entirely new song. Funny.
Opinions? Comments? Likes? Dislikes? All are much appreciated, thank you very much!
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. Good luck to Roger Federer in tomorrow's final of the US Open, and to Kimi Raikkonen in tomorrow's Belgian GP (remember what you said, that you have to win it to stay alive in the championship hunt, and I'll be supporting you!).
p.p.s. 66 days to Fearless!
It's been a crazy week. But who hasn't had one? I really can't complain, because the best part of my week was yesterday when, during lunch, I went outside and sat at one of the picnic tables by a playground close by. The luxury was fantastic, but so was having the muses around me to majorly rewrite an old song. It was one I had liked before, but having written it in about 15 minutes, it needed the revision I had refused to give it until yesterday. I saw the subject of the song and realized how lame it was, so I decided to make it (a) more relatable, (b) more realistic, (c) less telling, and (d) better.
In its original form, it was titled "Good Luck Tonight," the story of a girl who had always wanted to say that (and the rest of the chorus) to her high school crush, the goalie of the school ice hockey team, but he never saw her and so she was left with nothing but the embarrasment of having been turned down by him; it skipped a few years and there she was, watching him as the big shot goalie on a professional ice hockey team and she still wants to say that (and the rest of the chorus) but she never will. The chorus was "good luck tonight / I hope you stop every puck coming your way / never go down without a fight / the season isn't over until May / so good luck tonight." Lame, I know.
Fast forward a few months later, and the song is entitled "The Words Were Mine," the story of a girl who wanted to tell her high school crush (it is irrelevant as to whether or not he is the goalie of the school ice hockey team) that he is awesome but it came out differently (use your imagination) and so he thinks she is really weird and doesn't speak to her anymore, much to her dismay.
The Words Were Mine
you know I can't stand it when you look at me that way
no smile, just a glance, then you look away
as if I had never been
and it's plain what you think of me
CHORUS:
forgive me for what I said the first time
it was awkward but the words were mine
don't you know about first impressions
if you're wrong, there's an easy solution
just try again 'cause I swear
it's your disdain that I can't bear
I meant to say you'll be great one day
and wish you luck for every game you play
but it didn't come out the right way
so now it's just a glance, then you look away
CHORUS:
forgive me for what I said the first time
it was awkward but the words were mine
don't you know about first impressions
if you're wrong there's an easy solution
just try again 'cause I swear
it's your disdain that I can't bear
BRIDGE:
you wouldn't judge a song by its first note
or discard an author from the first word he wrote
the day is not determined by the morning weather
the block in your road could be as light as a feather
CHORUS:
forgive me for what I said the first time
it was awkward but the words were mine
don't you know about first impressions
if you're wrong there's an easy solution
just try again 'cause I swear
it's your disdain that I can't bear
(the first time the words were mine)
(I'll maintain I don't need disdain)
you know I can't stand it when you look at me that way
If you were wondering how much of the original song remained, it is the first line (and thus the last as well) that is completely unchanged from Good Luck Tonight to this new one, and so are the first two lines of the second verse (although originally I had them during the bridge). The second line of the song used to be "one glance, a moment of eye contact, and then you look away," which I thought was stupid in this rewrite, so I changed that in both cases. And that's it. So it could almost be that it is an entirely new song. Funny.
Opinions? Comments? Likes? Dislikes? All are much appreciated, thank you very much!
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. Good luck to Roger Federer in tomorrow's final of the US Open, and to Kimi Raikkonen in tomorrow's Belgian GP (remember what you said, that you have to win it to stay alive in the championship hunt, and I'll be supporting you!).
p.p.s. 66 days to Fearless!
03 September 2008
I Lied to You
Hello, again!
So it's a few days later, and so much has changed. The biggest thing is that I told my mom about my dream. The bottom line of the entire long, realistic, slightly scary (in a 'this is your future' way), and tearful (on my end) conversation - that took place, inexplicably, with me standing in the door to the closet in my bedroom - was that at the end of my college education, I had her permission to move to Nashville and pursue the country music dream if my dreams still aimed that way. I've also decided to write a letter to Taylor Swift, with two of my songs (I'm thinking 'I Didn't Know' and 'Twice Used and Once Discarded').
The next segment of the posts, as everyone knows, is the song. It is entitled 'I Lied To You,' and the story behind it is strange. Let me introduce it this way: Do you know the story behind Taylor's 'Stay Beautiful'? Apparently she saw a guy on the street whom she thought was wonderful, and was nice to her and everything, and she wrote a song about him (this is just what I heard, it may not be true). Well, this song is similar, in that I met the subject, Mark, in an elevator at my sister's dorm. Two days ago, we installed my sister into her new college dorm (she is graduating this year!) and her room was on the seventh floor, so in order to bring all the items in, we had to go up and down in the elevator. And the rest is a song.
---song has been removed by the blogger on Sept. 6 for major rewrite---
It is quite possible that this song is the worst I have ever written. Perhaps too much information? And I should mention that I exaggerated the emotions way too much, particularly in the 8th line of the first verse and the fourth line of the chorus. The sixth line of the chorus is, unfortunately, true because I can't forgive myself for lying to him. I don't even know him! I guess this puts me off lying for life. Just don't pretend to be something you're not. It could end up hurting someone else. That's what I've learned. And if I have to write a very crappy song to learn that, so be it. Sorry you had to suffer through that one.
Much love and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. 69 days until Fearless!
So it's a few days later, and so much has changed. The biggest thing is that I told my mom about my dream. The bottom line of the entire long, realistic, slightly scary (in a 'this is your future' way), and tearful (on my end) conversation - that took place, inexplicably, with me standing in the door to the closet in my bedroom - was that at the end of my college education, I had her permission to move to Nashville and pursue the country music dream if my dreams still aimed that way. I've also decided to write a letter to Taylor Swift, with two of my songs (I'm thinking 'I Didn't Know' and 'Twice Used and Once Discarded').
The next segment of the posts, as everyone knows, is the song. It is entitled 'I Lied To You,' and the story behind it is strange. Let me introduce it this way: Do you know the story behind Taylor's 'Stay Beautiful'? Apparently she saw a guy on the street whom she thought was wonderful, and was nice to her and everything, and she wrote a song about him (this is just what I heard, it may not be true). Well, this song is similar, in that I met the subject, Mark, in an elevator at my sister's dorm. Two days ago, we installed my sister into her new college dorm (she is graduating this year!) and her room was on the seventh floor, so in order to bring all the items in, we had to go up and down in the elevator. And the rest is a song.
---song has been removed by the blogger on Sept. 6 for major rewrite---
It is quite possible that this song is the worst I have ever written. Perhaps too much information? And I should mention that I exaggerated the emotions way too much, particularly in the 8th line of the first verse and the fourth line of the chorus. The sixth line of the chorus is, unfortunately, true because I can't forgive myself for lying to him. I don't even know him! I guess this puts me off lying for life. Just don't pretend to be something you're not. It could end up hurting someone else. That's what I've learned. And if I have to write a very crappy song to learn that, so be it. Sorry you had to suffer through that one.
Much love and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. 69 days until Fearless!
27 August 2008
The Girl He Likes
Hey, all!
I'm back. Today I have no cool guitar lesson stories, no musical anecdotes. All I have is a new song and a bit of a story. I'll start with the latter. Over the weekend, my sister got certified in scuba diving. Cool, right? It was pretty awesome. She had to complete four open-water dives over the course of two days (this past Saturday and Sunday). This was after she had already taken theory and practice classes at the local YMCA, classes which were her birthday present (she turned 20 this year). Both days, my parents and I accompanied her. We also brought along a picnic lunch (quite gourmet, always!) and videotaped and photographed her in her prime. All weekend, and quite selfishly, I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if I took my own birthday present this year (my guitar and lessons) as far as I wanted: if my parents would accompany me to shows and ceremonies and recording studios with picnics, ready to help me if I needed it, and providing something to nibble between shows. I went so far as to imagine my parents backstage (or in the crowd) with a videocamera and photocamera, ready to document my progress, quite proud of me. But anyway, as that will never happen, I might as well just continue with the post, and not be caught up in imaginings and pinings for a dream.
This song is entitled The Girl He Likes, and while I'm sure it is some sort of manifestation of everyone's desire to be liked by someone, I don't think it has an exact match in my life. It's just one of those songs that are relatable for everyone, I believe. Even if you're a guy. :)
The Girl He Likes
he says he's never met anyone like her
and in her smile all he can see is the future
he says he can't stop thinking about her
and he can't wait to call her his girl
he says she is smart and funny and charming
sometimes I stay up late just wondering
CHORUS:
am i the girl he liKes
the one he wants to talk to at night
the oNe he can't live without
and knows the way tO her house
am i the girl he likes
the one he has fully memorized
the girl he likes and can't forget
the one he is glad to have met
he says she lights up a room by Walking in
He can't forget the effEct it first had on him
he says her voIce sounds like a song
the kind that makes you feel you belong
he says that other guys make him furious
sometimes i lay awake, just curiouS
CHORUS:
am i the girl he likes
The one he wants to talk to at night
the one he can't live without
and knows the way to her House
am i thE girl he likes
the one he has fully memorized
the girl he likes and can't forget
and is happy tO have met
BRIDGE:
and wheN he talks to me about the girl he likEs
I know she is lucky
to Be his last thought at night
and make him so happy
to visit him when he's dreaming
bUt i can't help wondering
CHORUS:
am i The girl he likes
the one he wants to talk to at nigHt
the one he can't live without
and knows the way to her housE
am i the girl he likes
the one he has fully memorizeD
the girl he likes and can't forget
and is happy tO have mEt
(softly)
am I the girl he likeS
'cause he's the one I thiNk about at nighT
I appreciate all comments, thank you!!
Much love and, as always, thank you for the musik,
NBK
Jay, you rock. You and your transitions rock. I'm so glad you like Taylor's album! It is my favourite thing ever. And is also the reason I can't wait for November 11th, which is when her second album, Fearless, hits stores. (75 more days!)
I just want to tell you, that your dad would be so proud of the person you are. He would be really proud of you.
I'm back. Today I have no cool guitar lesson stories, no musical anecdotes. All I have is a new song and a bit of a story. I'll start with the latter. Over the weekend, my sister got certified in scuba diving. Cool, right? It was pretty awesome. She had to complete four open-water dives over the course of two days (this past Saturday and Sunday). This was after she had already taken theory and practice classes at the local YMCA, classes which were her birthday present (she turned 20 this year). Both days, my parents and I accompanied her. We also brought along a picnic lunch (quite gourmet, always!) and videotaped and photographed her in her prime. All weekend, and quite selfishly, I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if I took my own birthday present this year (my guitar and lessons) as far as I wanted: if my parents would accompany me to shows and ceremonies and recording studios with picnics, ready to help me if I needed it, and providing something to nibble between shows. I went so far as to imagine my parents backstage (or in the crowd) with a videocamera and photocamera, ready to document my progress, quite proud of me. But anyway, as that will never happen, I might as well just continue with the post, and not be caught up in imaginings and pinings for a dream.
This song is entitled The Girl He Likes, and while I'm sure it is some sort of manifestation of everyone's desire to be liked by someone, I don't think it has an exact match in my life. It's just one of those songs that are relatable for everyone, I believe. Even if you're a guy. :)
The Girl He Likes
he says he's never met anyone like her
and in her smile all he can see is the future
he says he can't stop thinking about her
and he can't wait to call her his girl
he says she is smart and funny and charming
sometimes I stay up late just wondering
CHORUS:
am i the girl he liKes
the one he wants to talk to at night
the oNe he can't live without
and knows the way tO her house
am i the girl he likes
the one he has fully memorized
the girl he likes and can't forget
the one he is glad to have met
he says she lights up a room by Walking in
He can't forget the effEct it first had on him
he says her voIce sounds like a song
the kind that makes you feel you belong
he says that other guys make him furious
sometimes i lay awake, just curiouS
CHORUS:
am i the girl he likes
The one he wants to talk to at night
the one he can't live without
and knows the way to her House
am i thE girl he likes
the one he has fully memorized
the girl he likes and can't forget
and is happy tO have met
BRIDGE:
and wheN he talks to me about the girl he likEs
I know she is lucky
to Be his last thought at night
and make him so happy
to visit him when he's dreaming
bUt i can't help wondering
CHORUS:
am i The girl he likes
the one he wants to talk to at nigHt
the one he can't live without
and knows the way to her housE
am i the girl he likes
the one he has fully memorizeD
the girl he likes and can't forget
and is happy tO have mEt
(softly)
am I the girl he likeS
'cause he's the one I thiNk about at nighT
I appreciate all comments, thank you!!
Much love and, as always, thank you for the musik,
NBK
Jay, you rock. You and your transitions rock. I'm so glad you like Taylor's album! It is my favourite thing ever. And is also the reason I can't wait for November 11th, which is when her second album, Fearless, hits stores. (75 more days!)
I just want to tell you, that your dad would be so proud of the person you are. He would be really proud of you.
22 August 2008
If You Need a Fan
Hello!
Two posts within two days! Crazy, right? Well, yesterday I said something that triggered a song idea and so I came up with it yesterday. It was actually more like a friend said something really sweet and so the verses are about that, but the chorus is an elaboration on what I replied.
It's called If You Need a Fan.
you Like to stand up and cheer
and always for me to hear
'cause everyOne needs someoNe
and thE way you follow what I say
and taLk to me every daY
I see you're my listener and friend
and I hope it'll never end
so
CHORUS:
if you need a fan
here I am
if you need a shoulder
you can come on over
if you want to fall, baby
just reach out and call me
and if you ever need a fan
you know where I am
I'll be here if you need it
even if you can't say it
if you ever need a fan
you like to say nice things
and aLways be encouraging
'cause everyOne needs someone
you know wheN I want to share
or when I nEed you to be fair
you've got your fingers on the puLse
and Your feelings are never false
but
CHORUS:
if you need a fan
here I am
if you need a shoulder
you can come on over
if you need to fall, baby
just reach out and call me
and if you ever need a fan
you know where I am
I'll be here if you need it
even if you can't say it
if you ever need a fan
BRIDGE:
you may smiLe but sOmetimes you're sad
I don't kNow what misfortunes you'vE had
but you've aLwaYs been there
just being the one who cares
(softly, slowly)
if you need a fan
here I am
if you need a shoulder
you can come on over
(more quickly and more loudly):
oh, if you need some kindness
I can help provide it
I'll be here if you need it
even when you can't say it
and if you ever need a fan
here I am
if you ever need a fan
here I am
I need to know if a. it is cliche and b. if it is lame! Thanks for all your time and comments.
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
Two posts within two days! Crazy, right? Well, yesterday I said something that triggered a song idea and so I came up with it yesterday. It was actually more like a friend said something really sweet and so the verses are about that, but the chorus is an elaboration on what I replied.
It's called If You Need a Fan.
you Like to stand up and cheer
and always for me to hear
'cause everyOne needs someoNe
and thE way you follow what I say
and taLk to me every daY
I see you're my listener and friend
and I hope it'll never end
so
CHORUS:
if you need a fan
here I am
if you need a shoulder
you can come on over
if you want to fall, baby
just reach out and call me
and if you ever need a fan
you know where I am
I'll be here if you need it
even if you can't say it
if you ever need a fan
you like to say nice things
and aLways be encouraging
'cause everyOne needs someone
you know wheN I want to share
or when I nEed you to be fair
you've got your fingers on the puLse
and Your feelings are never false
but
CHORUS:
if you need a fan
here I am
if you need a shoulder
you can come on over
if you need to fall, baby
just reach out and call me
and if you ever need a fan
you know where I am
I'll be here if you need it
even if you can't say it
if you ever need a fan
BRIDGE:
you may smiLe but sOmetimes you're sad
I don't kNow what misfortunes you'vE had
but you've aLwaYs been there
just being the one who cares
(softly, slowly)
if you need a fan
here I am
if you need a shoulder
you can come on over
(more quickly and more loudly):
oh, if you need some kindness
I can help provide it
I'll be here if you need it
even when you can't say it
and if you ever need a fan
here I am
if you ever need a fan
here I am
I need to know if a. it is cliche and b. if it is lame! Thanks for all your time and comments.
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
20 August 2008
I Didn't Know
Hello, once again!
Can I tell you about what happened at my guitar lesson on Monday? My teacher wanted to find out what aspect of country music I like (I couldn't say I love the lyrics because that wouldn't have counted), so he asked me to bring my iPod. He also wanted to see what I would have to learn, whether I want to be, in his words, a "strummer girl" (just knowing the chords and being able to play them, like Taylor Swift does) or an all-around player (which is what he later discerned is the way I want to go). Towards the end of the lesson, he plugged my iPod in and asked me to play a song. So I played my favourite Taylor Swift song (one of many since I love every one), "Mary's Song (Oh My My My)," and he turned up the volume until the song was all around us. Then he played a string on his guitar (I learned it's worth $5,000) to check the key the song is in, after which he picked it up and played along. He played the chords by ear! He always has something to say, always has a strong opinion about everything, so he was making fun of some of the lyrics, but it wasn't mean, just two music fanatics commenting on the mutual experience of listening to a song (sample: when the song came to "you said I do, and I did too" he joked, "oh, those country songs with their stories," or "I'll be 87 you'll be 89" he said, "wow, that went quickly."). When the song ended, he wanted me to play a guy's song, so I played Keith Urban's "Days Go By," because I had been listening to it the day before. And he began to play along with it again, and I began to sing along as well. And at that moment, I found perfect happiness. Music all around, with a guitar playing along to the sound of my voice; and I felt then an affirmation that THIS is what I want in life, more than anything in the world. I've felt at peace since, strangely, even though I'm a long way from that and my parents don't know about it and I don't know how I can go about making it big.
In the meantime, however, I can continue to write my songs until I get to Nashville.
And that brings me to this next point. My sister wanted me to write, in her words, a happy song. (Yes, I told her, but I'm still not sure she is taking it seriously.) I have a few ideas for a happy song, none of which have come to fruition yet as a song, mainly because I feel as though they will be lame because they are not from my own experience (how sad is that?). But yesterday I randomly burst into song, a song I knew would be named "I Didn't Know," even though I had never even come close to writing one thus entitled. I was making up lyrics quicker than I could remember them. So of all the ideas I had, the only lyrics that I retained from that random letting-loose are the first two lines of the chorus. There is no explanation because it doesn't require one. Lovely, no?
I Didn't Know
I sat down beside you in the second grade
way back when we all had it made
we laughed and we teased and now here we are
in middle school we thought we had gotten so far
high school you told me how you had hooked up
but then I finally looked up
and knew
CHORUS:
I didn't know about you
I didn't know what you could do
I didn't know that all I'd see
was the way you look at me
I didn't know about you
I didn't know your eyes could be so blue
I didn't know you could dance all night
or strum your guitar in the fading twilight
I didn't know you could sing
I guess I didn't know a thing
Remember when you brought your turtle to school?
No else in the third grade had one, you were so cool
but then Speedy got lost and you didn't know what to do
I feel like Speedy now, and I Wish I could make you
as breathleSs as you were tHat day
but I'm the lost one with nothing to say
CHORUS:
I didn't know about you
I didn't know what you could do
I didn't know that all I'd see
was the way you look at me
I didn't know about you
I didn't know your eyes could be so blue
I didn't know you could dance all night
and strum your guitar in the fading twilight
I didn't know you could sing
I guess I didn't know a thing
(I think this may be a) BRIDGE:
but more than that, I now see
I didn't know, I didn't know about me
I didn't know I could be jealous of a pet
I didn't know I could be so happy that we met
I didn't know that we'd both feel it and one day
you'd actually come to me to say
CHORUS:
I didn't know about you
I didn't know what you could do
I didn't know that all I'd see
was the way you look at me
I didn't know about you
I didn't you love the morning dew
I didn't know you could dance all night
and strum your guitar in the starlight
I didn't know a thing
but now I want to know everything
I wanna know about you
I want to know what we can do
I wanna know what you see
whenever you smile at me
I want to know about you
I want to help when you're feeling blue
I want to dance with you all night
and play together in the near starlight
I didn't know a thing
but now I want to know everything
The only problem with happy songs is that I feel like they are completely lame. At least, the ones I write are. Your opinion? Thoughts? Comments? Criticisms? All much appreciated on my end. (Btw, what do you think of a turtle named Speedy? Cute, right? Like a totally third grade thing to do.)
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. I want to congratulate the invincible Michael Phelps on his 8 wonderful gold medals, particularly on the ones earned by the 4x100 free relay (thanks to Jason Lezak!) and the 100 fly. And also, my congratulations to Nastia Liukin, on her all-around gold medal (and all the other medals she acquired in the past week). I also just want to say to Mark Cavendish that although he didn't win the Madison, there will still be plenty of Olympic chances for him to obtain the gold, because he is still very young (same to Bradley Wiggins). And we have the same birthdate, only I'm a few years younger.
Jay, if you would ever like to hear my end of the story of "Twice Used and Once Discarded," please ask (btw, I love that, "leeches on your soul"). And I loved your segway about the Star Ledger guy and his roomate. Where do you work? And fyi, it was for the FOURTH time that I saw Mamma Mia! Beat that. And I really would like to know the progress of the Scrubs marathon, because all though I don't watch it, I'd love to be there. And thank you for the positive response to the song. It means a lot. Really.
Can I tell you about what happened at my guitar lesson on Monday? My teacher wanted to find out what aspect of country music I like (I couldn't say I love the lyrics because that wouldn't have counted), so he asked me to bring my iPod. He also wanted to see what I would have to learn, whether I want to be, in his words, a "strummer girl" (just knowing the chords and being able to play them, like Taylor Swift does) or an all-around player (which is what he later discerned is the way I want to go). Towards the end of the lesson, he plugged my iPod in and asked me to play a song. So I played my favourite Taylor Swift song (one of many since I love every one), "Mary's Song (Oh My My My)," and he turned up the volume until the song was all around us. Then he played a string on his guitar (I learned it's worth $5,000) to check the key the song is in, after which he picked it up and played along. He played the chords by ear! He always has something to say, always has a strong opinion about everything, so he was making fun of some of the lyrics, but it wasn't mean, just two music fanatics commenting on the mutual experience of listening to a song (sample: when the song came to "you said I do, and I did too" he joked, "oh, those country songs with their stories," or "I'll be 87 you'll be 89" he said, "wow, that went quickly."). When the song ended, he wanted me to play a guy's song, so I played Keith Urban's "Days Go By," because I had been listening to it the day before. And he began to play along with it again, and I began to sing along as well. And at that moment, I found perfect happiness. Music all around, with a guitar playing along to the sound of my voice; and I felt then an affirmation that THIS is what I want in life, more than anything in the world. I've felt at peace since, strangely, even though I'm a long way from that and my parents don't know about it and I don't know how I can go about making it big.
In the meantime, however, I can continue to write my songs until I get to Nashville.
And that brings me to this next point. My sister wanted me to write, in her words, a happy song. (Yes, I told her, but I'm still not sure she is taking it seriously.) I have a few ideas for a happy song, none of which have come to fruition yet as a song, mainly because I feel as though they will be lame because they are not from my own experience (how sad is that?). But yesterday I randomly burst into song, a song I knew would be named "I Didn't Know," even though I had never even come close to writing one thus entitled. I was making up lyrics quicker than I could remember them. So of all the ideas I had, the only lyrics that I retained from that random letting-loose are the first two lines of the chorus. There is no explanation because it doesn't require one. Lovely, no?
I Didn't Know
I sat down beside you in the second grade
way back when we all had it made
we laughed and we teased and now here we are
in middle school we thought we had gotten so far
high school you told me how you had hooked up
but then I finally looked up
and knew
CHORUS:
I didn't know about you
I didn't know what you could do
I didn't know that all I'd see
was the way you look at me
I didn't know about you
I didn't know your eyes could be so blue
I didn't know you could dance all night
or strum your guitar in the fading twilight
I didn't know you could sing
I guess I didn't know a thing
Remember when you brought your turtle to school?
No else in the third grade had one, you were so cool
but then Speedy got lost and you didn't know what to do
I feel like Speedy now, and I Wish I could make you
as breathleSs as you were tHat day
but I'm the lost one with nothing to say
CHORUS:
I didn't know about you
I didn't know what you could do
I didn't know that all I'd see
was the way you look at me
I didn't know about you
I didn't know your eyes could be so blue
I didn't know you could dance all night
and strum your guitar in the fading twilight
I didn't know you could sing
I guess I didn't know a thing
(I think this may be a) BRIDGE:
but more than that, I now see
I didn't know, I didn't know about me
I didn't know I could be jealous of a pet
I didn't know I could be so happy that we met
I didn't know that we'd both feel it and one day
you'd actually come to me to say
CHORUS:
I didn't know about you
I didn't know what you could do
I didn't know that all I'd see
was the way you look at me
I didn't know about you
I didn't you love the morning dew
I didn't know you could dance all night
and strum your guitar in the starlight
I didn't know a thing
but now I want to know everything
I wanna know about you
I want to know what we can do
I wanna know what you see
whenever you smile at me
I want to know about you
I want to help when you're feeling blue
I want to dance with you all night
and play together in the near starlight
I didn't know a thing
but now I want to know everything
The only problem with happy songs is that I feel like they are completely lame. At least, the ones I write are. Your opinion? Thoughts? Comments? Criticisms? All much appreciated on my end. (Btw, what do you think of a turtle named Speedy? Cute, right? Like a totally third grade thing to do.)
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. I want to congratulate the invincible Michael Phelps on his 8 wonderful gold medals, particularly on the ones earned by the 4x100 free relay (thanks to Jason Lezak!) and the 100 fly. And also, my congratulations to Nastia Liukin, on her all-around gold medal (and all the other medals she acquired in the past week). I also just want to say to Mark Cavendish that although he didn't win the Madison, there will still be plenty of Olympic chances for him to obtain the gold, because he is still very young (same to Bradley Wiggins). And we have the same birthdate, only I'm a few years younger.
Jay, if you would ever like to hear my end of the story of "Twice Used and Once Discarded," please ask (btw, I love that, "leeches on your soul"). And I loved your segway about the Star Ledger guy and his roomate. Where do you work? And fyi, it was for the FOURTH time that I saw Mamma Mia! Beat that. And I really would like to know the progress of the Scrubs marathon, because all though I don't watch it, I'd love to be there. And thank you for the positive response to the song. It means a lot. Really.
15 August 2008
Blisters!
Hello!
Surprised by the title? Can you guess what it pertains to? : ) I have blisters currently, from playing my guitar! It's a big accomplishment for me, because it means I'm getting somewhere with the dream. I remember reading that Taylor Swift learned guitar by playing for four hours a day, until her fingers bled. I'm not quite that far, but if my fingers ever bleed, you'll be the first to know. The blisters are a start, I think.
This song needs an explanation, as usual. Part of the chorus was written in the second post, if you remember that. Then, yesterday afternoon I came up with the second part of the chorus and I realized what the song had to be about. I can't exactly specify, because I don't want to make it too obvious for my reader(s), as it is about someone he knows personally. I don't know how much of this saga he was told by the person in question, but I would rather not divulge more than that (if he knows anything at all). All that is important is that I was used and betrayed and hurt (for lack of a better word) in ways foreign to me until then. I should make it very clear right now that I had no emotional attachment to the person in question, meaning I did not like him AT ALL. I did, however, have an emotional response to the way he behaved and I was treated, and that is why I wrote this song. Needless to say, it is an angry song. It is also one that became a dumping ground for lines here and there I thought of but which had no context, including one line I came up with in a text message a year ago, before this whole situation started (I was very proud of myself with that one but the person recieving it thought I was insane).
There is a Taylor Swift song I can't get enough of, called "I Heart ?" The best part of the song are the lyrics. My favourite part is the beginning of the chorus: "wake up and smell the break-up / fix my heart, put on my make-up." The genius of the lyrics is what makes her so good, in my opinion, and I have tried to emulate this in this song. (Another example of genius lyrics is in my favourite Kenny Chesney song, "Better as a Memory," in which he sings "good-byes are like a roulette wheel / you never know where they're gonna land / first you're spinning then you're standing still / left holding a losing hand.")
My working title for the song is "Twice Used and Once Discarded."
I'm not surprised I'm here again
singing to the tune of my pain
With a pounding in my head
from your not being who you saId
CHORUS:
All you thought of was yourseLf
wrapped me up, put me on a sheLf
you kNew what we had to do
and made it all, all about yOu
then you said we had only started
when I was Twice used and once discarded
It was your friends and your perfecT night
when I had dreamed it would be mine
so maybe you'Re happy but I can't be
it's your tUrn to do something for me
CHORUS:
All you thought of waS yourself
wrapped me up, put me on a shelf
you knew whaT we had to do
but made it all, all about You
then you said we had Only started
when I was twice Used and once discarded
I stood by as you tracked me down
went through the motions and almost fell down
I pretended through it All
and still you stood so tall
CHORUS:
All you thought of was yourself
wrapped me up, put me on a shelf
you knew what we had to do
but made it all, all about you
then you said we had only started
when I was twice used and once discarded
BRIDGE:
Held my finger in the flame
and smiled throuGh the pain
CHORUS:
All you thought of was yourself
wrapped me up, put me on a shelf
you knew what we had to do
and made it all, all about you
then you said we had only started
when I was twice used aNd once discarded
then you said we had only started
when I was twice used and once discarded
Once again, I need the comments (thank you!) and Thank you for the musik!!
Much love,
NBK
p.s. I saw Mamma Mia! again today. : )
p.p.s. I want it said that I congratulate Carlos Sastre on a wonderful Tour, Fabian Cancellara on a great win in the time trial, and Andy Schleck because I wish he had medaled at the Olympics and because he is a wonderful climber. Also kudos to Roman Kreuziger. Kdo neskace neni Cech, hop hop hop!
Surprised by the title? Can you guess what it pertains to? : ) I have blisters currently, from playing my guitar! It's a big accomplishment for me, because it means I'm getting somewhere with the dream. I remember reading that Taylor Swift learned guitar by playing for four hours a day, until her fingers bled. I'm not quite that far, but if my fingers ever bleed, you'll be the first to know. The blisters are a start, I think.
This song needs an explanation, as usual. Part of the chorus was written in the second post, if you remember that. Then, yesterday afternoon I came up with the second part of the chorus and I realized what the song had to be about. I can't exactly specify, because I don't want to make it too obvious for my reader(s), as it is about someone he knows personally. I don't know how much of this saga he was told by the person in question, but I would rather not divulge more than that (if he knows anything at all). All that is important is that I was used and betrayed and hurt (for lack of a better word) in ways foreign to me until then. I should make it very clear right now that I had no emotional attachment to the person in question, meaning I did not like him AT ALL. I did, however, have an emotional response to the way he behaved and I was treated, and that is why I wrote this song. Needless to say, it is an angry song. It is also one that became a dumping ground for lines here and there I thought of but which had no context, including one line I came up with in a text message a year ago, before this whole situation started (I was very proud of myself with that one but the person recieving it thought I was insane).
There is a Taylor Swift song I can't get enough of, called "I Heart ?" The best part of the song are the lyrics. My favourite part is the beginning of the chorus: "wake up and smell the break-up / fix my heart, put on my make-up." The genius of the lyrics is what makes her so good, in my opinion, and I have tried to emulate this in this song. (Another example of genius lyrics is in my favourite Kenny Chesney song, "Better as a Memory," in which he sings "good-byes are like a roulette wheel / you never know where they're gonna land / first you're spinning then you're standing still / left holding a losing hand.")
My working title for the song is "Twice Used and Once Discarded."
I'm not surprised I'm here again
singing to the tune of my pain
With a pounding in my head
from your not being who you saId
CHORUS:
All you thought of was yourseLf
wrapped me up, put me on a sheLf
you kNew what we had to do
and made it all, all about yOu
then you said we had only started
when I was Twice used and once discarded
It was your friends and your perfecT night
when I had dreamed it would be mine
so maybe you'Re happy but I can't be
it's your tUrn to do something for me
CHORUS:
All you thought of waS yourself
wrapped me up, put me on a shelf
you knew whaT we had to do
but made it all, all about You
then you said we had Only started
when I was twice Used and once discarded
I stood by as you tracked me down
went through the motions and almost fell down
I pretended through it All
and still you stood so tall
CHORUS:
All you thought of was yourself
wrapped me up, put me on a shelf
you knew what we had to do
but made it all, all about you
then you said we had only started
when I was twice used and once discarded
BRIDGE:
Held my finger in the flame
and smiled throuGh the pain
CHORUS:
All you thought of was yourself
wrapped me up, put me on a shelf
you knew what we had to do
and made it all, all about you
then you said we had only started
when I was twice used aNd once discarded
then you said we had only started
when I was twice used and once discarded
Once again, I need the comments (thank you!) and Thank you for the musik!!
Much love,
NBK
p.s. I saw Mamma Mia! again today. : )
p.p.s. I want it said that I congratulate Carlos Sastre on a wonderful Tour, Fabian Cancellara on a great win in the time trial, and Andy Schleck because I wish he had medaled at the Olympics and because he is a wonderful climber. Also kudos to Roman Kreuziger. Kdo neskace neni Cech, hop hop hop!
06 August 2008
Zach is looking hot tonight
Hello once again,
I haven't written in a long while, have I? That's because I was on holiday with my family in Arizona. It was lovely. The scenery was breathtaking and it was...hot? sunny? Both. While we were there, on Thursday, we met a family from Liverpool, England. They were absolutely wonderful and friendly. The son (I would say he was about 30 or so) pulled out his iPod when we were on a bus to Sedona (red-rock country), and I was curious but timid so I asked my dad to ask him what he was listening to. Chris's dad answered, some name I don't remember, and we got to talking about the music we listen to. When I said I listen to country, he mentioned that his wife would like to get into the genre. We were at a gas station at that point, and she herself asked if I would write a list for her of country artists I would recommend so that she could listen to the genre. Would I! She couldn't have picked a better person! : ) When we got back to the hotel, I copied those artists on my iPod, with personal notes and suggestions and even a post-script in which I wrote, "And maybe someday, with very much luck and practise, I will be able to put myself on a list such as this one," slightly paraphrased here. I gave her the list, and almost as soon I remembered others I didn't have on my iPod but could have written down. What did I do? The next day I handed her son a list of twice as many artists as the previous one had. I had such fun remembering all these different artists.
So now, for the title of the post. Yes, it is a song. No, I do not know any Zachs that look even remotely close to "hot" (except for Zach Parise, but I don't know him personally). I should explain, however, that it is a song I wrote in the fall of 2006, almost two years ago. I was thinking about re-reading the songs in my first notebook (the crappy ones), but I was especially tempted to revisit this one, because it is so far the only one to surprise me with its outcome. I had no idea where I was going with it, until the last verse wrote itself. It was also the first I wrote with a melody in mind for the chorus. Why the name "Zach"? I was testing myself on whether I could write a song with a title for every letter of the alphabet. Zach was the only way to get the letter Z. Stupid reason, but hey? Who said it has to be a good one?
Ready to meet Zach?
Zach is looking hot tonight
with another Date in the car beside him
a green shirt and blue jeans, feelin' alright
anOther movie playin' at the drive-in
hoping the cologne will last him all Night
She thinks Zach looks hot Tonight
but he couldn't care less
CHORUS:
what're you Gonna do, Zach,
what're you gonna do?
If hot's not enough, Zach,
to hold the heart of the one you love?
oh, don't you see, Zach,
don't you see at all?
that hot's not enough, Zach,
to keep your one true loVe.
Zach is looking hot tonight
his sister's friend waiting for his smile
in a new tux and black tie, it's right
to walk his sister down the aisle
wishin' it could last all night
they all think Zach looks hot tonight
but he couldn't care lEss
CHORUS:
What're you gonna do, Zach,
what're you gonna do?
if hot's not enough, Zach,
to hold the heart of the one you love?
oh, don't you see, Zach,
don't you see at all?
that hot's not enough, Zach
to keep your one trUe love.
BRIDGE (change of lyrical pattern and/or music):
She's Perfect and he wants her
every laugh and look for her
but all she wanted was more
more than (his) clothes, she's seen them before
what're you gonna do, Zach,
what're you gonna do?
'cause hot's not enough, Zach,
for your one true love.
Zach is looking hot tonight
all by himself year after year
sitting the same way all night
no one to see his ninth* bottle of beer
Zach never looks hot at night
but he couldn't care less
as he drinks up and becomes a mess
(softly,) CHORUS x2
*Just a small personal allusion. I was debating how many bottles to make it clear that he gets drunk (I was rewriting this last night). You know, six? four? and I finally decided on nine, because that is Zach Parise's jersey number. : ) Thank goodness he's not number 2, or some other small number!
Once again, thanks for all the lovely and much-needed feedback! (And yes, I know, I rhyme "night" and "right" and "tonight" way too many times!)
Love, and Thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. Jay, if you can read my handwriting, I can read your comments (wonderfully eloquent and informative as they are) with all the typos in the world! Thank you. And no psychosomatic stuff intended.
I haven't written in a long while, have I? That's because I was on holiday with my family in Arizona. It was lovely. The scenery was breathtaking and it was...hot? sunny? Both. While we were there, on Thursday, we met a family from Liverpool, England. They were absolutely wonderful and friendly. The son (I would say he was about 30 or so) pulled out his iPod when we were on a bus to Sedona (red-rock country), and I was curious but timid so I asked my dad to ask him what he was listening to. Chris's dad answered, some name I don't remember, and we got to talking about the music we listen to. When I said I listen to country, he mentioned that his wife would like to get into the genre. We were at a gas station at that point, and she herself asked if I would write a list for her of country artists I would recommend so that she could listen to the genre. Would I! She couldn't have picked a better person! : ) When we got back to the hotel, I copied those artists on my iPod, with personal notes and suggestions and even a post-script in which I wrote, "And maybe someday, with very much luck and practise, I will be able to put myself on a list such as this one," slightly paraphrased here. I gave her the list, and almost as soon I remembered others I didn't have on my iPod but could have written down. What did I do? The next day I handed her son a list of twice as many artists as the previous one had. I had such fun remembering all these different artists.
So now, for the title of the post. Yes, it is a song. No, I do not know any Zachs that look even remotely close to "hot" (except for Zach Parise, but I don't know him personally). I should explain, however, that it is a song I wrote in the fall of 2006, almost two years ago. I was thinking about re-reading the songs in my first notebook (the crappy ones), but I was especially tempted to revisit this one, because it is so far the only one to surprise me with its outcome. I had no idea where I was going with it, until the last verse wrote itself. It was also the first I wrote with a melody in mind for the chorus. Why the name "Zach"? I was testing myself on whether I could write a song with a title for every letter of the alphabet. Zach was the only way to get the letter Z. Stupid reason, but hey? Who said it has to be a good one?
Ready to meet Zach?
Zach is looking hot tonight
with another Date in the car beside him
a green shirt and blue jeans, feelin' alright
anOther movie playin' at the drive-in
hoping the cologne will last him all Night
She thinks Zach looks hot Tonight
but he couldn't care less
CHORUS:
what're you Gonna do, Zach,
what're you gonna do?
If hot's not enough, Zach,
to hold the heart of the one you love?
oh, don't you see, Zach,
don't you see at all?
that hot's not enough, Zach,
to keep your one true loVe.
Zach is looking hot tonight
his sister's friend waiting for his smile
in a new tux and black tie, it's right
to walk his sister down the aisle
wishin' it could last all night
they all think Zach looks hot tonight
but he couldn't care lEss
CHORUS:
What're you gonna do, Zach,
what're you gonna do?
if hot's not enough, Zach,
to hold the heart of the one you love?
oh, don't you see, Zach,
don't you see at all?
that hot's not enough, Zach
to keep your one trUe love.
BRIDGE (change of lyrical pattern and/or music):
She's Perfect and he wants her
every laugh and look for her
but all she wanted was more
more than (his) clothes, she's seen them before
what're you gonna do, Zach,
what're you gonna do?
'cause hot's not enough, Zach,
for your one true love.
Zach is looking hot tonight
all by himself year after year
sitting the same way all night
no one to see his ninth* bottle of beer
Zach never looks hot at night
but he couldn't care less
as he drinks up and becomes a mess
(softly,) CHORUS x2
*Just a small personal allusion. I was debating how many bottles to make it clear that he gets drunk (I was rewriting this last night). You know, six? four? and I finally decided on nine, because that is Zach Parise's jersey number. : ) Thank goodness he's not number 2, or some other small number!
Once again, thanks for all the lovely and much-needed feedback! (And yes, I know, I rhyme "night" and "right" and "tonight" way too many times!)
Love, and Thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. Jay, if you can read my handwriting, I can read your comments (wonderfully eloquent and informative as they are) with all the typos in the world! Thank you. And no psychosomatic stuff intended.
24 July 2008
For my #1 bestest fan ever
Actually, also my only fan. But that's okay with me. If I could choose any one person to be only fan, it would probably still be you, Jay. Your comments on my songs are one of the only things that keep me writing them (the other things being a need to get it all down on paper, and also a passionate dream to use the songs one day and to stand up on stage performing them). So I thought I would just devote this post to you, because your words give me hope for success; no matter how much I doubt myself and my songs and the possibility of a future with the stuff I've written, you make it sound so easy and simple and possible (that's twice in this sentence I've used that word, but whatever). I should write a song about you, too, but I don't have enough material yet. I guess all I've talked about is myself (how selfish of me! I'm ashamed!). I know how much the movie "Anand" means to you, and that you love Hey Arnold!, and all about your devilishness during first? second? sixth? all three? grade(s). Maybe that's enough, I'll see.
But anyway, to address your comments. I'm so so sorry that you are going through the same thing that I wrote about in the last song (below). It's not something I would wish on anyone and I certainly hope that the lucky girl sees the light. (To be slightly nosy, do I know her?) You know another good song about the type of situation, a Taylor Swift song, Teardrops on My Guitar, here's the youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7DRtl6CTqc. Oh and btw, I would love to have seen that paper you doodled and scribbled out on, just to compare it to the paper on which I wrote "Snow White." Remember the mayhem that looked like? And no, no crazy assumption there, it was hell. First dreaming the dream and then writing the song and then the post and then writing to him. I just wish he would say something back, you know? Even if it is that he never wants to hear from me again. I just want to know that I got through to him; the silence kills. Thank you, though. You're so sweet. And if you ever do write something to someone, let me know, so I can be there for you.
And I'm so glad when you say that the song I've written strikes a chord within you, because (as your friend said) that's what is the best part of a song, when it connects with the audience (however big or small it may be) and creates an emotional response. That's when you know you've been successful as a songwriter.
Mamma Mia! is amazing. I've already seen it more times than I can reasonably count and I love it and can't get enough. I've loved ABBA forever (and thus never caught onto the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Britney Spears scene...thank goodness!) and my sister, my mom, and I were singing in the movie theatre to every song! It was perfect, a really really feel-good movie. The only reason I would want to see Dark Knight (which was premiering the same day that Mamma Mia! was, so when we got to the theatre it was crowded and we were thinking that there would be no room for us, and it ended up being just us and like 5 other people in our theatre, everyone else went to see the other one) would be because Heath Ledger is supposed to be phenomenal in it. But, to be honest, it creeps me out a little. So I guess I'll just have to take your word for it? : )
Ah, yes, the name change: It's an ABBA song, Thank You For the Music, and it's a beautiful piece. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WauFkb4jmCI) I figured that this title did my blog more justice than the previous title. What do you think?
Love,
NBK
But anyway, to address your comments. I'm so so sorry that you are going through the same thing that I wrote about in the last song (below). It's not something I would wish on anyone and I certainly hope that the lucky girl sees the light. (To be slightly nosy, do I know her?) You know another good song about the type of situation, a Taylor Swift song, Teardrops on My Guitar, here's the youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7DRtl6CTqc. Oh and btw, I would love to have seen that paper you doodled and scribbled out on, just to compare it to the paper on which I wrote "Snow White." Remember the mayhem that looked like? And no, no crazy assumption there, it was hell. First dreaming the dream and then writing the song and then the post and then writing to him. I just wish he would say something back, you know? Even if it is that he never wants to hear from me again. I just want to know that I got through to him; the silence kills. Thank you, though. You're so sweet. And if you ever do write something to someone, let me know, so I can be there for you.
And I'm so glad when you say that the song I've written strikes a chord within you, because (as your friend said) that's what is the best part of a song, when it connects with the audience (however big or small it may be) and creates an emotional response. That's when you know you've been successful as a songwriter.
Mamma Mia! is amazing. I've already seen it more times than I can reasonably count and I love it and can't get enough. I've loved ABBA forever (and thus never caught onto the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Britney Spears scene...thank goodness!) and my sister, my mom, and I were singing in the movie theatre to every song! It was perfect, a really really feel-good movie. The only reason I would want to see Dark Knight (which was premiering the same day that Mamma Mia! was, so when we got to the theatre it was crowded and we were thinking that there would be no room for us, and it ended up being just us and like 5 other people in our theatre, everyone else went to see the other one) would be because Heath Ledger is supposed to be phenomenal in it. But, to be honest, it creeps me out a little. So I guess I'll just have to take your word for it? : )
Ah, yes, the name change: It's an ABBA song, Thank You For the Music, and it's a beautiful piece. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WauFkb4jmCI) I figured that this title did my blog more justice than the previous title. What do you think?
Love,
NBK
18 July 2008
Can't shake off this weird feeling...
Last summer, I went to China with 38 other kids from around my area for the better part of a month, and I look fondly back on it (actually today a year ago I was the shiny and beautiful city of Shanghai) every day. I made really close friends last summer, but I also fell in love. April 21, 2007 was the day I met him (before we left, we had monthly meetings to prepare us for the trip). It was the first time I had noticed him, and he took my breath away. As we moved around that meeting, all I wanted was a good vantage point for me to just look at him. Then as we travelled throughout that enormous country I fell deeper as I got to know him better. We became close friends, but then I learned he had a girlfriend he was crazy about. He is no longer with that girl, he has a new one, and believe me when I say it's killing me. I don't ever see him anymore, since he lives quite a few towns away from me. I just can't forget about him. Last week I had a dream that we met again and we talked forever and it was as though we were back at Xi'an. But two nights ago I had the most emotionally draining and baffling dream I had ever had. Wanna hear about it? It was that he had died, and I was at his funeral, sobbing uncontrollably. The grass was a bright shade of green, and there were high brick walls surrounding the cemetery. I was just walking along, sobbing, and I heard someone say that it was liver disease that killed him (yes, my dreams are quite descriptive) but someone else said no, it was his girlfriend that shot him. It really was the latter. The scene changed and I was with his girlfriend and we were going through his items. I found a journal somewhere, and it turned out to be the one he used in China (which, in the dream, looked just like the one I had used in China). I flipped through it and saw that he stopped writing halfway through the trip (or perhaps this was guilty on my part, since I myself stopped halfway), but the penultimate page had a letter hastily written on it. It was addressed to me, written the day after we came home. The basic sentiment was that he loved me, but because he had a girlfriend he couldn't do anything (he was always so faithful) and he had been waiting for me to say something first. The dream ended with me clutching the journal to my chest, crying (so what else is new?), and realizing that I never told him how I felt. I woke up highly affected by it, and the entire day I was preposterously sad about the whole affair and I couldn't get my mind around why it was so draining on me while I was awake. (The last and only time before this that a dream messed with my mood the next day was when I had a dream that Rowan Atkinson was on Scrubs, a show I don't watch but is supposed to be quite funny, and I woke up laughing in my sleep. This made me happy all day.) What did I do? Aside from attending the midnight premiere of Mamma Mia! (one of my favourite movies ever, I've seen it twice and it came out...today), I wrote a song about it, to examine it, and I also wrote to the boy and told him I love him. No reply yet. But, the point is that here's the song:
you came to me In a dream last night
first you hugged me and We talked, I cried
then it changed and somehow you had died
the cemetery was green in the sunLight
but I was sobbing 'cause the world was Less bright*
they told us you were sick but they had lied
it was your girlfriend, she shot you three times
there were so maNy friends there to say goodbyE
CHORUS:
And I realized
I neVer got the chance to tEll you how much I love you
and although I pretended I didn't, it was only you I saw
I was too shy to say it
so I left it the way it was
and I tRied to wait for you to say something first
but now you're gone and it's far too late
the summer we met and I fell in love
I never told you how much it meant
It was another scene and I was with your girl
we were going through your things but I hated her
I wanted to know so I asked your girl
why she shot you, what she did it For
she acted smug, like she didn't know why
someOne would make up a true lie
there was a pile of books and on top, a journal
I flipped through it and found a letteR
it was written when you came home that summer
addressed to me, probably never meant to be sent
but I read it now and this is what it said
CHORUS:
Baby, I realized
I never got the chance to tell you how much I love you
and althouGh I pretended I didn't, it was only you I saw
I was too shy to say it
so I lEft it the way it was
I tried to wait for you to say something first
but you never did and I had a girlfriend
and now we're aparT and I know it's too late
it's unfinished business and it'll stay that way
the summeR we met and I fell in love
I never told you how much it meant
I closed the bOok and held it to my chest
and realized that in my dream, you were dead
But I was glad I had found the letter I read
'cause I knew it was me you loved instead
I woke up then and I knew it's true
there was never anything for me to do
it was only the summer and I'll never see you
I knew it was a dream, that you never loved me
But It's okay, the dream was real Enough
*I wrote a song about him (one of many), called "Less Bright," written after I found out about his girlfriend. Slight allusion, for my own amusement.
If you sing the words to the melody of "All I Want Is You" from Juno, it should fit. I woke up with that melody echoing in my head, and so I, slightly unconsciously, wrote it to fit.
Once again, I need all of the criticism I can get. Thank you for the musik.
NBK
you came to me In a dream last night
first you hugged me and We talked, I cried
then it changed and somehow you had died
the cemetery was green in the sunLight
but I was sobbing 'cause the world was Less bright*
they told us you were sick but they had lied
it was your girlfriend, she shot you three times
there were so maNy friends there to say goodbyE
CHORUS:
And I realized
I neVer got the chance to tEll you how much I love you
and although I pretended I didn't, it was only you I saw
I was too shy to say it
so I left it the way it was
and I tRied to wait for you to say something first
but now you're gone and it's far too late
the summer we met and I fell in love
I never told you how much it meant
It was another scene and I was with your girl
we were going through your things but I hated her
I wanted to know so I asked your girl
why she shot you, what she did it For
she acted smug, like she didn't know why
someOne would make up a true lie
there was a pile of books and on top, a journal
I flipped through it and found a letteR
it was written when you came home that summer
addressed to me, probably never meant to be sent
but I read it now and this is what it said
CHORUS:
Baby, I realized
I never got the chance to tell you how much I love you
and althouGh I pretended I didn't, it was only you I saw
I was too shy to say it
so I lEft it the way it was
I tried to wait for you to say something first
but you never did and I had a girlfriend
and now we're aparT and I know it's too late
it's unfinished business and it'll stay that way
the summeR we met and I fell in love
I never told you how much it meant
I closed the bOok and held it to my chest
and realized that in my dream, you were dead
But I was glad I had found the letter I read
'cause I knew it was me you loved instead
I woke up then and I knew it's true
there was never anything for me to do
it was only the summer and I'll never see you
I knew it was a dream, that you never loved me
But It's okay, the dream was real Enough
*I wrote a song about him (one of many), called "Less Bright," written after I found out about his girlfriend. Slight allusion, for my own amusement.
If you sing the words to the melody of "All I Want Is You" from Juno, it should fit. I woke up with that melody echoing in my head, and so I, slightly unconsciously, wrote it to fit.
Once again, I need all of the criticism I can get. Thank you for the musik.
NBK
16 July 2008
Here goes...you ready?
So...after an entire day of mustering up the courage to post my first song on here, I finally get around to it.
It's my latest and newest song; I wrote it two nights ago. With it, I was trying to capture the feeling of the first time of doing something. You know the one, combined anticipation with nerves and excitement and the butterflies and the feeling that what is going on is the best thing in the world and you will never feel the same way again. I combined the two elements that I suppose every person looks forward to and never forgets once it happens, (a) the first time you ever drive a car, I mean really drive a car properly (that age-old threshold and moment of mystical proportions - so much so that I put it off for a good two years so that I wouldn't ruin it by oh, I don't know, crashing, as I was so sure I would) and (b) the first kiss (the first time you ever see that someone else puts nothing above you - if you're lucky - and the first real notion of intimacy with the opposite sex; as my username suggests, I have not reached that pinnacle yet, but maybe ten years from now someone will fancy me and then I will, but until then, I have made a decent supposition, I hope, for that moment and the emotions surrounding it). So without further ado, here is my latest and as-of-now unnamed song:
theRe was no music playing
as evEry major occasion should have*
just real nerves and that first-time feeling
and that's the way it was when I learned to drive
all that awesoMe powEr in my hands
I was sweating in My pants
I fell in love with the road, the gas,
even the trees that passed
CHORUS:
The first time's the only time
nothing ever comes close that way
the first time's the Best time
the happiness, the nerves, the desire to stay
the first time's thE only time
My favourite song was playing
as every peRfect moment should have*
fear and that excited feeling
just the boY and me and my nervous laugh
it just happened and I'll never fOrget
bUt there was a moment I don't get
my heart, his heart, the world stopped
and all I heard was the Radio
CHORUS:
The first time's the only time
nothing ever comes close that way
the First time's the best time
the happiness, the fear, the desIre to stay
the first time's the only time
BRIDGE (change of melody and/or lyrics):
that caR, that boy, the world, my heart
the silence, that song, the road, his heart
the first drive, a first kisS, the world at bay
the Trees passing, the look he gave, the desire to stay
all 'cause
CHORUS:
the first Time's the only time
nothing ever comes close that way
the fIrst time's the best tiMe
the happiness, the fear, the powEr, the desire to stay
the firSt time's the only time
*I wanted to use the word "deserves" here, but the only word it rhymes with that would work here would be "nerves" and I think I use that enough.
So...what do you think? Please be honest, in any way. If there is one thing I hate, it is insincerity.
And in case you can't get enough (hahaha), here's a teaser for my newest song. All I've written so far is the chorus, and here it is:
All you thought of was yourself
wrapped me up, put me on a shelf
you knew what we had to do
and made it all, all about you
Thank you for the musik.
NBK
It's my latest and newest song; I wrote it two nights ago. With it, I was trying to capture the feeling of the first time of doing something. You know the one, combined anticipation with nerves and excitement and the butterflies and the feeling that what is going on is the best thing in the world and you will never feel the same way again. I combined the two elements that I suppose every person looks forward to and never forgets once it happens, (a) the first time you ever drive a car, I mean really drive a car properly (that age-old threshold and moment of mystical proportions - so much so that I put it off for a good two years so that I wouldn't ruin it by oh, I don't know, crashing, as I was so sure I would) and (b) the first kiss (the first time you ever see that someone else puts nothing above you - if you're lucky - and the first real notion of intimacy with the opposite sex; as my username suggests, I have not reached that pinnacle yet, but maybe ten years from now someone will fancy me and then I will, but until then, I have made a decent supposition, I hope, for that moment and the emotions surrounding it). So without further ado, here is my latest and as-of-now unnamed song:
theRe was no music playing
as evEry major occasion should have*
just real nerves and that first-time feeling
and that's the way it was when I learned to drive
all that awesoMe powEr in my hands
I was sweating in My pants
I fell in love with the road, the gas,
even the trees that passed
CHORUS:
The first time's the only time
nothing ever comes close that way
the first time's the Best time
the happiness, the nerves, the desire to stay
the first time's thE only time
My favourite song was playing
as every peRfect moment should have*
fear and that excited feeling
just the boY and me and my nervous laugh
it just happened and I'll never fOrget
bUt there was a moment I don't get
my heart, his heart, the world stopped
and all I heard was the Radio
CHORUS:
The first time's the only time
nothing ever comes close that way
the First time's the best time
the happiness, the fear, the desIre to stay
the first time's the only time
BRIDGE (change of melody and/or lyrics):
that caR, that boy, the world, my heart
the silence, that song, the road, his heart
the first drive, a first kisS, the world at bay
the Trees passing, the look he gave, the desire to stay
all 'cause
CHORUS:
the first Time's the only time
nothing ever comes close that way
the fIrst time's the best tiMe
the happiness, the fear, the powEr, the desire to stay
the firSt time's the only time
*I wanted to use the word "deserves" here, but the only word it rhymes with that would work here would be "nerves" and I think I use that enough.
So...what do you think? Please be honest, in any way. If there is one thing I hate, it is insincerity.
And in case you can't get enough (hahaha), here's a teaser for my newest song. All I've written so far is the chorus, and here it is:
All you thought of was yourself
wrapped me up, put me on a shelf
you knew what we had to do
and made it all, all about you
Thank you for the musik.
NBK
15 July 2008
First Post (I know, how original)
Hey!
I'm not sure how to begin. It's funny, really.
I started this blog because I write song lyrics, and I wanted a place where other people could see them, comment on them. I'm usually too shy to show people (you know, the whole "but they're mine!" concept), but here, no one knows who I am. It's a nice yet weird feeling.
My dream is to be a country singer-songwriter, like Taylor Swift or the Dixie Chicks or Brad Paisley or Keith Urban, etc. I started writing songs almost two years ago. My first song was pretty dumb, as I bet a lot of first songs are, but I've been getting better, I think. I hope. And for my birthday this year, I received an acoustic guitar (the first apex of the dream!), so I've been learning how to play. I know it's probably unattainable as a dream, but I guess if I work hard enough, I'll get there. All it takes is for one person to believe in me, right?
NBK
I'm not sure how to begin. It's funny, really.
I started this blog because I write song lyrics, and I wanted a place where other people could see them, comment on them. I'm usually too shy to show people (you know, the whole "but they're mine!" concept), but here, no one knows who I am. It's a nice yet weird feeling.
My dream is to be a country singer-songwriter, like Taylor Swift or the Dixie Chicks or Brad Paisley or Keith Urban, etc. I started writing songs almost two years ago. My first song was pretty dumb, as I bet a lot of first songs are, but I've been getting better, I think. I hope. And for my birthday this year, I received an acoustic guitar (the first apex of the dream!), so I've been learning how to play. I know it's probably unattainable as a dream, but I guess if I work hard enough, I'll get there. All it takes is for one person to believe in me, right?
NBK
p.s. I know that I spelled "music" wrong, with a K, but that was on purpose. See, my youtube.com username uses "Musik" spelled with a K and it's kind of my signature. You know, original and all that.
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