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2012-04-20 05:17:34

So I just got back from a 9 day field study in Mexico on the Sea of Cortez. This is a song I wrote about the experience

Animas BayWords and Music by Dan Bernhardt

Upbeat surf rock, 4/4 time

[C#m] [F#] [Bmaj7] [E]

Iâ€™d [C#m] rather [F#] get stung by a [Bmaj7] big sting [E] ray

Iâ€™d rather surrender my feet to hungry cirrulana

Iâ€™d rather get chased in the dark by a big bull sea lion

Than to have to go home, back to southern California

Ooooooooooh, Yeah!

Because Iâ€™m [C#m] here [F#] in [Bmaj7] Animas [E] Bay

I donâ€™t give a damn about the world, cause Iâ€™m fishin and foolin around all day

Because Iâ€™m here in Animas Bay

Iâ€™m sittin in the sand playing my guitar and soaking up all the sunâ€™s rays

I woke up early this morning, the sun had just peeked itâ€™s head out of the sea

I got up and ate all my breakfast, a delicious concoction derived from the sea

I got on a boat and I went to the reef and I saw hundreds of these:

Triggerfish, cucumbers, crown of thorn starfishes, beautiful girls all around me!

Because Iâ€™m [C#m] here [F#] in [Bmaj7] Animas [E] Bay

I donâ€™t give a damn about the world, cause Iâ€™m fishin and foolin around all day

Because Iâ€™m here in Animas Bay

Iâ€™m sittin in the sand playing my guitar and soaking up all the sunâ€™s rays

Now, time for lunch with my friends, hey letâ€™s see here, what did we catch?

Yellowtail, red snapper, a stringer of Cabrillo weâ€™ll use for fish tacos!

Serve up the best, weâ€™re smoking the rest so we donâ€™t have to go tomorrow,

But we probably will, cause the news from the hill says they just caught 50 dorado!

[C#m] Because Iâ€™m [F#] here in [Bmaj7] Animas [E] Bay

I donâ€™t give a damn about the world, cause Iâ€™m fishin and foolin around all day

Because Iâ€™m here in Animas Bay

Iâ€™m sittin in the sand playing my guitar and soaking up all the sunâ€™s rays

What should we have for dinner, oh God Itâ€™s so hard to choose!

Should we have fillet of fresh snapper, or calamari steak, or the yellowtail I caught today?

For $85 dollars a plate at a shitty French restaurant we found in LA,

You couldnâ€™t come close to the food that didnâ€™t cost a thing except a day on the sea!

Because Iâ€™m [C#m] here [F#] in [Bmaj7] Animas [E] Bay

I donâ€™t give a damn about the world, cause Iâ€™m fishin and foolin around all day

Because Iâ€™m here in Animas Bay

Iâ€™m sittin in the sand playing my guitar and soaking up all the sunâ€™s rays

Now, dinner is done, itâ€™s time for some fun, letâ€™s break out guitars, itâ€™s time to play!

Ethan and Em are doin their thing, AJ decides to play!

Randy is playing My Ding-a-Ling, Gabbyâ€™s got another sweet song to sing,

Jakeâ€™s gonna ponder the sea and gonna crank up the beat

Cause tomorrows just a

Day away

Day away, Yeah!

Because Iâ€™m [C#m] here [F#] in [Bmaj7] Animas [E] Bay

I donâ€™t give a damn about the world, cause Iâ€™m fishin and foolin around all day

Because Iâ€™m here in Animas Bay

Iâ€™m sittin in the sand playing my guitar and soaking up all the sunâ€™s rays

2010-09-30 23:35:20

Cool Tune Jeff,

It reminds me of a song by Death Cab for Cutie, called "Steadier Footing." The chorus is as follows:

"The people we've met in the last five years,
will we remember them in ten more."

Keep on posting these tunes. I concur with Roger, can't wait to hear a recording.

-Dan

2010-09-27 16:47:13

best song titles I've heard in awhile. Looking forward to reviewing the album. Kick ass that it's all finished.

2010-09-27 00:35:40

Leave This TownMusic and Lyrics by Dan Bernhardt

Roots Rock in 4/4, plenty of open room for solos and jamming

Intro (x2)

[D] [A] [G] [D]

I[D] wanna leave this town tonight

With[A]all my may and all my might

To [G]travel far and travel light

I [D]wanna leave this town tonight

I [D]wanna go to Ireland

Her [A]emeralds shores and kind women

And [G]friendship rare as Everest Air

In [D] Ireland, I’m almost there!

I’ll [Am]go to Cork and see a friend

[C]we’d drink some beers and smoke some ganj

and [G]write the wrongs we plan to right

[D]and sing until the morning light

We’d [Am]be as happy as can be

[C]and travel every worldly corner

[G]the Good Lord knows he’ll keep us safe

Just [D]like He did when we were younger

I[D] wanna leave this town tonight

With[A]all my may and all my might

To [G]travel far and travel light

I [D]wanna leave this town tonight

I [D]wanna go to New Orleans

[A] and drink some gin on Bourbon Street…

[G]

[D]

So, I'm working on the rest of the song, and I'm kind of blanking on lyrics that are true to NOLA, but not too cliche. Open to any suggestions. I'll have a rough demo up on soundclick soon.

www.soundclick.com/danbernhardt

2010-09-27 00:20:58

@Amy, thank you for your kind words and for sharing my music with your friends as well. This song seems to tap into some part of the human/dog relationship that has been developing for over 10,000 years. I've received other feedback on it and it seems to really touch people.

@Rodger, you can call me Jeff Tweedy if you want, I won't correct you. I would suggest any of his albums (Wilco albums, in particular) to everyone in this forum. Alt-Country, Roots Rock, Folk, and Other at it's finest. "Being There" is a great starting point, if you get a chance to check it out.

@DaddyCool, I'm sorry to hear about your two dogs. It is better to eliminate that pain and suffering of a good friend, but it is so hard to do...stay cool!!!

2010-09-23 03:17:39

cool song bolleauxp, I played it a couple times and kinda got a bob dylan acoustic/harmonica vibe. Love the bridge line about the truck driving man, it's so unexpected and really strikes a chord. Like, F!@# that guy and his truck. I really like this one, it's a solid tune.

2010-09-23 02:55:12

www.soundclick.com/danbernhardt

i just finished recording. *disclaimer* not responsible for emotional responses (I barely got through the vocals)

2010-09-21 07:53:21

I bought an Epiphone Acoustic-Electric on my 13th birthday for $300...I get it set up every 18-24 months or so, keep new strings on it, and I just can't seem to part with her. I'm 26 now, I've had her for 50% of my life, and I've played her almost every day. There's no way I could "retire" her. Even if I got a vintage Martin, I would still prefer to do my songwriting with my baby.

2010-09-17 17:22:25

Thanks Amy I hope to do some more recording in the near future, I'll let you know when I get some new posts. I appreciate the feedback.

2010-09-17 00:46:31

My best friend in the whole world died of cancer and old age a few years ago. This song still brings me to the brink of tears. I still carry his dog tags on my keychain.

An Ode to My DogWords and Music by Dan Bernhardt

Folk Ballad. 4/4, moderately slow tempo. Nostalgic ode to a loyal friend

[F]Your brown eyes are [G]growing old and [C]tired

[F]But through the tears and [G]pain I find a [C]smile

[F]And even though it’s [G]bad

And [C]not much time is [Am]left

We [Dm]still can lay our plans of mice and [G7]men

So [F]let’s look back to [G]bright and better [C]days

[F]Remember all the [G]walks that we would [C]take

[F]Ignore the ceding [G]tide

And [C]chase down bigger [Am]waves

And [Dm]know that we have lived our lives with [G7]love, and not in vain

[F]Ooohh oh ooo-[C]hh

[F]Ooohh oh ooo-[C]hh[C/B]

But [Am7]saying goodbye is never [Dm]easy to say

You’ve [G7]been my friend for so long now, I [F]just want you to [C]stay

The [Am7]time that we shared will [Dm]always be with me

And [G7]when you’re gone, you’ll not be gone, [F]‘cause you’re a part of [C]me

[F]Last night I had a [G]dream that you were [C]young

A [F]funny crazy [G]mixed-up little [C]pup

[F]Running through the [G]trees,

You [C]lived your life with [Am]ease

And [Dm]always found the time to snuggle [G7]up

[F]But then I had a [G]dream that you were [C]gone

[F]You laid there on the [G]table, and the [C]nurse said you were numb

[F]The doctor said it’s [G]time,

I’d been [C]ignoring all the [Am]signs,

The [Dm]ones you always want to cover [G7]up

[F]You loved me as [G]much as I love [C]you

And [F]doing what is [G]right can feel so [C]goddamn wrong to do

But [Am7]saying goodbye is never [Dm]easy to say

You’ve [G7]been my friend for so long now, I [F]just want you to [C]stay

The [Am7]time that we shared will [Dm]always be with me

And [G7]when you’re gone, you’ll not be gone, [F]‘cause you’re a part of [C]me

2010-09-17 00:11:10

I posted this in le Tigre's post below, but I'm really happy with how my version came out. This song would not exist if it weren't for MightyTiger's songwriting prompt.

Clark KentMusic by Dan Bernhardt. Lyrics by Dan Bernhardt and Mighty Tiger

[F]If I’ll be your Clark Kent [G]

[F]Would you be my Lois Lane? [G]

[F]If I’m your superman[G]

[F]Would you write a [B7]story about me?

[Em]If I fly to Jupiter[D]

[Em]Would you cling to my [D]cape?

[Em]Kiss me on Neptune [D]

[Em]But not till our second or [G]third date

[Am]I pretend I’m [C]average

[D]But I’m a [F]hero inside

[Am]If all I [C]have is your love

[D]Nothing can stop me, [G]not even kryptonite!

[F]I’ll be your Clark Kent [G]

[F]If you’ll be my Lois Lane [G]

[F]If I’m your superman[G]

[F]Would you write a [B7]story about me?

[Em]Lex Luther wanted you, [D]

[Em]but he don't know a thing [D]

[Em]He may have suit appeal [D]

But [C]he can't compete with the [A7]Man of Steel

[F]I’ll be your Clark Kent [G]

[F]If you’ll be my Lois Lane [G]

[F]If I’m your superman[G]

[F]Would you write a [G]story about me?[C]

2010-09-16 23:56:53

Just posted The Patron Saint of Lennon and McCartney as well! I'd love to have you all give it a listen.

Dan

2010-09-16 23:36:24

Really fun song Ken. Kind of has a feel of a Johnny Cash Song, a hint of "A Boy Named Sue", more with the pacing of the lyrics than anything else. Diggin it!

2010-09-16 23:23:35

I got laid off a couple weeks ago, and this song really says it all. I am fortunate enough to have found a job that I just started, but it was a whirlwind couple of weeks. Remember, it's temporary. Keep on gunnin' for it and you'll find your way. Thank you for moderating the site, I really have been in a super creative mood since I started posting here, and I really like the community.

Dan

2010-09-16 23:12:46

Whats crackin Tiger,

I really liked the intro lines and wrote a whole song based on it. I love the superman saga and the characters. Feel free to use any of these ideas if you want, I hope it's ok that I stole your first two lines to make my own.

Clark KentMusic by Dan Bernhardt. Lyrics by Dan Bernhardt and Mighty Tiger

[F]If I’ll be your Clark Kent [G]

[F]Would you be my Lois Lane? [G]

[F]If I’m your superman[G]

[F]Would you write a [B7]story about me?

[Em]If I fly to Jupiter[D]

[Em]Would you cling to my [D]cape?

[Em]Kiss me on Neptune [D]

[Em]But not till our second or [G]third date

[Am]I pretend I’m [C]average

[D]But I’m a [F]hero inside

[Am]If all I [C]have is your love

[D]Nothing can stop me, [G]not even kryptonite!

[F]I’ll be your Clark Kent [G]

[F]If you’ll be my Lois Lane [G]

[F]If I’m your superman[G]

[F]Would you write a [B7]story about me?

[Em]Lex Luther wanted you, [D]

[Em]but he don't know a thing [D]

[Em]He may have suit appeal [D]

But [C]he can't compete with the [A7]Man of Steel

[F]I’ll be your Clark Kent [G]

[F]If you’ll be my Lois Lane [G]

[F]If I’m your superman[G]

[F]Would you write a [G]story about me?[C]

2010-09-16 20:28:40

www.soundclick.com/danbernhardt

This is where I'll be posting new material. I just finished recording/mixing Socrates, hope you like it.

2010-09-15 16:58:46

I dig the ending. a logical way to finish, my man.

2010-09-14 11:24:31

I like the lyrics B. It is rather difficult to critique a song when you've not heard it as it is intended, but one thing that stuck out was the D7 - D - G line at the end of the verses. Usually (and I say usually because there are no hard rules in songwriting), if you're going to resolve to a G, I will reverse the first two chords (i.e., D - D7 - G). I'd love to hear the song when you get a chance to record it.

Dan

2010-09-14 11:02:39

Hello again,
I'm really glad that I found this forum. Thanks for all of your comments and participation. I wrote this song a few years ago during an epic European Backpacking Expedition. All events and names have been kept 100% the same to protect the truth.

This song has lots of chord variations it it. For example, on the verse with A7, D7, G, Em7, there are plenty of hammer ons and extra notes. so it goes A7, with liberties taken on the first sting, third fret (g), etc. It's a fun, fingerpicking style. And I am aware that parts of the song are too similar to rocky raccoon. for obvious reasons.

The Patron Saint of Lennon and McCartneyMusic and Lyrics by Dan Bernhardt. But I couldn't have written it without my good friend Aiden O'Brien from Old Cork City

4/4, Allegro, Like you just ran after a train and missed it

[A7] [D7] [G] [D/F#] [Em] [Em7]

[A7]Runnin’ high in the [D7]rain

We’re gonna [G]catch this train[D/F#]from [Em]Prague to [Em7]Hungary

[A7]Tired and feelin’ the [D7]pain

I’m gonna [G]step in time [D/F#]with my [Em]friend from [Em7]Corcaigh

[A2]Up to the ticket booth

[A2] [A2/F]Ask for directions

[Bm]’I don’t speak Eng-a-lish, you [D7]stupid America-a-an!’

[G]So we missed our train, [Gm]where we gonna stay to-[D]night???

[A7]Now our options are [D7]thin

The [G]hostels are booked, [D/F#]and we’re [Em7]low on money

[A7]So we stay right where we [D7]is,

We’re gonna – [G]sing some songs [D/F#]til [Em7]tomorrow morning

[A2]Then some Moroccan comes

[A2] [A2/F] Tryin’ to sell us Ganj

[Bm]Aiden, he looks at me, he [D7]says ‘brotha, this could be fun’

[G] Moroccan says he’ll be right back, [Gm]He’s got his stash around the [D]corner

[G]But when he returns, [Em7]he’s got some friends with him,

[D]They’ve got oregano, Good [D7]God! I’m getting robbed again!

[G]But then an angel comes [D/F#]disguised as an old man

[D]He says ‘this isn’t safe, he [D7]says that we should go with him

[G]I don’t quite trust him but I know

[D/F#]If we stay we will be broke

[Em7] (hold the EM7)

So we go

[A7]Pack our bags in his [D7]car

In the [G]pouring rain [D/F#]as he [Em7]tells a story

[A7]I was a backpacker [D7]once

I have [G]seen the road [D/F#]and I [Em7]know the glory

[A7]You two remind me of [D7]me

in the [G]Good Old Days [D/F#]so [Em7]thank you kindly

[A7]I own this hotel you [D7]see

You are [G]free to stay, [D/F#]and [Em7]Good Luck in the morning

[A2]Much to our delight

[A2] [A2/F]That room was like a dream

[Bm]Two beds, a balcony, a [D7]painting of Lennon and McCartney

[G]So we smoked the herb we [Em7]got

From that sample by the [D]train

It was free and it was [D7]dank and I really can’t complain

[G]In the morning we woke [D/F#]up,

Wrote a note for the old [Em7]man

Got some coffee and went [D/F#]back to that Banhoff again

[G]We got on the train

[D/F#]smoked a cigarette

[Em7](hold the Em7)

We’re off to Budapest

Go to forum: Songwriting Go to post 19

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Posts found: 25

1 Topic by dbernhar 2012-04-20 05:17:34

Topic: Animas Bay (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Animas BayWords and Music by Dan Bernhardt

2 Reply by dbernhar 2010-09-30 23:35:20

Re: "One or Two Good People..." (6 replies, posted in Songwriting)

3 Reply by dbernhar 2010-09-27 16:47:13

Re: Cardiac Kids Release of CD soon (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)

4 Topic by dbernhar 2010-09-27 00:35:40

Topic: Leave This Town (0 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Leave This TownMusic and Lyrics by Dan Bernhardt

5 Reply by dbernhar 2010-09-27 00:20:58

Re: Ode to my Dog up on Soundclick (5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

6 Reply by dbernhar 2010-09-23 03:17:39

Re: Taking No Chances This Time - New Song (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)

7 Topic by dbernhar 2010-09-23 02:55:12

Topic: Ode to my Dog up on Soundclick (5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

8 Reply by dbernhar 2010-09-21 07:53:21

Re: New guitar VS old guitar (12 replies, posted in Acoustic)

9 Reply by dbernhar 2010-09-17 17:22:25

Re: Dan's Soundclick Account (for your listening enjoyment) (3 replies, posted in Songwriting)

10 Topic by dbernhar 2010-09-17 00:46:31

Topic: An Ode to my Dog (6 replies, posted in Songwriting)

An Ode to My DogWords and Music by Dan Bernhardt

11 Topic by dbernhar 2010-09-17 00:11:10

Topic: Clark Kent (with mad props to Mighty Tiger) (0 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Clark KentMusic by Dan Bernhardt. Lyrics by Dan Bernhardt and Mighty Tiger

12 Reply by dbernhar 2010-09-16 23:56:53

Re: Dan's Soundclick Account (for your listening enjoyment) (3 replies, posted in Songwriting)

13 Reply by dbernhar 2010-09-16 23:36:24

Re: Beer Belly (14 replies, posted in Songwriting)

14 Reply by dbernhar 2010-09-16 23:23:35

Re: "The Layoff" (16 replies, posted in Songwriting)

15 Reply by dbernhar 2010-09-16 23:12:46

Re: Working on new album need song writing help!! (9 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Clark KentMusic by Dan Bernhardt. Lyrics by Dan Bernhardt and Mighty Tiger

16 Topic by dbernhar 2010-09-16 20:28:40

Topic: Dan's Soundclick Account (for your listening enjoyment) (3 replies, posted in Songwriting)

17 Reply by dbernhar 2010-09-15 16:58:46

Re: im done (the tequila song) (5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

18 Reply by dbernhar 2010-09-14 11:24:31

Re: An Audience of One (21 replies, posted in Songwriting)

19 Topic by dbernhar 2010-09-14 11:02:39

Topic: The Patron Saint of Lennon and McCartney (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)

The Patron Saint of Lennon and McCartneyMusic and Lyrics by Dan Bernhardt. But I couldn't have written it without my good friend Aiden O'Brien from Old Cork City

20 Reply by dbernhar 2010-09-13 21:45:06

Re: Mac or PC? (4 replies, posted in Recording)

21 Reply by dbernhar 2010-09-13 18:27:06

Re: "Early September" (3 replies, posted in Songwriting)

22 Topic by dbernhar 2010-09-13 18:03:01

Topic: Socrates (3 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Socrates Music and Lyrics by Dan Bernhardt

23 Reply by dbernhar 2010-09-13 06:37:41

Re: t:title"the light of life" 315 (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)

24 Reply by dbernhar 2010-09-13 06:24:27

Re: Country Heartache in 6/8 Time (4 replies, posted in Songwriting)

25 Topic by dbernhar 2010-09-13 06:21:05

Topic: Country Heartache in 6/8 Time (4 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Country Heartache in 6/8 Music and Lyrics by Dan Bernhardt

Posts found: 25