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.
2 comments:
The chorus you have given in your blog are nice. It is not difficult for a beginner to learn to play guitar, the guitar is one of the easiest instruments to learn to play, just know that 65% of the American people know how to play view notes on the guitar.
Hey!
I want to start off by apologizing. I know i told you that I was going to get this comment to you yesterday (actually, two days ago now since it's two hours past midnight), so I'm sorry for getting this out so late. (Side story time...feel free to ignore...) I actually ended up spending yesterday with a friend from Millburn and i was pretty tired when I got home so I figured that I would write the comment today. However, I woke up with a strange desire to get some work done (strange, I know), so I did the Euro map assignment. At this point my mom called because she was reorganizing my dad's old stamp and paper collection. She had told me about it in the past, but I had never legitimately seen it. Holy crap. It was one of the most surreal experiences I've had all summer. I saw papers from all sorts of European countries - the same stuff that I was learning about earlier today (weirdly enough, from the same time period too). And there was so much of it. There were random politician autographs, first flight covers, random commemorative Winston Churchill coins, etc. It was so much history - the tangible, fun kind! Incidentally, one of the first papers I picked up related to you, so I thought I would share (check your e-mail!!). I always enjoy going through my dad's old stuff. I inherited all of his ties and sports coats, which is one of the reasons (actually, probably the only reason) why I like to get dressed up once in a while. Even got his 15 year old minivan. I'll probably love that care more than any other car I'll ever have. It's interesting too, now that so many people identify me by that car. I was at the oval the other day, and Alya sent me a text saying that she saw the car and that I left my headlights on. It's weird. I think about the man that my father was everyday, and I want to be like him. The clothes, the car, or whatever lets me pretend for a while, I guess. But enough about me.
I finally finished listening to the Taylor Swift album (I'm still talking about me, but watch this transition!) today! I thought it was amazing overall. I was flipping through the CD booklet, and when I saw the front cover I literally did a double take. I don't know if my brain is making me subconsciously see connections where there aren't, but the font on the album cover reminds me so much of your handwriting. Coolbeans =)
Speaking of your handWRITING.... (BAM! You can call me the Transition King! Haha, just kidding)
let's talking about your songWRITING
The song! Another fun read! I like how it jumps back and forth through time (2nd -> MS -> HS -> 3rd) with the chorus adapting a more retrospective point of view. I'm actually having a concurrent conversation with a friend from before I moved and, we're talking about how people change over time, strangely enough. I bring this up because the song, for me at least, shows how people can change. You could be best friends with someone a couple of years later you barely know each other. I think everyone at some point has experienced something like this. Now that I reread the song it feels more like a childhood crush type of situation. But....everyone has probably experienced that feeling too :). Another amazing song. You didn't include a backstory, but you didn't have to. The universality (I'm using this term way too much overall, but I'll cut myself a break - It's pretty late it at night =]) allows everyone to have their own backstory for the song. So great job =), and Speedy is an awesome name for a turtle.
I'm glad that you're having such a great time with your music instructor. That moment with all that music you describe sounded amazing.It seems like one of those life-changing moments you can toss in your E! True Hollywood Story for your fans. But maybe not. Maybe I just wouldn't understand. (Okay, maybe this one was a little forced.)
I'll be honest with you. I don't listen to much happy music. Most of it, actually, is downright sad and depressing. I just tried flipping through my music library to find anything that I could classify as "happy," but I got nothing. Wow. Most are neutral, at best. Oh, and I'd love to hear your side of the story. Whenever you want or feel like telling me, I'm ready to listen. And once again, Thank YOU for the musik!
Oh, and I saw that that new post you left. I'm completely and utterly amazed. I would comment on right it now, but I'm like this || close to passing out in my chair. I'll do it as soon as possible. Thank you so much!
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