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.
27 August 2008
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.
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