What I Learned...

Hello all,

So, if you've been following, then you are already aware of the challenge I presented myself, and the fact that every day for the month of May I finished a song's worth of lyrics as a means of forcing creativity.  I would like to thank you for taking this journey with me.  As I said, it ain't all gold, but I am very proud to say that I am happy with the outcome of the month, and there are some real gems in there that I fully plan on working with/editing/elaborating on...

Throughout this process, there are a few things that I learned:

   1.  It's hard to write a song a day!  I found that after a few days, my mind started regressing to things I had already written, or melodic lines/song styles/structures that I had just used.  I suppose this isn't a bad thing, but I definitely wanted to really test myself and try to create something brand new everyday, and it became difficult once I had drained the most prominent ideas.

   2.  It's hard to create something brand new!  Each time I was looking to do a song, I found that there was almost always a song I already knew of (usually by someone else) that my mind used as a frame of reference.  I don't think I should be bothered by this.  Everyone hears and processes things a bit differently, so I'm sure that my outcome will either end up sounding nothing like the potential 'source' material, or it will sound too much like it, but spark a change.  And at that point, at least I'll have the lyrics started!

   3.  No matter what the topic of the song, it's all based in two main ideas...'Hope' and 'Fear'.  I had learned this concept in college, but it becomes far more apparent when you are on the writer's side.  Every song is delivered to it's audience by a character, and that character has to want something.  The songs that I feel came out best from this experiment are the ones in which the character is clearly yearning for something, or making a decision...based on their hopes or their fears.

   4.  What's the story, Morning glory?!  Every song not only needs a character to relay it, but it also is immensely beneficial to know/build surrounding circumstances.  The more specific the story is in your head, the more specific the character/lyric can be, and through that specificity you allow a wider audience to connect with your work.  "Universality through Specificity."  (I heard Stephen Schwartz mention something about this at a reading series for which he was on a panel.  So true.)

   5.  Music is vital!  I appreciate those of you who've been following, or checking the site out sporadically, but I understand how difficult it is to follow a page of JUST lyrics.  It is not always easy to decipher the rhythm, or the rhyme scheme, and it is certainly not easy to figure out what melody the writer has in mind.  For my next challenge, I am working out a remedy to this.

   6.  Most importantly:  While I am glad that I did this, I found that by the end of writing each song, I had little creative energy left over to work on other projects.  This may have been different if I wasn't working a day job during most of this process, but I think that the majority of my focus went to this.  I'm looking forward to getting back to my musical, where I already have a set idea as to style/focus/story/character, and can really hone in on cleaning that up with my newfound knowledge.


As I said before, thank you so much for joining me for this journey.  I am planning to do another self-challenge soon, that will probably allow me a bit more time to create, but will incorporate scan, music...etc.  I'm very excited!

If you are just now reading this, you can find out what my SOTD challenge was all about by reading this.  I would be more than happy, in fact appreciative, to have you be my guest, and browse through the songs from the month.  Remember, each of them was written in a 24 hour period, and I advise starting from the beginning, 'I Turn The Page', and going through from there. Please feel free to comment, or send me any thoughts you may have, but please keep it constructive.  This has been a learning process, and I want to keep the experience positive.  In fact, if you like it, please click 'Follow' on the upper right corner of the blog.  It won't send anything you're way, but it'll make me look cooler!

Thanks again, and I'll be back soon with more 'Lee'rical Wordplay!

~Lee

Day 31 - 'A Goodbye...But Not'

Hello all,

A goodbye...but not.

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They say that all good things must come to an end.

This is not the most encouraging message you could send.

While we’re teaching our little ones hope, joy and love,

The message seems muddled when we mention the above…

So I prefer to view the world like this,

Though I don’t contend eternity can guarantee you bliss,

I do think good things can last, and that is why,

I say ‘I’ll see you soon’ and not ‘Goodbye’.

And if life gets in the way, confuses, causes you to stray,

It simply is a fact we all must face.

It doesn’t mean you’ve lost it all, that hasn’t been the cost at all,

Look hard enough, you’ll find a lingering trace.

And that hint will lead you back to where you were before,

As we’ve heard too often, all is fair in love and war,

So, is it fair for you to give up without a single try?

No, that’s why it’s ‘I’ll see you soon’ and not ‘Goodbye’.

We’ll say ‘I’ll see you soon’ and not ‘Goodbye’.

We’ll just say ‘I’ll see you soon’ and not ‘Goodbye’.

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Thanks for joining me for the month...and there'll be more to follow!

~Lee

Day 30 - 'The South Shall Rise'

Hey.

Today’s SOTD is a fun one.  I was playing with a character from my show, and I thought it’d be fun to write another song for her, as she is now, before I go and make the character completely different!

This is slow country for the verse, then it gets up-tempo with a bluegrass feel once we hit the chorus and bridge.

Enjoy!

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I know you’re feelin’ low…

I know life’s got you down.

Dejected, un-erected, downright blue.

Balls are hard to juggle,

But a tug’ll cure that frown,

Just listen as I ‘sang’ this vocal ‘yank’ as though on cue…

So your drive’s been far too placid,

Every part of you feels flaccid,

But the South shall rise again.

Your libido’s been defeated

And the ailment has been left untreated…

The South shall rise again.

I’ll give a healthy dose of Southern hospitality…

They say ‘Don’t Mess with Texas” boy, but you can mess with me.

I’ve called on you to draw your sword, you ain’t no General Lee!

The South shall rise again!

Your potency is stunted,

‘Cuz your blood flow has been shunted,

But the South shall rise again.

So your ego is deflated,

Because downstairs won’t get elevated…

The South shall rise again.

Hey ky-ohhhh,

You must be left a little miffed…

Hey ky-ehhhh,

Because life has left you stiffed.

Still, I assure you lots of other gents,

Have lost track of their up-come-ence, but

The South shall rise again!

(Dance break)

So your General’s worn out from all the greasy grass it’s spanned.

Like George, your arm is strong, but can ‘below’ meet the demand?

Let me battle with that Bighorn…’cus this ain’t Custer’s last stand…

Just saddle up, mount on and then…

The South shall rise again!

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Thanks for joining me for the day, and I’ll see you tomorrow with another SOTD!

~Lee

Day 29 - 'Tongue Twister'

Hello.

Today, an exercise.  I wanted to try playing with one particular sound for the rhyme scheme, and pivoting off of that.

This is a patter song, so it would be light and quick, in a major key.  Enjoy!

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When your nerves are all frayed,
‘Cuz your lover’s ‘away-ed’,
Even though you had bade him,
He ‘couldn’t have’ stayed.


So you’re stuck in a rut, thinking he may have strayed,
Maybe even betrayed you,
And just to get laid! 


Well, then I’ve got an aid, to this doubt you’ve relayed,
And replayed it again and again in your hade.


Easily put a halt on that thought cavalcade,
And release all the jaded idea’s your mind made.
If you wade in good thoughts insecurities fade,
And you’ll find peace of mind is a toll that’s been paid.


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Thanks for joining me for the day, and I'll see you tomorrow with another SOTD!

~Lee

Day 28 - 'A Drinking Song'

Hello,

And post-Birthday is always a fun day...so here's a silly tune to go with the mood.  It's been a crazy day, and I still have more weekend ahead.

This one is rubato for the verse, then uptempo chorus, bridge and chorus.

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Once a year a certain day comes creeping up on me,

And every time it catches me off-guard.

It’s dreadful, yet fantastic…makes me think I’m going spastic.

And in it’s wake, I’m left a little jarred.

I am speaking of my annual birth-i-versary,

The marker of the day that I was born,

And though I love my Mother dear, for giving life to me,

The event, itself, most recently has filled me up with scorn.

But there’s hope, I’ve found, to get around the hounding of this feeling,

A recipe for respite from this angst,

And so I mix it up a bit, and pour thoughts more appealing,

As I pray to Dionysus, and give thanks…

I have a drink.

That’s right I drink.

When my birthday is at hand, I try to smile, strike up the band,

And give a cheer,

Then grab a beer.

Or swallow any kind of beverage that is clear.

I like starting in the morning, when mourning begins,

My breakfast, eggs and waffles, and three different gins

And if this is wrong, then please, Lord forgive me my sins…

But still, I drink.

That’s right I drink.

Still, I do drink.

When my life is getting harder, well I simply pour a little chardonnay.

And who’s to say,

A nip of whiskey doesn’t go a long, long way?

Though many search for lunch at a local food cart,

I’ve got a little secret that I’ve chosen to impart,

When I’ve aged another year, the liquor cabinet’s where I start,

So I can drink.

Now, I don’t condone, drinking on the job,

Or while driving or when caring for a child…

But in my life, I’ve none of those things,

So I think I’ll pour another drink and watch more ‘Girls Gone Wild’!

Spoken:  ‘Parts 2, 5 & 7…I like Lucy, the Slut...’

While I drink!

Another drink.

It isn’t half so bad as all you prudes may think.

It’s just that coping with another year of life gone by,

Makes my heart and mind and body heave a mournful sigh…and

Sure I could resist it, but can someone tell me why?

So I…

Drink!

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Thanks for joining me for the day, and I'll see you tomorrow with another SOTD.

~Lee

Day 27 - 'Another Year'

Hello.

So in honor of the passing of another year, I've written a ballad.  It's not as sad as it sounds at first.

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Another year has past,

And thinking back, it went so fast,

Faster than I care to admit.

Another year has flown,

And when I think how much I’ve grown,

It’s hard to grasp the fact that I lived

Through all this shit.

But I know it’s ‘onward, upward’,

I know that time will not stand still

For anything at all, or anyone…

Another year has past.

And with it, hopes are slipping fast away,

So they can keep me on the run.

You chase your hopes a million miles until your heart runs out of steam,

Your soul is weak and weary from the pace.

And when you get your second wind and catch up with your dream,

You learn that it’s already won the race…

Another year is gone,

And with it, one more door is closed,

But as it shuts, you feel a window crack,

Remember, hearts can alter, rearrange what they desire,

One goal can be released, as long as someone can inspire,

The next to take it’s place, and fill the space that’s been left vacant and free…

You’re that someone

To me.


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Thanks for joining me for the day, and I'll see you tomorrow with another SOTD.

~Lee

Day 26 - 'Where You're Meant To Go'

Hey.

Just a ballad to counter the last couple of days.  Contemporary pop ballad, to be exact.

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There’s a horizon in front,

There’s a sunset behind…

But careful not to turn around,

Or you may change your mind…

Just a glance could chance the view to change,

And perhaps spark a relapse.

‘Cuz the spectrum of this open range

Appears to have been laced with traps…

But your vision clears,

As the tears are brushed aside.

And the memories of good times linger,

Ready for the ride.

And a glimpse of what’s in store helps

Veer you toward another day.

And even though there’s more to miss than you could say…

There’s a time, and a place,

And the time has come to change your space up,

Get up and get out, so you can grow.

There’s a where, and a when,

And it’s best that every now and then you

Put it on the line, or you’ll never know…

Where you’re meant to go.

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Thanks for joining me for the day, and I'll see you tomorrow with another SOTD.

~Lee