851 Reply by James McCormick

(5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Golly gee whiz!  I'm very touched and slightly embarrassed . . .

Old Doll, thank you so very very much for the lovely song - I have been on the sight several times since this posting went up, but was merely scanning for spam so I didn't read (and hear!) this posting until just now.  Lena, thank you thankyouverymuch!

Roger, that is a nifty little number there.  Well done and have a drink on me!  Lets see; there's Rogers & Hammersteon, Lerner & Loebe, Lennon & McCartney - - - we shall have to add "Doll & Guppy" to that list of musical teams!

Thanks - been trying to get droll stuff done around the house, and this truly brightened the day!  James

Go to forum: Songwriting

852 Topic by James McCormick

(12 replies, posted in Songwriting)

This one goes into the 'display-of-mating-plumage' category.

SparklerJames McCormick, August 30, 2007


with a Motown/Bluesy feel




Intro: [C]. . [C7]. . [F7]. . [G7]. .




I'm [C]lookin' for a [C7]sparkler to [F7]be my sweetie-[G7]pie


Who [C]likes to sing and [C7]laugh out loud, [F]happy strong and [G]wise


She don't [C]need lots of [C7]money or [F7]super-model [G7]style


I'm [C]lookin' for a [C7]sparkler who [F]shines from in-[G]side, [G7]Oh . . .


[C]S-p-a-r-k-l-[C7]er . . . [F7]where can you [G7]be?


[C]S-p-a-r-k-l-[C7]er . . . [F]are you lookin' for [G]me?


Oh, [C]sparkler, [C7]sparkler [F7]genuine womanly [G7]wiles


[C]S-p-a-r-k-l[C7]-er . . . [F]shining from in-[G]side . . .[G7]


I'm [C]lookin' for a [C7]sparkler with [F7]confidence and [G7]grace


[C]Someone fun and [C7]sensible to [F]share my nights and [G]days


She don't [C]need a fancy [C7]re'sume' no a-[F7]ristocratic [G7]kin


I'm [C]lookin' for a [C7]sparkler who [F]shines from with-[G]in, [G7]Oh . . .


[C]S-p-a-r-k-l-[C7]er . . . [F7]where can you [G7]be?


[C]S-p-a-r-k-l-[C7]er . . . [F]are you lookin' for [G]me?


Oh, [C]sparkler, [C7]sparkler [F7]genuine womanly [G7]wiles


[C]S-p-a-r-k-l[C7]-er . . . [F]shining from in-[G]side . . .[G7]



Hey, [C]I am not the [C7]big bad wolf, I'm [F7]not a mangy [G7]stray


I'm [C]not a needy [C7]puppy who will [F]whine constant-[G]ly


I'm a [C]decent guy, [C7]smart and kind, [F7]just a little bit [G7]shy


I'm [C]lookin' for a [C7]sparkler with a [F]fire deep in-[G]side, [G7]Oh . . .


[C]S-p-a-r-k-l-[C7]er . . . [F7]where can you [G7]be?


[C]S-p-a-r-k-l-[C7]er . . . [F]are you lookin' for [G]me?


Oh, [C]sparkler, [C7]sparkler [F7]genuine womanly [G7]wiles


[C]S-p-a-r-k-l[C7]-er . . . [F]shining from in-[G7]side . . .


Don't [F7]want no prima donna, no [C7]flashy drama queen


[F7]Life is way too short and sweet for [G]high-maintenance scenes [G7]. . .


I'm [C]lookin' for a [C7]sparkler to [F7]be my sweetie-[G7]pie


Who [C]likes to sing and [C7]laugh out loud, [F]happy strong and [G]wise


She don't [C]need lots of [C7]money or [F7]super-model [G7]style


I'm [C]lookin' for a [C7]sparkler who [F]shines from in-[G]side, Oh . . .


[C]S-p-a-r-k-l-[C7]er . . . [F7]where can you [G7]be?


[C]S-p-a-r-k-l-[C7]er . . . [F]are you lookin' for [G]me?


Oh, [C]sparkler, [C7]sparkler [F7]genuine womanly [G7]wiles


[C]S-p-a-r-k-l[C7]-er . . . [F]shining from in-[G]side . . .


Outro: [C]. . [C7]. . [F7]. . [G7]. . [C] . .


Go to forum: Songwriting

853 Reply by James McCormick

(8 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Thanks for your encouraging words.  When I was writing this song, Tom T. Hall's "Pamela Brown" was sort of the musical model I had in mind.  Don't know if this song follows the same chord sequence, but I think the meter is very similar.

My preferred at-home footwear is beat up tennis shoes or strap-on sandals.

I enjoy Country music - but the stuff I like the best is simple and poetic.  Country performers with pyrotechics, laser light shows, and costume changes just seem a little strange to my tastes.  Likewise lots of really great country lyrics get buried under tons of elaborate, over-produced studio arrangements.

The corporate Country music machine needs a punk revolution just like rock&roll had when people got back to basics.  James

Go to forum: Songwriting

854 Reply by James McCormick

(10 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi Zurf - Glad you can dig it!  Here is how to 'hijack' a songsheet layout - it is a workaround so there are several steps but you end up with a nicely formatted songsheet that can be printed and transposed just like regular chordie stuff.
1.  Log into chordie and go to your songbook(s).  Pick a 'victim' song or import a new unwanted song from the index.
2.  Go to the forum and copy the song (lyrics, chords, and titles but not the chord grids) you want to print.
2.  Open up the victim song in your songbook using the green 'edit' button at the end of the listing.
3.  In the upper editing pane, delete everything in the vicitm song EXCEPT the {t:title} and {st:subtitle} lines.  These have to stay or the index won't recognize the file.
4.  Now, just paste the forum song into the editing pane just below the victim song's title and subtitle lines.  Also, change the forum song's title and subtitle lines into {c:comment} lines.
5.  Hit the 'save' button in between the edit and view panes.  You can now see the forum song in the viewing pane.  It will still have the victim song's title and subtitle, but the forum songs title and subtitle will be there in smaller print (no way around that).
6.  Hit the 'return to songbook' button between the panes.
6.  Now, just open the victim song (still listed with its original title) as you would normally open any song.  You can now view, print, and transpose the forum song.
7.  The forum song must remain in a private songbook - don't put it in a book you intend to publish.

Seems complicated, but it is not - it takes longer to explain the process than actually perform the task.  Have fun!  James

Go to forum: Songwriting

855 Reply by James McCormick

(34 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Hi Edgefan - I spent my formative teenage years in Hammond Louisiana.  At that time it was a small but growing little community.  Was there about a year ago and was astounded to see the changes.

Hammond has now sprawled out so much that Hammond, Ponchatoula, Natalbany, Tickfaw, Robert, and Pumpkin Center are all one big seamless blob.  Also, lots of new residents have moved there from New Orleans since Katrina.

Was glad to see that the Mariner's Inn is still open and still serving cold beer and great burgers.  In fact, the whole downtown area is really lively and thriving.  Hardly recognized large areas of the university campus.

Where are you in New Orleans?

Go to forum: Chordie's Chat Corner

856 Reply by James McCormick

(10 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Thanks all for your positive feedback!

Please understand that I am actually a very happy guy and that I am proud to have good friends from all walks of life.  In fact, that is one of great things about living in a small town - you can get to know and enjoy a lot of different people.

I am not really a guy who complains all the time - in fact I included myself (or at least the part of me that wrote this ditty) in the song: 'geezers, cronies, and know-it-alls' and 'crotchety old turds' were both in reference to my grumpy evil twin.

Zurf, sorry about the Fs - I am in the habit of thinking in the key of C.  So F just sort of ends up in too many of my songs.  Take it down one whole step to D and that should help: you'll then be playing D, C, A, and A7.

Go to forum: Songwriting

857 Reply by James McCormick

(34 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Zydeco music is absolutely wonderful!  Where I grew up in Louisiana, some people lovingly called it 'Chanychank Music' because of the distinctive rhythm and sound.

What I like best about Zydeco is that it is infectious dance music.  Even people who are normally too uptight to dance will soon be hopping and bopping to Zydeco - you just can't resist the fun.

YouTube has some great Zydeco stuff . . .

Go to forum: Chordie's Chat Corner

858 Reply by James McCormick

(7 replies, posted in Songwriting)

daddycool, I am very honored!  Imagine my surprise a moment ago when I decided to see what was happening on the forum.  I shall certainly give this one the old thrash and howl when I get home from work!  Thanks!

Go to forum: Songwriting

859 Reply by James McCormick

(1 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi Doc, My understanding is that chord sequences can't be copyrighted so there is no problem using the chords.  Melodies can be copyrighted, so an exact copy of a melody could be problematic.  Likewise, lyrics can be copyrighted so an exact copy of a song's words could be a problem.

But really there is only a problem if you try to make money using somebody else's copyrighted material.  So, if you are writing a song for your own pleasure there is really no problem.  However, if you actively seek to profit from someone's copyrighted material then they may have a legal claim to royalties or damages.

There is one big exception to all this - a parody of a copyrighted song is allowed.  For example, Weird Al Yankovitch's satirical send-ups of popular songs are not infringements on the original author's copyright.  Although these parodies may use the same melody and lyrical meter as the original song, these humorous creations are legally considered to be original works.

Go to forum: Songwriting

860 Reply by James McCormick

(34 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

The discussion in this thread regarding 'traditional' vs 'theatrical' country music got me thinking.
So I wrote a song.
"The 'Country' Life?"  is posted in the Songwriting section:
http://www.chordie.com/forum/viewtopic. … 413#p19413
Give it the old twang and howl and see what you think!

Go to forum: Chordie's Chat Corner

861 Topic by James McCormick

(8 replies, posted in Songwriting)

The idea for this song was prompted by a discussion in another forum section regarding country music.

The 'Country' Life?James McCormick, August 28, 2007


this song can not be played by anyone wearing boots that cost more than their guitar




[G]I'm a guy who [D]works a job and [C]loves my fami-[G]ly


[C]We pursue our [G]happiness in the [D]Land of the Free


Our [C]needs are pretty [G]simple, our [C]wants are very [G]few


But there's [C]something I just [D]can't afford to [G]do . . . .


I [C]can't afford the [D]'Country' life I'm [G]seein' on T-[Em]V


The [C]fashions and the [Am]vehicles are [D]way beyond my [D7]means . . . .


[G]Everything is glitzy, [G7]glamorous and brand [C]new


What's a [G]regular guy like [D]me supposed to [G]do? . . . .



[G]Used to be that [D]'Country' stood [C]for simplici-[G]ty


[C]Used to be that [G]'Country' was [D]something I could be


[C]Lately when I [G]turn it on, I'm [C]wonderin' what I [G]see


When I'm [C]watchin' Country [D]Music on T-[G]V . . . .


I [C]can't afford the [D]'Country' life I'm [G]seein' on T-[Em]V


The [C]face lifts and the [Am]botox are [D]way beyond my [D7]means . . . .


My [G]paycheck only [G7]goes so far, as [C]far as I can see


I need to [G]get a farm with a [D]crop subsi-[G]dy.



Go to forum: Songwriting

862 Reply by James McCormick

(2 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Hi neild* & welcome to chordie!

I've never heard of 'Memphis Scales' (but that certainly doesn't mean they don't exist).
Could you maybe actually be asking about 'Nashville Numbers'?  Nashville Numbers is a way of describing chord sequences using numbers to describe the relative scale position of each chord.
James

Go to forum: Acoustic

863 Reply by James McCormick

(34 replies, posted in Songwriting)

The chord numbering system referred to above (but not the circle of fifths method) is also called 'Nashville Numbers'.

Understanding the numbers is simply a matter of recognizing the steps in any particular key.
Here is a link to a pretty thorough explanation (parts 1 - 4) of how the numbers work:
http://www.don-mclean.com/guitars/nashville1.asp
Learning to use these numbers is a great exercise in expanding your music theory horizons.

Go to forum: Songwriting

864 Reply by James McCormick

(9 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Golly - Would love to hear this, Phil.  Sort of hard to interpret your notations, but looks as though you have something quite interesting.  Regarding being 'finished/not finished' - every song I have ever written has only been 'finished' for the time being.  I always consider that I might alter the song somehow whenever the mood strikes me, or if I suddenly have a better idea.

For me, part of the fun of writing songs is that you are really never done - there are always more musical and lyrical ideas to experiment with.  If you need help with lyrics, I'll gladly pitch in and help (in English, since that is the only language I know).  Your working title is quite intriquing - would love to see the rest of the words.  James

Go to forum: Songwriting

865 Reply by James McCormick

(18 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

I met Lee Brilleaux, the frontman for Dr. Feelgood in '82.  Was off on a summer-long bicycle tour all around the British Isles.  Lee was married to a friend of mine from high school and they very kindly hosted me at their home for several days.  Lee squired me all around to his favorite pubs, introduced me to dozens of friends, and gave me a crash course in British pub culture.  Really a genuinely friendly fellow.  Was very saddened to learn of his death a few years ago.  James

Go to forum: Chordie's Chat Corner

866 Reply by James McCormick

(252 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Here's my contribution to this thread - its a song I wrote listing stuff that's 'On My List' of dislikes.  The song is posted in the Songwriting section of the forum:
http://www.chordie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3749

Go to forum: Chordie's Chat Corner

867 Topic by James McCormick

(10 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Here is a full-frontal folkie rant about the people who irk me.
Yeah, it's long but when you're a crusty old codger like me there is alot to complain about.

On My ListJames McCormick, August 26, 2007


[G7]Well . . . [C]Everybody's got their list


Of [F]stuff that really makes them pissed


So, I [C]took some time to put mine in a [G]song.


It's [C]just a bunch of words and notes


Some [F]doggerel that I have wrote


It's [C]personal, mo-[G]notonous and [C]long




Per-[F]haps you will find it trite


[C]Full of bile and rife with spite


But [F]that's OK, I don't really [G]care


It's all [C]sorts of stuff that gets me mad


[F]Riles me up or makes me sad


Some [C]grievances I [G]feel that need to [C]air.


. . . .


[G7]Well . . . There's [C]pundits with their wacky slants


[F]Preachers slick who beg and pant


[C]Lobbyists with expensive party [G]lines


Poli-[C]ticians on the campaign trail


Ce-[F]lebrities with crap for sale


[C]Drivers who can't [G]stay between the [C]lines




There's [F]maniacs who are devout


Oh, [C]they will kill without a doubt


[F]Lunatics for every holy [G]groove


There's [C]stupid, shallow, silly tarts


With [F]lots of money but no smarts


And [C]bigots, brigands, [G]rap artists [C]too


. . . .


[G7]Well . . . There's [C]braggarts, bozos, and macaroons


And [F]cheering flabby-assed buffoons


[C]Bitches, brats, and sullen sulking [G]teens


There's [C]dopers who believe they're cool


[F]Dissipated, strung-out fools


[C]Crackheads, crankers, and [G]everything be-[C]tween




There's [F]fakers, takers, and trust forsakers


Ha-[C]bitual big heartbreakers


[F]Fast-buck artists, gaming geeks, and [G]goons


There's [C]trolls, trollops, and figure skaters


Po-[F]lygamists and player haters


[C]Cultists and cur-[G]mudgeonly old [C]loons


. . . .


[G7]Well . . . There's [C]idiots, snobs, and silly fops


[F]Hangin' judges and crooked cops


[C]Hustlers, cons, and spammers in the [G]dark


There's [C]lazy students and boring profs


A-[F]ristocrats and stuck up toffs


[C]Gangstas shooting [G]people in the [C]park




There's [F]geezers, cronies, and know-it-alls


[C]Juiced-up jocks with teeny balls


And [F]power-lifting apes full of [G]zits


Gas [C]guzzlers zoomin' to and fro



[F]Mindless drones who ride the flow


Who's [C]goal in life is [G]never to use their [C]wits


. . . .


[G7]Well . . . There's [C]pusillanimous pompous twits


[F]Constantly on power trips


And [C]horse patooties telling you the [G]news


There's [C]thugs and pimps and wannabes


[F]Socialites with social disease


And neo-[C]cons with [G]radical [C]views




There's [F]spoiled, picky, trust-fund kids


Pre-[C]tending to be on the skids


[F]Posers swooning 'round like homie [G]toughs


A-[C]busive lovers and heartless fools


[F]Bureaucrats with arcane rules


And [C]greedy slobs who [G]never get e-[C]nough


. . . .


[G7]Well . . . There's [C]moralistic uptight freaks


And [F]pervy little porno geeks


[C]Litterers, vandals, and drunkards on a [G]toot


Su-[C]premacists and sympathizers


[F]Hypocrites and demonizers


[C]Strutting around like [G]silly little [C]brutes




There's [F]speed demons and tailgaters


Ha-[C]bitual expectorators


[F]Bubbas, biters, and crotchety old [G]turds


Plus [C]schoolyard bullies and righteous prudes


[F]Mean old girls with attitudes


Con-[C]spiracy nuts with [G]theories so ab-[C]surd


. . . .


[G7]Well . . . There's [C]meth lab cookers all around


[F]Burning lives into the ground


[C]Scrambling brains with toxic Nazi [G]drugs


Those [C]CEO's with trophy brides


Di-[F]vested spouses tossed aside


[C]Vows swept under [G]antique Persian [C]rugs




There's [F]goobers, grunts, and tiddely-winks


[C]Rumor mongers with breath that stinks


[F]Paparazzi lurking 'round like [G]ticks


There's [C]yobbos, yokels, and xenophobes


[F]Aliens with anal probes


And [C]beasts who pit fight [G]animals for [C]kicks


. . . .


[G7]Well . . . [C]That's my list, my monster rant


[F]Hope you dig it but if you can't


Hey, [C]that's OK, I don't really [G]care


I [C]really do feel better now


It [F]helps to get it all out somehow


[C]Thank you for [G]letting me [F]share . . .


Yeah, [C]thanks for [G]letting me [C]share.



Go to forum: Songwriting

868 Reply by James McCormick

(6 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Thanks all - I would love to have this one played by a band with lots and lots of rhythm, horns, voices, etc.  Maybe someday . . .  James

Go to forum: Songwriting

869 Reply by James McCormick

(252 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Hi Ken - Georgia and Alabama are close to Mississippi.  Should your travel plans work out, I would enjoy meeting you.  James

Go to forum: Chordie's Chat Corner

870 Topic by James McCormick

(6 replies, posted in Songwriting)

This one is meant to throb and snap.  Needs some real healthy women with shiny hair and sparkly gowns to join in on the chorus and also do the bits in parantheses.  A monster rhythm section with djembe drums and such would be nice, too.  A sax to howl and growl some wicked solos would be dandy - oh, and a bass player who is a warrior/poet would complete the band.

Here For YouJames McCormick, August 25, 2007


very rhythmic, tribal, primal




Yeah, [G7]help me to understand [C7]what's inside your head (Ooh-Ooh!)


Yeah, [G7]tell me all about it the [C7]terror and the dread (Oh-Oh!)


Let's [G7]talk about the demons [C7]spookin' up your soul (Uh-Huh!)


We'll [G7]figure out the reasons why you're [C7]livin' in this hole (Hoo-Hoo!)




Is it [G7]guilt or is it deep regret or a [C7]secret so profound (Hush-Hush!)


Is it [G7]something that you suspect or [C7]something you have found (Ah-Ha!)


I [G7]do believe whatever it is that [C7]we can work it through (Ooh-Ooh!)


Cuz [G7]I am , I am here, Yeah [C7]I am here for you (It's True!)


Yeah, [G7]I am here, here I am, [C7]I am here for you (Yoo-Hoo!)


Yeah, [G7]I am here, here I am, [C7]I am here for you (Yoo-Hoo!)


Yeah, [G7]I am here, here I am, [C7]I am here for you (Yoo-Hoo!)


What-[D7]ever it is you may need, [C7]I am here . . .


I . . . am . . . here . . . for . . . [G7]you . . . [D7]



So [G7]talk to me, hey let it out and [C7]tell me what you feel (Ooh-Ooh!)


It [G7]hurts me so to see you sad the [C7]pain is very real (Woo-Woo!)


I [G7]want to help and do what's right yeah [C7]lend a helping hand (Oh-Ho!)


If you [G7]tell me all about it then [C7]I will understand (Hoo-Hoo!)


Is it [G7]something in the present that's [C7]really in the past (Boo-Boo!)


Is it [G7]something in the future that's [C7]coming way too fast (Doo-Wah!)


I [G7]do believe whatever it is that [C7]we can work it through (Ooh-Ooh!)


Cuz [G7]I am , I am here, Yeah [C7]I am here for you (It's True!)


Yeah, [G7]I am here, here I am, [C7]I am here for you (Yoo-Hoo!)


Yeah, [G7]I am here, here I am, [C7]I am here for you (Yoo-Hoo!)


Yeah, [G7]I am here, here I am, [C7]I am here for you (Yoo-Hoo!)


What-[D7]ever it is you may need, [C7]I am here . . .


I . . . am . . . here . . . for . . . [G7]you.



Go to forum: Songwriting

871 Reply by James McCormick

(11 replies, posted in About Chordie)

Sorry Tim - There have been some recent programming changes and perhaps the 'Change Settings' feature is suffering some unintended consequences.

Could you please send a detailed bug report to Admin via the 'Chordie Feedback' on the Resources page?  Include a link to your songbook.
Sorry for the inconvenience -
James

Go to forum: About Chordie

872 Reply by James McCormick

(11 replies, posted in About Chordie)

Hi Tim, I believe that if you go to the 'Resources' page and make the change to your account there under 'Change Settings' then your selection will be reflected in all your songbooks and also whenever you view a new song.  Hope this helps.  James

Go to forum: About Chordie

873 Reply by James McCormick

(252 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Strange as it may seem, cricket is played regularly here in Starkville, Mississippi.  The Indian Student Association has some teams and they play Sunday mornings on the Drill Field (the big grassy open space in the middle of campus) at Mississippi State University.

They also invite teams from other schools in the region for tournaments.  The competition is friendly and fierce.  It is great fun to watch these hard-working and normally very reserved and mild-mannered students get all emotional and have some rowdy fun.

Must confess though that the actual rules of the game escape me.

Go to forum: Chordie's Chat Corner

874 Reply by James McCormick

(7 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Jeff, not being a programmer I am clueless as why certain characters are morphing into strange forms.  Where is that Paranormal when you need him?

I suspect it is due to recent programming changes being made by the Mighty Admin (Fearsome Scourge of the Icy Fjords, Wise Shaman of the Artic Way).  These are probably unintended consequences of subtle alterations in the space/time continuum.

I have passed on the concerns to the Department of Homeland Security.  They shall investigate throroughly.  Sorry for the mess.

Great song - seems to me that the only people who never make mistakes are those who never try anything new.  James

Go to forum: Songwriting

875 Reply by James McCormick

(4 replies, posted in Song requests)

Hi Tenderheart - Seems that Mary Chapin Carpenter is one of those prolific artists that has tons of great songs, but who has not inspired the tabbing public to sit down and figure them all out.

Her songwriting is fabulous - full of wit and insight and articulate emotion.  I have also looked everywhere since your request went up, but am unable to find what you seek.

There are several MCC songbooks available commercially:
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/pages.htm … =wwws-err5

One other possibility is to contact these folks who have some MCC stuff on their site:
http://www.johnejennings.com/4chapin/chlyr.html

Sorry I couldn't find what you seek - James

Go to forum: Song requests