NEED HELP PUTTING CHORDS INTO A SONG (Page 1 of 2)

Hello. The song just naturally took me into a 3/4 rhythm, ie. An up down strum of. D 123,123. C 123,123. G 1//. Then maybe follow e b's idea to break things up a Little. Love the lyrics, thanks for posting.

upsidedown n backwards

I am more of a songwriter rather  than a musician, so I will give you my slant. others on here will be much more of a help in the musical component.
I loved the song. When I read it, I  immediately thought of my nephew who has this ongoing battle with dyslexia  and depression, compounded by alcohol abuse.

I played it through using this progression   G  D  C  G  ( becaus e those chords are easiest for me    )
I think it needs a chorus that changes  the progression up.  As the song progressed, it was evident , at least to me, that the subject was reaching out for help in various ways.

As I was reading your lines and playing it through, this little chorus popped in my head
Em                 Am                                  C                                           G
Ooooh, I’m  reaching out, can't you see,  I could use a helping hand
Em                 Am                                        C                                     D
Ooooh,  I’m reaching out,  won’t you help me to make my stand
Em                 Am                                  C                                  G
Ooooh,   I’m reaching out, to  any kind     soul  still around
G                                                  Am                C                               G
someone like you to  help  me rise ,  and stay  up off the  ground

quite simple, but reiterates the message succinctly I believe.

if you don't like it just delete it
If you like it , feel free to use it.

It's just my humble opinion, but I think you've written a really nice piece that is applicable to many emotional circumstances, where we all could use some help. 

one last really minor detail - the line you use " i'm down hear on the ground"   the word "hear" should be "here"   you can fix that easily by going to edit. ( that's the teacher side of me coming through !:) )
Thanks for sharing and Welcome to Chordie !!

Jim
ps  can't wait to hear you perform it.

I will give it a go!  Thanks for the grammar check too lol... I can't believe I missed it!  PS I wrote this in 2009 when I was heavy into a Meth addiction!  I've been clean and sober for 3 years and 7 months though

I thought the same thing when I read it this morning. I took a slightly different approach to breaking up the steady D C G. Instead of writing new lines for a chorus, I changed the chord progression every 4 lines. I also moved the C a little farther along in the line. The lower case C is in the original position. The song seemed to flow smoother for me where I placed the capital C.

   D                                c              C                      G
To all of those in my life who care about me,
   D                                   c                C                     G
my eyes are filled with hurt, so much I can't see.
    D                             c                         C                G
Just please have patience, for I've fallen again,
    D                               c         C                          G
no matter how hard I try, I feel I just can't win.
   Em                                       Am                             
I brush myself off, put my feet back on the ground,
        Em                                               Am                    D
because I know there's a reason, why I'm still around.
  Em                                     Am               
I try as hard as I can, to do my very best,
          Em                                         Am                          D
but it seems like all my efforts, never please the rest.

  D                                         C                          G
I feel like all the people, I care about the most,
   D                                                           C                         G   
don't acknowledge me, it makes me feel like I'm a ghost.

ETC, ETC.

Just my 2 bucks. (inflation ya know)

It does seem to flow smoother!   I was thinking of making a chorus to it actually!  that would be perfect!  thanks joe!

Wow Jan, I never realised you were lefty too! I began torturing the strings at about 14 in an attempt to attract the girls....never worked! But when I picked it up for the first time it went naturally lefty, I've tried swapping but gave up.

Upside, your gonna have to give us a shorter name we can call you? Yes great song made all the more poignant by the accompanying story, glad to hear you're clean, congrats on that and the song, it's early morning here and the wife is still sleeping so with your permission I'll give it a go later. You have a talent keep on.

Phill

Upside you have writen a top song and I love the way Phill has coverd it on soundcloud a true classic. I  am so pleased you have been able share what it is like in a song for addicts and those who are down.

Hey Thanks everyone!  I would like to hear your rendition on soundcloud Phill!

Wow Phill!  You rocked it!  I am not that good at picking!  Not only do I play upside down and backwards but I was also born with a deformed left hand and all I got is a thumb... I can pick like wish you were here and redemption songs intro lol!  But I can't hold a pick and I have tried to use a thumb pick to no avail  
I am just happy I can play a guitar and sing at all lol... Some chords I'll never hit cuz I play lefty on a righty guitar and then I wouldn't do too well on a banjo or finger picking on a guitar! and power chords are way tough the way I play too

It's great to see how you've made the hardships of your life work for you. You are obviously a very brave and determined man who I am sure will find a way to strum and pick.

I usually find when I'm playing on a right hander that A shaped chords, or Bb actually, are the easiest and best to play; index finger for the barre and ring finger to hold down the 3 strings to make the chord, just like slide guitar really. Glad you like what I've done with your song, always glad to help.

Phill.

Here is a little thumb picking idea you might want to try  Upside. It  is just playing on the A and B strings. I attach a short video I made for you showing what I mean. Hopefully it might be of some help to your guitar playing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN-gQVy … e=youtu.be