1,651 Topic by James McCormick

(0 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Here is something other than goofy pet tunes . . .
[SONG]
{t:Self-Inflicted Drama}
{st:by, James McCormick, 1/19/2007}

The [F]paperwork is scattered, a [Em]plague within our walls
[Dm]hornets in the parlor, a [C]pestilence befalls
Got [F]weevils in my pockets [Em]gravel in my socks
A [Dm]kink within my spine, and [G]thoughts inside the box
{soc}
It's our [C]self-inflicted drama, [Am]vultures at a feast
Our [F]self-inflicted drama, we [G]revel in defeat  [G7]
[C]Self-inflicted drama darlin', [Am]scars that will remain
[F]Self-inflicted drama, the [G]mayhem . . . enter-[C]tains
{eoc}
[F]Festering resentment, e-[Em]motions run so high
Gonna [Dm]have to just stay thirsty this [C]well is long gone so dry
Got [F]leaks up on the roof and [Em]weeds up in the bed
[Dm]Hesitating engine and [G]noises in my head
{soc}
It's just [C]self-inflicted drama, the [Am]fury and the noise
It's [F]self-inflicted drama, a [G]chance to drop our poise  [G7]
[C]Self-inflicted drama, recrimi-[Am]nation is the key
[F]Self-inflicted drama, it might [G]finally . . . . set us [C]free.
{eoc}
It's a [F]messy situation, a [Em]dandy reeking crock
[Dm]Pay it some attention, work some [C]time on off the clock
'Tis a [F]dangerous intersection, [Em]someone's toughest call
[Dm]Can't play this game here un-[G]less you find the balls
{soc}
It's our [C]self-inflicted drama, an [Am]opera for fools
It's [F]self-inflicted drama, it's so [G]easy to be cruel  [G7]
[C]Self-inflicted drama, you'll [Am]take no refuge here
[F]Self-inflicted drama, let's [G]wallow . . . . in our [C]tears.
{eoc}
The [F]pattern keeps repeating, slow [Em]motion butchery
This [Dm]remake is so pointless, the [C]end is clear to see
The [F]debts are all past overdue, [Em]justice still delayed
We [Dm]both are far too terrified to ad-[G]mit we are afraid
{soc}
Let's do [C]self-inflicted drama, honey [Am]rip my dignity
This [F]self-inflicted drama shall [G]bring us to our knees  [G7]
[C]Self-inflicted drama babe, the [Am]tatters of our pride
[F]Self-inflicted drama, there is [G]not . . . a winning [C]side
{eoc}
The [F]foundation crumbles, [Em]fundamental flaws
The [Dm]meter is still running, [C]clenched between our jaws
Though [F]tenderness is missing we're [Em]comin' back for more
You [Dm]probably are winning but I've stopped [G]keeping score
{soc}
It's all [C]self-inflicted drama, such [Am]cherished enemies
This [F]self-inflicted drama, ha-[G]bitual disease  [G7]
[C]Self-inflicted drama sweety,[Am]danglin' on our hooks
[F]Self-inflicted drama, stop [G]givin' me . . . that [C]look
{eoc}
The [F]vintage has gone bitter, dere-[Em]lict upon the sands
We're [Dm]lost within a wilderness, [C]trackless barren land
[F]Keepsakes dashed upon the curb, [Em]memories awry
[Dm]Precious dreams lay trampled with unsung [G]lullabys
{soc}
It's all [C]self-inflicted drama, conse-[Am]quence of simple rules
It's [F]self-inflicted drama, we [G]play the parts we choose  [G7]
[C]Self-inflicted drama, baby [Am]flail about and scream
[F]Self-inflicted drama, please just [G]end . . . . this crazy [C]scene.
{eoc}
[/SONG]

Go to forum: Songwriting

1,652 Reply by James McCormick

(20 replies, posted in Other string instruments)

Most definately - anybody who can make a double bass sing a sweet song of seduction or thunk out a fat-nasty beat has got magic in their fingertips and voodoo in their bones . . .


For some, the bass is a sacred calling - - not a chore.

Go to forum: Other string instruments

1,653 Reply by James McCormick

(1 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Excellent stuff, Ken - I particularly like the Everyday song . . . great idea for a song - and you do the idea justice with your lyrics.  The Pie in the Sky song is also quite good, but the Everyday one really caught my attention.


I have got to get myself the gear to put stuff up onto YouTube . . . !  Not a member of YouTube, so couldn't do a rating.

Go to forum: Songwriting

1,654 Topic by James McCormick

(7 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Here is another silly little ditty based on 'borrowed' melody & chords.
Hey - it's not great art, but it's fun and it's easy!
Enjoy . . .
[SONG]
{t:What A Friend We Have in Kitty}
{st:by, James McCormick, 1/19/2007}
{c:to the tune of "What A Friend We Have In Jesus"}

[D]What a friend we have in [G]Kitty,
[D]She is so relaxed right [A]there
[D]Sleeping perfect in the [G]sunlight
[A]Looks as if she has no [D]cares
But [A]just within a beast is [D]lurking
[G]Predatory [D]fangs and fatal [A]claws
[D]If you and I were [G]tiny
[D]We'd be [A]twitching [A7]in her [D]jaws.
. . . .
[D]What a friend we have in [G]Kitty
[D]Someone we can groom and [A]feed
[D]Softest fur and eyes that [G]sparkle
[A]Little claws that make us [D]bleed
[A]But it is so grati-[D]fying
[G]When she [D]comes to say hel-[A]lo
[D]Does she even really [G]like us
I [D]guess we'll [A]never [A7]really [D]know.
. . . .
[D]What a friend we have in [G]Kitty
[D]Pondering life's myster-[A]ies
[D]Every day she sits and [G]wonders
[A]If our flesh will taste O-[D]K
[A]As we're sleeping and de-[D]fenseless
[G]Kitty [D]plans her big at-[A]tack
[D]Once she's grown a little [G]bigger
[D]We shall [A]be a [A7]tasty [D]snack.
. . . .
[D]What a friend we have in [G]Kitty
[D]Life is better with her [A]here
[D]Now our home is never [G]lonely
And [A]everything is full of [D]hair
[A]Daily we are called upon to [D]serve her
[G]Fix her [D]meals and medi-[A]cate
Our [D]lives are focused on her [G]comfort
[D]Scooping [A]litter [A7]is our [D]fate.
[/SONG]

Go to forum: Songwriting

1,655 Reply by James McCormick

(3 replies, posted in About Chordie)

You are right, Ken -  the forum date & time thing is very odd . . . seemingly 'chordie standard time' is a 25th time zone in some parallel universe.  Your idea is good - change it to a commonly-used setting (like GMT).


Or, maybe the 'Today's Messages' button could be set to present the messages posted in the past 24 hours - that way whenever you hit the button, it just shows the 24 hours previous to that particular moment . . .


Hey, here is a fellow who knows how to have fun - check out the photo!

James

Go to forum: About Chordie

1,656 Reply by James McCormick

(20 replies, posted in About Chordie)

The 'Top 100' songs list would be an excellent place to begin correcting/improving chordie's library.  Perhaps chordie users could make it a priority to 'fix' these selections?


A random stroll through the 'Top 100' list reveals that lots of gentle tweaking could be beneficial.  Since these songs are popular, it seems like a worthy goal to get them all spiffed up first . . .

Go to forum: About Chordie

1,657 Reply by James McCormick

(7 replies, posted in Songwriting)

I tried my hand at a cat song (at the request of a friend who heard my dog song).  But the cat song just didn't ever work out . . . the lyrics kept getting sinister and snide and not fun. Guess my feelings toward cats are complicated.


The cat song was going to be based on another well-known Sunday School song, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus[Kitty]".  It's one of those never-got-very-far song ideas . . . I've got lots of those!


So rndthefire, glad you like the dog song - get the old Martin going and serenade those cats.  Should you come up with a cat song, please post here in songwriting.

Go to forum: Songwriting

1,658 Reply by James McCormick

(7 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Should your dogs come up with any additional verses, please post on this thread!  Every dog has at least one silly verse to add to this epic saga . . .


Glad you liked my ditty -

Go to forum: Songwriting

1,659 Reply by James McCormick

(7 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Yes, I realize that the song is long - but hey, we've had lots of dogs.  Since we are a special kind of nuts, we have six currently - so, I guess too many dogs = too many verses!

Go to forum: Songwriting

1,660 Topic by James McCormick

(7 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Here is a fun little ditty based  upon 'borrowed' chords and melody.  As mentioned in recent discussions, sometimes the best way to "start" writing songs is with a ready-made melody&chord structure.

I started writing this song a couple of years ago.  I add verses as they come to mind.  It is based upon the old Sunday School song "Jesus Loves Me, This I Know".  The chorus is a fun sing-along . . . try it out and have some fun!

My Dog Loves Me, This I Knowby, James McCormick


To the tune of 'Jesus Loves Me, This I Know'


[D]My dog loves me, this I know, [G]For his wagging [D]tells me so


[D]Floppy ears and great big mouth, He [G]likes to [D]sleep u-[A]pon the [D]couch.


[D]My doggie [G]loves me, [D]I love my [A]doggie!


[D]We are so [G]happy, As [D]happy [A]as can [D]be!


[D]My dog begs for table scraps, [G]my dog likes to [D]sit on laps.


[D]My dog likes to go for rides, But when [G]thunder [D]booms, he [A]runs and [D]hides.


. . .chorus . . .


[D]My dog is a fearsome beast, [G]On the squirrels he [D]wants to feast.


[D]Chases critters up the trees, But [G]all he [D]catches [A]is more [D]fleas.


. . .chorus . . .


[D]My dog likes to run and play, He [G]guards the house while [D]I'm away.


When [D]I come home he jumps for joy, I [G]think I [D]am his [A]favorite [D]toy.


. . .chorus . . .


[D]My dog likes to bark and howl, [G]Likes to snarl and [D]likes to growl.


[D]In the yard he digs a hole, He [G]don't be-[D]lieve in [A]self-con-[D]trol.


. . .chorus . . .


[D]My dog likes to snort and sniff, [G]Of your butt he'll [D]take a whiff.


His [D]sense of smell is quite well honed, He's a [G]connois-[D]seur of [A]phero-[D]mones.


. . .chorus . . .


[D]My dog likes to lick my face, And [G]shed his hair a-[D]round the place.


[D]Vacuuming is such a chore, I [G]wish that [D]he would [A]lick the [D]floor.


. . .chorus . . .


For [D]all the years we have been wed, [G]Our dog takes up [D]half the bed.


[D]My spouse and I just move aside, It's [G]like we [D]share a [A]canine [D]bride.


. . .chorus . . .


[D]My dog likes to walk with me, And [G]find that perfect [D]place to pee.


The [D]neighborhood has lots of posts, Where [G]all the [D]dogs leave [A]Post-it-[D]Notes.


. . .chorus . . .



[D]My dog is good company,We [G]share the same phi-[D]losophy.


[D]When I'm sad he comforts me, With in-[G]tensive [D]Frisbee [A]thera-[D]py.


. . .chorus . . .


[D]My dog likes to chew on bones, He [G]doesn't need a [D]cellular phone.


[D]All the news he really needs, Comes [G]wafting [D]by u-[A]pon the [D]breeze.


. . .chorus . . .


[D]My dog used to be a stray, I [G]met him on the [D]road one day.


All [D]skin and bones and full of ticks, His [G]vet bill [D]nearly [A]made me [D]sick.


. . .chorus . . .


[D]My dog likes to drool and snore, He [G]twitches all a-[D]round the floor.


[D]While he dreams he is so vain, He-[G]roic [D]visions [A]fill his [D]brain.


. . .chorus . . .


[D]My dog eats with great gusto, He [G]licks up stuff right [D]off the flo'.


His [D]appetite is quite absurd, He'll [G]gobble [D]down a [A]kitty [D]turd.


. . .chorus . . .


[D]My dog is a smelly cur, [G]Full of fleas and [D]matted fur,


He [D]really needs a thorough bath, But [G]shampoo [D]just pro-[A]vokes his [D]wrath.


. . .chorus . . .


[D]My dog must have ADD, But [G]he is very [D]sweet to me


[D]I know why he acts insane, He [G]is all [D]heart, no [A]room for [D]brains


. . .chorus . . .


[D]My dog is the boss of me, He [G]is in charge it's [D]plain to see


[D]Just because he loves me so, He [G]tells me [D]what I [A]need to [D]know


. . .chorus . . .


[D]My dog is a highway hound, [G]When we met he [D]was southbound


I [D]pulled aside and picked him up, And [G]now he [D]is a [A]well-loved [D]pup


. . .chorus . . .


[D]My dog is a great big wuss, He's [G]terrified of [D]little puss


[D]When the cat comes in the room, [G]Out the [D]door my [A]dog will [D]zoom


. . .chorus . . .



Go to forum: Songwriting

1,661 Reply by James McCormick

(20 replies, posted in About Chordie)

Perhaps a new page tab or new "Song Editing Forum" section which lists all the recently-edited songs would suffice.  Such a listing of all recently-edited songs would allow other users to check the changes and discuss finer points of how to make a song version the best it can be.  Such a forum section would also have the advantage of promoting open and rational discussion should disputes arise.


The idea of personal songbook versions appearing in the general index is also worthy of serious consideration.  If that is technically possible, then it could be good path.  However, for extremely popular songs you could end up with multiple versions of a song that have only minor differences - it would make the process of sifting through all the multiple versions very cumbersome.


Has there been any 'abusive' editing yet?

Has there been any 'dueling editing'?

Any malicious/destructive behavior yet?


Although these unfortumate things may occur every once in a while, the ability of chordie users to readily fix obvious problems with layout and content is a very good thing.  Over time, a quality library of accurate songs will emerge.


I would expect that malicious/desctructive editing would be limited primarily to hormone-crazed adolescents and that they would focus their attentions on a rather narrow spectrum of songs available on the site.


Perhaps a simple limit on the number of songs a person can edit per day would provide a guard against psycho-destructive, malicious behavior?

The idea of changes being 'approved' by senior members would seem to be unwieldy and cumbersome - I think a forum section focused on recently-edited songs would serve the same purpose.

Go to forum: About Chordie

1,662 Reply by James McCormick

(6 replies, posted in About Chordie)

Never thought about it much, just assumed it was a matter of time . . . there is no advantage (that I know of) to being a 'senior' member.  This is a question for the mighty admin.

Go to forum: About Chordie

1,663 Reply by James McCormick

(12 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Killerkael - started today and you've got a song already?  It must have been itching to get out . . . congratulations!  My muse just hasn't tickled me much lately, but still I keep scribbling down ideas of all sorts and trying to make progress on some unfinished pieces.  For me, steady effort doesn't always guarantee steady results . . . but the steady effort makes the breakthrough, 'aha' moments possible (eventually).


On Friday, I discovered that a long-time collegue writes poetry.  I am hoping that he will share some of his compositions and that perhaps we can collaborate to create some songs.  I'm always willing to try something new to broaden my creative horizons.

Go to forum: Songwriting

1,664 Reply by James McCormick

(7 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Regarding alternate tunings - here is a nifty website dedicated to non-standard tunings. Lots of tools, info, and ideas:


<a href="http://www.gootar.com/folder/joni.html" target="_blank">http://www.gootar.com/folder/joni.html</a>

Go to forum: Songwriting

1,665 Reply by James McCormick

(7 replies, posted in Songwriting)

ZombiE - non-standard tunings are a very time-honored method to create the sounds that you seek.  Way back in the Renaissance, lutes were tuned many different ways in order to enable players to easily make the necessary chords. 'Standard tuning' just did not exist. Entire scholarly books have been written on alternative tunings for stringed intruments.


Pretty ironic about my 'automatic weaponry' comment - - gotta love the internet!  I'll keep you in my thoughts and shall pray for the safe return of you and your unit.


We are honored to have a warrior/poet in our midst.


I really like what I see as a relentless drive in your lyrics . . . there is a vivid focus. In my mind's eye I hear stuff that is very Richie Havens - - high-energy, passionate, with to-the-bone sincerity. Keep 'em comin'.

James

Go to forum: Songwriting

1,666 Reply by James McCormick

(6 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Here's a simple one by Tom T. Hall (covered by Leo Kottke) that is sad in an ironic sort of way:

<a href="http://www.chordie.com/chord.pere/www.ultimate-guitar.com/print.php?what=tab&id=73359" target="_blank"> http://www.chordie.com/chord.pere/www.u … tar.com/pr int.php?what=tab&id=73359</a>

The chordie index has quite a few Kottke tabs - something to aspire to, I guess.


Also, I recently posted a songbook of bitter ballads, most relatively simple. See the 'Golden Oldies' category and look for "Alas, My Love You've Done Me Wrong". You may find some delicious downers in there . . .

Go to forum: Acoustic

1,667 Reply by James McCormick

(20 replies, posted in About Chordie)

This new feature is a good thing. Here are some ideas on how best to use this new and powerful tool.


If you want to 'improve' a song, first move it into your own songbook.

This is necessary since not all songs in the index will 'take' the improvements yet (the admin is working on this bug).  If your selected song happens to be one where the improvements will not appear, then you will still have your improved version back in your songbook. It is frustrating to spend time 'fixing' a song only to discover that your 'fix' won't appear.


Do all your editing and improving in your songbook.

Once everything is to your liking, copy your entire version from the edit pane.

Then, go back to the song listing in the general index.

Hit the 'correct song' button.

Finally, just delete the old version in the song's edit pane and paste in your improvement.

Be sure to hit the 'save' button (between the edit and viewing panes) before exiting the song.


Ideally, all 'improvements' made by users will indeed be improvements . . .

Go to forum: About Chordie

1,668 Reply by James McCormick

(7 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Greetings ZombiE!  Welcome to Planet Chordie . . . Wow!  That's alot of songs you posted today.  I have read through them all and would be interested to hear what they sound like . . . the lyrics are intriguing and quite pithy.  A couple of them do make me hope that you do not have ready access to automatic weaponry . . .


Glad to see more activity on the Songwriting Forum and hope to see even more as people get up the gumption to post their stuff.

Go to forum: Songwriting

1,669 Topic by James McCormick

(5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Need ideas on how to 'finish' this ditty . . . somehow, it just doesn't feel 'done' yet but I can't seem to find the direction for a last verse or two. Help please -

Forever ClearJames McCormick 1/13/2007


In 3/4 time, An Existential Waltz


A-[C]lone in a [Em]field I [Dm]ponder my [G]place


[G7]Oh [C]reasons for [Am]being hor-[Dm]izons and [G]space


[G7]The [F]starlight and [G]crickets [F]helped me per-[G]ceive


Ad-[F]ventures I've [G]been [F]blessed to re-[G]ceive


The [C]harsh light of [F]day [C]shows what is [G]near


But [C]darkness [F]makes [G]forever [C]clear . . . [G] . . .


A-[C]lone I [Em]stood on the [Dm]edge of the [G]sky


[G7] . . . . [C]Awestruck [Am]dizzy [Dm]tears in my [G]eye


[G7]Each [F]breath [G]lightning [F]dazzle my [G]soul


[F]Heartbeat [G]thunder [F]in me ex-[G]plodes


The [C]harsh light of [F]day [C]shows what is [G]near


But [C]darkness [F]makes [G]forever [C]clear . . . . [G] . . .


I [C]don't know ex-[Em]actly how [Dm]long I was [G]there



[G7]It [C]may have been [Am]seconds an [Dm]hour a [G]year


[G7]Sere-[F]naded by [G]crickets a-[F]wash in star-[G]light


A-[F]live in the [G]moment [F]one with the [G]night


The [C]harsh light of [F]day [C]shows what is [G]near


But [C]darkness [F]makes [G]forever [C]clear . . . . [G] . . .


The [C]soil my [Em]bones the [Dm]stars the [G]rain


[G7]Es-[C]sential in-[Am]gredients [Dm]all just the [G]same


[G7]From [F]cosmic col-[G]lisions [F]entropy [G]rust


Just [F]ashes to [G]ashes and [F]dust into [G]dust


The [C]harsh light of [F]day [C]shows what is [G]near


But [C]darkness [F]makes [G]forever [C]clear.





Go to forum: Songwriting

1,670 Reply by James McCormick

(1 replies, posted in Song requests)

hello mrmusician - would love to help you find what you need, but I need a little more info. Do you have the song's title correct? Are you sure it was James Taylor - or perhaps maybe someone else? Perhaps if you sent me a private message with full lyrics, I could try to run it down for you . . .

Go to forum: Song requests

1,671 Reply by James McCormick

(3 replies, posted in Song requests)

Hello Tom Craig - could only locate these two sources.

This link will take you to the lyrics only:

<a href="http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/los-lonely-boys/heaven-16164.html" target="_blank"> http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/los- … /heaven-16 164.html</a>


This links to a tab file that has the intro chords & tabs - -  other files are listed here that may help as well, but no complete versions of the song are out there (that I could find).  However with the intro and solo stuff together, perhaps you may be able to figure out the rest?

<a href="http://www.azchords.com/l/loslonelyboys-tabs-19240/heaven-tabs-186139.html" target="_blank"> http://www.azchords.com/l/loslonelyboys … /heaven-ta bs-186139.html</a>

Go to forum: Song requests

1,672 Reply by James McCormick

(12 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

Hello drantle - try this link to Trooper's official website. They have a few tunes with full sheet music there in pdf format. The lyrics and chords for 'Pretty Lady' are there along with several other tunes.


<a href="http://www.trooper.ca/default.php?cat=sheet&subcat=none" target="_blank">http://www.trooper.ca/default.php?cat=sheet&subcat=none</a>


In future, post song requests to the 'song request' forum.

Go to forum: Guitars and accessories

1,673 Reply by James McCormick

(2 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Here's the trick, Ken. Write your lyrics chordpro style - you can use Word (I prefer using a text editor or notepad - it's just easier for me) - you Word file must start with something like this:

{t:Upyerkilt's Lullaby}
{st:by, Soum Ynona}

My [G]name it is [Em]Ken
And I [C]play the uke-[D]lele
I [G]live somewhere in [Em]Scotland
And I [C]like to use [D]chordie


Notice that the title and sub-title are in curly brackets. The file must start with these items in the curly brackets. The chords are placed where they need to be with the lyric and are enclosed in straight brackets.

Now, to make look all pretty (to "chordiefy" it), simply do this type:
straight bracketSONGstraight bracket

   Then, copy&paste in your song file. After the end of the song, put this:
straight bracket/SONGstraight bracket
And your song will look like this (after you have posted the message):
[SONG]
{t:Upyerkilt's Lullaby}
{st:by, Soum Ynona}

My [G]name it is [Em]Ken
And I [C]play the uke-[D]lele
I [G]live somewhere in [Em]Scotland
And I [C]like to use [D]chordie
[/SONG]

Go to forum: Songwriting

1,674 Reply by James McCormick

(2 replies, posted in Songwriting)

hello knox87 - very nice lyric! What sort of chords are you planning to use? Seems like a minor key would suit the mood of the words.

Go to forum: Songwriting

1,675 Reply by James McCormick

(2 replies, posted in About Chordie)

Hello OrionsByte - Good suggestion, I like your idea . . . However, there are already some chordie features that might help you locate exactly the type songs you are seeking.


There is a pull-down menu at the upper of right of the search pages - using this button you can specify 'easy songs only'.  This will narrow the field somewhat and limit your search results.


Also, the 'transpose' tool on each song's viewing page can be used to adjust the song to what ever key you would like.  This feature makes chordie incredibly flexible.  So even if a song is not in your preferred key, you can probably move it into your playing comfort zone.


There are some songs that are not formatted properly, so they won't transpose, but most selections will work.  Now that the admin is allowing registered users to 'correct' songs, the database will steadily gain more properly-formatted songs.


So, even if your 'search by chords' idea is not technically possible (I must confess my ignorance regarding databases), the existing tools may serve your purposes almost as well.

Hope this helps . . .

Go to forum: About Chordie