Day 22 - Hey Eve

And we're at Day Twenty Two! Today was about using a painfully obvious metaphor. And it is New Years' Eve.... you don't get many people called this these days, but perhaps Evelyn or Eva or Evie. Not much to this one, just a bit of fun. Hope you enjoy :) Lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxI9NjADt1g

Hey Eve

V1: / I / II / IV // x3 / I / II / IV / V /
Some people have certainly had
Unfortunate names
Yours would seem fine most of the time
But all the same
The night before something important
Suddenly it changes
And you have to wait out
All the jokes again

C: /  I // IV // I / V / IV / V / x3
And so people ask you
Do you want to come round
For Christmas, Eve?
They’ve said the same thing every year
But they still repeat it time after time
Do you want to come round
For New Year’s, Eve?
It gets old after a while
When that’s all you hear
Do you want to come round
For All Hallows', Eve?
You get tired of it pretty quick
But at least it’s only a couple of times a year

I + C

Looking back on 2015....

This year has been very different to last year. Last year was about learning, and understanding; this year has been about doing, and growing. Though there's still been plenty of learning and understanding along the way as well.

It's been the year where I was struggling with finances, but God showed that he could provide for me; both by helping me in those times, and pulling me through to something better.
It's been the year where I got to have heaps of fun working on both Spamalot and A Few Good Men.
It's been the year where I ended up working in a warehouse, the sort of job that I was never interested in; but I know that it's the place I should be.
It's been the year where I've struggled, and sometimes fallen; but God has always been there, and connecting with me in new ways.
It's been the year where I've had great times with friends, old and new. Where I've had the opportunity to be there for others, and where people have really been there for me.
It's been the year where I've been unsure as to my direction; but God has given me focus.
It's been the year where I haven't always known what to do; but that's okay.
It's been the year where I've been hit by lots of surprises; both good and bad, but I've gotten through!
It's been the year where I've had the chance to collaborate and create new and exciting things with great people.

It's been a hard year, and a good year. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Thank you to everyone who has made this year incredible; it's always about the people, more than anything else. You're amazing. And next year....next year is looking very interesting indeed. But I will leave that for my next post ;)

Day 21 - Chrematophile (Treasure)

And we've reached Day Twenty One! Today, a song about a real idol - money. Money, money, money.... Very much using a couple of Jesus' teachings on the subject, because he did talk about it a bit. Particularly if you look in Matthew, because he was originally a tax collector (also by the name of Levi). Pretty happy with it. Oh, and the title means someone who loves money. Because I'm having fun with my titles. I'll probably never use half of these again, so I can call them what I like! Lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3WChIeQOkw

Chrematophile (Treasure)

V1: / vi / I / IV / IV ii / x4
You can buy me something if you like
But I’ll always find something better
You know I’m going to follow the latest
Trends to the letter
What’s in, what’s out, what’s new and fresh
Honey, that dress is just divine
You might call me a materialist
But can’t deny I’m looking fine

T: / vi / IV / x2
Where’s your heart
Where’s your heart

V2:
I’m making my way in the business world
Doing the corporate climb
You’re going to have to wait if you want to talk to me
You'd better not waste my time
I’m making the big calls, making the big bucks,
And I do it well
You say I care more about my job than people
But I care about them if they know how to sell

C: / vi / V / IV / ii / x4 /
Where your treasure is
There’s your heart
Do you put it into something eternal
Or something that breaks apart
You can’t serve two masters
So is it God or Money?
You might be smiling now
But it ain’t funny
So tell me
Where’s your heart
Where’s your heart

V3:
Always living above your means
But that’s the magic of credit
And if you want to spoil yourself
Then you might as well get it
Don’t worry about the price tag
Just living life to the full
But now you’re a slave to the bankers
Why’d you have to be such a fool

C

B: / vi // ii // x4
Money should never be an end in itself
Just a means to a goal
Because if you’re living for money itself
How much will it damage your soul
Is there really nothing else more important
Than little bits of paper or plastic
Surely your imagination
Can think of something more fantastic

C

Day 20 - SuperFan

Two thirds of the way through! Woo! Twentieth Day, and the challenge was to write about a fictional idol. So, I did something that was quite literally fictional - Marvel! Or, more specifically, the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I'm quite a fan - though not quite a SuperFan....
Lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6q7ojkZNew

SuperFan

V1: 
They’ve got more superheroes
Than you could even name
The power of metal, the power of lightning,
The power of strength untamed
All joined together
In the one place
The Marvel Cinematic Universe

C:
Just one more movie
Just one more TV show
I haven’t seen them all yet
So I’ve got to go
Because it’s all part of this
Grand storyline
Don’t want to miss a second
It’s secrets will be mine

V2:
Every scrap of video I devour
In a moment
Every bit of material they release
I own it
I know all the theories about
MCU Phase Three
And the new superheroes yet to come
Yes siree

C

B:
You’d better stay and watch
Til the reel is over
Or you’re not a true Marvel fan
Because you never know
What they’ll put after the credits
A link to the next movie
With a cameo from Mr Stan Lee

C

Day 19 - Do You Know?

And we're at Day Nineteen - this time, with a pickup. Also known as an anacrusis, it essentially means an extra bit before the first bar. In this one, it's really only a melodic anacrusis, because each time the melody "Do you" is before the bar, and then "know" is on the first beat of the bar. Quite enjoyed this one and the music for it, ended up being a Christian song. Hope you folks like it. Lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZFeto6ZlyU

Do You Know?

V1: / vi / V / II / IV / vi / V / II / III / x2
Do you know how the flowers grow
Do you know what makes the sun rise
Over the valley below
Do you know how the wind it blows
Do you know what makes the earth turn
Or makes the rivers flow
Do you know

C:
Do you know the one who died for you
Do you know he calls your name
Do you know he came into this earth
To bring you home again
Do you know he loves you just so much
He gave his only Son
Do you know his mercy and his grace
That has saved everyone
Do you know

V2:
Do you know how to find the truth
Do you know how to get through the pain
Of all that’s hurting you
Do you know how to break through
Through the lies and fear that are coming near
To change what you once knew
Do you know

C

B: / vi // V // IV // V // x2 / IV // V / III / vi //
He’s the one who really died
He’s the one who gave his life
For you
He’s the one lifted on high
He’s the one called Jesus Christ
It’s true
So call on the name
The name that is calling you

C x2

Day 18 - This Place

Day Eighteen! Today, the challenge was to use only two chords. No more, no less....quite a challenge indeed. I chose C and Ab/C. The lyrics themselves are somewhat random, more stream of consciousness, as many of these are seeming to be. Quite liked this one. Hope you enjoy. Lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLFD_MFYpuo

This Place

This place

Is made for me

To truly see

Who I am

This night

Is all for you

It turns into

The fall of man

This place

Is not my home

Though I may roam

My heart is with you

This time

All will hear

The final frontier

We’re shown it’s true

This place

That is yours

Your love it pours

Over me

This day

I will know

And let it go

For all to see

Day 17 - Forgotten

And we're back! Managed to squeeze this one in today. The challenge for Day Seventeen was to write a resentful song. I'm never good at these sort of ones, because I'm not really resentful about anything much. But I thought there might be some people who are around this kind of time, so this song is on behalf of them. For the record, my birthday is late November. Lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHkZR9t9APk

Forgotten

V1:
All the food is leftovers
From the day before
And the birthday cake is Christmas cake
Presents lay shredded open on the floor
Celebrations were all yesterday
Even though today is my birthday
But it’s all overshadowed by Christmas Day
And I’m forgotten

C:
It’s the worst day
For a birthday
On December 26th
Cause everyone is so tired and full
From December 25th
They’ve just no energy
To spend time thinking of me
It’s the worst day
For a birthday
On December 26th

V2:
They’re too busy watching yacht races or cricket
To think about me
Or the Doctor Who Christmas special
On the ABC
At 7:30

C

B:
Sure, everyone’s here
That’s a plus, I guess
But they’re too tired to do anything
At least if they weren’t here on another day
There would have been a Facebook notification

C

Day 16 - One Life

And it's Christmas Eve! We're also on Day Sixteen, and the challenge for today was a thank you song. In the spirit of the season, this one is a thank you to God for his gift of Jesus to us. Finally got back on the piano for this one, and as such the chords were a bit tricky for me to just write down in Roman numerals. I had fun. :) Hope you enjoy! Lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHEbTgJuhkE

One Life

V1: / Fm7 / Cm7 / Db Ab / Eb Fm Eb / Db /
We were lost
In the wilderness
Trying to find
Our own way
Through life
Pain and all the strife

V2:
We were lost
In the darkness
Without hope
In this place
Praying for
A miracle

PC: / Db / Eb / Ab / Bb /
Then a voice came shining through
I bring with me good news
Jesus, the Saviour, is here!

C: / C Ab F / Bb F / x3 / Ab Bb / C /
Thank you God
For bringing hope and joy to this world
Thank you God
For bringing light into this place
Thank you God
For restoring the lives of all that are here
Through just one life
Jesus Christ

V3:
Though we were broken
Lost in our all shame
You sent joy
And love to us
Through a simple
Baby boy

I: / C / Bb / F //

C (I) + C

Day 15 - Zhah (The One)

And we've reached the half-way point! Today, the challenge was to do something with a foreign language. I couldn't resist the opportunity to use my own ;) For those who aren't aware, I've been working on my own language called Aiyæthron for a bit over two years now. Thought this would be a good challenge. If you're wondering how many words I had to make for this song - not that many, actually. Only a few, and a few bits of words and word-changers. I'm not going to include the translation, so good luck figuring out what it means! I've given you the title, and I'll tell you that it's a Christian song, pretty much a worship song. But the rest - I'll leave that to you to wonder about.
Hmmm. I thought I'd put a more recent update to Aiyæthron up since then. Apparently not. Well, that will make it pretty much impossible for people to figure out, then. Oh well. Maybe I'll put an update up at some point. Anyway, lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfi6TVqT9BI

Zhah (The One)

V: / vi / V / iii / IV / x3 / vi / V / IV / V /
Nai jun zhah
Dt'ungoyoaidwur
Nai gæ mai
Maizwæshiainnaiah
Nai jun zhah
Awælisiyi mair
Nai gæ mai
Bærdt’ungoyoaidwur

C: / I / IV / vi / V / x3 / IV / V / I //
Dahn nai dt’ahthræ
Mai tuhn yæyu
Dahn nai dt’ahthræ
Mai tuhn zwæyu
Dahn nai dt’ahthræ
Mai tuhn nair
Dahn nai dt’ahthræ
Mai zhah

V

B: (x4) / IV / I / V / I / IV / I / V //
Yat ai dahn yæ bærnaiah
Jrinihl nair æi

C x2

/ I / IV / vi / V / IV //
Prinai, yat thron mai dt’ahthræ nor shuhng

Day 14 - Just A Minute

And we're on the fourteenth day! Today was a quick one - in two ways; firstly, the song needed to be under a minute, and I also did it as an improv. Picked up the guitar, and just played. Got it second time. Pretty happy with it, just a bit of fun this time. Hope you enjoy :) Lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPW_9_uBl8A

Just A Minute
I’ve only got sixty seconds to do this song
It’s not very long
But I have to use it all
So what can I say
In only sixty seconds?
Well I know it’s not much
But I’ll do what I can
To use this time
Don’t want to waste this time
It goes so quickly now
I’ve only got thirty seconds left
Where’d it go, where’s the rest
I don’t know what happened to this time
It’s just fading away before you know
Only twenty seconds, where’d it go?
It fades just like the snow in summer
It just disappears
Less than ten seconds
Oh no, I don’t know where to go
There’s no time left

Day 13 - Long Way Round

And we've reached Day Thirteen. Unlucky for some....today, the target was to write a song that went for over five minutes. Not too hard for me, you'd think, what with my songs....well, this one only just made it. Bit hard to tell how long it's going to be when you're writing! But I did three verses, chorus after each, plus a bridge and double chorus at the end, and only just pipped five minutes. Sheesh.

Anyway. This one was interesting. When I sat down to write at first, I wasn't feeling particularly inspired. Really wasn't getting anywhere, actually. So I put it aside, thought I'd come back to it later. Later on, remembered what I did when I didn't have inspiration - just start describing. So that's how the song starts off, because it's been a hot day here in Sydney, Australia. I also came up with the chorus pretty quickly. The verses took a little longer; and at one point, I was wondering whether I'd actually put this up - if I'd just say that I'd written it, or if I'd try to write another one. I wasn't going to do the latter, really, it's late already. But then I wrote the third verse, and the bridge. And I knew this one was going up.

It's pretty raw, pretty real, and doesn't necessarily reflect truth particularly well. Just tired old me putting words on a page. Not as funny and strange as some of the others so far, but a lot of heart behind it. Hopefully some people will like that. Lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ce4XxkPj6o


Long Way Round

V1: / IV / I / V / vi / x3 / IV / I / V //
The night is warm
Though not as warm as my face
Whenever you are within fifty metres
Of this place
The breeze is cool
How I wish I could be when I’m with you
But I’m falling over myself

C: / IV / I / V / vi / x3 / IV / V / I / V / vi /
I’m all in,
That’s all I know, that’s who I am
Who I’ve always been
But you’re not me
You have to take the long way round
And it’s hard just taking it day by day
But I’ll be there with you
Every step of the way

V2:
This body is tired
Of trying to live a life by myself
Making my strength my wealth
When I’m not strong
The days are long
When I’m spending my time thinking of you
And I’m looking forward
To seeing you soon

C

V3:
I am weak
I have nothing to offer you
That I can give
Only pain and hurt
I am broken
From all that has gone before
And I’ve never managed to close the door
Just hoped that I’d pull through

C

B: / IV // V // x2 / IV // V / vi / IV // V //
But my Father says
I am more than this
My Father says
I am not my brokenness
My Father says
That He will give what I can't
So I can give all I am to Him
And through Him to you

C x2

Day 12 - Erythrophobe

And we're on Day Twelve! Today, the challenge was about facing fears. Well, I thought, what sort of fears might one face? What if one were afraid of....a clown? And it kind of went downhill from there. An erythrophobe, by the way, is not someone afraid of clowns but someone afraid of the colour red. The three verses have that point in common, so I thought it was as good a title as any. Hope you enjoy :) Lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFdkcaeKPSc

The Erythrophobe

V1: / ii VI / VI / x4 / ii VI / x8
Red nose
Big feet
White face
Flower hat

C1: / ii / IV / V //
It’s a clown
It’s a clown
The circus is in town
It’s a clown
It’s a clown
Well this one’s going down

V2:
Red cape
Blue suit
Underpants
Laser eyes

C2:
Superman
Superman
Not much of a fan
Superman
Superman
Put him in the can

V3:
Red clothes
Big belly
White beard
Floppy hat

C3:
Santa Claus
Santa Claus
He don’t leave room for pause
Santa Claus
Santa Claus
How would he go against Jaws?

C1 + C2 + C3

Day 11 - The Adventure

Took another flex day yesterday because I wan't feeling too great. They're disappearing quickly.... The challenge this time was fairly simple; write a song about an adventure. And, following my trend of giving songs obvious names, I present to you - The Adventure! There's not a lot to it, admittedly, but I'm fairly happy with it. Hope you enjoy :) Lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEulHEYHn-4


The Adventure

V1: / vi / vi V /
Every adventure
Starts with one step
Don’t know where it leads
Don’t know what it may bring

V2:
Every journey
Has its twists and its turns
Don’t know where they will be
Or what we will learn
Cause it’s an adventure

C: / I // II // I // II // vi / vi V / vi / vi V / x2
A breath of mystery
A daring test of bravery
The thrill of discovery
That’s what makes an adventure
To step out into the unknown
Face dangers you cannot fathom
See places you’ve never seen
That’s what makes an adventure

V3:
Every trail
Will have its dangers
Have its monsters
And its treasures
Cause its an adventure

C

V4:
Every story
Has its end
But its also the beginning
Of yet another
Adventure

Day 10 - The First Time

And we've reached Day Ten! Today is an old songwriting classic: the love song. For this one, I'm going to say the opposite of yesterday - watch the video first! If you haven't seen the video yet, go and do that. Otherwise it'll spoil it. Spoil what? Well, let's just say I took a couple of liberties with it again. Lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXiHmeytOWI

The First Time

V1: / I // IV V / vi / IV / I / II / V /
I’ve heard so much about you
I just can’t wait to finally see
If you’re as good as people say
Will you be the one for me?
I’ve seen some great photos so far
And the videos you put up online
But will it be different in person -
Would you cross a line?

PC: / IV / V / vi / V /
I’ve got such high hopes and dreams
I hope you’ll be as great as you seem

C: / IV / V / I / vi / {/ IV / V / I / II /} x2 / I / vi / IV V / I /
When I see you for the first time
When I see what you are like
Will you be the best
Or only be alright?
Will it be the greatest day of my life
Or be lost in all the hype?
It’s so hard to be sure
About the new Star Wars

V2:
You’ve got six movies to live up to
Or for some, only three
And two more movies yet to come
There’s some pretty big hopes you see
You’ve got a new droid and saber
New heroes and villains too
New duels, new Sith and Jedi
There’s going to be so much to view

PC + C + I + C

Day 9 - Simple Pleasures (Peace)

Day Nine - and this one, I really like. I mean, a couple of the others have been fairly good, but this one I really like. The challenge today was the opposite of yesterday - so sad melody/music, happy lyrics. Read the lyrics below before you watch the video, because these are joyful lyrics - but the music makes it seem a lot more sad, and contemplative. I pretty much did the chord pattern, and wrote this song as I played. Like it when that happens. Lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmGZLfgISvE

Simple Pleasures (Peace)

V1: / vi iii / IV / x4

I watch the flowers

They bend and sway in the breeze

The soaring towers

Blown about by the wind through the trees

V2:

I watch the sunrise

The light filtering through the clouds

A sudden surprise

Jostling the crowds

C: / ii / IV / x2

The simple pleasures

They bring me life

V3:

I watch the waves break

Out on the beach, they’re rolling in

I feel the earth shake

Comes from the pound and the spin

C x2

I: / vi / IV / I / V iii / x4 / IV //

V4:

I watch the stars shine

Their beauty so clear from afar

I wish they were mine

Just so I’d know this (peace)

Day 8 - Smileyface

Now on Day Eight! Today's challenge was to do a happy melody but sad lyrics - and tomorrow is the opposite. I knew that one would end up being silly, and the other serious, and I was hoping that I didn't intrude too much on the territory of my song What I Say/What I Play (which you can hear here). Because that uses a similar idea. So this one ended up being the silly one - bordering on creepy, if you watch the video. It plays on an idea that actually came from a stand-up routine that my friend did at school once for a talent night, talking about how people end texts or messages with a :) that may not necessarily be happy, but it's fine, because :) So that's what the song is about.
Lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_QbPgwVOrA

Smileyface

V1: / IV / I / V // x4
I stubbed my toe the other day 😃
Hurt my back so I can’t play 😃
Found out I didn’t get paid 😃
Got fined by the RTA 😃

C: / IV / I / V / I / IV / I / V // IV / I / V / I / IV / V / I //
We’re all doing fine
It’s all going swell
Just as long as you end with a 😃
You could be dying on the street
You could be going through hell
But it’s all OK if you end with a 😃

V2:
Susie got eaten by a shark 😃
Great-Aunt Nellie just died 😃
Met a serial killer in the park 😃
Found out my partner lied 😃

C

B: / IV / I / V / I / x2
😃 😃 😃 😃
😃 😃 😃 😃

C
Yes, it’s all OK if you end with a 😃
You can say anything like, just end with a 😃

Day 7 - The Unlikely Duet

Day Seven! I did do this yesterday, but forgot to post up the lyrics. I've also just put together the video, though I did do it yesterday - but the challenge was to do a duet! So I had to put a couple of them side-by-side. Had a bit of fun with it - doing two different voices and personalities singing together a bit. Lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7jyMJnJBKU

The Unlikely Duet

/ I / IV / I / V / x2
I like to sing with a strong, loud voice
I like to sing just like this
I can sing with a soft, sweet noise
To you, this prob'ly sounds like piss

When I sing all of the people come round
While I just push them away
Come one, come all, to this lovely sound
See you some other day

/ IV / I / x3 / V //
I sing grandly
I sing alright
I sing…standly
That word’s not right!
Says the man who just rhymed
‘Alright’ with ‘right'
At least you don’t talk my ear off all night

Well, if you’re so fantastic, then you have a go.
All right then.

/ I / V / x2 / IV / I / V //
Words are an art form, don’t throw them about
Or one day they’ll come round, knock you on your snout
Is that so? Yes it is, it’s not just for show
Words, they can make you feel high or feel low

/ IV / I / x3 / V //
Feel high or feel low?
Yeah, give it a go!
Don’t want to be slow
We’ll to and we’ll fro
You know that we will be better together
We’ll craft a piece that will last through the weather

Done? Yep.

/ IV / I / V / I /
Oom-bup-bup oom-bup-bup etc.

Day 6 - Just Me

Day Six! I was out all day yesterday, so took one of my flex days out from this. I am currently uploading Day Five's video, but Day Six's may be a little while in coming - because the challenge today is a cappella! And, me being me, I did a lot of layers. Which means lots of videos in the one video. Which is rather tricky to do. So that will take some time! But until then, lyrics below :) Well, more or less. This is the main lyric. I made other bits up on the fly. You'll see.

Just Me

It’s just me singing this song
But won’t be just me for very long
Cause when I sing this song
Everyone sings along
And now I won’t get it wrong

It’s no fun if it’s just me
But with company you see
I have fun yeah it’s true
Not just me but you too
‘Me' is better if it’s ‘we'

Now it’s time to have some fun
Come on, join in everyone
When we’re together
You know it’s so much better

We’ll keep going 'til we’re done

Day 5 - Label Me This

Fifth Day! The challenge today was this: "Day 5: Write a song that involves nicknames". I wasn't sure exactly where the song would go when I started it, but it's ended up being in a similar vein to quite an old one of mine called 'Break Out', which is actually on my first online EP I did way back when. This one is more building on an idea of mine that when we label people, put them into groups, give them names - it's really a way of making them seem less human. Of dehumanising them, forgetting that they're people. Because they're just a label. They're just 'them' now. It's a lot harder to do that when you're face-to-face with someone. The title is a play on the phrase 'riddle me this'. Also, the songs seem to be a bit samey music-wise - I don't know if that's because they're mostly all on guitar (and there's only so much I can do on guitar), or because I'm doing them in a short amount of time, or just because everything gets samey after a while.

Unfortunately, I can't do the video at the moment. People are sleeping at home right now, don't want to wake them up. Think I might have the same problem tomorrow as well, except worse (got a party I'm going to straight after work) so I may be uploading three on Saturday. When I do the video, I will link it here.

Until then, lyrics below!

Label Me This

V1: / E / G / C / A / x4

You haven't seen me before

But you think you know my name

You try to stick it on me, doesn’t work

That’s what you call me all the same

I may not like it but too bad

You do

Ad nauseam you’ll bring it up

Won’t you?

C: / E / G / D / A / x4

Label me this, label me that

Cause you don’t understand me

You call me this, you call me that

Cause you can’t comprehend me

The more groups, the more labels, the more names

The less human I will seem

Just one amongst so many others

That have the same label as me

V2:

Well you aren’t aware

Of what you’re even doing

Or maybe you just don’t care

Tired of all the fro-ing and to-ing

This just isn’t the way to play

You know

But you can’t get that into your head

And so

C + I + C x1.5

Day 4 - My Secrets

Day Four! Challenge this time was this: "Day 4: Write a song about secrets". Original name again. Had a bit of fun with it though! Each verse has a bit of a story to it, similar in style to my song Once Upon A Time. Ukelele this time :) It also happens to be one of my rare three-minute songs! Lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtgQbB58xRs

My Secrets

V1: / I / vi / V / IV /
Well, I had this pair of socks I didn't like
Flushed them down the toilet, thought that was goodbye
But it plugged up the drain, the plumber had to come round
My secret came out like stinky socks from the ground

Tag:
I don't want to be a secret-keeper
They just dig me deeper and deeper

V2:
Another time I didn't like my brother cheating at a game
Hid it in my bookcase so he couldn't play it again
But that meant then that neither could I
I'd dug myself into a hole with my secret

C:
I don't want to be a secret-keeper
They just dig me deeper and deeper
I don't want to be plagued by my fear
Hoping you'll never find out my secrets

V3:
I wrote a letter that one day I'd give
But until then that letter I hid
Hid it so well, I forgot all about it
Til my Mum brought it in - there goes my secret

C

B: / vi / IV / I / V /
Secrets always hurt us more than they help us
They keep us living in fear
That they might be discovered - set yourself free
You can share your secrets here

C x2

Day 3 - Keychange

Third day! Challenge this time was this: "Day 3: Write a song with a key change". I then proceeded to write that into the lyric as well, and ended up calling the song Keychange (think Seachange, but not). It didn't start off that great, but I ended up liking it at the end. I also believe it's my first song with an oh-oh bit! Haha. For bonus points, see if you can find the clever thing I tried to do - to moderate success - with the verse lyric. Lyrics below, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qYVQIByTWM


Keychange

I: / I / IV / vi / V / x4
O-oh o-oh oh
O-oh o-oh oh

V1: / IV / ii / vi / V / x4
The clouds are grey
Scale it back a touch
Stone even, so much
They’re fading away
Time is coming round
About now, listen to
A friend, you
Are making no sound

C: / I / IV / vi / V / x4
If you don’t say a word
How am I supposed to hear
What you’re trying to tell me
O-oh o-oh oh
The air is left unstirred
Please come near
What are you trying to tell me
O-oh o-oh oh

I (fourth up)

V2:
I need a change of key
Ring a friend or twenty
One more should be plenty
Much too much for me
Time is coming round
About now, listen to
A friend, you
Are making no sound

C + I + C1 + C2 + I

Day 2 - Your Freak

Second day of the challenge! Hopefully the video will upload before midnight. They always take a while. My computer seems to record video in a way that YouTube doesn't like. Either that or I just have terrible upload speed. Quite possible. Anyway.

The challenge this time was this: "Day 2: Write a song in something besides common time". So I did 5/4, because why the heck not. Found out that it's both hard to play and hard to write in, but I've done it anyway! This one again on guitar - I'm probably going to be doing a lot of them on there, because other people are usually at home which means recording on the piano tricky. Lyrics below. Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AapCBAw7bg

Your Freak

V1: / ii / V / x4
Yes it's true
It's your due
Though I'm blue
This is you

V2:
This is real
Can't conceal
You reveal
How I feel

PC: / VI / I / VI / I //
I won't break or
Make my escape

C: [/ IV / V / x3 / ii I / ii I /] x2 / ii I / ii I /
I can't breathe
When you're with me
And yet I feel
So free
I can't speak
I feel weak
Guess I'm just
Your freak

V3:
Nevertheless
I'll give my best
I feel blessed
Not just a guess

C + I(V) + PC + C x2

Day 1 - I'll Be Here

Decided to start today. A good day to start! This is the song that I ended up writing. Fairly simple, but I like. This was the brief: "Day 1: Write a platonic love song" Find the video here: https://youtu.be/Rw_EbvtfyEU

I'll Be Here

V1: / I / V / vi / vi V / x4
When you feel like letting go
And the road is long and slow
Well I want to let you know
I'll be right beside you, so

V2:
So when the times are tough
And you know you've had enough
When it's hard and it's rough
You're running out of puff

C: / IV // V / V iii / x2 / IV // V //
I'll be here
Standing near
So don't fear

V3:
When time is running out
And you can't turn about
When you're plagued by fear and doubt
There's no need to shout

C

B: x2 / IV / vi / V / iii / x3 / IV / vi / V / V iii /
I'll be here with you
Believe it's true
I'll never leave your side
When you need me, I'll be around

C

30 Day Songwriting Challenge

I realised when I went to write this post that I didn't have 'Music' as a label yet. My goodness! This situation is now resolved. Anyway.

I haven't been writing a lot of songs for a while. And that's not necessarily a bad thing - it's meant that the ones that I have written have been of a higher quality, had more thought behind them, been more important to write. Or that's the idea, anyway.

But I've got a bit more time on my hands at the moment, and I wanted to get back into the swing of this creative stuff. So I'm setting myself a 30 day songwriting challenge. Someone smart would probably start this at the beginning of the month - but I only found it yesterday, and I can't start it at the beginning of next month, because I'll be away in India for part of it. So going to be starting in the middle instead!

I don't know if I'll be starting bang on today, but I'll be starting soon. I have 37 days, including today, and then on the 38th day I'm leaving for India. So that only gives me seven days leeway to play with - and bear in mind, we've got Christmas and New Years' in there. So I rather think I might need it.

Now, hopefully, each day I'll be not only writing the song, but also posting the lyrics up here and the video up on YouTube. However, going from my experience of the last songwriting challenge I did, I may be a bit slower on the latter. Hopefully I can improve on last time, though!

You can see what I'll be doing for the challenge below. I found this list here. Letting you folks know now that I'm expecting to have to take a break from this on Christmas Day, and either New Years' Eve or New Years' Day. And then I've got five other days as leeway if I need them. Hopefully I won't.

Day 1: Write a platonic love song

Day 2: Write a song in something besides common time

Day 3: Write a song with a key change

Day 4: Write a song about secrets

Day 5: Write a song that involves nicknames

Day 6: Write an a cappella song

Day 7: Write a duet

Day 8: Write a song with a happy melody and sad lyrics

Day 9: Write a song with a sad melody and happy lyrics

Day 10: Write a love song

Day 11: Write a song about an adventure

Day 12: Write a song about fighting fears

Day 13: Write a song longer than 5 minutes long

Day 14: Write a song shorter than 1 minute

Day 15: Write a song involving a foreign language

Day 16: Write a thank you song

Day 17: Write a resentful song

Day 18: Write a song using 2 chords

Day 19: Write a song with a pickup

Day 20: Write a song about a fictional idol

Day 21: Write a song about a "real" idol

Day 22: Write a song using a painfully obvious metaphor

Day 23: Write a song with partially alliterative lyrics

Day 24: Write a song about something viseral

Day 25: Write a thoughtful song

Day 26: Write a dance song

Day 27: Write a song about anxiety

Day 28: Write a song about a stupid royalty

Day 29: Write a story that plays out over 3 songs. Yeah it's 3 songs in one day, but it's one story. Call it a three-fer.

Day 30: Write a song about writers block. Wonderfully, you can't get writers block on this prompt