After reading the assignment this fell out of my brain. I hope to record tomorrow evening. Feedback, etc. is welcome.
3/4 time, Key of C
Chords: C - x32o1o; Am - xo221o; Dm - xxo231; G - 32ooo3; F - xx3211;
Chorus
C Am Dm
Cause of a thrill that chicken on the hill Will
G C F
he hit homers out of Forbes Field
C Am Dm
For each of 475 he'd strike out five live
C G C
Hero's troubled life was not revealed
Verse 1
C Em Am
Was six and played hard with those baseball cards
C G C
before cable, ESPN roundtable and the net
C Em Am
Radio could not see was rarely on TV
C G C
Was as close to seeing those games as I could get
Verse 2
C Em Am
Picked Willie to be my favorite lefty
C G C
in Kiners corner no benchwarmer was he
C Em Am
Young and strong Willie drove the ball long
C G C
Atlanta, LA to Pittsburgh PA he'd hit out three
Repeat chorus
Verse 3
C Em Am
Saw him play the last year of his hall of fame career
C G C
Homer over the wall off a forkball from Tom Hume
C Em Am
Didn't know it was his last it all went so fast
C G C
Can't forget when bat and ball met in that room
Verse 4
C Em Am
Got his autograph still had a smile and laugh
C G C
when we'd look at the old Pirates yearbook photo
C Em Am
Weak smile as he'd sign a hundred more waiting in line
C G C
For a moment to see and talk with Willie the hero
Repeat chorus
Verse 5
C Em Am
Those days are done now watching games is no fun
C G C
I'd rather create than sit and spectate a sport
C Em Am
Remembering a sad face seemed in a bad space
C G C
in my days observing Willie's ways from a fort
outro
C Em Am
Was six and played hard with those baseball cards
Your lines have rhymes that will live through time.
Mine don't shine like thine.
Looks like you've got the idea. Looking forward to the recording.
Renee
Here is a link to the song recording
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=1228093&songID=11424597
MrEWorm,
Thanks for the kind words, I really like rhyming. To borrow from John Prine, life is a blessin its a delicatessen... You Got Gold inside of you! Keep digging!
Renee,
Thanks!
Andy
Andy, I was thinking the music would be a little more upbeat, something like "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." It's your song, but if you're going to go with what you have, I think it needs some variety.
Renee
Renee,
When this assignment was posted I seriously thought about sitting this one out, since I didn't feel like writing a song about sports. Then I remembered a title idea I had awhile back for another player and had written about two lines when this feel, melody and rhythm came with the first line inspiration, I just went along for the ride, only did minor edits. For me this has only happened a few times, usually I pore over a poem and then try to figure the rest out. Some years back when what happened between the lines was important in my life (I wasn't playing or writing then, but) the feel would have been different, but now for me the feel is what came out. I agree that variety in verse instrumentation and a bit faster tempo would help. I'm in rough demo mode this month since I am participating in Feb Album Writing Month. :? I may rework it later, though. :D I do appreciate the feedback, keep giving me comments please. I am glad you are back.
Andy
Hi Andy,
Good use of details. :D
Thanks for including the mp3 to get a feel for the music.
James
Andy, it's rare that we come up with anything near a finished product in a week and my comments weren't meant to criticise. It seemed to me that the lyrics didn't match the feel of the music.
I also didn't want to write about sports. Write what you know. I don't follow sports at all and I suppose I could have written about that. I chose to write about something else instead.
Renee
Hi!
For some reason, I love this line and its perfect flow:
Saw him play the last year of his hall of fame career
Also, the way you sing this
For a moment to see and talk with Willie the hero
made me beam. Love that half-hesitating end of the line, can picture the singer at the signing, sort of amazed and can't-believe-I-am-in-the-same-room feeling :wink:
Cheers,
straycat.
"oh, eventually it will break your heart" - anders wendin
Renee. Thanks for the clarification, I agree that the lyric, tempo and accompaniment are not sending the same message in the same song. I appreciate the comments and a big reason I was drawn to this forum is to get some real feedback here. I feel it can only help me in the songs yet to be written. :D I am working on being constructive in my comments and try to gauge the receptiveness of the receiver. I did not take your feedback as critical, I appreciate everyone who takes the time to listen to my efforts and moreso when feedback is given. Oh boy, I guess I tried too hard to explain myself (again). :lol: I did know sports in the time frame reference of the song, the last verses reflect current feelings about it. I'm still suprised that the song popped out, and so fast. So I am torn whether to craft it or set it aside for awhile.
straycat,
Thanks, I think I stumbled on singing that lyric actually, :lol: glad it had an effect!
