1,476 Reply by James McCormick

(4 replies, posted in Songwriting)

A very crude recording of a very cool song - I could feel the lizard king creeping up on me . . . maybe a little too morbid for my tastes, but it's a good song.  James

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1,477 Reply by James McCormick

(10 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Yep! Very good idea for improved chord set - it needs something to break it up and give it more form.  Perhaps a bridge or two would also improve the overall flow?  Thanks, James

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1,478 Topic by James McCormick

(10 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Here's a little 3-chord twanger that has no aspirations to be deeply meaningful - just a simple little diversion suitable for thrashing and howling:

Gonna Gottaby, James McCormick, March 8, 2007


I'm gonna [G]move but I'm not gonna dance,


I've gotta [C]try but I won't take a chance


I'm gonna [D]sprint, but you can't make me run,


I've gotta [C]grin but I won't have [G]fun


[C]Do as I say don't do as I do,


It [G]might be false but it's gotta be true


[C]Do as I may don't do like I might,


[D]Later on today it's gonna be tonight


I'm gonna [G]listen but I'm not gonna hear,


I've gotta [C]cry but I won't shed a tear


It's gonna [D]hurt but I won't feel pain,


I've gotta [C]bitch but I won't com-[G]plain


[C]Do as I do don't do as I say,


[G]Don't let reality get in my way


[C]Do as I might don't do as I may,


[D]Later on tonight it won't be today


I'm gonna [G]read but I won't understand,


I'll be-[C]lieve but I won't pretend


I'm comin' [D]back but I won't return,


I've gotta [C]study but I'm not gonna [G]learn


[C]Do what you know don't try nothin' new,


Keep your [G]head in the clouds and don't get the blues


[C]Do it in a circle do it all straight,


There's [D]plenty of time it's already too late


I'm gonna [G]spend so that I can save,



I've gotta [C]act but I won't behave


I'm gonna [D]slice but it ain't gonna cut,


I've gotta [C]need but I can't say [G]what


[C]Do it forthe money do it all for free,


Do it [G]all for yourself do it all for me


Do it [C]up on the roof do it out in the yard,


[D]Do it really soft and do it really hard


I'm gonna [G]burn but I'm not gonna crash,


I've gotta [C]buy but I don't got the cash


I'm gonna [D]ride but I don't have wheels,


I've gotta [C]take it but I'm not gonna [G]steal


[C]Do it for your country hey do it for the kids,


[G]Get it all done before they open up the bids


[C]Do it slow and steady do it under stress,


[D]Do it nice and neat just make a big mess


I'm gonna [G]eat but I'm not gonna dine,


I've gotta [C]write but I'm not gonna sign


I'm gonna [D]swallow but I'm not gonna chew,


I've gotta [C]lie but it's gonna be [G]true


[C]Do as I say don't do as I do,


[G]What in the world has gotten into you


[C]Do it like a baby do it like a pro,


[D]Do it right now hey [C]I' gotta [G]go!



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1,479 Reply by James McCormick

(5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Mark, I very much admire the emotional heft of this song - lots of love and hope and bittersweet packed into your lyric.  I have been through a similar experience with my mother, but have yet to even try to attempt writing about it .  .  .


Look forward to hearing more of your stuff.  James

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1,480 Reply by James McCormick

(5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hey Steve - Just like Roger said, it is great to hear a song from the forum come alive!  Despite the sound limitations of a video recorder, I now 'know' the song and I like it very much.


I can also hear a throbbing bass pumping, an truly animalistic drummer getting a thorough workout, and goosebump vocal harmonies in the song - - - it's got definite potential for a full-blown production.  Keep the creative juices flowing and I look forward to seeing and hearing more.

James

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1,481 Reply by James McCormick

(1 replies, posted in Song requests)

Hello beebee17522 - try these links to an excellent Harry Chapin tribute site that has lots of lyrics & chords:

<a href="http://harrychapin.com/music/" target="_blank">http://harrychapin.com/music/</a>

Two versions of the song you seek are here:

<a href="http://harrychapin.com/music/lovesong/lovesong2.cord" target="_blank">http://harrychapin.com/music/lovesong/lovesong2.cord</a>

and here:

<a href="http://harrychapin.com/music/lovesong/lovesong.cord" target="_blank">http://harrychapin.com/music/lovesong/lovesong.cord</a>

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1,482 Reply by James McCormick

(2 replies, posted in About Chordie)

Greetings Nuthin_Fancy!  As a matter of fact there IS a way to do just what you are suggesting - To add a chordie link to your webpage, go to the 'Resources' tab (between My Songbook and Forum tabs).  In the list of very useful stuff on the the Resources page is a "Link to Chordie" item - click on that, and follow the instructions.  Hope this helps . . .

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1,483 Reply by James McCormick

(1 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Oops! Didn't work . . .

The 'song' must be in upper-case 'SONG' (enclosed in straight brackets).

The song title must say {t:No Apologies}

The subtitle (if you want one) must say {st:Whatever} (note curly brackets)

Each chord must have [C] straight brackets.

At the end, put '/SONG' (enclosed in straight brackets)

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1,484 Reply by James McCormick

(5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

OK Steve - to the find the 'post formatted song' thread, just click on the forum tab (top of chordies main page, next to where you log in), then scroll down to the Songwriting forum topic, click on songwriting, and at the top of the listing you will see 'post formatted songs' -click on the topic and read the first few messages.


Sounds complicated, but it is not - James

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1,485 Reply by James McCormick

(9 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hey bud_wiser - I just heard your recording of "My Little Angel" and it is wonderful!  Nicely-made recording of nicely-crafted song.  Your singing and playing sound great - so what else do have up your sleeve?  James

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1,486 Reply by James McCormick

(7 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hello Alex - love the idea for this song and like your lyric, too.  Don't worry about 'rambling on' because that is how you find interesting images and turns of phrase - which for me is the fun part of writing songs.  I think you got your idea across quite effectively.


For me, each song is a challenge to convey 'the idea' in a few well-chosen images.  I think we all look at our stuff and wonder if it could be shorter or better or something.


For me, each song idea is a just another opportunity to learn something new and try something new.  There are always more new ideas to play with and more lessons to learn.


The main thing I have learned in my brief time trying to write songs is that the more you try, the more you accomplish and the more you learn.


I wish I had started trying to write songs many years ago.  I feel like I missed out on a whole lot of fun prior to realizing that writing songs would be a fun hobby.


Hope to see more of your creations . . . James

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1,487 Reply by James McCormick

(2 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hello again johnnyvitalis - another good one here!  I just gave it a howl and a thrash and hear it in my head as very rhythm-driven sort of song.  Am I right?  Also tried it with an (Em, A7, D, Em) and an (Em, A7, C, D, Em)  and an (Em, A7, D, C, Em) on the "I.....been down that road" type lines.  These lines just seem ripe for lots of bold moves between the A7 and the return to Em . . . 


Would love to hear this one - know anybody with recording equipment?!  How go your studio plans?   James

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1,488 Reply by James McCormick

(5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Howdy johnnyvitalis!  I can hear that lonesome whipporwill also - I like your song and all the references to classic country twangers.  Reminds me of some wonderful old tunes.


I just recently 'discovered' Faron Young's stuff and am having big fun with those old country classics.


I think I got the general sense of the chord changes, but wish it were posted so that it would appear 'all gussied-up and purty'.  Check out the 'Post Formatted Songs' thread for the secret spells that yield that beautiful chordie format.


Keep 'em comin' . . . James

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1,489 Reply by James McCormick

(1 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hey JV - there is a method for printing forum song's all pretty-like, but it is rather involved.  First copy the forum song.  Then go to your songbooks.  Pick a 'victim song' that can't defend itself and open it using the 'edit' button at the end of its listing.  In the victim song's edit pane, delete everything except the song's title and subtitble lines (these lines must remain intact).


Next, paste the forum song into the edit pane.  Finallyy, change the forum song's title and subtitle listings to comments by changing {t:Title} and {st:Subtitle} to {c:Title} and {c:Subtitle}.  Be sure to hit the 'save' button in between the edit and view panes before hitting the 'return to songbook' button.


After returning to your songbook, open the 'victim song's' listing as you normally would by clicking on the song's title.  The song will open with the forum song's lyrics and chords and it can now be printed. 


Obviously, song listings that are hijacked like this should stay in your personal songbook and not be put into the chordie index.  Also, this method will only yield a pretty layout if the forum song was posted using the proper chordpro coding.

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1,490 Reply by James McCormick

(4 replies, posted in Songwriting)

If you have a few ideas - then by all means get something on paper!  Just scribble down the word or phrase that struck as "an idea".


Have a notebook or a shoebox full of scrap paper to keep all these potential songs or lines.  Often, I find that something I jotted down in the past can be the germ of another song, or it can be helpful in finishing something that I have started.


Good ideas (and not-so-good ideas) will evaporate into thin air unless you have some way of preserving them.  Also, getting into the habit of jotting ideas makes it easier to recognize an idea that is staring you right in the face!

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1,491 Reply by James McCormick

(5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

bud_wiser that is an exceptionally fine lyric.  Quite an outpouring of hard truth and bittersweet beauty.  Wow . . .


I'm at work now, but shall give it a strum and a warble later.  James

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1,492 Reply by James McCormick

(4 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Yes!  "Starkville City Jail" is about when Mr. Cash spent a night in out local slammer for public drunkeness, disturbing the peace, and general misbehavior in the wee hours of the morning.


Of course, this was back in his hell-raising years (long before he became the stoic elder statesman and icon of grizzled wisdom).  Apparently, he was passed out drunk in the front-yard flower bed of a stately home occupied by a respectable member of the community.


They found it somewhat disturbing to have a drunken stranger in their yard and called the cops - hence the song.  There is also an Indigo Girls song that mentions our quaint little community, but I can't recall the title.

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1,493 Reply by James McCormick

(4 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hello again Steve and congratulations on the recording studio!  Great idea - wish there was something like that here in my hometown (Starkville, Mississippi). 


Regarding soundproofing - I have no practical suggestions, but I do have an anecdote:  A friend of mine is a high-energy acoustics engineer (he specializes in the properties and uses of sound frequencies way way way above audible range - very amazing stuff).


At his research facility there is an anechoic chamber (a super sound-absorbant & soundproofed room) that they use for various experiments.  All surfaces of the chamber are covered in the sound absorbing/proofing materials.  The floor that you walk on is wire mesh suspended above the proofing materials on the floor.


Once you are in the chamber and the access door is closed, it is the creepiest thing in the world.  There is absolutely no resonence - no ambient sound - no 'sonic presence' in the space.  Even your own voice sounds completely different in there - it is as if your ears and brain have been rewired.  It was an eerie and memorable experience just to spend a few minutes alone in that chamber . . .

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1,494 Reply by James McCormick

(2 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hello Steve - Post away . . .it is very interesting to see the products of others' imaginations.  Should you you want to perform any of my songs that have been posted, I would be honored.  James

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1,495 Reply by James McCormick

(4 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hey there jets60 - another song straight from the heart!  Very well said - she must be thrilled with what she has inspired.  Hope she has bragged about it to all her friends!  James

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1,496 Reply by James McCormick

(9 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Thanks rndthefire - glad you liked the song - I figured it was about something everybody could relate to and understand.  James

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1,497 Reply by James McCormick

(1 replies, posted in Bands and artists)

Great stuff - like their rhythmic energy and their complex lyrics.  Thanks for the tip - the album release party is sure to be a great performance!

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1,498 Reply by James McCormick

(9 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Have updated this little ditty with another verse and some other minor changes - - - now it's 'more better done'.  James

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1,499 Topic by James McCormick

(1 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Here is a song from the vault.  Wrote it several months ago - and had a friend help me record it.  Discovered during that process that I suffer from severe 'mic shyness'.  Hope to remedy that affliction once I get my own microphone.

This is a love song that mentions death - I am not afflicted with anything (presently), but a collegue had recently suffered a health crisis, so mortality was on my mind.

[SONG]
{t:On a Day Like This}
{st:by, James McCormick, 2006}
{c:In 6/8 time, a melancholy waltz}

On a [C]day like this so [F]long ago
My [C]goddess I did [G]meet,
And my [C]loins did throb
And my [F]blood did boil
The a-[C]ttraction [G]was com-[C]plete
{soc}
Yes I [F]saw for-[Em]ever [C]in her [F]eyes
As I [Dm]heard the angel [G]choirs
[G7]And [C]ever [Am]since that [F]lovely [G]day
She's [C]been my [G]heart's de-[C]sire
{eoc}
On a [C]day like this some [F]years ago
Our [C]children did ar-[G]rive
And our [C]love did grow
And our [F]pride did swell
To [C]see them [G]learn and [C]thrive
{soc}
Yes we [F]see for-[Em]ever [C]in their [F]eyes
As we [Dm]hear the angel [G]choirs
[G7]And [C]ever [Am]since those [F]blessed [G]days
They've [C]been our [G]heart's de-[C]sire
{eoc}
On a [C]day like this just [F]recently
I [C]saw my end in [G]sight
And my [C]life's been full
And my [F]life's been long
I'll go [C]gladly [G]into the [C]light
{sob}
All a-[Gm]long my love I've [C]seen the [F]light [Bb]sparkling [Am]in your [G]eyes
We've [F]found our [Gm]way through [C]thick and [F]thin . . .
I'm the [C]luckiest [G]man a-[C]live.
{eob}
{soc}
Yes I [F]see for-[Em]ever [C]in your [F]eyes
And I [Dm]hear the angel [G]choirs
[G7]And [C]ever [Am]since that [F]lovely [G]day
You've [C]been my [G]heart's de-[C]sire.
{eoc}
[/SONG]

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1,500 Reply by James McCormick

(36 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hey badeye - great topic and a wonderful song with some nifty turns of phrase.  Thanks for sharing it!  James

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