@james-tristan-redding-1: Thank you! I was disgusted at being exhausted and hitting the wall this week, not having enough in the tank to write (yet) the song to surround this refrain I cranked out. Well, crap, now I'm afraid to screw it up. "You know", he says to himself, "I believe this is actually just a very compact song..."   *presses "Enter"*

If you are kind enough to peep this refrain-without-a-song-around-it in the first place... I finally finished the track! Please now check that out:

https://soundcloud.com/eric-vetter-422512029/unmatched-socks

If you do... thank you!

I finished the song-- listen instead to "UNMATCHED SOCKS"! This is just the refrain

The lyrics feature the chords and melody I used for SAW 2020 Week 1.  Other building blocks for this song can be found from SAW 2019 Weeks 5, 34, and 37 (verse lyrics, rough chorus, rough bridge respectively).

So this is been in the works for quite some time.  Still there's 20+ things I think could be better. :)

And I really wish the guitar playing sounded better, but I'm working on it! :)

Tough as Nails with a Heart of Gold

I didn’t mean what I did – Shane says as Meg slams the door
The look on her face tells him – she won’t forgive him like before
Meg fails another audition – and finds an excuse not to write
Shane’s keys start the ignition – he’ll be with the bottle tonight

Wasn’t it a few days ago – there was laughter in the air

He’s tough as nails with a heart of gold
And why that is she’s never told
Just as the light starts to shine
It’s black as night and they’re miles away tonight

Meg leaves at the break of dawn – she finds a man who will take her in
He shows her flowers in his lawn – they hold hands as the day begins
He finds her a savvy agent – and a publisher for her book
He smiles and listens with patience – and tells her how sexy she looks

But her knee aches and her nose runs – from the pollen in the air

She’s tough as nails with a heart of gold
And why that is she’s never told
Just as the light starts to shine
It’s black as night and she’s miles away tonight

And the leaves change and the snow falls – the same flowers bloom again

Meg rushes to the maple tree – and sees Shane under the moon
Instantly her heart is free – they dance to a forgotten tune
The aching pain in her knee – went away lightning quick
And the pollen in the air – no longer made her sick

But in a few days from now, will there be magic in the air

They’re tough as nails with hearts of gold
And why that is they’re never told
Just as the light starts to shine
It’s black as night – Woah, oh, ah, ah

Tamora Wilson's Album

Tough as Nails with a Heart of Gold

New song!

Not Going Down

Played it safe
I made sure all my bills were paid
My careful actions led
To more days

Coffee in mug
I’m running up and down and up
But nothing feels the same
As his hug

It was years from today
But I can still hear him say

Don’t run from them
Cause that’s worse
That spark inside
Put that first
Life passes by so fast
We only get one chance
We’re not going down
Until we’re underground

Eyes dark and green
Stirred something deep inside of me
He took my hand and he
Said to me

No guarantees
But if you come along with me
We might just find our way
To the sea

So much fear in my head
But I listened as he said

Don’t run from them
Cause that’s worse
That spark inside
Put that first
Life passes by so fast
We only get one chance
We’re not going down
Until we’re underground

One sunny day
I saw his green eyes fade away
How could it end before
I could say

How hard I tried
Before you came into my life
Never knew I could be
So alive

Don’t run from them
Cause that’s worse
That spark inside
Put that first
Life passes by so fast
We only get one chance
We’re not going down
Until we’re underground

Not Going Down

Okay, so this is finishing what I started earlier this year (and in 2018 and 2019).  :) Also, I don't have many love songs - not sure if it is my style or not, haha!

Previous version keyboard test from earlier this year: https://soundcloud.com/user-759692336/hey-you-in-the-corner-keyboard-test

2019 version which also has links to the two 2018 songs that this is adapted from: https://soundcloud.com/user-759692336/hey-you-in-the-corner-2019

Hey You in the Corner

Hey you in the corner
I’ve been watching you for the longest time
We’re both getting older
And I can’t seem to get you off my mind

Hesitation in your touch
Uncertainty in your eyes
Come and go – take it slow
Wear no disguise

It will take some time
It will take some care
Step by step – day by day
I will be there

Hey you in the corner
I’ve been watching you for the longest time
We’re both getting older
And I can’t seem to get you off my mind

I don’t need you to be
Another version of me
Know yourself – show yourself
Spend time with me

Come lend me an ear
Come sit and let’s dine
Talk to me – playfully
Give me a sign

Hey you in the corner
I’ve been watching you for the longest time
We’re both getting older
And I can’t seem to get you off my mind

Just when I thought you were a tease who won’t deliver
Your text I caught said meet me down by the river
Moon shining bright don’t say it’s only a dream
Arms hold me tight your heartbeat feels real to me

Hey you in the corner
I’ve been watching you for the longest time
We’re both getting older
And I can’t seem to get you off my mind

Hey You in the Corner

Because (Beatles Cover)

This was a recording project of a cover of the classic Beatles Song, Because.  With Phil Okrend on harpsichord and synthesizers. Singer, Songwriter, Jordan Okrend, jordanokrend.com, on vocals, guitar and bass.

Because Beatles Cover ft. Jordan Okrend

"Why Are You Not Petting Me Right Now" (#372, 200704)

 * Co-written with Anna Zagerson. * 

Scratching my ears is fine
But what I would prefer
Is treats and lots of catnip
While I lay here and purr

It's time that I explain this
In case you hadn't noticed when I say meow
What I'm really saying is
Why are you not petting me right now

My tail looks like a question mark
But surely you can see
There are no questions only answers
And all of them are me

It's time that I explain this
In case you hadn't noticed when I say meow
What I'm really saying is
Why are you not petting me right now

Week 28b - Why Are You Not Petting Me Right Now

"Longest Road You'll Ever Walk" (#355-375, 200505-200717)

Co-written with Chris Wyatt.

Artwork by "beguima", two sisters and a brother from Barcelona: www.society6.com/guillemvillaro

She swore she would never leave you
But here you are all alone
Nothin' more than a memory
And no strength to carry on

You moved mountains to have her
Damn near 1500 miles
That all crumbled when she left you
In the middle of the night

After seven years together it finally fell apart
Coulda' seen it comin' you weren't listenin' at all
It's a lonely highway from your head to your heart
The longest road you'll ever walk

If you knew that it was over
Could have kissed her one last time
Begged for one more sunrise
Tried to change her mind

Here you are with all the pieces
Scattered all around the room
Trying hard to find a reason
God I hope you find it soon

Lookin' back now it's clear I couldn't tell
Ain't no sense to sit here talkin' to myself
Need to face it I'm losin' my best friend
And I'd do it all again

Week 29a - Longest Road You’ll Ever Walk (200717)

Where’s my kinesthetic people?

Well, I’m kinesthetic anyway, so this new virtual world, well…

Writing notes:  The first half of the chorus lyrics and the bridge lyrics are from 2017 SAW songs!  Yay for recycling.  Also, the melody for the first line of the bridge should be the same as the following lines - I didn't have time to rerecord.

Virtual Storm

Was it wrong to say, have a good day
All she had was destroyed
I woke up late, can’t concentrate
Social media’s got me annoyed

Can we go back to a time when things were easier
Just check the answering machine at the end of the day
Cause all this googling and email is getting in my way
A picture book was all it took
To keep me safe and warm
Someone help me now
I’m lost in a virtual storm

The computer tells me strong storms
Are coming this way
But when I go outside I feel
A warm summer day

The computer speaks of violence
Down almost every street
But when I walk down the sidewalk
Two lovers share a treat

Can we go back to a time when things were easier
Just check the answering machine at the end of the day
Cause all this googling and email is getting in my way
A picture book was all it took
To keep me safe and warm
Someone help me now
I’m lost in a virtual storm

Sometimes I feel my legs supporting my stance
Sometimes my arms are free with grace and elegance
Sometimes my mind is clear, ready to take a chance
Sometimes my heart will soften, feel the power of romance

Can we go back to a time when things were easier
Just check the answering machine at the end of the day
Cause all this googling and email is getting in my way
A picture book was all it took
To keep me safe and warm
Someone help me now
I’m lost in a virtual storm

Won’t you help me now
I’m lost in a virtual storm

Virtual Storm - 7:24:20, 6.42 PM

At the time of writing this song, Argentina has been on quarantine (or mandatory preventive social isolation) for 180 days. This song represent almost every thought I had through it, since the beginning when we celebrated birthdays through videocalls with our family and friends and we said "this will be a cool memory to tell our kids" until the most recent ones where rich people are leaving the country because they can afford it and because it feels like it's all going down here, and media covers it like it's the most important thing in the world and most of us just DON'T CARE anymore.
Until a few weeks ago, I hadn't even taken the train this year. The first time I took it, there were officers everywhere making sure you were actually allowed to take it. 
It's not the easiest time for everyone. Our country is split between the ones who support this isolation, and the ones who doesn't. Many political, economical and ideological reasons are in discussion, often forgetting that we're here because there's a virus out there, and some places can't even handle it anymore. It's scary, because you can feel the riot in the air which is the last thing we'd need right now.

Milligrams is the song I've been wanting to write for a long time. An honest song about what it's like to face your feelings in times of uncertainty. Sometimes you just wish you could numb all of them, like when you take a pill for the headache or something. A lot of feelings are several years old, but you know what they say, quarantine is a great time for introspection. I keep remembering my life before this and thinking "will I ever get even a small piece of that back?" Hopefully, I will. In the meantime... take care.

Lyrics:

They got the money, so they can runaway.
I don't get what they think I'd even care.
My planet Earth has been reduced to these walls,
haven't seen the city since long ago.
And we spent our birthdays through videocalls,
it felt cool for a memory to tell your child,
until I took the train feeling exiled
craving the freedom of a hunter running wild.

And it's a weird time, yes, they say it all the time,
like it would make a mend for the trouble in our minds.
And drop bombs on this already lost battlefield,
with the excuse to keep our eyes peeled.
Now I move by inertia almost all the time,
measuring my comfort in milligrams.
A little bit of this, a little bit of that
and our happy smile turns dark mad.

My moral has a double side,
don't look at me like this, yours is just like that.
And I've been screaming at you silently for so many years,
I thought my vocal cords would disappear.
So go ahead and tell me I just need a job,
like it would surgically remove these intruder thoughts.
Cause maybe I've wasted seven years of my life,
but I'm terrified of giving them up.

I believe they're all liars, including me
and that's why I'll never know what I need.
I think they're onto something against us tonight,
but we're hypnotized by this permanent blue light.
And I'm scared of every citizen,
cause when they raise our flag, I know what it represents.
I'm a red button away from calmness...
(Cover my mouth with blissful ignorance)

Now I move by inertia almost all the time,
measuring my comfort in milligrams.
A little bit of this, a littl bit of that,
and our bright smile turns dark mad.

Now I move by inertia almost all the time.

Milligrams

Topic:  Gun Violence

My block made it to the news twice a couple weeks ago for two different fatal shootings.  Both were targeted (not accidental).  It’s a way of settling disputes.

I chose the story of the 32 year old father that was shot on the sidewalk in front of his building at 4:45pm.  He got into a fight a block away (in the projects) earlier in the day.  It was interesting to consider how this affects the children of the neighborhood, and even more interesting to overhear pieces of conversation while walking down the street.  Children asking questions, they are curious — and they need to understand what happens and why because this is the world they live in.

The news quoted the mother of his children, “He was a good father.  He was a little hot-headed sometimes but he was a good man.  He loved kids, everybody’s kids.  I loved him very much.  He was my best friend.  I’m lost but I have to keep it together for the kids.”

Instrumental Note:  I hear this as a musical theater piece, mostly piano and bass.  I wanted to do this on my keyboards, but a few weeks have gone by, and I haven’t had the proper time.  So this is a guitar version.

Keep On Pushing Through

Daughter:
Mommy, why are you crying
Is it cause Daddy’s not home yet
Sometimes he comes home late through the door
But you’ve never cried like this before

Tell me, why were there sirens
And so many gunshots on our street
At dinner you were trying to be strong
But I know that something’s wrong

Mother:
Hush now, brother is sleeping
I don’t want you to see me this way
I’m lost.  Today I lost my best friend
But that isn’t the way this story ends

We got each other me and you
Gather up the rest of the crew
And when the days are rough
We’ll stick together and hang tough
We’ll keep our friends aligned
Make the most of our time
The best that we can do
Is keep on pushing through

Daddy, he had a good name
Loved by children on our street
Sometimes he was hot-headed, that fight he won
But his opponent ran and grabbed a gun

You don’t know when your time is up
So build honor every day
So many people on the run
Don’t let the good time slip away

We got each other me and you
Gather up the rest of the crew
And when the days are rough
We’ll stick together and hang tough
We’ll keep our friends aligned
Make the most of our time
The best that we can do
Is keep on pushing through

I finished the song-- listen instead to "UNMATCHED SOCKS"! This is just the refrain

Eric Vetter 2020

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Tamora Wilson

Eric Vetter 2020

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