2009. What a year, huh? I can't really say anything bad about it, which is probably one of the best compliments a year could get - if it were cognizant of the fact that such a thing as compliments exist.
And so, here is my last post of the absolute cracker of a year that was 2009. It is also my nineteenth (19th) of the year, the same number that I posted last year. Interesting, huh, that I should post the same number in the entirety of a year that I succeeded in posting in half a year? Or, as I would say: dun dun DUH! (cue dramatic music, please...)
Congratulations are in order to Carrie Underwood on her recent engagement to Mike Fisher, an Ottawa Senator. Congratulations. Or, you could totally say, she picked the wrong hockey player. Either way, may they have a long and happy life in each other's arms.
Any other country news? Not that I can think of.
I have discovered my favourite ever radio station, WYNK 101.5 Baton Rouge. It is the most wonderful radio station in the world for country songs and country music-lovers, I can assure you. Through it, I became acquainted with Jessica Andrews' "Who I Am," which is just beautiful, and Steve Holy's "Good Morning Beautiful," which I think I'd heard before, but I'm not sure. I must have heard Dierks Bentley's 'sexy new single' about 12 times already. It's nice. But my new favourite song, and possibly the only, singlemost reason I can't wait for next month, January, is Lady Antebellum's single, "Need You Now," from the band's new album, which is being released in January 2010. It's addicting, haunting, and beautiful.
Also, since posting last, I have obtained Gloriana's album, Gloriana (no surprises with the title there). It's a stunning premiere effort from one of country music's most promising new bands. Although none of the other songs from the album can compare to the shining "Wild At Heart," or the catchy "How Far Do You Wanna Go?" and "The Way It Goes," there are other exceptional songs, namely "Lead Me On," "If You're Leaving," "Over Me Now?," and especially "Even If I Wanted To."
And now...drum roll, please...the biggest news OF. MY. LIFE. (possible slight exaggeration here, but please let it slide, thanks.) On 13 May 2010, I will be going to my first concert ever (unless you count numerous classical symphonic performances or Charles Aznavour, but most people don't). And not just any concert. TAYLOR SWIFT. With GLORIANA as her opening band. Tears were spilled, amid bursts of surprised laughter, when I saw the tickets in my hand. Enough said.
Introducing a new song of mine. A few precursory remarks are necessary, as it is a bit of a mean and passive-agressive song. The first of which is, and this is written rather emphatically, I do NOT have issues. I am a perfectly happy, contented, unselfish, and cheerful person. It just occasionally happens that people - and by people I mean the exceptionally hateful and entitled and self-absorbed - take advantage of the person I am and take, take, take, take, take all they can and I'm left with nothing but my heart. And this is what the song is about. I wrote it with Miranda Lambert's "Kerosene" in mind, so if you sing the phrases with her melody as the accompaniment, it comes out to "Kerosene" a la moi. And yes, the chorus is only two lines long, but that's not unheard of: "People are Crazy" by Billy Currington is a perfect example ('God is great, and beer is good / and people are crazy'). As for the slighly odd first line of the chorus, it is an abstract way of saying that the unknown 'she' entity thinks she is just all that and there is no one else in the world above her, so naturally everyone else is just something to step on and at which to curl up one's nose disgustedly; it is possible that I came up with the precise phrasing 'queen of the golden hall' due to the fact that the night I wrote it, I had been watching Lord of the Rings (absolutely incredible movies!). Which one I don't remember anymore.
Crack in the Wall
I ain't like her in any way
and I sure hope to stay that way
she can't see my heart of gold
thinks respect is bought and sold
she gets fat and takes up space
and walks in like she owns the place
CHORUS:
she's the queen of the golden hall
and me, I'm just a crack in the wall
she acts like she is such a saint
and makes it clear she thinks I ain't
she gets big and I get smaller
she's been pickin' at me like a flower
no wonder that I ain't been heard
biting back those hateful words
CHORUS:
she's the queen of the golden hall
and me, I'm just a crack in the wall
by day she thinks she's always right
but she lies alone at night
when she's mad she slams the door
but when I blink she says it's war
there's something wrong with me, she says
when I ask what, she just laughs
CHORUS:
she's the queen of the golden hall
and me, I'm just a crack in the wall
she sits on her throne and barks out orders
waits for everything to come towards her
she's up in my face like a dog with a bone
but it's always she who wants to be alone
I guess there's nothing for me to do
but tell her I'm never gonna be like you
CHORUS:
cause she's the queen of the golden hall
and me, I'm just a crack in the wall
she's the queen of the golden hall
hey I'm just a crack in the wall
Merry Christmas, etc, and HAPPY NEW YEAR. It ought to be a good one!
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. Last time I praised Mr. 103, but today I have to praise Mr. 104! Yes indeed, Martin Brodeur broke the shutout record set by Terry Sawchuck all those years ago. It was a gorgeous 4-0 smoking of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
28 December 2009
09 December 2009
Dream Come True
Hola a todos!
So, you know how kids go through growth spurts? For example, my sister and I never really grew during the school year in elementary school, but then summer came and we shot up a foot every year (amazing what a little food, sun, and water will do, right?). That's how I am with my songwriting. I'll go weeks without time or inspiration for a song, and then one night I'll get a brilliant idea and before I know it, I can't write or type fast enough to capture all of the phrases and rhymes that are growing in my mind and then I don't go to sleep until three in the morning because I want to perfect what I've come up with. Well, that's what happened last night. Yesterday morning, I got a wonderful inspiration for an opening to a love song and I didn't have time all day to write it down, until I was lying in bed with my iTouch and listening to Alan Jackson ("Remember When," "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," and "Chattahoochee") and song after song came to mind. So there I was, writing in my notes function, and trying to figure out if "thoughts" and "of" rhymes (it DOESN'T), and I ended up with two and a half songs.
Before I open up the curtains of that particular window into my heart, I'll go onto a section I really like, that of my telling you some songs I have fallen in love with recently. For one, I looked into Reba McEntire's newest album, Keep On Loving You, and my favourite songs on the album are, of course, "Strange" and "Consider Me Gone," but also "Over You," "She's Turning 50 Today," "Eight Crazy Hours (In the Story of Love)," and "Pink Guitar." But my newest favourite thing EVER is a fantastic artist you've heard of if you've been reading this blog at all, the talented and amazing Miranda Lambert. I got her newest album, Revolution, a few weeks ago, and I honestly fell in love with it. Every song from "White Liar" to "Virginia Bluebell" has such personality and honesty that you can't help but love it. Although I love the entire album, "White Liar," "Only Prettier," "Dead Flowers," "Airstream Song," "Making Plans," "The House that Built Me," "Love Song," and "That's the Way that the World Goes Round" stand out. I also recently rediscovered her other albums, Kerosene and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and I particularly like "Kerosene," "What About Georgia?," "New Strings," and "Me and Charlie Talking" from the first and "Famous in a Small Town" and "Desperation" from the latter.
Now, onto the part that I can't hold in any longer. I seriously couldn't fall asleep because I was so excited about this song. My sister has been asking me for a happy song, so Kristina, this one's for you (but it's not about you...).
Dream Come True
Yesterday I called you as I got in bed
We talked until just before I turned out the light
like we do every night
And then I called you right when I woke up
'cause there was another thing I just had to tell you
like I always do
CHORUS:
you're the first thing on my mind both day and night
and the only thought worth thinking about
have I told you lately, hon, that you're the one?
'cause being close to you is like a dream come true
today I heard a song that made me think of you
and the day we spent watching the first winter snow
with our hot cocoa
you built a fire in the fireplace
and it felt like heaven and everything was perfect
like it always is
CHORUS:
you're the first thing on my mind both day and night
and the only thought worth thinking about
have I told you lately, hon, that you're the one?
'cause being close to you is like a dream come true
BRIDGE:
just now I looked in your eyes and saw the future
and the promise of the life I can't wait to start with you
CHORUS:
you're the first thing on my mind both day and night
and the only thought worth thinking about
have I told you lately, hon, that you're the one?
'cause being close to you is like a dream come true
today you bought a ring and got on one knee
while you waited for your answer I let you guess
and it was yes
soon I'll buy a white dress and you a tux
you'll smile, and I'll cry, and we'll both say 'I do'
a dream come true...
So there it is. Comments, criticism, changes, congratulations all accepted with pride and pleasure.
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. I'm SO rooting for Bryan Voltaggio to be this season's Top Chef. The finale is tonight and I will go crazy if he wins. Or if he doesn't, come to think of it.
p.p.s. Travis Zajac has 9 goals and 16 assists, for 25 points. He's on par for a career season, and I'm so happy for him! Also, congratulations are in order for Mr. 103, none other than the exceptional Martin Brodeur.
p.p.p.s. The other songs I wrote last night were "I Think of You," which you'll see up here shortly, and "Superman," about my dad, but I haven't finished it (mostly because I began writing it in past tense and my dad is still, thankfully, very much alive, so I feel weird about that).
So, you know how kids go through growth spurts? For example, my sister and I never really grew during the school year in elementary school, but then summer came and we shot up a foot every year (amazing what a little food, sun, and water will do, right?). That's how I am with my songwriting. I'll go weeks without time or inspiration for a song, and then one night I'll get a brilliant idea and before I know it, I can't write or type fast enough to capture all of the phrases and rhymes that are growing in my mind and then I don't go to sleep until three in the morning because I want to perfect what I've come up with. Well, that's what happened last night. Yesterday morning, I got a wonderful inspiration for an opening to a love song and I didn't have time all day to write it down, until I was lying in bed with my iTouch and listening to Alan Jackson ("Remember When," "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," and "Chattahoochee") and song after song came to mind. So there I was, writing in my notes function, and trying to figure out if "thoughts" and "of" rhymes (it DOESN'T), and I ended up with two and a half songs.
Before I open up the curtains of that particular window into my heart, I'll go onto a section I really like, that of my telling you some songs I have fallen in love with recently. For one, I looked into Reba McEntire's newest album, Keep On Loving You, and my favourite songs on the album are, of course, "Strange" and "Consider Me Gone," but also "Over You," "She's Turning 50 Today," "Eight Crazy Hours (In the Story of Love)," and "Pink Guitar." But my newest favourite thing EVER is a fantastic artist you've heard of if you've been reading this blog at all, the talented and amazing Miranda Lambert. I got her newest album, Revolution, a few weeks ago, and I honestly fell in love with it. Every song from "White Liar" to "Virginia Bluebell" has such personality and honesty that you can't help but love it. Although I love the entire album, "White Liar," "Only Prettier," "Dead Flowers," "Airstream Song," "Making Plans," "The House that Built Me," "Love Song," and "That's the Way that the World Goes Round" stand out. I also recently rediscovered her other albums, Kerosene and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and I particularly like "Kerosene," "What About Georgia?," "New Strings," and "Me and Charlie Talking" from the first and "Famous in a Small Town" and "Desperation" from the latter.
Now, onto the part that I can't hold in any longer. I seriously couldn't fall asleep because I was so excited about this song. My sister has been asking me for a happy song, so Kristina, this one's for you (but it's not about you...).
Dream Come True
Yesterday I called you as I got in bed
We talked until just before I turned out the light
like we do every night
And then I called you right when I woke up
'cause there was another thing I just had to tell you
like I always do
CHORUS:
you're the first thing on my mind both day and night
and the only thought worth thinking about
have I told you lately, hon, that you're the one?
'cause being close to you is like a dream come true
today I heard a song that made me think of you
and the day we spent watching the first winter snow
with our hot cocoa
you built a fire in the fireplace
and it felt like heaven and everything was perfect
like it always is
CHORUS:
you're the first thing on my mind both day and night
and the only thought worth thinking about
have I told you lately, hon, that you're the one?
'cause being close to you is like a dream come true
BRIDGE:
just now I looked in your eyes and saw the future
and the promise of the life I can't wait to start with you
CHORUS:
you're the first thing on my mind both day and night
and the only thought worth thinking about
have I told you lately, hon, that you're the one?
'cause being close to you is like a dream come true
today you bought a ring and got on one knee
while you waited for your answer I let you guess
and it was yes
soon I'll buy a white dress and you a tux
you'll smile, and I'll cry, and we'll both say 'I do'
a dream come true...
So there it is. Comments, criticism, changes, congratulations all accepted with pride and pleasure.
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. I'm SO rooting for Bryan Voltaggio to be this season's Top Chef. The finale is tonight and I will go crazy if he wins. Or if he doesn't, come to think of it.
p.p.s. Travis Zajac has 9 goals and 16 assists, for 25 points. He's on par for a career season, and I'm so happy for him! Also, congratulations are in order for Mr. 103, none other than the exceptional Martin Brodeur.
p.p.p.s. The other songs I wrote last night were "I Think of You," which you'll see up here shortly, and "Superman," about my dad, but I haven't finished it (mostly because I began writing it in past tense and my dad is still, thankfully, very much alive, so I feel weird about that).
15 November 2009
The Battles I've Gotta Fight Alone
Hey there,
Wow. What a crazy few weeks it's been. So many things to mention, not the least of which is the CMAs that took place on Wednesday. Best three hours of my life! But I will get there in due time.
First, a few other notable news items to brush up on. For one, Taylor Swift has extended her Fearless tour to next year, with Gloriana and Kellie Pickler. For dates, you can check her website. Good luck getting tickets, though, as the shows are all virtually sold out. Speaking of Fearless, the album has been rereleased as a "Platinum Edition," with six new songs. These are "Untouchable," "Come in with the Rain," "Forever and Always" as a piano-only version, "Jump Then Fall," "SuperStar," and "The Other Side of the Door." My favourites are the last three, but it's Taylor, so of course the songs are amazing. One last bit of Taylor news is that she hosted SNL last week, as well as was the musical guest (she sang "You Belong with Me" and "Untouchable"). I haven't laughed that hard, probably EVER. Her monologue was wonderful, and I can't get the song out of my head. Here's a link to check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ss8CtwmOXg&feature=related
Garth Brooks has announced that he will be coming out of retirement, which is unbelievable. What a guy.
Recently, I have fallen in love with four new songs. These are "Strange" and "Consider Me Gone" by Reba McEntire, "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum, and "People Are Crazy," by Billy Currington. They're just wonderful songs, and I recommend them to anyone. The last one, "People Are Crazy," warrants many listenings, because the first time I listened to it, I didn't understand the ending, but now I think it's brilliant. Reba is just a classic, timeless artist and these songs are terrific. The Lady A song will be on the band's new album, which is set to be released in January, but I can't possibly wait that long.
Now, onto the CMAs. I must say, whenever I watch the CMAs, it's like I'm spending three hours with my best friends, and the world seems at peace. I'm not joking, that's really how it feels. Everything seems right. And no matter what is going on in my life, I forget it all during those few hours (it also helps that the Devils beat the Anaheim Ducks that night, by a score of 3-1). So, here we go. Let me share it with you. The show began with an explosive performance of "Forever and Always" by Taylor Swift. The second performance was Darius Rucker with "Alright," his third consecutive Number 1 hit. Miranda Lambert followed with her song, "White Liar" (the music video for which is awesome, and features Jamey Johnson). Host and all-around spectacular artist/guitar player/performer/person/dad/insertwordhere Brad Paisley burned up the stage next, with his unbelievable song "Welcome to the Future." The Zac Brown Band provided its take on the country classic, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" in a performance my sister couldn't stop complimenting and writing glowing things about. George Strait was next, with his song "Twang," from his new album that was released a few months ago. Following Mr. Strait was Lady Antebellum with their astounding new single "Need You Now," in a performance USA Today called "chilling." Host Carrie Underwood performed not my favourite song, "Cowboy Casanova," from her new album, Play On, in a performance I can only describe as, well, awful and whack. Vince Gill performed with Daughtry (yes, that Daughtry) next, singing "Tennessee Line," which they both wrote. The next performance was Keith Urban, singing "'Til Summer Comes Around." Then Tim McGraw returned to the stage of the CMAs for the first time in a while, singing "Southern Voice," the title song from his latest album. Sugarland continued its streak of great songs and performances with "Keep You," and this year I loved Jennifer Nettles' dress SO MUCH. The next performances was incredibly bittersweet, as it was Brooks and Dunn's last, ever, as a duo. They sang their classic hit, "Honky Tonk Stomp." Sadly enough, you could tell that they were like a couple going through trial separation, because their body language wasn't the same, and the performance wasn't as passionate as one would expect from such seasoned veterans as they are. Jamey Johnson was next, singing the song that caught my eye by him, "Between Jennings and Jones," with Kid Rock (yes, that Kid Rock). Taylor came back and sang, accompanied only by her own acoustic guitar (but that gorgeous one with her name written on the neck) and the voices of about 300 teenage girls and fans who were in the audience, "Fifteen." The next performance was "Big Green Tractor," by Jason Aldean. The next song was sung in honour of the latest inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame, in this case, Barbara Mandrell. Martina McBride sang "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" along with George Strait and the harmonica of Charlie McCoy, another inductee this year. Then came Reba McEntire with "Consider Me Gone," followed by Billy Currington and "People Are Crazy." Kenny Chesney closed out the show with his hit song "I'm Alive," with Dave Matthews (yes, that Dave Matthews).
It certainly was a cracker of a show. It was riddled with funny moments, surprises, and the best music in the world. But my favourite part was when Carrie told Brad that his video for "Welcome to the Future" was amazing, and he began to thank everyone involved for their contributions, but was interrupted by Little Jimmy Dickens, who proceeded to tell him that Taylor's video was the best of the year. I died laughing. Here's the video link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYfEc0dimFA. I suggest you watch it. Hi-LARIOUS!!
And here is my annual run-down of the winners of every category:
Musician of the Year: Mac McAnally
Music Video of the Year: "Love Story," Taylor Swift (that's one!)
Musical Event of the Year: "Start a Band," Brad Paisley with Keith Urban (deservedly so)
Song of the Year: "In Colour," Jamey Johnson
Album of the Year: Fearless, Taylor Swift (that's two!)
Single of the Year: "I Run to You," Lady Antebellum (the song that made me fall in love with the band in the first place)
Vocal Duo of the Year: Sugarland (Jennifer Nettles invited Brooks and Dunn to come up on stage with them, but they declined)
Vocal Group of the Year: Lady Antebellum (breaking Rascal Flatts' six-year streak)
New Artist of the Year: Darius Rucker (was anyone actually surprised by this??)
Female Vocalist of the Year: Taylor Swift (that's three!)
Male Vocalist of the Year: Brad Paisley (yay!!)
and...
Entertainer of the Year: TAYLOR SWIFT!!!! (that's four!)
It really was Taylor's night. And what a night it was.
I always hate posting a song of mine after reliving the CMAs and remembering all of the stupendous songs, but last year I posted "Do You Feel Safer Now" after the CMAs, and I like to think that's one of my best ones. So here's this one.
Remember how I mentioned that no matter what kind of crap is going on in my life, country music makes it all go away and everything is right again, even if only for a little while? Well, this song is about the crap that this week was about, and I must say, it sure did put my faith in country music to the test. I have never been more unsure of myself, or more uneasy about everything I do, and I keep second-guessing myself more often than usual. I do everything for other people, and I try so hard to make myself fit what they want me to be, but somehow it never seems to be enough, and I'm still left the way I've always been. So, here goes.
The Battles I've Gotta Fight Alone
whenever I look in the mirror
I can see the beauty's not getting nearer
I change my hairstyle half a dozen times
and I try to fake all kinds of different smiles
the more I change, the more I say no
these are the battles I've gotta fight alone
I can feel people talking behind my back
what they say isn't true but they still laugh
they've singled me out but I don't know why
sometimes I put my head down and cry
now I'm looking over my shoulder everywhere I go
these are the battles I've gotta fight alone
CHORUS:
all those times no one will stand up for you
are the times you've got the most to lose
take it from me, you're your own worst enemy
but I can't let myself give it up and let go
just another battle I've gotta fight alone
everytime I say a few small words
trying to be friendly I'm never heard
I play music to have something beside me
and I make friends with all the sad melodies
'cause I've got no one, standing on my own
these are the battles I've gotta fight alone
CHORUS:
all those times no one will stand up for you
are the times you've got the most to lose
take it from me, you're your own worst enemy
but I can't let myself give it up and let go
just another battle I've gotta fight alone
yeah, these are the battles I've gotta fight alone
I just noticed, there's no bridge in this song. When's the last time I haven't had a bridge? I just don't think one belongs here, and I don't know what I would write in it. Bridges are departures, either musically or lyrically or both, from the rest of the song. I don't have a departure from this.
So, please let me know what you think. Seeing as I'm still here, I figure that's the least I deserve. Everything is welcome!
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. Tomorrow: going for 10-0 on the road, baby! I know we can make it happen.
Wow. What a crazy few weeks it's been. So many things to mention, not the least of which is the CMAs that took place on Wednesday. Best three hours of my life! But I will get there in due time.
First, a few other notable news items to brush up on. For one, Taylor Swift has extended her Fearless tour to next year, with Gloriana and Kellie Pickler. For dates, you can check her website. Good luck getting tickets, though, as the shows are all virtually sold out. Speaking of Fearless, the album has been rereleased as a "Platinum Edition," with six new songs. These are "Untouchable," "Come in with the Rain," "Forever and Always" as a piano-only version, "Jump Then Fall," "SuperStar," and "The Other Side of the Door." My favourites are the last three, but it's Taylor, so of course the songs are amazing. One last bit of Taylor news is that she hosted SNL last week, as well as was the musical guest (she sang "You Belong with Me" and "Untouchable"). I haven't laughed that hard, probably EVER. Her monologue was wonderful, and I can't get the song out of my head. Here's a link to check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ss8CtwmOXg&feature=related
Garth Brooks has announced that he will be coming out of retirement, which is unbelievable. What a guy.
Recently, I have fallen in love with four new songs. These are "Strange" and "Consider Me Gone" by Reba McEntire, "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum, and "People Are Crazy," by Billy Currington. They're just wonderful songs, and I recommend them to anyone. The last one, "People Are Crazy," warrants many listenings, because the first time I listened to it, I didn't understand the ending, but now I think it's brilliant. Reba is just a classic, timeless artist and these songs are terrific. The Lady A song will be on the band's new album, which is set to be released in January, but I can't possibly wait that long.
Now, onto the CMAs. I must say, whenever I watch the CMAs, it's like I'm spending three hours with my best friends, and the world seems at peace. I'm not joking, that's really how it feels. Everything seems right. And no matter what is going on in my life, I forget it all during those few hours (it also helps that the Devils beat the Anaheim Ducks that night, by a score of 3-1). So, here we go. Let me share it with you. The show began with an explosive performance of "Forever and Always" by Taylor Swift. The second performance was Darius Rucker with "Alright," his third consecutive Number 1 hit. Miranda Lambert followed with her song, "White Liar" (the music video for which is awesome, and features Jamey Johnson). Host and all-around spectacular artist/guitar player/performer/person/dad/insertwordhere Brad Paisley burned up the stage next, with his unbelievable song "Welcome to the Future." The Zac Brown Band provided its take on the country classic, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" in a performance my sister couldn't stop complimenting and writing glowing things about. George Strait was next, with his song "Twang," from his new album that was released a few months ago. Following Mr. Strait was Lady Antebellum with their astounding new single "Need You Now," in a performance USA Today called "chilling." Host Carrie Underwood performed not my favourite song, "Cowboy Casanova," from her new album, Play On, in a performance I can only describe as, well, awful and whack. Vince Gill performed with Daughtry (yes, that Daughtry) next, singing "Tennessee Line," which they both wrote. The next performance was Keith Urban, singing "'Til Summer Comes Around." Then Tim McGraw returned to the stage of the CMAs for the first time in a while, singing "Southern Voice," the title song from his latest album. Sugarland continued its streak of great songs and performances with "Keep You," and this year I loved Jennifer Nettles' dress SO MUCH. The next performances was incredibly bittersweet, as it was Brooks and Dunn's last, ever, as a duo. They sang their classic hit, "Honky Tonk Stomp." Sadly enough, you could tell that they were like a couple going through trial separation, because their body language wasn't the same, and the performance wasn't as passionate as one would expect from such seasoned veterans as they are. Jamey Johnson was next, singing the song that caught my eye by him, "Between Jennings and Jones," with Kid Rock (yes, that Kid Rock). Taylor came back and sang, accompanied only by her own acoustic guitar (but that gorgeous one with her name written on the neck) and the voices of about 300 teenage girls and fans who were in the audience, "Fifteen." The next performance was "Big Green Tractor," by Jason Aldean. The next song was sung in honour of the latest inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame, in this case, Barbara Mandrell. Martina McBride sang "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" along with George Strait and the harmonica of Charlie McCoy, another inductee this year. Then came Reba McEntire with "Consider Me Gone," followed by Billy Currington and "People Are Crazy." Kenny Chesney closed out the show with his hit song "I'm Alive," with Dave Matthews (yes, that Dave Matthews).
It certainly was a cracker of a show. It was riddled with funny moments, surprises, and the best music in the world. But my favourite part was when Carrie told Brad that his video for "Welcome to the Future" was amazing, and he began to thank everyone involved for their contributions, but was interrupted by Little Jimmy Dickens, who proceeded to tell him that Taylor's video was the best of the year. I died laughing. Here's the video link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYfEc0dimFA. I suggest you watch it. Hi-LARIOUS!!
And here is my annual run-down of the winners of every category:
Musician of the Year: Mac McAnally
Music Video of the Year: "Love Story," Taylor Swift (that's one!)
Musical Event of the Year: "Start a Band," Brad Paisley with Keith Urban (deservedly so)
Song of the Year: "In Colour," Jamey Johnson
Album of the Year: Fearless, Taylor Swift (that's two!)
Single of the Year: "I Run to You," Lady Antebellum (the song that made me fall in love with the band in the first place)
Vocal Duo of the Year: Sugarland (Jennifer Nettles invited Brooks and Dunn to come up on stage with them, but they declined)
Vocal Group of the Year: Lady Antebellum (breaking Rascal Flatts' six-year streak)
New Artist of the Year: Darius Rucker (was anyone actually surprised by this??)
Female Vocalist of the Year: Taylor Swift (that's three!)
Male Vocalist of the Year: Brad Paisley (yay!!)
and...
Entertainer of the Year: TAYLOR SWIFT!!!! (that's four!)
It really was Taylor's night. And what a night it was.
I always hate posting a song of mine after reliving the CMAs and remembering all of the stupendous songs, but last year I posted "Do You Feel Safer Now" after the CMAs, and I like to think that's one of my best ones. So here's this one.
Remember how I mentioned that no matter what kind of crap is going on in my life, country music makes it all go away and everything is right again, even if only for a little while? Well, this song is about the crap that this week was about, and I must say, it sure did put my faith in country music to the test. I have never been more unsure of myself, or more uneasy about everything I do, and I keep second-guessing myself more often than usual. I do everything for other people, and I try so hard to make myself fit what they want me to be, but somehow it never seems to be enough, and I'm still left the way I've always been. So, here goes.
The Battles I've Gotta Fight Alone
whenever I look in the mirror
I can see the beauty's not getting nearer
I change my hairstyle half a dozen times
and I try to fake all kinds of different smiles
the more I change, the more I say no
these are the battles I've gotta fight alone
I can feel people talking behind my back
what they say isn't true but they still laugh
they've singled me out but I don't know why
sometimes I put my head down and cry
now I'm looking over my shoulder everywhere I go
these are the battles I've gotta fight alone
CHORUS:
all those times no one will stand up for you
are the times you've got the most to lose
take it from me, you're your own worst enemy
but I can't let myself give it up and let go
just another battle I've gotta fight alone
everytime I say a few small words
trying to be friendly I'm never heard
I play music to have something beside me
and I make friends with all the sad melodies
'cause I've got no one, standing on my own
these are the battles I've gotta fight alone
CHORUS:
all those times no one will stand up for you
are the times you've got the most to lose
take it from me, you're your own worst enemy
but I can't let myself give it up and let go
just another battle I've gotta fight alone
yeah, these are the battles I've gotta fight alone
I just noticed, there's no bridge in this song. When's the last time I haven't had a bridge? I just don't think one belongs here, and I don't know what I would write in it. Bridges are departures, either musically or lyrically or both, from the rest of the song. I don't have a departure from this.
So, please let me know what you think. Seeing as I'm still here, I figure that's the least I deserve. Everything is welcome!
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. Tomorrow: going for 10-0 on the road, baby! I know we can make it happen.
21 October 2009
Danielle's Song (Apple a Day)
Yup, I'm back.
I had a really crazy and terrific dream that included Brad Paisley and Lady Antebellum, the CMAs, and Andy Schleck, which persuaded me to keep going with this blog, and voila last night I wrote a song and I love it.
I don't really have any country news here, mostly because there hasn't really been anything going on. Gloriana has released a new music video for "How Far Do You Wanna Go?" I love the song. Miranda Lambert has released a shining new album, Revolution. She's amazing, she really is.
But I do want to go onto the song.
Yesterday, I found out that a girl I had become really good friends with had to take a medical leave of absence and that I'll probably never see her again. I didn't even get to say goodbye to her. She was incredible, beautiful, and a wonderful person to be around. We played the card game spit (and sometimes we played Texas Hold 'Em with the guys) together on Saturday nights, and she had the kindest heart I've ever known. So I never saw it coming. It's always like that, isn't it?
I'm still really upset, and I took it really hard when I read she was gone. So, how did I deal with it? Like I always do, in a song.
Oh, and her name was Danielle.
Danielle's Song (Apple a Day)
It's the final card shuffled in the deck
It's the kindness of a shared blanket
It's a question we've left unanswered
It's the pirouette of a tiny dancer
It's coming home and finding a letter
from a friend that you wish you'd known better
cause if you had, maybe you could've helped her
and then you and she could've been happier
It's her laugh before a lengthy silence
It's a poker face before she wins the chips
It's the warmth of a cup of chocolate
It's an umbrella against the cold wind
It's coming home and finding a letter
from a friend you know you should've known better
and seen the smile followed by the regret, or
been the one that could've tried to help her
It's two armchairs facing the TV
It's a walk downstairs in your bare feet
It's an ice cream cake with your name
It's the high five right after the game
It's coming home and finding a letter
from a friend that you wish you'd known better
cause you should've been able to prevent her
from leaving but now you go on without her
don't you know an apple a day keeps the doctor away
I'm sure that she's heard it before
but there's not a whole lot that the doctor can say
when she doesn't eat anything more
I really wanted it to be a "punch you in the stomach" kind of song, like the music video for Reba McEntire's song, "What Do You Say?" (If you don't know what I'm talking about, look it up on youtube. If you don't feel like you've been punched in the stomach, you're heartless/psychic.) I hope it did end up like I wanted it to. I also wanted the song to be a show, not tell song. Because I never explicitely say what Danielle was dealing with. Did you figure it out?
I'm not all too sure what "it" is, the recurring "it" in my song. I think I meant it as our friendship. All of the "it"s that I mention above are facets of our friendship, things I'll never forget. But I suppose you can also take "it" to be life; as in, it's all these things and then POW something major happens and you can't figure it out.
Once again, questions/comments/criticism/anything else is very much appreciated.
Much love and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. Travis Zajac is the best forward on the Devils, and Zach is overrated. And I think it's unfair that Trav is the only member of ZZPop no longer on the line. Say what you can about Dainius Zubrus, he is no fair replacement. And Patty, get well soon!
I had a really crazy and terrific dream that included Brad Paisley and Lady Antebellum, the CMAs, and Andy Schleck, which persuaded me to keep going with this blog, and voila last night I wrote a song and I love it.
I don't really have any country news here, mostly because there hasn't really been anything going on. Gloriana has released a new music video for "How Far Do You Wanna Go?" I love the song. Miranda Lambert has released a shining new album, Revolution. She's amazing, she really is.
But I do want to go onto the song.
Yesterday, I found out that a girl I had become really good friends with had to take a medical leave of absence and that I'll probably never see her again. I didn't even get to say goodbye to her. She was incredible, beautiful, and a wonderful person to be around. We played the card game spit (and sometimes we played Texas Hold 'Em with the guys) together on Saturday nights, and she had the kindest heart I've ever known. So I never saw it coming. It's always like that, isn't it?
I'm still really upset, and I took it really hard when I read she was gone. So, how did I deal with it? Like I always do, in a song.
Oh, and her name was Danielle.
Danielle's Song (Apple a Day)
It's the final card shuffled in the deck
It's the kindness of a shared blanket
It's a question we've left unanswered
It's the pirouette of a tiny dancer
It's coming home and finding a letter
from a friend that you wish you'd known better
cause if you had, maybe you could've helped her
and then you and she could've been happier
It's her laugh before a lengthy silence
It's a poker face before she wins the chips
It's the warmth of a cup of chocolate
It's an umbrella against the cold wind
It's coming home and finding a letter
from a friend you know you should've known better
and seen the smile followed by the regret, or
been the one that could've tried to help her
It's two armchairs facing the TV
It's a walk downstairs in your bare feet
It's an ice cream cake with your name
It's the high five right after the game
It's coming home and finding a letter
from a friend that you wish you'd known better
cause you should've been able to prevent her
from leaving but now you go on without her
don't you know an apple a day keeps the doctor away
I'm sure that she's heard it before
but there's not a whole lot that the doctor can say
when she doesn't eat anything more
I really wanted it to be a "punch you in the stomach" kind of song, like the music video for Reba McEntire's song, "What Do You Say?" (If you don't know what I'm talking about, look it up on youtube. If you don't feel like you've been punched in the stomach, you're heartless/psychic.) I hope it did end up like I wanted it to. I also wanted the song to be a show, not tell song. Because I never explicitely say what Danielle was dealing with. Did you figure it out?
I'm not all too sure what "it" is, the recurring "it" in my song. I think I meant it as our friendship. All of the "it"s that I mention above are facets of our friendship, things I'll never forget. But I suppose you can also take "it" to be life; as in, it's all these things and then POW something major happens and you can't figure it out.
Once again, questions/comments/criticism/anything else is very much appreciated.
Much love and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. Travis Zajac is the best forward on the Devils, and Zach is overrated. And I think it's unfair that Trav is the only member of ZZPop no longer on the line. Say what you can about Dainius Zubrus, he is no fair replacement. And Patty, get well soon!
24 September 2009
According to Plan (Fit the Mold)
Hi there.
As I was compiling all of the information to put into the book for my sister, I noticed a trend in some song titles. Many of them had parentheses. Examples? "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," Alan Jackson, "The Night Before (Life Goes On)," Carrie Underwood; "(If You're Not in it for Love) I'm Outta Here," and "Don't Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)," Shania Twain; "In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)," Dolly Parton; "Last Dollar (Fly Away)," Tim McGraw... the list could literally go on forever, but I'll stop there, because I'm sure that you get the point. I was inspired and slightly influenced by all the parentheses (and because at four in the morning, you can be impressed by anything), which were my favourite type of punctuation to begin with, and I really wanted to write a song with parentheses in the title. I wrote titles that I really liked but couldn't find a reason to write the song to go along with it, but this song I wrote first and then decided to do a parenthesized (pretend that's a word) title.
I will not go into the background on this song, due to the fact that...I simply don't want to go there again. Something happened yesterday, and I couldn't go to sleep because my mind kept dwelling on it, so I did what I do to deal with everything, and that is to write a song. This was, once again, written on my iTouch, with the Notes function.
It's slightly similar to the theme of "Now I Understand," and the introduction to that song could fit quite well with the introduction to this one.
According to Plan (Fit the Mold)
don't look at me like you're judging me
cause none of this was ever really real
one of us had to take that path
either them or me so I did the math
it was a question of right or wrong
and my answer simply took too long
PRE-CHORUS (look to "Fall in Love with Someone Else" for an explanation):
and every time I open my mouth
I fall deeper into the trap you laid out
tell me how does it feel, my man
when it all goes according to plan
CHORUS:
do you know sometimes I cry at night
and I got burned when I put up a fight
while you just go along with the flow
yet you're too stiff to even fit the mold
don't talk to me like I'm the stupid one
even if it's the way you have your fun
one of us had to go there
without the expected fanfare
what would you say if I asked the questions
can't imagine it'd be worth a mention
PRE-CHORUS:
and every time I open my mouth
I fall deeper into the trap you laid out
tell me how does it feel, my man
when it all goes according to plan
CHORUS:
do you know sometimes I cry at night
and I got burned when I put up a fight
while you just go along with the flow
you're too stiff to even fit the mold
BRIDGE:
they never tell you when to speak out
or about the moments to close your mouth
the best way to learn is the hard way
don't blame me when I make a mistake
CHORUS:
do you know sometimes I cry at night
and I get burned when I put up a fight
while you just go along with the flow
you're too stiff to even fit the mold
PRE-CHORUS:
and every time I open my mouth
I fall deeper into the trap you laid out
tell me how does it feel, my man
when it all goes according to your plan
CHORUS:
do you know sometimes I cry at night
and I got burned when I put up a fight
while you just go along with the flow
you're too stiff to even fit the mold
I don't know how or why it is, but my last few songs (with the exception of "What Now, Romeo") have been quite the deep, philosophical songs. Do you like this, or would you rather I be frivolous? Tell me everything you think I need to hear, and criticism/comments/compliments/cynicism are all accepted with equal glee.
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. I know there wasn't any country news in this post, but I didn't feel like harping on the VMA incident, and there was nothing else I could think of. If you have anything better, please let me know, and I will put it in.
As I was compiling all of the information to put into the book for my sister, I noticed a trend in some song titles. Many of them had parentheses. Examples? "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," Alan Jackson, "The Night Before (Life Goes On)," Carrie Underwood; "(If You're Not in it for Love) I'm Outta Here," and "Don't Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)," Shania Twain; "In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)," Dolly Parton; "Last Dollar (Fly Away)," Tim McGraw... the list could literally go on forever, but I'll stop there, because I'm sure that you get the point. I was inspired and slightly influenced by all the parentheses (and because at four in the morning, you can be impressed by anything), which were my favourite type of punctuation to begin with, and I really wanted to write a song with parentheses in the title. I wrote titles that I really liked but couldn't find a reason to write the song to go along with it, but this song I wrote first and then decided to do a parenthesized (pretend that's a word) title.
I will not go into the background on this song, due to the fact that...I simply don't want to go there again. Something happened yesterday, and I couldn't go to sleep because my mind kept dwelling on it, so I did what I do to deal with everything, and that is to write a song. This was, once again, written on my iTouch, with the Notes function.
It's slightly similar to the theme of "Now I Understand," and the introduction to that song could fit quite well with the introduction to this one.
According to Plan (Fit the Mold)
don't look at me like you're judging me
cause none of this was ever really real
one of us had to take that path
either them or me so I did the math
it was a question of right or wrong
and my answer simply took too long
PRE-CHORUS (look to "Fall in Love with Someone Else" for an explanation):
and every time I open my mouth
I fall deeper into the trap you laid out
tell me how does it feel, my man
when it all goes according to plan
CHORUS:
do you know sometimes I cry at night
and I got burned when I put up a fight
while you just go along with the flow
yet you're too stiff to even fit the mold
don't talk to me like I'm the stupid one
even if it's the way you have your fun
one of us had to go there
without the expected fanfare
what would you say if I asked the questions
can't imagine it'd be worth a mention
PRE-CHORUS:
and every time I open my mouth
I fall deeper into the trap you laid out
tell me how does it feel, my man
when it all goes according to plan
CHORUS:
do you know sometimes I cry at night
and I got burned when I put up a fight
while you just go along with the flow
you're too stiff to even fit the mold
BRIDGE:
they never tell you when to speak out
or about the moments to close your mouth
the best way to learn is the hard way
don't blame me when I make a mistake
CHORUS:
do you know sometimes I cry at night
and I get burned when I put up a fight
while you just go along with the flow
you're too stiff to even fit the mold
PRE-CHORUS:
and every time I open my mouth
I fall deeper into the trap you laid out
tell me how does it feel, my man
when it all goes according to your plan
CHORUS:
do you know sometimes I cry at night
and I got burned when I put up a fight
while you just go along with the flow
you're too stiff to even fit the mold
I don't know how or why it is, but my last few songs (with the exception of "What Now, Romeo") have been quite the deep, philosophical songs. Do you like this, or would you rather I be frivolous? Tell me everything you think I need to hear, and criticism/comments/compliments/cynicism are all accepted with equal glee.
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. I know there wasn't any country news in this post, but I didn't feel like harping on the VMA incident, and there was nothing else I could think of. If you have anything better, please let me know, and I will put it in.
12 September 2009
Invisible
Hi there.
There's a whole bunch of country news for this post, the most important of which is the fact that the nominations for the CMAs came out earlier this week. The show will be broadcast live on November 11th (I will be watching - will you?). To summarize the nominations, Brad Paisley leads with six, and Taylor Swift, Jamey Johnson, George Strait, and the Zac Brown Band all have four. In the most important categories:
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Taylor Swift (first female since Faith Hill in 2000)
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Darius Rucker
George Strait
Keith Urban
Album of the Year
American Saturday Night, Brad Paisley
Defying Gravity, Keith Urban
Fearless, Taylor Swift
Love on the Inside, Sugarland
That Lonesome Song, Jamey Johnson
Single of the Year
"Chicken Fried," Zac Brown Band
"I Run To You," Lady Antebellum
"In Color," Jamey Johnson
"People Are Crazy," Billy Currington
"Then," Brad Paisley
Song of the Year
"Chicken Fried," Zac Brown Band
"I Told You So," Randy Travis
"In Color," Jamey Johnson
"People Are Crazy," Billy Currington
"Then," Brad Paisley
Well, that's the summary of the major categories. The full list is available here: http://www.cmaawards.com/nominees.pdf. I can't wait for it! But I also don't know for whom I'm rooting, because I know everyone and all the songs and albums and love them all.
In the past few days, I've discovered a new single by Lady Antebellum, "I Was Here." It's absolutely beautiful, and depicts everything I've ever felt: "I wanna do something that matters / say something different / something that sets the whole world on its ear / I wanna do something better with the time I've been given / and I wanna try to touch a few hearts in this life / leave nothing less than something that says 'I was here'." Who hasn't felt that way? I've also found other songs from Gloriana's debut album: "How Far Do You Wanna Go" and "The Way it Goes." In case you were wondering, "Mary's Song (Oh My My My)" is once again at the top of my top 25 most-played songs. That and "Every Time I Hear Your Name" are my two most favourite, time-tested favourite, songs. Another song I absolutely love, but that's a bit heart-wrenching, is Alan Jackson's "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)." It's about Sept. 11, so I guess it's fitting in this post. Diamond Rio's "One More Day" is also a very lovely song.
I also want to say that the views I expressed in my last post, the ones above the line, came about in a fit of feeling insignificant and unimportant to anyone and everyone. And I felt as though if only 1 person found me important enough, that's all I'd need in life. I also thought that if only one other person believed in me - and felt strongly enough to let me know often - that I'd find it easier to believe in myself.
Behold, this song about that feeling. I wrote this song around the way I feel (explained further down the page) and around one line that appears four times in the song, a line that I created way back in May. And I wrote this song in the old-fashioned way, in my notebook, with cross-outs and arrows and numberings. Maybe I'll scan it in so you can see. It felt good, like I was revisiting an old friend.
I don't mind spending time alone - in fact, I prefer my own company to that of many other people, but it doesn't make me antisocial. On the other hand, it makes me appreciate the company of others when I have it (if it's desirable, of course). So I thought I'd write this song, about wishing someone saw me - that is, the narrator of the song - for what I am and who I am, try as I might to hide and pretend to be invisible. I do that, you know. I try to occupy as little space as possible.
Invisible
when I woke up today it was raining outside
it's easier to get lost on a day like this
so I wore a grey shirt and did my best to hide
but I walked down the street and hoped to be noticed
cause you've known me so much longer than I've known myself
CHORUS:
but if I were invisible, would you still see me
if I tried to hide, would you promise to find me
am I special enough, am I worth it for you
if I were invisible, would you know what to do
I stayed home tonight just like I did last Friday
because there was nowhere I needed to be
I passed the time listening to the radio play
and I wished for you to try and reach me
cause you've known me so much longer than I've known myself
CHORUS:
but if I were invisible, would you still see me
if I tried to hide, would you promise to find me
am I special enough, am I worth it for you
if I were invisible, would you know what to do
BRIDGE:
because I know it's hard to see a girl like me
waiting for you to make the first move isn't easy
but you've known me so much longer than I've known myself
which is why I want you there tonight when I discard my shell
tonight I vowed I'll change my quiet ways
as I dressed in bright yellow and sang a new song
because you told me you can't wait to say
"just wait, baby girl and I'll prove you wrong
cause I've known you so much longer than you've known yourself
CHORUS:
and if you were invisible, I would still see you
if you tried to hide, I'd know what to do
cause you're special enough, and you're worth it for me
if you were invisible, you're all that I'd see
if you were invisible, you're all that I'd see"
I make it end happily for my character. Here's to happy endings.
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. I woke up this morning to buy my ticket for the October 12th hockey game at Verizon Center, the New Jersey Devils at the Washington Capitals. If you're going to be there, you'll find me in section 107, row W, seat 15. I'll be wearing a Devils shirt, because I don't have a jersey. But a month ago, I didn't even have the shirt. Look for me.
There's a whole bunch of country news for this post, the most important of which is the fact that the nominations for the CMAs came out earlier this week. The show will be broadcast live on November 11th (I will be watching - will you?). To summarize the nominations, Brad Paisley leads with six, and Taylor Swift, Jamey Johnson, George Strait, and the Zac Brown Band all have four. In the most important categories:
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Taylor Swift (first female since Faith Hill in 2000)
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Darius Rucker
George Strait
Keith Urban
Album of the Year
American Saturday Night, Brad Paisley
Defying Gravity, Keith Urban
Fearless, Taylor Swift
Love on the Inside, Sugarland
That Lonesome Song, Jamey Johnson
Single of the Year
"Chicken Fried," Zac Brown Band
"I Run To You," Lady Antebellum
"In Color," Jamey Johnson
"People Are Crazy," Billy Currington
"Then," Brad Paisley
Song of the Year
"Chicken Fried," Zac Brown Band
"I Told You So," Randy Travis
"In Color," Jamey Johnson
"People Are Crazy," Billy Currington
"Then," Brad Paisley
Well, that's the summary of the major categories. The full list is available here: http://www.cmaawards.com/nominees.pdf. I can't wait for it! But I also don't know for whom I'm rooting, because I know everyone and all the songs and albums and love them all.
In the past few days, I've discovered a new single by Lady Antebellum, "I Was Here." It's absolutely beautiful, and depicts everything I've ever felt: "I wanna do something that matters / say something different / something that sets the whole world on its ear / I wanna do something better with the time I've been given / and I wanna try to touch a few hearts in this life / leave nothing less than something that says 'I was here'." Who hasn't felt that way? I've also found other songs from Gloriana's debut album: "How Far Do You Wanna Go" and "The Way it Goes." In case you were wondering, "Mary's Song (Oh My My My)" is once again at the top of my top 25 most-played songs. That and "Every Time I Hear Your Name" are my two most favourite, time-tested favourite, songs. Another song I absolutely love, but that's a bit heart-wrenching, is Alan Jackson's "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)." It's about Sept. 11, so I guess it's fitting in this post. Diamond Rio's "One More Day" is also a very lovely song.
I also want to say that the views I expressed in my last post, the ones above the line, came about in a fit of feeling insignificant and unimportant to anyone and everyone. And I felt as though if only 1 person found me important enough, that's all I'd need in life. I also thought that if only one other person believed in me - and felt strongly enough to let me know often - that I'd find it easier to believe in myself.
Behold, this song about that feeling. I wrote this song around the way I feel (explained further down the page) and around one line that appears four times in the song, a line that I created way back in May. And I wrote this song in the old-fashioned way, in my notebook, with cross-outs and arrows and numberings. Maybe I'll scan it in so you can see. It felt good, like I was revisiting an old friend.
I don't mind spending time alone - in fact, I prefer my own company to that of many other people, but it doesn't make me antisocial. On the other hand, it makes me appreciate the company of others when I have it (if it's desirable, of course). So I thought I'd write this song, about wishing someone saw me - that is, the narrator of the song - for what I am and who I am, try as I might to hide and pretend to be invisible. I do that, you know. I try to occupy as little space as possible.
Invisible
when I woke up today it was raining outside
it's easier to get lost on a day like this
so I wore a grey shirt and did my best to hide
but I walked down the street and hoped to be noticed
cause you've known me so much longer than I've known myself
CHORUS:
but if I were invisible, would you still see me
if I tried to hide, would you promise to find me
am I special enough, am I worth it for you
if I were invisible, would you know what to do
I stayed home tonight just like I did last Friday
because there was nowhere I needed to be
I passed the time listening to the radio play
and I wished for you to try and reach me
cause you've known me so much longer than I've known myself
CHORUS:
but if I were invisible, would you still see me
if I tried to hide, would you promise to find me
am I special enough, am I worth it for you
if I were invisible, would you know what to do
BRIDGE:
because I know it's hard to see a girl like me
waiting for you to make the first move isn't easy
but you've known me so much longer than I've known myself
which is why I want you there tonight when I discard my shell
tonight I vowed I'll change my quiet ways
as I dressed in bright yellow and sang a new song
because you told me you can't wait to say
"just wait, baby girl and I'll prove you wrong
cause I've known you so much longer than you've known yourself
CHORUS:
and if you were invisible, I would still see you
if you tried to hide, I'd know what to do
cause you're special enough, and you're worth it for me
if you were invisible, you're all that I'd see
if you were invisible, you're all that I'd see"
I make it end happily for my character. Here's to happy endings.
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. I woke up this morning to buy my ticket for the October 12th hockey game at Verizon Center, the New Jersey Devils at the Washington Capitals. If you're going to be there, you'll find me in section 107, row W, seat 15. I'll be wearing a Devils shirt, because I don't have a jersey. But a month ago, I didn't even have the shirt. Look for me.
05 September 2009
What Now, Romeo
Hi there.
I'm in the middle of watching the 2005 film "Walk the Line," starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. For those who don't know (and I don't know why you wouldn't), the film is about Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. The music is brilliant, and the acting is phenomenal. Joaquin sounds exactly like the "Man in Black" himself.
The film also brought to light something I knew before but was reinforced: a person needs someone to validate his/her actions, someone to affirm that what s/he is doing is worth it. This blog is only worthwhile as long as someone is reading it (and I don't count). A person's dreams are only as good as the person who believes in them. A heart is only as beautiful as the actions it initiates. Love doesn't count if it is unrequited.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recently, I've fallen completely in love with the song "Do You Believe Me Now" by Jimmy Wayne. I recommend it.
You know what I think is really cool, but it doesn't actually mean anything? Alabama has a song "The Woman He Loves," whereas I have a song named "The Girl He Likes." Nothing but coincidence, but I think it's cool.
The song I have for you is probably not my best one. I was talking to a friend, and he was telling me about how the girl he asked out said yes but then stood him up (we were hanging out on the very same night he was supposed to meet up with her, so I guess all I was was a stand-in), to which I said "So what now, Romeo?" And I thought that was an awesome line, so I wrote it down, mentally, and began the song that night and finished it the next day.
In the song, Romeo refers to someone who is trying to do his best in terms of love, and is trying to be cool but failing miserably. It's someone who thinks he knows what it takes to have someone fall for him, but in reality he hasn't got a clue.
What Now, Romeo
she's got her bags ready to go
you're no longer her Romeo
and she's waiting for goodbye
so you kiss her one last time,
and you plead and beg her to stay
she heard what you had to say
but she's leavin' anyway
CHORUS:
so what now, Romeo
where do you go from here
shed a tear, wait a year
mostly take it slow
oh what now, Romeo
two years and you're done waiting
ready to try the Romeo thing
you go down to the local bar
in your flashy new red sports car
not a single girl looks twice
they say they think you're nice
but they're all cold as ice
CHORUS:
so what now, Romeo
where do you go from here
shed a tear, wait a year
mostly take it slow
oh, what now, Romeo
BRIDGE:
you lost your touch the day your love walked away
now you can't remember how to play the game
CHORUS:
so what now, Romeo
where do you go from here
shed a tear, wait a year
mostly just take it slow
oh, what now, Romeo
what now, Romeo
oh, Romeo Romeo
This is another song I've written on my iTouch. Power to electronic gadgets.
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. I guess that means that I've never been in love. What a sobering thought.
I'm in the middle of watching the 2005 film "Walk the Line," starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. For those who don't know (and I don't know why you wouldn't), the film is about Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. The music is brilliant, and the acting is phenomenal. Joaquin sounds exactly like the "Man in Black" himself.
The film also brought to light something I knew before but was reinforced: a person needs someone to validate his/her actions, someone to affirm that what s/he is doing is worth it. This blog is only worthwhile as long as someone is reading it (and I don't count). A person's dreams are only as good as the person who believes in them. A heart is only as beautiful as the actions it initiates. Love doesn't count if it is unrequited.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recently, I've fallen completely in love with the song "Do You Believe Me Now" by Jimmy Wayne. I recommend it.
You know what I think is really cool, but it doesn't actually mean anything? Alabama has a song "The Woman He Loves," whereas I have a song named "The Girl He Likes." Nothing but coincidence, but I think it's cool.
The song I have for you is probably not my best one. I was talking to a friend, and he was telling me about how the girl he asked out said yes but then stood him up (we were hanging out on the very same night he was supposed to meet up with her, so I guess all I was was a stand-in), to which I said "So what now, Romeo?" And I thought that was an awesome line, so I wrote it down, mentally, and began the song that night and finished it the next day.
In the song, Romeo refers to someone who is trying to do his best in terms of love, and is trying to be cool but failing miserably. It's someone who thinks he knows what it takes to have someone fall for him, but in reality he hasn't got a clue.
What Now, Romeo
she's got her bags ready to go
you're no longer her Romeo
and she's waiting for goodbye
so you kiss her one last time,
and you plead and beg her to stay
she heard what you had to say
but she's leavin' anyway
CHORUS:
so what now, Romeo
where do you go from here
shed a tear, wait a year
mostly take it slow
oh what now, Romeo
two years and you're done waiting
ready to try the Romeo thing
you go down to the local bar
in your flashy new red sports car
not a single girl looks twice
they say they think you're nice
but they're all cold as ice
CHORUS:
so what now, Romeo
where do you go from here
shed a tear, wait a year
mostly take it slow
oh, what now, Romeo
BRIDGE:
you lost your touch the day your love walked away
now you can't remember how to play the game
CHORUS:
so what now, Romeo
where do you go from here
shed a tear, wait a year
mostly just take it slow
oh, what now, Romeo
what now, Romeo
oh, Romeo Romeo
This is another song I've written on my iTouch. Power to electronic gadgets.
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. I guess that means that I've never been in love. What a sobering thought.
02 September 2009
Now I Understand
Yeah, I know. Four posts in three days?! I had a lot of time in which I didn't post but I wrote, so I've been fine-tuning songs I've written. For example, the one I'm going to post I began to write in July.
But first things first.
Did anyone watch the CMA Music Festival? I watched it live for the first time, and it was incredible. In case you missed it, I wrote down all the performances, so I can give you a recapitulation: The opening act was Kid Rock, with his crossover country hit "All Summer Long," the one which won the Wide Open Country award at this year's CMT Awards. Then was Sugarland with "It Happens," the song which made me fall in love with Jennifer and Kristian. After this was a segment in which Julianne Hough showed us her day around the Festival, including sound check and FanFest (and made me want that all the more). Jason Aldean sang "She's Country," followed by Taylor Swift and "You Belong With Me." Then was Lady Antebellum with "I Run to You," the song that made me aware of the band's existence and was stuck in my head for days after I first heard it. Darius Rucker sang his new single, "Alright," and then Miranda Lambert sang her new single, "Save Me." After this, Kenny Chesney had two songs, "Summertime" and "Young." He is such an amazing entertainer. Taylor Swift retook the stage and sang "Fifteen" with her acoustic guitar (which has 'Taylor' written on the neck - sweet!). Then was another segment, Kellie Pickler's day at the CMA Music Festival. Then was Martina McBride and her latest single, "Shine," followed by Dierks Bentley and "Sideways," and Reba McEntire and "Strange." Brooks and Dunn were the next performers (pre break-up annoucement), with "Play Something Country." Sugarland was back with their compilation of "Nightswimming" and "Joey," which I saw last week on CMT, where Jennifer Nettles wears a red cap. Making his CMA Festival debut was Jamey Johnson with his song "In Color." Next was the spectacular Brad Paisley, with two singles from his new album, "Then" and "American Saturday Night" (I don't think I mentioned it, but his new album, American Saturday Night was released on June 30 this year). Then Kid Rock sang "Picture" with Martina McBride, followed by another of his songs, which I didn't know because I'm not that familiar with his songs. If anyone remembers my post on the CMA Music Festival last year, you'll recall that I wrote about Taylor Swift's "new single" that she sang acoustically on the streets of Nashville before it was even recorded; and you should remember that it was "Love Story." She came back for a third time and she sang "Love Story" - onstage this time. Zac Brown Band was next, with "Chicken Fried." Trace Adkins (who is so built that when he's holding a microphone it looks almost comical) sang "Marry for Money." Then John Rich performed his "Shuttin' Detroit Down." An emotional reunion of the Judds, Wynonna and Naomi, followed. The last two performances were Jake Owen's "Eight Second Ride" and Kenny Chesney's "Beer in Mexico" (the song I can play!). So that was this year's CMA Music Festival. It was quite enjoyable. I was singing along.
Next up is something I promised in the last one, to put the title of the song I put on the Country Music For Dummies CD for my sister. So here goes:
Alabama - "My Home's in Alabama"
Alan Jackson - "Chattahoochee"
Ashton Shepherd - "Sounds So Good"
Big & Rich - "8th of November"
Billy Currington - "Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right"
Billy Ray Cyrus - "Achy Breaky Hearts"
Blake Shelton - "Austin"
Brad Paisley - "Waitin' on a Woman"
Brooks & Dunn - "Ain't Nothing 'Bout You"
Bucky Covington - "I'll Walk"
Carrie Underwood - "Before He Cheats"
Carter Twins - "Heart Like Memphis"
Chris Cagle - "My Life's Been A Country Song"
Chuck Wicks - "Stealing Cinderella"
Clint Black - "A Better Man"
Craig Morgan - "That's What I Love About Sunday"
Crystal Shawanda - "You Can Let Go"
Darius Rucker - "Don't Think I Don't Think About It"
Diamond Rio - "Meet in the Middle"
Dierks Bentley - "What Was I Thinkin'"
Dixie Chicks - "Travelin' Soldier"
Doc Walker - "Trying to Get Back to You"
Dolly Parton - "I Will Always Love You"
Dwight Yoakam - "I Sang Dixie"
Emerson Drive - "Moments"
Emmylou Harris - "Two More Bottles of Wine"
Faith Hill - "Mississippi Girl"
Gary Allan - "Her Man"
George Jones - "He Stopped Loving Her Today"
George Strait - "She Let Herself Go"
Gloriana - "Wild At Heart"
Gretchen Wilson - "Redneck Woman"
Hank Williams - "Your Cheatin' Heart"
Hank Williams, Jr. - "If the South Woulda Won"
Hank Williams III - "I Don't Know"
Heartland - "I Loved Her First"
Heidi Newfield - "Johnny and June"
Holly Williams - "Keep the Change"
Jack Ingram - "Wherever You Are"
Jake Owen - "Don't Think I Can't Love You"
James Owen - "Just Got Started Lovin' You"
Jamey Johnson - "In Color"
Jason Aldean - "Why"
Jason Michael Carroll - "Livin' Our Love Song"
Jessica Simpson - "Come On Over"
Jimmy Wayne - "Do You Believe Me Now"
Joe Nichols - "Brokenheartsville"
John Rich - "Shuttin' Detroit Down"
Johnny Cash - "Walk The Line"
Josh Turner - "Would You Go With Me"
Julianne Hough - "That Song In My Head"
Kate & Kacey - "Dreaming Love"
Keith Anderson - "Every Time I Hear Your Name"
Keith Urban - "You'll Think of Me"
Keith Whitley - "Don't Close Your Eyes"
Kellie Pickler - "I Wonder"
Kenny Chesney - "Don't Blink"
Kris Kristofferson - "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down"
Lady Antebellum - "Love Don't Live Here"
LeAnn Rimes - "How Do I Live"
Lee Ann Womack - "I Hope You Dance"
Little Big Town - "Bring it On Home"
Lonestar - "Amazed"
Love and Theft - "Runaway"
Luke Bryan - "All My Friends Say"
Mark Wills - "Nineteen Somethin'"
Martina McBride - "Wild Angels"
Merle Haggard - "Mama Tried"
Miranda Lambert - "Gunpowder & Lead"
Montgomery Gentry - "Something to Be Proud Of"
Patsy Cline - "Crazy"
Paul Brandt - "I Do"
Phil Vassar - "Just Another Day in Paradise"
Rascal Flatts - "Bless the Broken Road"
Reba McEntire - "Whoever's in New England"
Rodney Atkins - "Watching You"
Sara Evans - "Born to Fly"
Shania Twain - "From This Moment On"
Sugarland - "Baby Girl"
Taylor Swift - "Tim McGraw"
The Wreckers - "Leave the Pieces"
Tim McGraw - "Live Like You Were Dying"
Toby Keith - "God Love Her"
Trace Adkins - "You're Gonna Miss This"
Tracy Lawrence - "Sticks and Stones"
Trisha Yearwood - "She's in Love with the Boy"
Vince Gill - "I Still Believe in You"
Did I miss anyone? Whew. It took up five CDs. I tried to put songs that were the artist's signature (like "He Stopped Loving Her Today," George Jones; "My Home's in Alabama," Alabama...), or the artist's first Number 1 single ("She's in Love with the Boy," Trisha Yearwood; "Brokenheartsville," Joe Nichols...), or the artist's first single ("Baby Girl," Sugarland; "Tim McGraw," Taylor Swift...), or the artist's commercially most successful song ("Bless the Broken Road," Rascal Flatts; "Something To Be Proud Of," Montgomery Gentry...) or just my favourite song ("God Love Her," Toby Keith). If you disagree with any song I chose, please let me know. I'm planning a Country Music For Dummies, Vol. 2 as a Christmas present.
And now, onto the song. The history of this song is really interesting (to me, at least). I began composing it in my mind while riding on the subway in early July. July 10th, to be exact. I didn't want to lose the lines (which became the chorus) so I set them to music mentally. That night, while watching a stage of the Tour de France, I remembered the lines I had thought of, and had nowhere better to write them than on a napkin I was using at the time (keep your "ew"s to yourself). Then I put the napkin into my song notebook and forgot about it. I found it again later, and remembered the melody I had used to remember the lines, and wrote the verses to make sense. (These I didn't put on the napkin, but rather on the last page of the notebook.) When I got my iTouch, I put what I had into the Notes function, and I finished it last night. And I finished the rest of the choruses to fit into the melody that I had thought of in the subway. So from napkin to notebook to Notes on iTouch, this song did a bit of travelling.
What is the song about? Showing your true colours. Because it is only when we show our true colours that we are taken the most seriously; but it is also when we show our true colours that we make ourselves most vulnerable to judgment - and the harshest of judgments at that. This song is about how everyone is tolerant until that tolerance is tested. Almost like the Dixie Chicks uproar - everyone loved them until they opened their mouth to speak (not sing). It's funny how people pretend to be something they're not, and that guise is flawless until the time comes to act on it.
Now I Understand
I used to be that little girl, I was so naive but now I understand
I never had enough experience with anything but now I understand
I used to think that one's heart made the person but
now I understand
you don't really wanna find the one you love so you can hold her near
now I understand
it's all their eyes and all their minds that you're supposed to fear
now I understand
it's better to keep your mouth shut than to say the words you really mean
now I understand
everything around you really isn't all the things it seems
I used to want to be the one that everybody points to but now I understand
there were times I thought nothing would happen to me but now I understand
I used to want to be the one who would shine so bright but
now I understand
you don't really wanna find the one you love so you can hold her tight
now I understand
the only way to make your way to what you want is to put up a fight
now I understand
you only try to get close to the ones on top so you can bring them down
now I understand
all you look for is the worst thing about everything you see around
BRIDGE:
there's a fine line between what you want and lessons learned the hard way
you have to hide yourself behind the face you show the world every day
and...
now I understand
you don't really wanna find the one you love so you can make her yours
now I understand
everyone has open arms until you come and then they slam the doors
now I understand
someone has to be the one to stand out from the crowd
now I understand
that I don't wanna be the one to go and let them down
(instrumental)
(as the song fades:)
now I understand
(you don't really wanna find the one you love so you can hold her near)
now I understand
(the only way to make your way to what you want is to put up a fight)
now I understand
(everyone has open arms until you come and then they slam the doors)
now I understand
(it's better to keep your mouth shut than to say the words you really mean)
now I understand
(everyone around you really isn't all the things they seem)
now I understand
(all they look for is the worst thing about everything they see around)
now I understand
(that I don't wanna be the one to go and let them down)
now I understand...
The ( ) in the last part I imagine as echoes by background vocals.
Yes, so the 'you' changes meaning from line to line, but I think it's still understandable.
Let me know what you think.
Much love and thank you for the musik!
NBK
But first things first.
Did anyone watch the CMA Music Festival? I watched it live for the first time, and it was incredible. In case you missed it, I wrote down all the performances, so I can give you a recapitulation: The opening act was Kid Rock, with his crossover country hit "All Summer Long," the one which won the Wide Open Country award at this year's CMT Awards. Then was Sugarland with "It Happens," the song which made me fall in love with Jennifer and Kristian. After this was a segment in which Julianne Hough showed us her day around the Festival, including sound check and FanFest (and made me want that all the more). Jason Aldean sang "She's Country," followed by Taylor Swift and "You Belong With Me." Then was Lady Antebellum with "I Run to You," the song that made me aware of the band's existence and was stuck in my head for days after I first heard it. Darius Rucker sang his new single, "Alright," and then Miranda Lambert sang her new single, "Save Me." After this, Kenny Chesney had two songs, "Summertime" and "Young." He is such an amazing entertainer. Taylor Swift retook the stage and sang "Fifteen" with her acoustic guitar (which has 'Taylor' written on the neck - sweet!). Then was another segment, Kellie Pickler's day at the CMA Music Festival. Then was Martina McBride and her latest single, "Shine," followed by Dierks Bentley and "Sideways," and Reba McEntire and "Strange." Brooks and Dunn were the next performers (pre break-up annoucement), with "Play Something Country." Sugarland was back with their compilation of "Nightswimming" and "Joey," which I saw last week on CMT, where Jennifer Nettles wears a red cap. Making his CMA Festival debut was Jamey Johnson with his song "In Color." Next was the spectacular Brad Paisley, with two singles from his new album, "Then" and "American Saturday Night" (I don't think I mentioned it, but his new album, American Saturday Night was released on June 30 this year). Then Kid Rock sang "Picture" with Martina McBride, followed by another of his songs, which I didn't know because I'm not that familiar with his songs. If anyone remembers my post on the CMA Music Festival last year, you'll recall that I wrote about Taylor Swift's "new single" that she sang acoustically on the streets of Nashville before it was even recorded; and you should remember that it was "Love Story." She came back for a third time and she sang "Love Story" - onstage this time. Zac Brown Band was next, with "Chicken Fried." Trace Adkins (who is so built that when he's holding a microphone it looks almost comical) sang "Marry for Money." Then John Rich performed his "Shuttin' Detroit Down." An emotional reunion of the Judds, Wynonna and Naomi, followed. The last two performances were Jake Owen's "Eight Second Ride" and Kenny Chesney's "Beer in Mexico" (the song I can play!). So that was this year's CMA Music Festival. It was quite enjoyable. I was singing along.
Next up is something I promised in the last one, to put the title of the song I put on the Country Music For Dummies CD for my sister. So here goes:
Alabama - "My Home's in Alabama"
Alan Jackson - "Chattahoochee"
Ashton Shepherd - "Sounds So Good"
Big & Rich - "8th of November"
Billy Currington - "Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right"
Billy Ray Cyrus - "Achy Breaky Hearts"
Blake Shelton - "Austin"
Brad Paisley - "Waitin' on a Woman"
Brooks & Dunn - "Ain't Nothing 'Bout You"
Bucky Covington - "I'll Walk"
Carrie Underwood - "Before He Cheats"
Carter Twins - "Heart Like Memphis"
Chris Cagle - "My Life's Been A Country Song"
Chuck Wicks - "Stealing Cinderella"
Clint Black - "A Better Man"
Craig Morgan - "That's What I Love About Sunday"
Crystal Shawanda - "You Can Let Go"
Darius Rucker - "Don't Think I Don't Think About It"
Diamond Rio - "Meet in the Middle"
Dierks Bentley - "What Was I Thinkin'"
Dixie Chicks - "Travelin' Soldier"
Doc Walker - "Trying to Get Back to You"
Dolly Parton - "I Will Always Love You"
Dwight Yoakam - "I Sang Dixie"
Emerson Drive - "Moments"
Emmylou Harris - "Two More Bottles of Wine"
Faith Hill - "Mississippi Girl"
Gary Allan - "Her Man"
George Jones - "He Stopped Loving Her Today"
George Strait - "She Let Herself Go"
Gloriana - "Wild At Heart"
Gretchen Wilson - "Redneck Woman"
Hank Williams - "Your Cheatin' Heart"
Hank Williams, Jr. - "If the South Woulda Won"
Hank Williams III - "I Don't Know"
Heartland - "I Loved Her First"
Heidi Newfield - "Johnny and June"
Holly Williams - "Keep the Change"
Jack Ingram - "Wherever You Are"
Jake Owen - "Don't Think I Can't Love You"
James Owen - "Just Got Started Lovin' You"
Jamey Johnson - "In Color"
Jason Aldean - "Why"
Jason Michael Carroll - "Livin' Our Love Song"
Jessica Simpson - "Come On Over"
Jimmy Wayne - "Do You Believe Me Now"
Joe Nichols - "Brokenheartsville"
John Rich - "Shuttin' Detroit Down"
Johnny Cash - "Walk The Line"
Josh Turner - "Would You Go With Me"
Julianne Hough - "That Song In My Head"
Kate & Kacey - "Dreaming Love"
Keith Anderson - "Every Time I Hear Your Name"
Keith Urban - "You'll Think of Me"
Keith Whitley - "Don't Close Your Eyes"
Kellie Pickler - "I Wonder"
Kenny Chesney - "Don't Blink"
Kris Kristofferson - "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down"
Lady Antebellum - "Love Don't Live Here"
LeAnn Rimes - "How Do I Live"
Lee Ann Womack - "I Hope You Dance"
Little Big Town - "Bring it On Home"
Lonestar - "Amazed"
Love and Theft - "Runaway"
Luke Bryan - "All My Friends Say"
Mark Wills - "Nineteen Somethin'"
Martina McBride - "Wild Angels"
Merle Haggard - "Mama Tried"
Miranda Lambert - "Gunpowder & Lead"
Montgomery Gentry - "Something to Be Proud Of"
Patsy Cline - "Crazy"
Paul Brandt - "I Do"
Phil Vassar - "Just Another Day in Paradise"
Rascal Flatts - "Bless the Broken Road"
Reba McEntire - "Whoever's in New England"
Rodney Atkins - "Watching You"
Sara Evans - "Born to Fly"
Shania Twain - "From This Moment On"
Sugarland - "Baby Girl"
Taylor Swift - "Tim McGraw"
The Wreckers - "Leave the Pieces"
Tim McGraw - "Live Like You Were Dying"
Toby Keith - "God Love Her"
Trace Adkins - "You're Gonna Miss This"
Tracy Lawrence - "Sticks and Stones"
Trisha Yearwood - "She's in Love with the Boy"
Vince Gill - "I Still Believe in You"
Did I miss anyone? Whew. It took up five CDs. I tried to put songs that were the artist's signature (like "He Stopped Loving Her Today," George Jones; "My Home's in Alabama," Alabama...), or the artist's first Number 1 single ("She's in Love with the Boy," Trisha Yearwood; "Brokenheartsville," Joe Nichols...), or the artist's first single ("Baby Girl," Sugarland; "Tim McGraw," Taylor Swift...), or the artist's commercially most successful song ("Bless the Broken Road," Rascal Flatts; "Something To Be Proud Of," Montgomery Gentry...) or just my favourite song ("God Love Her," Toby Keith). If you disagree with any song I chose, please let me know. I'm planning a Country Music For Dummies, Vol. 2 as a Christmas present.
And now, onto the song. The history of this song is really interesting (to me, at least). I began composing it in my mind while riding on the subway in early July. July 10th, to be exact. I didn't want to lose the lines (which became the chorus) so I set them to music mentally. That night, while watching a stage of the Tour de France, I remembered the lines I had thought of, and had nowhere better to write them than on a napkin I was using at the time (keep your "ew"s to yourself). Then I put the napkin into my song notebook and forgot about it. I found it again later, and remembered the melody I had used to remember the lines, and wrote the verses to make sense. (These I didn't put on the napkin, but rather on the last page of the notebook.) When I got my iTouch, I put what I had into the Notes function, and I finished it last night. And I finished the rest of the choruses to fit into the melody that I had thought of in the subway. So from napkin to notebook to Notes on iTouch, this song did a bit of travelling.
What is the song about? Showing your true colours. Because it is only when we show our true colours that we are taken the most seriously; but it is also when we show our true colours that we make ourselves most vulnerable to judgment - and the harshest of judgments at that. This song is about how everyone is tolerant until that tolerance is tested. Almost like the Dixie Chicks uproar - everyone loved them until they opened their mouth to speak (not sing). It's funny how people pretend to be something they're not, and that guise is flawless until the time comes to act on it.
Now I Understand
I used to be that little girl, I was so naive but now I understand
I never had enough experience with anything but now I understand
I used to think that one's heart made the person but
now I understand
you don't really wanna find the one you love so you can hold her near
now I understand
it's all their eyes and all their minds that you're supposed to fear
now I understand
it's better to keep your mouth shut than to say the words you really mean
now I understand
everything around you really isn't all the things it seems
I used to want to be the one that everybody points to but now I understand
there were times I thought nothing would happen to me but now I understand
I used to want to be the one who would shine so bright but
now I understand
you don't really wanna find the one you love so you can hold her tight
now I understand
the only way to make your way to what you want is to put up a fight
now I understand
you only try to get close to the ones on top so you can bring them down
now I understand
all you look for is the worst thing about everything you see around
BRIDGE:
there's a fine line between what you want and lessons learned the hard way
you have to hide yourself behind the face you show the world every day
and...
now I understand
you don't really wanna find the one you love so you can make her yours
now I understand
everyone has open arms until you come and then they slam the doors
now I understand
someone has to be the one to stand out from the crowd
now I understand
that I don't wanna be the one to go and let them down
(instrumental)
(as the song fades:)
now I understand
(you don't really wanna find the one you love so you can hold her near)
now I understand
(the only way to make your way to what you want is to put up a fight)
now I understand
(everyone has open arms until you come and then they slam the doors)
now I understand
(it's better to keep your mouth shut than to say the words you really mean)
now I understand
(everyone around you really isn't all the things they seem)
now I understand
(all they look for is the worst thing about everything they see around)
now I understand
(that I don't wanna be the one to go and let them down)
now I understand...
The ( ) in the last part I imagine as echoes by background vocals.
Yes, so the 'you' changes meaning from line to line, but I think it's still understandable.
Let me know what you think.
Much love and thank you for the musik!
NBK
30 August 2009
Call This Home
New song! Yay.
But first! A few news items that have cropped up since my last post.
Brooks and Dunn is/are breaking up. Yes, that Brooks & Dunn. The duo that dominated the Best Vocal Duo category at all major awards shows for at least the past two decades (only defeated once, by Montgomery Gentry, and later replaced by Sugarland). The duo that hosted the CMAs countless times. The duo that toured, dueted (is that a word? say yes.), and made music videos with Reba McEntire. The duo that made songs like "My Maria," "Cowgirls Don't Cry," "God Must Be Busy," "Put a Girl in It," "Ain't Nothin' 'Bout You," "Indian Summer," "Proud of the House We Built," "Play Something Country," and myriad others, of which 23 were Number 1 hits. The duo that has been together for over twenty years; its name is almost synonymous with country music. One and the same. The pair made the announcement August 10. It shocked me and made me sad. Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn will go on tour one last time, next year.
Next, tomorrow is annual Country's Night to Rock! festival (or CMA Music Festival) on ABC at 8 pm. I'll be watching - will you?
Thirdly, it has been announced that Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will be hosting the CMAs again. This will be on November 11th. Again, I will be watching - will you?
Next. I can finally reveal my special project! I'm sure you've been dying to know what it is. My sister loves classical music, and I've been slowly educating her in country music. So, this summer I took upon myself a massive undertaking. I compiled a "Country Music For Dummies." I wrote a list of the most well-known country singers (which grew and grew throughout the project), and researched everything about them. I ended up writing the person's origins - as in birth date and place and a fun fact (for example, Chuck Wicks grew up on a potato farm), record deals, and albums. Each album had its own paragraph, which included the singles and any special accolades or interesting tidbit for either the songs or the album. What I didn't include were Greatest Hits/compilation albums (except for Mark Wills, because his most commercially successful single came from a Greatest Hits), live albums, and Christmas albums. For forays into any other genre, I merely mentioned the fact of the album's existence. Some other pages I included were for the ACM Awards, the CMA Awards, the CMT Awards, Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry, and Billboard Magazine (the last of which I ended up not putting in the final anthology due to space issues). The artists I put into the anthology were:
Alabama
Alan Jackson
Ashton Shepherd
Big & Rich
Billy Currington
Billy Ray Cyrus
Blake Shelton
Brad Paisley
Brooks & Dunn
Bucky Covington
Carrie Underwood
Carter Twins
Chris Cagle
Chuck Wicks
Clint Black
Craig Morgan
Crystal Shawanda
Darius Rucker
Diamond Rio
Dierks Bentley
Dixie Chicks
Doc Walker
Dolly Parton
Dwight Yoakam
Emerson Drive
Emmylou Harris
Faith Hill
Garth Brooks
Gary Allan
George Jones
George Strait
Gloriana
Gretchen Wilson
Hank Williams
Hank Williams, Jr.
Hank Williams III
Heartland
Heidi Newfield
Holly Williams
Jack Ingram (whom I had to leave out due to space issues)
Jake Owen
James Otto
Jamey Johnson
Jason Aldean
Jason Michael Carroll
Jessica Simpson
Jimmy Wayne
Joe Nichols
John Rich
Johnny Cash
Josh Turner
Julianne Hough
Kate & Kacey
Keith Anderson
Keith Urban
Keith Whitley
Kellie Pickler
Kenny Chesney
Kris Kristofferson
Lady Antebellum
LeAnn Rimes
Lee Ann Womack
Little Big Town
Lonestar
Love and Theft
Luke Bryan
Mark Wills
Martina McBride
Merle Haggard
Miranda Lambert
Montgomery Gentry
Patsy Cline
Paul Brandt
Phil Vassar
Rascal Flatts
Reba McEntire
Rodney Atkins
Sara Evans
Shania Twain
Sugarland
Taylor Swift
The Wreckers
Tim McGraw
Toby Keith
Trace Adkins
Tracy Lawrence
Trisha Yearwood and
Vince Gill
In addition to the anthology, I made a Country Music for Dummies CD for her, with one song per artist (except for Garth Brooks, because he has no songs on iTunes and I didn't want to use a Karaoke version of "If Tomorrow Never Comes," because that would be completely lame, and listentoyoutube.com was being finnicky and not working when I needed it to). As a result, I've become incredibly obsessed with Emerson Drive (specifically "Moments" - LISTEN TO THE SONG!!!!!!) and "Baby Girl" by Sugarland. "Heart Like Memphis," Carter Twins' song, is totally cool, too. Maybe in another post I'll write the specific songs I picked for each artist (if you want a tearjerker, try "I'll Walk" by Bucky Covington). So that took up most of my time, especially since I had to do it secretly - stressing out by day, working by night (a few nights I worked under the covers until 4 in the morning). But it was absolutely worth it.
On a sad note, I would like to acknowledge the passing of my iPod. The final, official death of a loyal companion, a faithful sidekick, and the best friend I have ever known. I think a little eulogy is necessary and not too over-the-top: I bought the 60 GB iPod with my own money on July 25, 2006. Because my computer was old-school, I didn't have the appropriate software to use for iTunes, so I borrowed my neighbor's computer to import all the CDs and songs I wanted; they threw out the computer a few weeks later. With no homebase, I began to manually import songs from my sister's computer, when - completely out of the blue - all of the songs were deleted from it. This was around March 2007. The most-played songs were "Not Ready to Make Nice" and "Easy Silence" by the Dixie Chicks. I cried, and began the long process of rebuilding. That November, I discovered Taylor Swift, and "Mary's Song (Oh My My My)" rose to the most-played song, followed by the other 10 on her CD, as well as the aforementioned Dixie Chicks songs and "Every Time I Hear Your Name" by Keith Anderson (probably my favourite country song ever). This May, I dropped it on the pavement while I was watching "The Best Day" music video by Taylor Swift. I got warnings and messages alerting me to restore my iPod. I did. All my songs - upwards of 2100 - were deleted. I cried like a baby, and cried myself to sleep. Instead of rebuilding, I put the bare necessities on my iPod and looked forward to the day I would get a new computer and make my own library. That was this month, and I spent three days straight (except for the nights, which I dedicated to Country Music for Dummies) building my library, until I had more songs than I had had before. Ceremoniously, I called my family over to see the syncing of my three-year-old iPod to the brand new library (this was on Tuesday night, around 11 pm). Grinning ear-to-ear, I plugged my iPod into the USB cord and thereby into the computer, at which point...iTunes froze. So I restarted my computer, because the entire computer froze. I repeated the entire process a few more times, until I realized that my iPod was the source of my problems. (And not only that, but the next day, my computer had a virus and I couldn't turn it on for a long time, much to my distress since the computer was barely two weeks old.) I had also deleted the songs I had had on my iPod previously, so I no longer could even listen to music. Needless to say, I broke down into unflattering tears. And that, sad to say, was the end of a beautiful friendship. (A moment of silence would be nice.)
The next day, I got my Christmas present from my parents - an iTouch. "We had wanted to get you one anyway, but now seemed like a really good time," they said. I'm still figuring it out, because I'm still so used to my iPod.
So...introducing the first song I wrote with my iTouch (the Notes function works really well for this type of thing). I've been working on it since Wednesday night, and finished it just a little while ago. It's one of my most finessed songs, and most thought-out songs. I like it.
Call This Home
She was eighteen years old and unsure of her road
as she stood on the street and watched her family go
she was up that first night until the morning light
'cause the new place just didn't feel right
they said, call this home for the next four years
or you're never gonna like it here
CHORUS:
and everything was so new it didn't feel real
welcome smiles were so big they seemed insincere
the odds against her loomed larger than life
mostly she wished that she'd do what was right
she was twenty-three and newly married
when the pair moved to Hamilton Street
she was in love with the man and her wedding band
but the house was a new, unknown land
they said, the first place is always the hardest
it gets easier from this
CHORUS:
and everything was so new it didn't feel real
welcome smiles were so big they seemed insincere
the odds against her loomed larger than life
mostly she wished that she'd do what was right
BRIDGE:
nine months later a baby girl smiled at her
things changed more quickly than she could ever have dreamed
The next thing she knows they're hitting the road
and she's finding it hard to let go
her little girl is going out into the world
the day goes by in a bit of a whirl
when they're saying goodbye they've got tears in their eyes
and her daughter cries
as she says,
CHORUS:
everything is so new it doesn't feel real
people's smiles are so big they seem insincere
I don't want to face all the odds against me
all I want to do is to do the right thing
I think it's the most country-themed song that I've written, in that it follows one person throughout her life. And there are multiple rhymes in each couplet - and in each line, which I'm really proud of.
Criticism/comments/applause/jeers all accepted with equal delight.
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. On to the second year!
p.p.s. Travis Zajac was re-signed to a four-year, $15.55 contract on July 22. So yay! And he got married on August 15. Congratulations are in order on all fronts.
p.p.p.s. I mentioned the Tour de France in a previous post. The winner was Spaniard Alberto Contador, for whom I said I was rooting. In second place was Andy Schleck (my new favourite...I'd bet money that he will win next year), winning also the young riders' competition, with the white jersey (that suits him so well) I also mentioned. I love him. Third was Lance Armstrong. It was an amazing race, with a team time trial for the first time in four years, and Mont Ventoux the day before the ceremonial Paris stage. My predicitions for next year: Andy Schleck (all the way, baby!) will win. And Lance's new Radioshack team with Levi Leipheimer won't. The Vuelta a Espana began yesterday.
But first! A few news items that have cropped up since my last post.
Brooks and Dunn is/are breaking up. Yes, that Brooks & Dunn. The duo that dominated the Best Vocal Duo category at all major awards shows for at least the past two decades (only defeated once, by Montgomery Gentry, and later replaced by Sugarland). The duo that hosted the CMAs countless times. The duo that toured, dueted (is that a word? say yes.), and made music videos with Reba McEntire. The duo that made songs like "My Maria," "Cowgirls Don't Cry," "God Must Be Busy," "Put a Girl in It," "Ain't Nothin' 'Bout You," "Indian Summer," "Proud of the House We Built," "Play Something Country," and myriad others, of which 23 were Number 1 hits. The duo that has been together for over twenty years; its name is almost synonymous with country music. One and the same. The pair made the announcement August 10. It shocked me and made me sad. Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn will go on tour one last time, next year.
Next, tomorrow is annual Country's Night to Rock! festival (or CMA Music Festival) on ABC at 8 pm. I'll be watching - will you?
Thirdly, it has been announced that Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will be hosting the CMAs again. This will be on November 11th. Again, I will be watching - will you?
Next. I can finally reveal my special project! I'm sure you've been dying to know what it is. My sister loves classical music, and I've been slowly educating her in country music. So, this summer I took upon myself a massive undertaking. I compiled a "Country Music For Dummies." I wrote a list of the most well-known country singers (which grew and grew throughout the project), and researched everything about them. I ended up writing the person's origins - as in birth date and place and a fun fact (for example, Chuck Wicks grew up on a potato farm), record deals, and albums. Each album had its own paragraph, which included the singles and any special accolades or interesting tidbit for either the songs or the album. What I didn't include were Greatest Hits/compilation albums (except for Mark Wills, because his most commercially successful single came from a Greatest Hits), live albums, and Christmas albums. For forays into any other genre, I merely mentioned the fact of the album's existence. Some other pages I included were for the ACM Awards, the CMA Awards, the CMT Awards, Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry, and Billboard Magazine (the last of which I ended up not putting in the final anthology due to space issues). The artists I put into the anthology were:
Alabama
Alan Jackson
Ashton Shepherd
Big & Rich
Billy Currington
Billy Ray Cyrus
Blake Shelton
Brad Paisley
Brooks & Dunn
Bucky Covington
Carrie Underwood
Carter Twins
Chris Cagle
Chuck Wicks
Clint Black
Craig Morgan
Crystal Shawanda
Darius Rucker
Diamond Rio
Dierks Bentley
Dixie Chicks
Doc Walker
Dolly Parton
Dwight Yoakam
Emerson Drive
Emmylou Harris
Faith Hill
Garth Brooks
Gary Allan
George Jones
George Strait
Gloriana
Gretchen Wilson
Hank Williams
Hank Williams, Jr.
Hank Williams III
Heartland
Heidi Newfield
Holly Williams
Jack Ingram (whom I had to leave out due to space issues)
Jake Owen
James Otto
Jamey Johnson
Jason Aldean
Jason Michael Carroll
Jessica Simpson
Jimmy Wayne
Joe Nichols
John Rich
Johnny Cash
Josh Turner
Julianne Hough
Kate & Kacey
Keith Anderson
Keith Urban
Keith Whitley
Kellie Pickler
Kenny Chesney
Kris Kristofferson
Lady Antebellum
LeAnn Rimes
Lee Ann Womack
Little Big Town
Lonestar
Love and Theft
Luke Bryan
Mark Wills
Martina McBride
Merle Haggard
Miranda Lambert
Montgomery Gentry
Patsy Cline
Paul Brandt
Phil Vassar
Rascal Flatts
Reba McEntire
Rodney Atkins
Sara Evans
Shania Twain
Sugarland
Taylor Swift
The Wreckers
Tim McGraw
Toby Keith
Trace Adkins
Tracy Lawrence
Trisha Yearwood and
Vince Gill
In addition to the anthology, I made a Country Music for Dummies CD for her, with one song per artist (except for Garth Brooks, because he has no songs on iTunes and I didn't want to use a Karaoke version of "If Tomorrow Never Comes," because that would be completely lame, and listentoyoutube.com was being finnicky and not working when I needed it to). As a result, I've become incredibly obsessed with Emerson Drive (specifically "Moments" - LISTEN TO THE SONG!!!!!!) and "Baby Girl" by Sugarland. "Heart Like Memphis," Carter Twins' song, is totally cool, too. Maybe in another post I'll write the specific songs I picked for each artist (if you want a tearjerker, try "I'll Walk" by Bucky Covington). So that took up most of my time, especially since I had to do it secretly - stressing out by day, working by night (a few nights I worked under the covers until 4 in the morning). But it was absolutely worth it.
On a sad note, I would like to acknowledge the passing of my iPod. The final, official death of a loyal companion, a faithful sidekick, and the best friend I have ever known. I think a little eulogy is necessary and not too over-the-top: I bought the 60 GB iPod with my own money on July 25, 2006. Because my computer was old-school, I didn't have the appropriate software to use for iTunes, so I borrowed my neighbor's computer to import all the CDs and songs I wanted; they threw out the computer a few weeks later. With no homebase, I began to manually import songs from my sister's computer, when - completely out of the blue - all of the songs were deleted from it. This was around March 2007. The most-played songs were "Not Ready to Make Nice" and "Easy Silence" by the Dixie Chicks. I cried, and began the long process of rebuilding. That November, I discovered Taylor Swift, and "Mary's Song (Oh My My My)" rose to the most-played song, followed by the other 10 on her CD, as well as the aforementioned Dixie Chicks songs and "Every Time I Hear Your Name" by Keith Anderson (probably my favourite country song ever). This May, I dropped it on the pavement while I was watching "The Best Day" music video by Taylor Swift. I got warnings and messages alerting me to restore my iPod. I did. All my songs - upwards of 2100 - were deleted. I cried like a baby, and cried myself to sleep. Instead of rebuilding, I put the bare necessities on my iPod and looked forward to the day I would get a new computer and make my own library. That was this month, and I spent three days straight (except for the nights, which I dedicated to Country Music for Dummies) building my library, until I had more songs than I had had before. Ceremoniously, I called my family over to see the syncing of my three-year-old iPod to the brand new library (this was on Tuesday night, around 11 pm). Grinning ear-to-ear, I plugged my iPod into the USB cord and thereby into the computer, at which point...iTunes froze. So I restarted my computer, because the entire computer froze. I repeated the entire process a few more times, until I realized that my iPod was the source of my problems. (And not only that, but the next day, my computer had a virus and I couldn't turn it on for a long time, much to my distress since the computer was barely two weeks old.) I had also deleted the songs I had had on my iPod previously, so I no longer could even listen to music. Needless to say, I broke down into unflattering tears. And that, sad to say, was the end of a beautiful friendship. (A moment of silence would be nice.)
The next day, I got my Christmas present from my parents - an iTouch. "We had wanted to get you one anyway, but now seemed like a really good time," they said. I'm still figuring it out, because I'm still so used to my iPod.
So...introducing the first song I wrote with my iTouch (the Notes function works really well for this type of thing). I've been working on it since Wednesday night, and finished it just a little while ago. It's one of my most finessed songs, and most thought-out songs. I like it.
Call This Home
She was eighteen years old and unsure of her road
as she stood on the street and watched her family go
she was up that first night until the morning light
'cause the new place just didn't feel right
they said, call this home for the next four years
or you're never gonna like it here
CHORUS:
and everything was so new it didn't feel real
welcome smiles were so big they seemed insincere
the odds against her loomed larger than life
mostly she wished that she'd do what was right
she was twenty-three and newly married
when the pair moved to Hamilton Street
she was in love with the man and her wedding band
but the house was a new, unknown land
they said, the first place is always the hardest
it gets easier from this
CHORUS:
and everything was so new it didn't feel real
welcome smiles were so big they seemed insincere
the odds against her loomed larger than life
mostly she wished that she'd do what was right
BRIDGE:
nine months later a baby girl smiled at her
things changed more quickly than she could ever have dreamed
The next thing she knows they're hitting the road
and she's finding it hard to let go
her little girl is going out into the world
the day goes by in a bit of a whirl
when they're saying goodbye they've got tears in their eyes
and her daughter cries
as she says,
CHORUS:
everything is so new it doesn't feel real
people's smiles are so big they seem insincere
I don't want to face all the odds against me
all I want to do is to do the right thing
I think it's the most country-themed song that I've written, in that it follows one person throughout her life. And there are multiple rhymes in each couplet - and in each line, which I'm really proud of.
Criticism/comments/applause/jeers all accepted with equal delight.
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. On to the second year!
p.p.s. Travis Zajac was re-signed to a four-year, $15.55 contract on July 22. So yay! And he got married on August 15. Congratulations are in order on all fronts.
p.p.p.s. I mentioned the Tour de France in a previous post. The winner was Spaniard Alberto Contador, for whom I said I was rooting. In second place was Andy Schleck (my new favourite...I'd bet money that he will win next year), winning also the young riders' competition, with the white jersey (that suits him so well) I also mentioned. I love him. Third was Lance Armstrong. It was an amazing race, with a team time trial for the first time in four years, and Mont Ventoux the day before the ceremonial Paris stage. My predicitions for next year: Andy Schleck (all the way, baby!) will win. And Lance's new Radioshack team with Levi Leipheimer won't. The Vuelta a Espana began yesterday.
Snow White
I figured it wasn't cool to tantalize you with "Snow White" without actually letting you read it properly.
The only way to do the song justice is to not put anything before the introduction, so I'll save that for another post.
I was inspired by the Dixie Chicks' "Travelin' Soldier" to write this song. That's all the introduction you're gonna get because the song is self-explanatory.
Snow White
when she first started feeling sore
having bad headaches and blurry vision
she put it down to insomnia but wasn't too sure
as it all got worse she told her mother
who gave her some pills and took her to the doctor
the x-rays were taken and they sat down in the room
the doctor said it showed up snow white
he looked them in the eyes and told them the news
CHORUS:
she put her arms around me
and whispered "I love you
if that's the last chance I'll get to tell you I'll say it again."
there's so many things she'll never get to do
I lie awake at night, listening to her breathe
and I wish she would never stop
the doctor said it could extend her life but not mend
because sooner or later it would have to end
she got weaker and sicker as the liquid dripped into her arm
she would empty her stomach and then sleep
chatting with those who came to visit
though some would have to leave to weep
for fun she would plan the rest of her life
lying there on the hospital bed
too weak to laugh, she named the kids she'd never have
she pictured weeknights in Paris in May
imagined college and the courses she'd take
and she thought she'd at least see her fourteenth birthday
though food made her sick she could almost taste the cake
CHORUS:
she put her arms around me
and whispered "I love you
if that's the last chance I'll get to tell you I'll say it again."
there's so many things she'll never get to do
I lie awake at night, listening to her breathe
and I wish she would never stop
all wearing black, friends and family gathered at noon
they cried together and shared fond stories
time ran out much too soon
for a little girl two weeks shy of fourteen
she lasted longer than they had thought
but they wish she could've stayed
her baby brother will grow up knowing naught
thanks for the memories
Keep in mind that I wrote that before I knew what I was doing. The syntax and rhymes are a bit off, but I don't really want to change it. It's the oldest song I have that I haven't changed ("Zach is Looking Hot Tonight" was written earlier but I edited that heavily not long ago).
To all those who lost a loved one to cancer, I'm sorry.
Much love, and thank you for the musik.
NBK
p.s. In the last post, you can click on the pictures to enlarge them.
The only way to do the song justice is to not put anything before the introduction, so I'll save that for another post.
I was inspired by the Dixie Chicks' "Travelin' Soldier" to write this song. That's all the introduction you're gonna get because the song is self-explanatory.
Snow White
when she first started feeling sore
having bad headaches and blurry vision
she put it down to insomnia but wasn't too sure
as it all got worse she told her mother
who gave her some pills and took her to the doctor
the x-rays were taken and they sat down in the room
the doctor said it showed up snow white
he looked them in the eyes and told them the news
CHORUS:
she put her arms around me
and whispered "I love you
if that's the last chance I'll get to tell you I'll say it again."
there's so many things she'll never get to do
I lie awake at night, listening to her breathe
and I wish she would never stop
the doctor said it could extend her life but not mend
because sooner or later it would have to end
she got weaker and sicker as the liquid dripped into her arm
she would empty her stomach and then sleep
chatting with those who came to visit
though some would have to leave to weep
for fun she would plan the rest of her life
lying there on the hospital bed
too weak to laugh, she named the kids she'd never have
she pictured weeknights in Paris in May
imagined college and the courses she'd take
and she thought she'd at least see her fourteenth birthday
though food made her sick she could almost taste the cake
CHORUS:
she put her arms around me
and whispered "I love you
if that's the last chance I'll get to tell you I'll say it again."
there's so many things she'll never get to do
I lie awake at night, listening to her breathe
and I wish she would never stop
all wearing black, friends and family gathered at noon
they cried together and shared fond stories
time ran out much too soon
for a little girl two weeks shy of fourteen
she lasted longer than they had thought
but they wish she could've stayed
her baby brother will grow up knowing naught
thanks for the memories
Keep in mind that I wrote that before I knew what I was doing. The syntax and rhymes are a bit off, but I don't really want to change it. It's the oldest song I have that I haven't changed ("Zach is Looking Hot Tonight" was written earlier but I edited that heavily not long ago).
To all those who lost a loved one to cancer, I'm sorry.
Much love, and thank you for the musik.
NBK
p.s. In the last post, you can click on the pictures to enlarge them.
1-year Anniversary Celebratory Post (okay, so a little late...)
Fun fact: "girl/world" is the most common rhyming couple in songwriting (in my experience).
(first page) 
(second page)
So I thought that to acknowledge that great length of time I would show you how I wrote some of my songs, so that you can see the [non-] "genius at work."
The first is for a song that I wrote way back when (March 2007) and was the first song I wrote that rhymed and made sense. In essence, it was my first real song. I haven't posted it here yet, but I will. It's called "Snow White":
(first page) 
(second page)The first half of the second page is the chorus of a song I wrote for my friend when she was feeling down. You can see how my handwriting changed from that chorus (which I had written earlier) to "Snow White."
How about I do a song that I've posted here? It's "The Words Were Mine":
If you remember back to my introduction to the song, you'll recall that I mentioned that I essentially threw out "Good Luck Tonight" and made the new song out of it. Well, this is the page I did it on, and you can see that I left only a line here and there from the original. By the way, if you can read "Good Luck Tonight," let me know and I will personally commend you.
Well, that's it. Those are the two craziest ones. Somehow I thought it would be cooler. If there is a song that you would like to see how I wrote, please let me know and I'll do what I can to scan it and upload it. I mostly write in composition notebooks so that can be a tad more difficult, but I'll do what I can.
Look for a normal post later this afternoon.
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
15 July 2009
Do They Ever Make You Cry
Hey there.
Does anyone realize what a momentous day it is today? Fortunately for you, I'm going to tell you. It is the one-year anniversary of this blog! That's right. On July 15th, 2008, I wrote a post for the very first time, outlining my dream and the purpose of this blog. It wasn't until the next day, however, that I posted a song for the first time, so I'll commemorate that occasion in a different way tomorrow (if I get around to it; but if not, it'll come this weekend). I should probably say that in the year since I've first posted, my dream and my passion for that dream haven't changed, despite the various ways in which I myself have grown and gotten wiser. I'm still producing song lyrics, and I've begun to play the guitar moderately well (I think...I hope!), so it's progressing nicely. I still feel as though I'm holding my breath, though.
In the year since I first posted, my country music collection and my love for the genre have only increased and branched out astonishingly.
Because I like to mention songs, albums, or artists that I've recently discovered for myself on the blog, I will do so now. (I should just put out there that if I sound inane, sluggish, or long-winded it is probably because I'm working on two hours of sleep here: I went to the midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince last night, got home around half-past three, and I had to wake up to go to work two hours later. The film is brilliant, and most of the dialogues are taken verbatim from the books which I was afraid wasn't going to happen, and I highly highly recommend it.) We recently had a family from Switzerland stay over at our house, and as a gift to the 12-year-old son we gave books of guitar sheet music, "Top Country Hits of '06-'07" and "Top Country Hits of 2008 and 2009," for which I made CDs of all the songs. It is through this that I discovered many many songs that I like. For example, my new favourite song that I've listened to way too many times already is "God Love Her" by Toby Keith (an artist I typically dislike). I very much like this song, and I think it's because of the true country sound it has, as well as the intonation and melody on certain lines, particularly in the chorus: "she's a rebel child and a preacher's daughter / she was baptized in dirty water / her mama cried the first time they caught her with me / they knew they couldn't stop her / she holds tight to me and the Bible on the backseat of my motorcycle / left her daddy standing there preaching to the choir..." Other songs I've really begun to like are "Every Mile a Memory" by Dierks Bentley; "A Good Man" by Emerson Drive; "Sweet Thing" by Keith Urban; "Cowgirls Don't Cry," "Ain't Nothin' Bout You," and "My Maria" by Brooks & Dunn; "The Baby" by Blake Shelton; "Walk a Little Straighter" by Billy Currington; "Sounds So Good" by Ashton Shepherd; "She's in Love With the Boy" by Trisha Yearwood; and "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" and "Out Last Night" by Kenny Chesney. If you're so astute and literate in country music that you realize that some of these songs are hardly from 2006-2009, you're quite right. I'm also working on a project, that I will tell you about when it's finished (if I ever do complete it!), and it is through that project that I came across the other songs.
I've also discovered this hilarious and talented music group called "Harry and the Potters." Their songs are all about the Harry Potter books, and they are just so funny. I encourage you to check them out - they are actually quite talented, and the music is really good. It's not country in the least, but it's just damn good music. The albums are also available on iTunes. That is my unpaid endorsement for the day.
In terms of the song I am about to post, I like it, but it pales in comparison to the one I am listening to right now ("Cold Day in July" by the Dixie Chicks) and I think it's weaker than others I have written. But I'm never a fair judge of my own work, so we'll see what you think. The backstory is virtually nonexistent. It has to do with the fact that I was sitting in the train on the way to work this morning and there was a woman sitting across from me, reading a book named "Do They Hear You When You Cry," except that when I first glanced over at her, her fingers covered most of the title so that the only words I discerned were Do, They, You, and Cry, which spawned the title of my song in my mind. I wanted to write it in the form that Kenny Chesney's "Never Wanted Nothing More" is written in - where you have two verses, both of which have the song title as the last line, followed by the chorus once, a third verse that mirrors the first two, the chorus, a fourth verse that is the same, and the chorus again. If that is too complicated, or sounds exactly like any other song you've ever heard or read, then I suggest you have a listen to the song. So I wrote it in that form, but I took a few liberties here and there (see if you can spot them).
I think have some sort of prolific fascination with stars in my songs. That's probably because I think they're incredibly romantic. I could be wrong.
Do They Ever Make You Cry
look up and see the heavens above
twinkling like they know about us
the sky like a blanket unfurled
and we're the only two in this world
the stars like studs in the sky
do they ever make you cry
I hear you whisper in my ear softly
and with your strong arms hold me
the night around us starts to shine
and you put your face near mine
'til I can see dreams in your eyes
do they ever make you cry
CHORUS:
right now, everything is beautiful
and my heart is too full to speak
and I can't find the words anyway
sometimes you gotta let your eyes convey
all that you mean to say
driving in your car by night
the road visible by headlight
I like to turn on the old radio
to that station we both know
love songs playing to the sky
do they ever make you cry
CHORUS:
right now, everything is beautiful
and my heart is too full to speak
and I can't find the words anyway
sometimes you gotta let your eyes convey
all that you mean to say
one day someday when you're gone
and I've had to move ahead alone
I hope that you'll remember me
and our initials carved in that tree
but we all have to say our goodbyes
do they ever make you cry
do they, do they ever make you cry
So that's it. Having read it through again as I was typing it up, I've realized that I really like it. It' s kind of understated, minimalistic, but nice at the same time. I hope you find the same thing.
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. July 24th is Travis Zajac's salary arbitration hearing. I hope it all goes well and he's back with the team, not only for this season but for the rest of his career.
p.p.s. The Tour de France began on July 4th, and so far it has been exceptionally boring, except for the TTT and the Pyrennean stage that Brice Feillu won. I'm hoping for an Alberto Contador win, even though Lance is back in the pack. Or an Andy Schleck win, because he is just...terrific. And because he looks amazing in the white jersey (that he won last year), when he's scaling those mountains and has it a little unzipped. Okay, I'm done now.
Does anyone realize what a momentous day it is today? Fortunately for you, I'm going to tell you. It is the one-year anniversary of this blog! That's right. On July 15th, 2008, I wrote a post for the very first time, outlining my dream and the purpose of this blog. It wasn't until the next day, however, that I posted a song for the first time, so I'll commemorate that occasion in a different way tomorrow (if I get around to it; but if not, it'll come this weekend). I should probably say that in the year since I've first posted, my dream and my passion for that dream haven't changed, despite the various ways in which I myself have grown and gotten wiser. I'm still producing song lyrics, and I've begun to play the guitar moderately well (I think...I hope!), so it's progressing nicely. I still feel as though I'm holding my breath, though.
In the year since I first posted, my country music collection and my love for the genre have only increased and branched out astonishingly.
Because I like to mention songs, albums, or artists that I've recently discovered for myself on the blog, I will do so now. (I should just put out there that if I sound inane, sluggish, or long-winded it is probably because I'm working on two hours of sleep here: I went to the midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince last night, got home around half-past three, and I had to wake up to go to work two hours later. The film is brilliant, and most of the dialogues are taken verbatim from the books which I was afraid wasn't going to happen, and I highly highly recommend it.) We recently had a family from Switzerland stay over at our house, and as a gift to the 12-year-old son we gave books of guitar sheet music, "Top Country Hits of '06-'07" and "Top Country Hits of 2008 and 2009," for which I made CDs of all the songs. It is through this that I discovered many many songs that I like. For example, my new favourite song that I've listened to way too many times already is "God Love Her" by Toby Keith (an artist I typically dislike). I very much like this song, and I think it's because of the true country sound it has, as well as the intonation and melody on certain lines, particularly in the chorus: "she's a rebel child and a preacher's daughter / she was baptized in dirty water / her mama cried the first time they caught her with me / they knew they couldn't stop her / she holds tight to me and the Bible on the backseat of my motorcycle / left her daddy standing there preaching to the choir..." Other songs I've really begun to like are "Every Mile a Memory" by Dierks Bentley; "A Good Man" by Emerson Drive; "Sweet Thing" by Keith Urban; "Cowgirls Don't Cry," "Ain't Nothin' Bout You," and "My Maria" by Brooks & Dunn; "The Baby" by Blake Shelton; "Walk a Little Straighter" by Billy Currington; "Sounds So Good" by Ashton Shepherd; "She's in Love With the Boy" by Trisha Yearwood; and "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" and "Out Last Night" by Kenny Chesney. If you're so astute and literate in country music that you realize that some of these songs are hardly from 2006-2009, you're quite right. I'm also working on a project, that I will tell you about when it's finished (if I ever do complete it!), and it is through that project that I came across the other songs.
I've also discovered this hilarious and talented music group called "Harry and the Potters." Their songs are all about the Harry Potter books, and they are just so funny. I encourage you to check them out - they are actually quite talented, and the music is really good. It's not country in the least, but it's just damn good music. The albums are also available on iTunes. That is my unpaid endorsement for the day.
In terms of the song I am about to post, I like it, but it pales in comparison to the one I am listening to right now ("Cold Day in July" by the Dixie Chicks) and I think it's weaker than others I have written. But I'm never a fair judge of my own work, so we'll see what you think. The backstory is virtually nonexistent. It has to do with the fact that I was sitting in the train on the way to work this morning and there was a woman sitting across from me, reading a book named "Do They Hear You When You Cry," except that when I first glanced over at her, her fingers covered most of the title so that the only words I discerned were Do, They, You, and Cry, which spawned the title of my song in my mind. I wanted to write it in the form that Kenny Chesney's "Never Wanted Nothing More" is written in - where you have two verses, both of which have the song title as the last line, followed by the chorus once, a third verse that mirrors the first two, the chorus, a fourth verse that is the same, and the chorus again. If that is too complicated, or sounds exactly like any other song you've ever heard or read, then I suggest you have a listen to the song. So I wrote it in that form, but I took a few liberties here and there (see if you can spot them).
I think have some sort of prolific fascination with stars in my songs. That's probably because I think they're incredibly romantic. I could be wrong.
Do They Ever Make You Cry
look up and see the heavens above
twinkling like they know about us
the sky like a blanket unfurled
and we're the only two in this world
the stars like studs in the sky
do they ever make you cry
I hear you whisper in my ear softly
and with your strong arms hold me
the night around us starts to shine
and you put your face near mine
'til I can see dreams in your eyes
do they ever make you cry
CHORUS:
right now, everything is beautiful
and my heart is too full to speak
and I can't find the words anyway
sometimes you gotta let your eyes convey
all that you mean to say
driving in your car by night
the road visible by headlight
I like to turn on the old radio
to that station we both know
love songs playing to the sky
do they ever make you cry
CHORUS:
right now, everything is beautiful
and my heart is too full to speak
and I can't find the words anyway
sometimes you gotta let your eyes convey
all that you mean to say
one day someday when you're gone
and I've had to move ahead alone
I hope that you'll remember me
and our initials carved in that tree
but we all have to say our goodbyes
do they ever make you cry
do they, do they ever make you cry
So that's it. Having read it through again as I was typing it up, I've realized that I really like it. It' s kind of understated, minimalistic, but nice at the same time. I hope you find the same thing.
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. July 24th is Travis Zajac's salary arbitration hearing. I hope it all goes well and he's back with the team, not only for this season but for the rest of his career.
p.p.s. The Tour de France began on July 4th, and so far it has been exceptionally boring, except for the TTT and the Pyrennean stage that Brice Feillu won. I'm hoping for an Alberto Contador win, even though Lance is back in the pack. Or an Andy Schleck win, because he is just...terrific. And because he looks amazing in the white jersey (that he won last year), when he's scaling those mountains and has it a little unzipped. Okay, I'm done now.
24 June 2009
He Never Looked Back
Hi there!
Just as a first quick and unpleasant thing, I want to apologize for the highly unprofessional attitude in my last post. Moving on, I'm overflowing with news - and of course, I have a song, too.
Last week were the CMTs - Country Music Television awards. The opening was quite funny, with Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler, and of course, the host, Bill Engvall. The performances were also quite stellar, energetic, and exceptional - but you would expect nothing less from the top artists of country music, would you? I thought not. The link to relive it all is here: <http://www.cmt.com/videos/shows/cmt-music-awards/2009-cmt-music-awards/1614111/playlist-detail.jhtml>. I highly recommend it.
Recently, I've fallen in love with Blake Shelton's song "She Wouldn't Be Gone" and Brad Paisley's new single "Then," off of his new album, due to be released next Tuesday, June 30th. Blake performed his song at the ACMs in April and Brad his at the CMTs. The first song is very catchy, and thought-provoking. The latter is just beautiful, as only Brad can be. I've always said (I don't know if I ever have here) that Brad Paisley has the sexiest voice in country music. I could listen to it all day. And my sister, a classical music junkie and not well-versed in country, agrees with me, which is saying something. So all the beautiful romantic songs that Brad has are just made even more so by that voice!
As another news flash, I just want to register my shock and delight at the fact that certain people have begun following me on Twitter. My username is "countrymusik19," so I guess it's not that big a surprise, but I get email updates as to who is now following me. Last week I got ones that said "Veronica Ballestrini is following you on twitter" and "The Carter Twins are following you on twitter." For those of you who don't know, these two entities are acts in country music, the former a 17-year-old who performs all over Nashville, including in the CMA Music Fest, and the latter two twins (named Josh and Zach) who have made it big and were at the CMTs. I was stunned and happy, and am curious as to how they found me. But not that it matters, because they are following at least 1,000 other twitterers (official term?).
Next, today I had my last guitar lesson. I made for my teacher a CD of 14 of the songs that either he taught me how to play or that I played for him from my iPod or just my favourite (examples: Kenny Chesney's "Beer in Mexico" and "Summertime," Taylor's "Mary's Song," and Rodney Atkins' "Angel's Hands" - all songs that he taught me to play. Brad Paisley's "We Danced," Jason Michael Carroll's "Livin' Our Love Song," and Keith Urban's "Days Go By" - songs that I played for him. Among others.) He told me that on August 15th, he will be playing with a different band than his usual one, helping to open a show for Billy Ray Cyrus at Six Flags, and invited me to come watch. He also said that all of his good students leave him and he's stuck with all the not-so-good students, which I took as a sign that I'm a good student, which made me happy. One thing I regret, however, is not telling him about this blog so that he could read it and see what I'm up to/tell me what he thinks about my songs, since he's a recorded guitarist. Maybe next time. This is why I try to live up to my favourite line from a Doc Walker song, "I wanna leave this place with a smile on my face, knowing what's in my heart didn't just stay in my heart."
Which brings me to my next point of interest. We're at a crossroads in our lives now, where those we've counted on seeing every day will no longer be there, for better or worse, a situation I am in the middle of writing a song about, "Don't Forget About Me" (an apt title, I think). And yesterday, the boy about whom I gushed about so unprofessionally in the last post, the boy with whom I am still painfully in love (in case you were wondering), had a party to celebrate this crossroads and accomplishment. I wanted to let him know officially how I felt about him, and just to leave it all out there so that I have no regrets, and so that I know "what's in my heart didn't just stay in my heart," so I decided to print out the songs I've written about him (there are four on this blog) and give them to him, once and for all. I wrote him a note explaining the reason why I write songs in the first place, because he's never asked, and then I put post-it notes on each song page, annotating the songs so that he would understand all the subtle allusions I made, allusions that only he would understand anyway. In case you were wondering, the four songs are "Genius," "Tonight," "Truth," and "Thank You." The latter two, my favourites in the series, had the longest post-its and "Truth" even had a copy of the poem that inspired it, a poem that he was kind enough to write to me in November. Although I did keep the original copy of the poem, I rewrote it in my own handwriting on the same paper as the original. I did something special with "Genius," too. Remember the line "then he leaned over and wrote on my notebook / David is perfect"? That was true, and I had cut it out of my notebook, because those mere three words bring back floods of memories, so I attached it to the song. I also told him that how he used to put his arm on my knee, as I mention many times in the song, used to make my day. Okay, now that I've become unprofessional again and given you waaaaay too much personal information there, I'll move on, shall I?
This song hit me, and I sat down and wrote it in less than half an hour. Which probably means that it's not good at all. Nevertheless (or sin embargo, if you speak Spanish), I got the idea as I was walking away from my guitar lesson, and I didn't look back. This was unintentional, of course, but it inspired the first line of my chorus. And the rest, as they say, is history.
I think this song is a response to the crossroads I'm at. But aside from that, I'm not quite sure how I came up with it, because nothing like it has ever actually happened in my life. [long, pensive pause by the blogger]
Anyway, here's the song:
He Never Looked Back
we said, let's be friends and keep in touch
but we both knew we were lying
we both knew we were out of luck
so then what's the use in trying
and neither one of us really meant it
when we said let's hope for the best
we smiled but only I felt it
so I watched as he went back to the rest
CHORUS:
but he never looked back
after all that we had shared
he never looked back
as if he never cared
as my mind replayed how it used to be
so happy to the point of insanity
and again I heard every laugh
but he never looked back
I wanted to yell at his back
I don't know what I would've said
maybe asked how he could do that
just get what we had out of his head
CHORUS:
cause he never looked back
after all that we had shared
he never looked back
as if he had never cared
my mind replayed how it used to be
back when he was with me
and again I heard every laugh
but he never looked back
BRIDGE:
we said, let's be friends and keep in touch
but we both knew we were lying
we both knew we were out of luck
so then what's the use in trying
and I turned away and tried to forget
CHORUS:
that he never looked back
after all that we had shared
he never looked back
as if he had never cared
my mind replayed how it used to be
us against the world but we were free
and again I heard every laugh
but he, he never looked back
no, he never looked back...
It kind of reminds me of Faith Hill's "Like We Never Loved At All." And I don't know if the second verse is any good, but that's what you're here for. Criticism, comments, jeers, and kudos are all accepted with equal delight.
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. Brent Sutter, I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. The Calgary Flames do not deserve you. Nor, on second thought, do the Devils after your defection and betrayal. Oh dear, what a state of affairs. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you, Brent Sutter.
p.p.s. Yes, indescribably happy. Even more so if you did it more often, as you're falling behind. But yes, indescribably happy.
Just as a first quick and unpleasant thing, I want to apologize for the highly unprofessional attitude in my last post. Moving on, I'm overflowing with news - and of course, I have a song, too.
Last week were the CMTs - Country Music Television awards. The opening was quite funny, with Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler, and of course, the host, Bill Engvall. The performances were also quite stellar, energetic, and exceptional - but you would expect nothing less from the top artists of country music, would you? I thought not. The link to relive it all is here: <http://www.cmt.com/videos/shows/cmt-music-awards/2009-cmt-music-awards/1614111/playlist-detail.jhtml>. I highly recommend it.
Recently, I've fallen in love with Blake Shelton's song "She Wouldn't Be Gone" and Brad Paisley's new single "Then," off of his new album, due to be released next Tuesday, June 30th. Blake performed his song at the ACMs in April and Brad his at the CMTs. The first song is very catchy, and thought-provoking. The latter is just beautiful, as only Brad can be. I've always said (I don't know if I ever have here) that Brad Paisley has the sexiest voice in country music. I could listen to it all day. And my sister, a classical music junkie and not well-versed in country, agrees with me, which is saying something. So all the beautiful romantic songs that Brad has are just made even more so by that voice!
As another news flash, I just want to register my shock and delight at the fact that certain people have begun following me on Twitter. My username is "countrymusik19," so I guess it's not that big a surprise, but I get email updates as to who is now following me. Last week I got ones that said "Veronica Ballestrini is following you on twitter" and "The Carter Twins are following you on twitter." For those of you who don't know, these two entities are acts in country music, the former a 17-year-old who performs all over Nashville, including in the CMA Music Fest, and the latter two twins (named Josh and Zach) who have made it big and were at the CMTs. I was stunned and happy, and am curious as to how they found me. But not that it matters, because they are following at least 1,000 other twitterers (official term?).
Next, today I had my last guitar lesson. I made for my teacher a CD of 14 of the songs that either he taught me how to play or that I played for him from my iPod or just my favourite (examples: Kenny Chesney's "Beer in Mexico" and "Summertime," Taylor's "Mary's Song," and Rodney Atkins' "Angel's Hands" - all songs that he taught me to play. Brad Paisley's "We Danced," Jason Michael Carroll's "Livin' Our Love Song," and Keith Urban's "Days Go By" - songs that I played for him. Among others.) He told me that on August 15th, he will be playing with a different band than his usual one, helping to open a show for Billy Ray Cyrus at Six Flags, and invited me to come watch. He also said that all of his good students leave him and he's stuck with all the not-so-good students, which I took as a sign that I'm a good student, which made me happy. One thing I regret, however, is not telling him about this blog so that he could read it and see what I'm up to/tell me what he thinks about my songs, since he's a recorded guitarist. Maybe next time. This is why I try to live up to my favourite line from a Doc Walker song, "I wanna leave this place with a smile on my face, knowing what's in my heart didn't just stay in my heart."
Which brings me to my next point of interest. We're at a crossroads in our lives now, where those we've counted on seeing every day will no longer be there, for better or worse, a situation I am in the middle of writing a song about, "Don't Forget About Me" (an apt title, I think). And yesterday, the boy about whom I gushed about so unprofessionally in the last post, the boy with whom I am still painfully in love (in case you were wondering), had a party to celebrate this crossroads and accomplishment. I wanted to let him know officially how I felt about him, and just to leave it all out there so that I have no regrets, and so that I know "what's in my heart didn't just stay in my heart," so I decided to print out the songs I've written about him (there are four on this blog) and give them to him, once and for all. I wrote him a note explaining the reason why I write songs in the first place, because he's never asked, and then I put post-it notes on each song page, annotating the songs so that he would understand all the subtle allusions I made, allusions that only he would understand anyway. In case you were wondering, the four songs are "Genius," "Tonight," "Truth," and "Thank You." The latter two, my favourites in the series, had the longest post-its and "Truth" even had a copy of the poem that inspired it, a poem that he was kind enough to write to me in November. Although I did keep the original copy of the poem, I rewrote it in my own handwriting on the same paper as the original. I did something special with "Genius," too. Remember the line "then he leaned over and wrote on my notebook / David is perfect"? That was true, and I had cut it out of my notebook, because those mere three words bring back floods of memories, so I attached it to the song. I also told him that how he used to put his arm on my knee, as I mention many times in the song, used to make my day. Okay, now that I've become unprofessional again and given you waaaaay too much personal information there, I'll move on, shall I?
This song hit me, and I sat down and wrote it in less than half an hour. Which probably means that it's not good at all. Nevertheless (or sin embargo, if you speak Spanish), I got the idea as I was walking away from my guitar lesson, and I didn't look back. This was unintentional, of course, but it inspired the first line of my chorus. And the rest, as they say, is history.
I think this song is a response to the crossroads I'm at. But aside from that, I'm not quite sure how I came up with it, because nothing like it has ever actually happened in my life. [long, pensive pause by the blogger]
Anyway, here's the song:
He Never Looked Back
we said, let's be friends and keep in touch
but we both knew we were lying
we both knew we were out of luck
so then what's the use in trying
and neither one of us really meant it
when we said let's hope for the best
we smiled but only I felt it
so I watched as he went back to the rest
CHORUS:
but he never looked back
after all that we had shared
he never looked back
as if he never cared
as my mind replayed how it used to be
so happy to the point of insanity
and again I heard every laugh
but he never looked back
I wanted to yell at his back
I don't know what I would've said
maybe asked how he could do that
just get what we had out of his head
CHORUS:
cause he never looked back
after all that we had shared
he never looked back
as if he had never cared
my mind replayed how it used to be
back when he was with me
and again I heard every laugh
but he never looked back
BRIDGE:
we said, let's be friends and keep in touch
but we both knew we were lying
we both knew we were out of luck
so then what's the use in trying
and I turned away and tried to forget
CHORUS:
that he never looked back
after all that we had shared
he never looked back
as if he had never cared
my mind replayed how it used to be
us against the world but we were free
and again I heard every laugh
but he, he never looked back
no, he never looked back...
It kind of reminds me of Faith Hill's "Like We Never Loved At All." And I don't know if the second verse is any good, but that's what you're here for. Criticism, comments, jeers, and kudos are all accepted with equal delight.
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. Brent Sutter, I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. The Calgary Flames do not deserve you. Nor, on second thought, do the Devils after your defection and betrayal. Oh dear, what a state of affairs. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you, Brent Sutter.
p.p.s. Yes, indescribably happy. Even more so if you did it more often, as you're falling behind. But yes, indescribably happy.
12 June 2009
Thank You
Hi there!
I am writing this very late tonight, but very blissful and happy and marvellously in love (a bit one-sidedly, but it's still splendid). Last night I had the beautiful realization that I am helplessly, madly, and pathetically in love, and during my coming to this conclusion I was writing a song about the experience.
A quick country music-related news update, the CMT awards are on Wednesday, the 17th. I think they're available live on the GAC website, or if you have the CMT channel, you can watch in that way. Lots and lots of videos are up for awards, including Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Gloriana, Lady Antebellum, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Jamey Johnson, Carrie Underwood, and Brooks & Dunn among many others.
Moving on rapidly, because I love the song and just want to get it out into the ether quickly, this song is about the best night of my life (to date). It's about spending time with the one, and just being grateful for every little thing he does and every little moment that is spent with him (Brad Paisley has a song titled "Little Moments" and it's wonderful, from his Mud on the Tires album). The first verse is my favourite, because I wrote that specifically as it was happening, so it really feels authentic to me. The chorus is what was coursing through my mind as he took my hands and he was paying attention to me, just me, so I was thankful that no one else was getting in the way and that he wasn't disgusted by me (always a plus!). Here it is:
Thank You
standing out there on the dance floor
just the two of us and many many more
me in my pink dress, him in his tux
I wanna tell him I love him so much
it's kind of awkward, I'm wearing heels
is it possible that this is all I need
he's beautiful, he takes my hands
and slowly we start to dance
CHORUS:
and all the while, I'm thinking thank you
thank you for being you
thank you for making this so easy
for teaching me what I never knew
for not making me beg you please
thank you for being you
sitting in the bus on the drive back
I'm feeling there's nothing the night lacks
he leans his head back and starts to hum
my favourite song and my heart goes numb
slowly I block out the background noise
until all that I hear is his voice
he keeps going and it's raining outside
I can't believe for tonight he's mine
CHORUS:
and all the while I'm thinking thank you
thank you for being you
thank you for making this so easy
for teaching me what I never knew
thank you for not making me beg you please
thank you for being you
BRIDGE:
thank you for the touch of your hand
thank you for saying yes when it was easier to say no
thank you for being strong and helping me to stand
thank you for dancing with me real slow
thank you for coming here with me tonight
it's something I'll remember for the rest of my life
his dad picks us up and drives me home
I fall deeper every second so please time go slow
he walks me with an umbrella to my door
I've never felt so in love before
I'd give anything for him to kiss me right now, but it's okay
that he says goodbye and walks away
I walk inside and think that's the way it should be
but I forever after relive the night for me
CHORUS:
and all the while I'll be thinking thank you
thank you for being you
thank you for making this so easy
for teaching me what I never knew
thank you for not making me beg you please
thank you for being you
thank you for being you
thank you for being you
I have no idea if it's any good at all. Maybe I'm just blinded because of how I feel about this guy so instead of being able to distinguish the good from the bad I merely equate anything to do with him as good (which, if you knew him, is slightly ironic) but in that case, that's why I post these things here, in the hope that there will be criticism. Anyway, that's what's new in my life.
Much much love from the pathetically-in-love girl and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. Pittsburgh Penguins = Stanley Cup Champions 2009. Now Sidney Crosby's ego can really be larger than Mellon Arena.
I am writing this very late tonight, but very blissful and happy and marvellously in love (a bit one-sidedly, but it's still splendid). Last night I had the beautiful realization that I am helplessly, madly, and pathetically in love, and during my coming to this conclusion I was writing a song about the experience.
A quick country music-related news update, the CMT awards are on Wednesday, the 17th. I think they're available live on the GAC website, or if you have the CMT channel, you can watch in that way. Lots and lots of videos are up for awards, including Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Gloriana, Lady Antebellum, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Jamey Johnson, Carrie Underwood, and Brooks & Dunn among many others.
Moving on rapidly, because I love the song and just want to get it out into the ether quickly, this song is about the best night of my life (to date). It's about spending time with the one, and just being grateful for every little thing he does and every little moment that is spent with him (Brad Paisley has a song titled "Little Moments" and it's wonderful, from his Mud on the Tires album). The first verse is my favourite, because I wrote that specifically as it was happening, so it really feels authentic to me. The chorus is what was coursing through my mind as he took my hands and he was paying attention to me, just me, so I was thankful that no one else was getting in the way and that he wasn't disgusted by me (always a plus!). Here it is:
Thank You
standing out there on the dance floor
just the two of us and many many more
me in my pink dress, him in his tux
I wanna tell him I love him so much
it's kind of awkward, I'm wearing heels
is it possible that this is all I need
he's beautiful, he takes my hands
and slowly we start to dance
CHORUS:
and all the while, I'm thinking thank you
thank you for being you
thank you for making this so easy
for teaching me what I never knew
for not making me beg you please
thank you for being you
sitting in the bus on the drive back
I'm feeling there's nothing the night lacks
he leans his head back and starts to hum
my favourite song and my heart goes numb
slowly I block out the background noise
until all that I hear is his voice
he keeps going and it's raining outside
I can't believe for tonight he's mine
CHORUS:
and all the while I'm thinking thank you
thank you for being you
thank you for making this so easy
for teaching me what I never knew
thank you for not making me beg you please
thank you for being you
BRIDGE:
thank you for the touch of your hand
thank you for saying yes when it was easier to say no
thank you for being strong and helping me to stand
thank you for dancing with me real slow
thank you for coming here with me tonight
it's something I'll remember for the rest of my life
his dad picks us up and drives me home
I fall deeper every second so please time go slow
he walks me with an umbrella to my door
I've never felt so in love before
I'd give anything for him to kiss me right now, but it's okay
that he says goodbye and walks away
I walk inside and think that's the way it should be
but I forever after relive the night for me
CHORUS:
and all the while I'll be thinking thank you
thank you for being you
thank you for making this so easy
for teaching me what I never knew
thank you for not making me beg you please
thank you for being you
thank you for being you
thank you for being you
I have no idea if it's any good at all. Maybe I'm just blinded because of how I feel about this guy so instead of being able to distinguish the good from the bad I merely equate anything to do with him as good (which, if you knew him, is slightly ironic) but in that case, that's why I post these things here, in the hope that there will be criticism. Anyway, that's what's new in my life.
Much much love from the pathetically-in-love girl and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. Pittsburgh Penguins = Stanley Cup Champions 2009. Now Sidney Crosby's ego can really be larger than Mellon Arena.
01 May 2009
(Just) One More Victory
Happy May, everyone!
I have a song this time. :)
But before we get there, just a few updates on the world of country music. For one, the nominees for the first round of the CMT (Country Music Television) Awards have been announced. The special thing about these awards is that it is the one country awards show that is completely fan-voted, so if you wish to vote for the next round of nominees, please check out this website: http://www.cmt.com/cmt-music-awards/vote.jhtml. In case you were wondering, I've already voted. The nominees are all deserving, so just go and vote for your favourites (or just to check out some new songs!). I think voting closes May 11th or so.
Next, and I know this is rather old news (I love oxymorons), the ACM Awards have come and gone. In fact, it'll be a month on Tuesday. Nevertheless, I will bore you to tears and give you a rundown of performers and winners, because I notate these things with precision. The opening number was a showcase of many talents, with the main focus being Brooks and Dunn with "Play Something Country"; the other performers were Taylor Swift ("Picture to Burn"), Sugarland ("It Happens"), Carrie Underwood ("All-American Girl"), and Rascal Flatts. Kenny Chesney with "We Went Out Last Night" was next. Following with a live interpretation of her music video for the song was Heidi Newfield with "Johnny and June" and lots of rings of fire. The next performer was Toby Keith and "God Love Her." For Toby Keith, it was an okay song. Jamey Johnson performed "In Colour" next, and it was beautiful - the lights cast a black and white glow on him, and it was only him and the acoustic guitar on top of a pile of old colourless pictures. Next was the timeless George Strait with his song "Troubadour." The next performer was introduced by the magician David Copperfield, and she appeared in a box out of nowhere; playing the piano accompaniment to "You're Not Sorry" was Taylor Swift, who was then called over by host Reba McIntire and received a Crystal Milestone Award for selling more albums than anyone else this year. After that the next performers were Lady Antebellum (my new favourite group!) with "I Run to You" and its beautiful harmonies. The next song, a slower one, was LeAnn Womack's "Solitary Thinkin'." Keith Urban performed next, his latest single "I Wanna Kiss a Girl." The subsequent performer was Miranda Lambert, with her new song "Dead Flowers," which will be a hit and is beautiful. John Rich sang next, his solitary effort "Shuttin' Detroit Down." The omnipotent Miley Cyrus performed "The Climb," from Hannah Montana: The Movie, which is actually a powerful and tremendous country song. The next group was Montgomery Gentry, with "One In Every Crowd." Carrie Underwood wore the most gigantic dress when she performed "I Told You So," which was the next song. After that was "Strange" by host Reba McIntire. The next was an homage and a tribute by Trace Adkins, "Til the Last Shot's Fired," a song which made me tear up (which was probably the point). Sugarland continued its streak with "What I'd Give." The last two performances were Blake Shelton with "She Wouldn't Be Gone," a very catchy and nice song, and "Here Comes Goodbye" by Rascal Flatts, which was very moving.
A full list of winners follows:
Vocal Event of the Year - "Start a Band," Brad Paisley and Keith Urban
Video of the Year - "Waitin' on a Woman," Brad Paisley (is anyone surprised?)
Song of the Year - "In Color," Jamey Johnson
Single Record of the Year - "You're Gonna Miss This," Trace Adkins
Album of the Year - Fearless, Taylor Swift (I loved her speech)
Top New Artist [fan-voted] - Julianne Hough
Top Vocal Duo - Sugarland (duh)
Top Vocal Group - Rascal Flatts (duh, again)
Top Female Vocalist - Carrie Underwood
Top Male Vocalist - Brad Paisley
Entertainer of the Year [fan-voted] - Carrie Underwood
Brad Paisley was not there, on account of the fact that his wife was about to give birth, so he accepted his awards via satellite.
Here comes my song! I hope you like it. I'd love to hear what you think it is about before I tell you. I wrote it on Tuesday night, and I like it. The first two lines of the chorus just popped into my head and it was just so beautiful I couldn't not use it, and I love when that happens. The reason there are ( ) around the "Just" in the title is because I'm not sure if it belongs. Please tell me what you think!
(Just) One More Victory
that's not the way it was supposed to be
too soon, too unfair, the end came too quickly
still don't know exactly what happened
too stunned to move, too stunned to speak
but what is there for us to say anyway
CHORUS:
it's just one more victory for the doubters
and another blow to the innocence of the believers
don't try to apologize, I see the tears in your eyes
we tried and left it all out there
no one can say we don't care
we were winning for so long
when just like that it all went wrong
that's not what was supposed to happen
we should've stayed strong and not given in like that
still not sure exactly how it ended
but time keeps on movin' and bringing change
and there we were, swept up by a hurricane
CHORUS:
it's just one more victory for the doubters
and another blow to the innocence of the believers
don't try to apologize, I see the tears in your eyes
we tried and put ourselves all out there
we were winning for so long
when just like that it all went wrong
BRIDGE:
it'll take some time for us to recover
and I love you and I will - forever
someday we'll look back and point and say
that's what made us all that much stronger
it only took a minute for it to go wrong
in the blink of an eye what we've built has gone
still don't know exactly how it happened
now we're stuck wondering why us
to figure out how we got so lost
we didn't think we'd actually feel this empty
it's like everything's gone, some part of me
still don't know exactly how it ended
all the promise escaped with all the glory
and all the hope we had for us destroyed
CHORUS:
it's just one more victory for the doubters
and another blow to the innocence of the believers
don't try to apologize, I see the tears in your eyes
we tried and left all we had out there
no one can say that we don't care
we were winning for so long
when just like that, it all went wrong
and what we've had for so long slipped away
so we shake hands and go our separate ways...
So there it is. Comments, criticism, ideas all welcome and accepted.
Much love and thank you for the musik,
NBK
I have a song this time. :)
But before we get there, just a few updates on the world of country music. For one, the nominees for the first round of the CMT (Country Music Television) Awards have been announced. The special thing about these awards is that it is the one country awards show that is completely fan-voted, so if you wish to vote for the next round of nominees, please check out this website: http://www.cmt.com/cmt-music-awards/vote.jhtml. In case you were wondering, I've already voted. The nominees are all deserving, so just go and vote for your favourites (or just to check out some new songs!). I think voting closes May 11th or so.
Next, and I know this is rather old news (I love oxymorons), the ACM Awards have come and gone. In fact, it'll be a month on Tuesday. Nevertheless, I will bore you to tears and give you a rundown of performers and winners, because I notate these things with precision. The opening number was a showcase of many talents, with the main focus being Brooks and Dunn with "Play Something Country"; the other performers were Taylor Swift ("Picture to Burn"), Sugarland ("It Happens"), Carrie Underwood ("All-American Girl"), and Rascal Flatts. Kenny Chesney with "We Went Out Last Night" was next. Following with a live interpretation of her music video for the song was Heidi Newfield with "Johnny and June" and lots of rings of fire. The next performer was Toby Keith and "God Love Her." For Toby Keith, it was an okay song. Jamey Johnson performed "In Colour" next, and it was beautiful - the lights cast a black and white glow on him, and it was only him and the acoustic guitar on top of a pile of old colourless pictures. Next was the timeless George Strait with his song "Troubadour." The next performer was introduced by the magician David Copperfield, and she appeared in a box out of nowhere; playing the piano accompaniment to "You're Not Sorry" was Taylor Swift, who was then called over by host Reba McIntire and received a Crystal Milestone Award for selling more albums than anyone else this year. After that the next performers were Lady Antebellum (my new favourite group!) with "I Run to You" and its beautiful harmonies. The next song, a slower one, was LeAnn Womack's "Solitary Thinkin'." Keith Urban performed next, his latest single "I Wanna Kiss a Girl." The subsequent performer was Miranda Lambert, with her new song "Dead Flowers," which will be a hit and is beautiful. John Rich sang next, his solitary effort "Shuttin' Detroit Down." The omnipotent Miley Cyrus performed "The Climb," from Hannah Montana: The Movie, which is actually a powerful and tremendous country song. The next group was Montgomery Gentry, with "One In Every Crowd." Carrie Underwood wore the most gigantic dress when she performed "I Told You So," which was the next song. After that was "Strange" by host Reba McIntire. The next was an homage and a tribute by Trace Adkins, "Til the Last Shot's Fired," a song which made me tear up (which was probably the point). Sugarland continued its streak with "What I'd Give." The last two performances were Blake Shelton with "She Wouldn't Be Gone," a very catchy and nice song, and "Here Comes Goodbye" by Rascal Flatts, which was very moving.
A full list of winners follows:
Vocal Event of the Year - "Start a Band," Brad Paisley and Keith Urban
Video of the Year - "Waitin' on a Woman," Brad Paisley (is anyone surprised?)
Song of the Year - "In Color," Jamey Johnson
Single Record of the Year - "You're Gonna Miss This," Trace Adkins
Album of the Year - Fearless, Taylor Swift (I loved her speech)
Top New Artist [fan-voted] - Julianne Hough
Top Vocal Duo - Sugarland (duh)
Top Vocal Group - Rascal Flatts (duh, again)
Top Female Vocalist - Carrie Underwood
Top Male Vocalist - Brad Paisley
Entertainer of the Year [fan-voted] - Carrie Underwood
Brad Paisley was not there, on account of the fact that his wife was about to give birth, so he accepted his awards via satellite.
Here comes my song! I hope you like it. I'd love to hear what you think it is about before I tell you. I wrote it on Tuesday night, and I like it. The first two lines of the chorus just popped into my head and it was just so beautiful I couldn't not use it, and I love when that happens. The reason there are ( ) around the "Just" in the title is because I'm not sure if it belongs. Please tell me what you think!
(Just) One More Victory
that's not the way it was supposed to be
too soon, too unfair, the end came too quickly
still don't know exactly what happened
too stunned to move, too stunned to speak
but what is there for us to say anyway
CHORUS:
it's just one more victory for the doubters
and another blow to the innocence of the believers
don't try to apologize, I see the tears in your eyes
we tried and left it all out there
no one can say we don't care
we were winning for so long
when just like that it all went wrong
that's not what was supposed to happen
we should've stayed strong and not given in like that
still not sure exactly how it ended
but time keeps on movin' and bringing change
and there we were, swept up by a hurricane
CHORUS:
it's just one more victory for the doubters
and another blow to the innocence of the believers
don't try to apologize, I see the tears in your eyes
we tried and put ourselves all out there
we were winning for so long
when just like that it all went wrong
BRIDGE:
it'll take some time for us to recover
and I love you and I will - forever
someday we'll look back and point and say
that's what made us all that much stronger
it only took a minute for it to go wrong
in the blink of an eye what we've built has gone
still don't know exactly how it happened
now we're stuck wondering why us
to figure out how we got so lost
we didn't think we'd actually feel this empty
it's like everything's gone, some part of me
still don't know exactly how it ended
all the promise escaped with all the glory
and all the hope we had for us destroyed
CHORUS:
it's just one more victory for the doubters
and another blow to the innocence of the believers
don't try to apologize, I see the tears in your eyes
we tried and left all we had out there
no one can say that we don't care
we were winning for so long
when just like that, it all went wrong
and what we've had for so long slipped away
so we shake hands and go our separate ways...
So there it is. Comments, criticism, ideas all welcome and accepted.
Much love and thank you for the musik,
NBK
30 March 2009
It's Just Sand
Hey all!
Right now, I am listening to my new favourite song, "Wild at Heart," by Gloriana. It's amazing. It's a country song by a new band (they're touring with Taylor Swift on her Fearless tour), and the lyrics are beautiful ("That rebel moon is shinin' / Those stars burn like diamonds / Hell bent on chasin' down that crazy slide / I'll follow you where you're leading / To the first sweet taste of freedom" is part of the chorus) and the melody is one surprise after another. I love it.
A few weeks ago, I was in Montreal for a long weekend because it was my parents' 25th wedding anniversary (yay!!). It was cold, but lovely. We drove there and the first day was terribly cold, but we walked from our hotel to the Bell Centre (the place where the Montreal Canadiens play), which was at least 25 blocks in freezing temperatures and coat-cutting winds, so you have leave to be impressed. The next day was wonderful; we walked to the Vieux Port and Vieux Montreal (for you non-French speakers, Vieux means old) and we popped into stores on the way there and back (mostly to warm up, but also to immerse ourselves into the culture of the city). That evening, we went into a sports bar/restaurant and watched the New Jersey Devils versus the Montreal Canadiens game in a place that was clearly pro-Canadiens. It was the most intense game ever, because the Devils' goalie, Marty Brodeur, is from Montreal and if the Devils won that night (which they did, with a score of 3-1!) he would tie the all-time wins record by a goalie at 551 wins, tying Patrick Roy (also a Montrealer). Every time the Devils scored, we cheered like crazy, and at the end of the game, when Marty tied the record, everyone at the Bell Centre and everyone at the restaurant stood up and cheered for him. I get goosebumps whenever I think of it. The next day was also spectacular, as we went to the manmade islands surrounding the city, where the World Expo in 1967 was held. When we crossed the bridge, we stopped for a while to look at the ice breaking on the river below us. I've never seen anything like it. On one of the islands was the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the Formula 1 race track where the Canadian Grand Prix had been held for years (it has been dropped for this season, sadly). We walked the length of the track, pointing out where certain events we remember happened (pit lane - "oh, this is where Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg took out Kimi when the pit lane was closed last year." or "here at this hairpin was Robert Kubica's frightful crash in 2007."). I loved doing that track walk. And since I'm on the subject, I'll just mention that the first Formula 1 race of the 2009 season was yesterday, in Melbourne. It was intense, with the most dramatic crash happening in the last three laps and deciding the final podium as Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel took each other out unnecessarily; my favourite driver, Kimi Raikkonen, didn't finish in his Ferrari (and neither did his teammate, Felipe Massa) because he spun into the wall; and Jenson Button and Reubens Barrichello, whose team went from panic when Honda pulled out of the sport in December to redemption when team principal Ross Brawn bought the team and renamed it Brawn GP just three weeks ago, finished first and second respectively, the first time a team went 1-2 in its first Grand Prix since Mercedes in 1954 (and that's cause that was the first year of the championship). It was phenomenal, and I can't wait until next week, when the circus moves to Malaysia! Going back to North America, however, the third day we again walked around the city and we left the next day. The day we came back was the day Marty broke Roy's record and I cried.
When we were in Montreal, I discovered this terrific band from Manitoba. It was the freezing day that we were walking to the Bell Centre, and I saw a music store on the way and suggested we warm up there for a while. I specifically looked for this band because I'd heard of them before (it's Travis Zajac's favourite band, he's from Winnepeg and he likes country and no I'm not obsessed because he told me so himself, personally), and to my absolute delight they had two albums there. The band is called Doc Walker, and I have their self-titled album and Beautiful Life. I haven't opened the latter because I'm waiting until my fervour over the first dies down (which tells me I'll be waiting for a long time to open the second one), but I absolutely love love love Doc Walker. My favourite songs are "My Life," because it is essentially my philosophy on life set to music, and "Driving with the Brakes On," because of the beautiful melody and the bridge (btw, the opening notes sound like Taylor Swift's "The Best Day"). So if you're interested, I highly recommend the band and the songs.
My song today is called "It's Just Sand," and I don't think it needs any explanation. I mean, aside from the obvious fact that it's not based on a true story. It's a happy song (my sister would be so proud), but it's not without its conflict.
It's Just Sand
you call me on the phone one afternoon
say "your mom won't let me see you sometime soon
you can't sneak out, I don't have a car
I don't see how we can make it far"
I take a deep breath and think hey
are we gonna let this get in our way
(you know that)
CHORUS:
it's just sand, it'll fall through the cracks
we've got each other so baby, just relax
we'll figure it out, we'll make this count
and somehow we will make them understand
all these obstacles are like sand
your friends are laughin' cause they don't think we'll last
they think we're gonna break up, and fast
do you still think that we can't make it
cause if you do I don't think I can take it
you look at me and whisper hey
are we gonna let this get in our way
(don't you know that)
CHORUS:
it's just sand, it'll fall through the cracks
we've got each other so baby, just relax
we'll figure it out, we'll make this count
and somehow we will make them understand
all these obstacles are like sand
BRIDGE:
there's you and I and between us the world
all the small things against this boy and girl
but just like you can't ruin a castle with the rain
you can't break us apart by throwin' grains
(don't you know that)
CHORUS:
it's just sand, it'll fall through the cracks
we've got each other so baby, just relax
we'll figure it out, we'll make this count
and somehow we will make them understand
that it's just sand, it'll fall through the cracks
and we've got each other so baby, just relax
we'll figure it out, we'll make this count
and now we hold the future in our hands
cause all these obstacles are like sand
What do you think? I like it. I've been cultivating it since last Friday and I started writing the chorus before I fell asleep last night (cause that's what I do instead of counting sheep, although sometimes I don't get drowsy because I'm so excited about the new song).
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. Be on the lookout for "I Should've Said Yes" and "Promises That You Don't Keep."
Right now, I am listening to my new favourite song, "Wild at Heart," by Gloriana. It's amazing. It's a country song by a new band (they're touring with Taylor Swift on her Fearless tour), and the lyrics are beautiful ("That rebel moon is shinin' / Those stars burn like diamonds / Hell bent on chasin' down that crazy slide / I'll follow you where you're leading / To the first sweet taste of freedom" is part of the chorus) and the melody is one surprise after another. I love it.
A few weeks ago, I was in Montreal for a long weekend because it was my parents' 25th wedding anniversary (yay!!). It was cold, but lovely. We drove there and the first day was terribly cold, but we walked from our hotel to the Bell Centre (the place where the Montreal Canadiens play), which was at least 25 blocks in freezing temperatures and coat-cutting winds, so you have leave to be impressed. The next day was wonderful; we walked to the Vieux Port and Vieux Montreal (for you non-French speakers, Vieux means old) and we popped into stores on the way there and back (mostly to warm up, but also to immerse ourselves into the culture of the city). That evening, we went into a sports bar/restaurant and watched the New Jersey Devils versus the Montreal Canadiens game in a place that was clearly pro-Canadiens. It was the most intense game ever, because the Devils' goalie, Marty Brodeur, is from Montreal and if the Devils won that night (which they did, with a score of 3-1!) he would tie the all-time wins record by a goalie at 551 wins, tying Patrick Roy (also a Montrealer). Every time the Devils scored, we cheered like crazy, and at the end of the game, when Marty tied the record, everyone at the Bell Centre and everyone at the restaurant stood up and cheered for him. I get goosebumps whenever I think of it. The next day was also spectacular, as we went to the manmade islands surrounding the city, where the World Expo in 1967 was held. When we crossed the bridge, we stopped for a while to look at the ice breaking on the river below us. I've never seen anything like it. On one of the islands was the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the Formula 1 race track where the Canadian Grand Prix had been held for years (it has been dropped for this season, sadly). We walked the length of the track, pointing out where certain events we remember happened (pit lane - "oh, this is where Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg took out Kimi when the pit lane was closed last year." or "here at this hairpin was Robert Kubica's frightful crash in 2007."). I loved doing that track walk. And since I'm on the subject, I'll just mention that the first Formula 1 race of the 2009 season was yesterday, in Melbourne. It was intense, with the most dramatic crash happening in the last three laps and deciding the final podium as Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel took each other out unnecessarily; my favourite driver, Kimi Raikkonen, didn't finish in his Ferrari (and neither did his teammate, Felipe Massa) because he spun into the wall; and Jenson Button and Reubens Barrichello, whose team went from panic when Honda pulled out of the sport in December to redemption when team principal Ross Brawn bought the team and renamed it Brawn GP just three weeks ago, finished first and second respectively, the first time a team went 1-2 in its first Grand Prix since Mercedes in 1954 (and that's cause that was the first year of the championship). It was phenomenal, and I can't wait until next week, when the circus moves to Malaysia! Going back to North America, however, the third day we again walked around the city and we left the next day. The day we came back was the day Marty broke Roy's record and I cried.
When we were in Montreal, I discovered this terrific band from Manitoba. It was the freezing day that we were walking to the Bell Centre, and I saw a music store on the way and suggested we warm up there for a while. I specifically looked for this band because I'd heard of them before (it's Travis Zajac's favourite band, he's from Winnepeg and he likes country and no I'm not obsessed because he told me so himself, personally), and to my absolute delight they had two albums there. The band is called Doc Walker, and I have their self-titled album and Beautiful Life. I haven't opened the latter because I'm waiting until my fervour over the first dies down (which tells me I'll be waiting for a long time to open the second one), but I absolutely love love love Doc Walker. My favourite songs are "My Life," because it is essentially my philosophy on life set to music, and "Driving with the Brakes On," because of the beautiful melody and the bridge (btw, the opening notes sound like Taylor Swift's "The Best Day"). So if you're interested, I highly recommend the band and the songs.
My song today is called "It's Just Sand," and I don't think it needs any explanation. I mean, aside from the obvious fact that it's not based on a true story. It's a happy song (my sister would be so proud), but it's not without its conflict.
It's Just Sand
you call me on the phone one afternoon
say "your mom won't let me see you sometime soon
you can't sneak out, I don't have a car
I don't see how we can make it far"
I take a deep breath and think hey
are we gonna let this get in our way
(you know that)
CHORUS:
it's just sand, it'll fall through the cracks
we've got each other so baby, just relax
we'll figure it out, we'll make this count
and somehow we will make them understand
all these obstacles are like sand
your friends are laughin' cause they don't think we'll last
they think we're gonna break up, and fast
do you still think that we can't make it
cause if you do I don't think I can take it
you look at me and whisper hey
are we gonna let this get in our way
(don't you know that)
CHORUS:
it's just sand, it'll fall through the cracks
we've got each other so baby, just relax
we'll figure it out, we'll make this count
and somehow we will make them understand
all these obstacles are like sand
BRIDGE:
there's you and I and between us the world
all the small things against this boy and girl
but just like you can't ruin a castle with the rain
you can't break us apart by throwin' grains
(don't you know that)
CHORUS:
it's just sand, it'll fall through the cracks
we've got each other so baby, just relax
we'll figure it out, we'll make this count
and somehow we will make them understand
that it's just sand, it'll fall through the cracks
and we've got each other so baby, just relax
we'll figure it out, we'll make this count
and now we hold the future in our hands
cause all these obstacles are like sand
What do you think? I like it. I've been cultivating it since last Friday and I started writing the chorus before I fell asleep last night (cause that's what I do instead of counting sheep, although sometimes I don't get drowsy because I'm so excited about the new song).
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. Be on the lookout for "I Should've Said Yes" and "Promises That You Don't Keep."
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