A song I've loved for a long time and finally decided to record.  Hope you like it :)

Nightswimming (R.E.M. cover)

I don't even know where to begin with this description.  The song - a huge 90s hit that nestled perfectly alongside Bon Jovi on Quebec radio...

The dedication.  If only.  

Special thanks for Chali for reminding me about the glory days of Quebec rock 

N'importe quoi (Eric Lapointe cover)

when i heard they were back and making a new album, I just had to look this one up.

Resurrection (Moist cover)

My favourite Counting Crows song... one of the reasons I wanted to learn to write songs - incredible storytelling - so perfectly sung.  

enjoy

Anna Begins (Counting Crows cover)

one of the best breaking-up songs ever written

The Space Between (Dave Matthews Band cover)

i really wanted to do a 90s rock song and it was a real treat to rediscover this one :)  

Sick Of Myself (Matthew Sweet cover)

Apologies for the sound quality - I had just ironed out the bridge and test-drove a recording take and was happy enough to leave it alone for now.  Consider it an acoustic demo :)

Song notes:   

Not a very strong song but I like the layers of story telling.  From idealism to realisation to acceptance to fooling oneself for self-preservation, which to me is the interesting twist of a choice.  

The melody borrows momentarily from a known song (which was accidental but interesting since it was at that point that I came up with the concept of the illusion of love wearing thin that seeds the rest of the story).

The first half describes the scene of when the cracks first show and the desire and soundness of holding on is questioned.  By the second half, there is clarity which leads to a willingful self-deception to maintain the illusion because the illusion is better than accepting the truth.  The repeat of the chorus then takes on a slightly different meaning even though the words are the same.  Enjoy.

--- lyrics ---
You prefer to walk ahead 
But every now and then 
You let me hold your hand
I see you as you wake
Sun through your hair
I’m half asleep but I stare

Breathe me in 
Breathe me in 
And let me out
Hold me close 
Hold me close
And let me fall

I don’t need to justify this
I don’t need stop anything to explain
I know many may criticise this
But I know no one else will feel the same

You tell me you want to hear it all
I want to draw you in
And tell you everything
The picture fades when I move too fast
You’re still the same
And I wonder where I have been

Lie to me
Lie to me
Call it love
Please believe
Please believe
I wanted it all

Tell me did I captivate you
Those years ago – please don’t 
I think I know
When all of my attention 
has worn out it’s welcome do you want me to stop - should I go
your silence tells so

You can tell me the names of every leaf on every tree
I could listen to you talk all day
And there are moments when you shine it blinds my eyes
You’re so beautiful in all the ways

I don’t need to justify this
I don’t need stop anything to explain
I know many may criticise this
But I know no one else has felt the same


Breathe Me In (Lie To Me) - acoustic demo - Rabid Parrot original

Your Wildest Dreams (The Moody Blues cover)

It's The End Of The World (As We Know It) (REM cover)

my songwriting challenge one night - putting words to Mr. Hall's Far From Home instrumental  which i found so richly psychedlic and weird.  I played it on repeat a few times until I was able to freestyle some ideas using the theme of the title: "far from home"  and keeping the instrumental completely intact.  

Based on this really cool instrumental:
https://soundcloud.com/leehall/far-from-home

Lyrics!
Far From Home:

Let me start by remembering to remember your name
Been a while since I had to start a conversation
It gets wicked and weird til I’m pointing past your head
So I can take a few steps back - step back

Run away

ok Rewind

Let’s go
Take it back to a beginning when I’m sitting on a swing - Hold on, not so far back - *slap*
still I remember lying under the dining room table 
hearing voices and staring at my mom’s legs and legs all of her friends
Was it a dream?
is that strange?

I apologise if I seem a little lost but I seem to be a little bit disconnected 
It gets that way sometimes when I find myself looking in a mirror at an old man and wondering why he hasn’t shaved in days and stares away in pain because I think I know who he is and who he said he was going to be someday 
and it’s strange.

Hands shaking

Put the razor away

Okay?

-bridge
Come child, you’re far from home
Stay close, you’re never alone
I’ll be the dream you need
When reality is needless and seedless and far from green
Come
Don’t shy from me
Come 
Don’t shy from me
-

So I get confused sometimes and like everybody else I let loose sometimes
But when the sirens go off I’m always surprised
I mean I tell the truth - I’m not big on lies
And I am only trying to be the best me I can be but if only the focus would come to me when I need to express me
Don’t say I’m depressed because I’m not supposed to be
This isn’t what I was told was me
I’m not going to shrink because It’s all growth to me
A needle in my arm is not a key

is this another test?

Test me





Far From Home (orignal song by Mr. Hall ft. lyrics by Rabid Parrot)

hey, this is a little side challenge I took on - to add lyrics to this very cool and packed instrumental:

https://soundcloud.com/shawnbrandon/song-4

I always have this have excitement and half dread at writing words to someone else's music, but it's in that challenge that I find an incredibly rewarding experience - the idea of writing something completely inspired by the music.  

The music is no where near my usual musical style but I really did enjoy the almost classic vibe to this piece, so I took it as a challenge to write lyrics that fit this kind of sound. I immediately had this idea of a Silent Lucidity-esque broodiness and a darker tone, thus the opening lines "hush now child" and this idea of an almost shadowy figure watching over someone in distress. My first writing session ended with about 2/3 of this song, but I didn't have a sufficient arc of a story to tell.

coming back to it a few weeks later and suddenly I found my arc... the idea of time being the answer. We struggle often to break the shackles around us - whether it's a brooding cloud or an over-thought spiral that keeps us locked in place - sometimes the only answer is time and letting it go. I think it's a hopeful song by the end, saying to not despair and to see the journey for what it is.

So out popped the ending. I then tried several times to do some rough vocal takes over the instrumental (I'd only been playing it in the background to rough out the pace of the song) and finally took to the mic last night. This is a rough demo still as there are no major effects, just some placed vocals to showcase how this song sounds.  I originally sang this REALLY low and growly (the Silent Lucidity influence i think) but then had a David Usher (from the band Moist) moment and went with something with more punch.  I still have the low vocal demo track as well, and think mixing the two might be worth a later look.  But as a lyricist, I think the song is as tidy as I could write ;)

Shawn:  Thanks SO MUCH for letting me play with this track - I really came to appreciate the piece with all the repeated listens. I hope you enjoy the lyrics and how it all comes together. I did have to speed it up (apologies!) so the story telling wouldn't drag.

LYRICS: The Road (Shackles)

Hush now child, the dawn is breaking
I’ll be coming home soon
Don’t worry child, the world is safe now
I will never leave you alone

Frightened child, there is so much you need to know

Shackled to your youth
Silence begs for truth
There’s no needle that can mend
Take this my friend
The numbness needs to end
Every tear - a memory excised
It drains from your eyes

She pulls and pulls a thin thread set to unravel
She uses her illusions well 
Her soul is faded - the light is almost out
There’s no one left to tell

Frightened child – please don’t be afraid

Shackled to your youth
Silence begs for truth
In darkness you can mend
A spark can be a friend if you let it in
Every flicker it re-ignites
To bring fever to the fight

Shelter your lions
Don’t demonise them
Let the echoes roar

Frightened child, now do you understand?

These shackles are your youth
In silence you witness truth
But in silence you can mend
Be the light at darkness’ end and rise again
The road is long my friend
Let us walk together then

Don’t worry child, the world is safe now


The Road (Shackles) - DEMO version

Merry Christmas (Happy Holidays) Kitcheners ;) 

This is my contribution to the Songwriters In The Kitchen Christmas song "project" (because it's not really a "competition" is it?  We all win when we make such wonderful music!).  

Okay, a little background.  This was half written while walking down the street, thus the tempo and the bit of a hop to the beat :)  I hope I kept the original voice recordings somewhere... (the whistle was in the orginal voice recording so I thought it fun to add it!).

Anyway, after some people were inquiring about my mental health from the last two somewhat darker songs (I blame Shawn for those instrumentals, and by blame I mean high five), I decided that my song should be back to my basic roots as songwriter, something that can be sung by the fire outdoors and something that has more of a classic feel that I hope can be enjoyed for many seasons to come!

My PC decided to no longer allow my guitar input so this is played directly into the mic, which I hadn't done in a while, but I think it lends to the sitting-around-a-room-vibe.  I kept the effects down to a minimum so forgive the flaws!  My voice was not really in a mood to sing today but I really wanted to have it ready to enjoy BEFORE Christmas after all... :) (EDIT:  version 2 is uploaded 12/17/2015 with corrections to flubbed lyrics and additional harmonies)

Ok, here are lyrics:

Bells ring, a choir sings
A snowflake on a nose or two
Distant cheer, it's that time of year 
and all i'm missing is you
see the fresh fallen slow and the fireplace glow
feel the chill that winter brings
Won't you come inside cause it's cold outside
we'll laugh and whisper and sing

So let me say from afar to wherever you are
Merry Christmas to you

Somewhere in dream a lovely scene unfolds where everything fades just as it glows
Make a wish my dear, what does your heart desire?
A spot by the fire? your toes warm and dry? 
The warmth of a song on a winter's night?

A lampost glow o'er the street below
The kindness of a stranger or two
A crowd appears, it's that time of year
when all i'm missing is you
A warm embrace, the smile on your face
These memories they linger anew
of lights that dance, such a sweet romance
Innocent and pure and true

So let me say from the heart to wherever you are
Merry Christmas to you
Merry Christmas to you

Merry Christmas (from the Kitchen) 2015 - Original

An acoustic cover interpretation of a Genesis classic that has always been a favourite of mine from it's simple and singular message of commitment.  All sounds are me - always wanted to make another multi-layered vocal (6 by the end harmonies) and guitar track (3... i wish i had a bass and ukelele).  Hope you enjoy it!

Inspired by the amazing cover featured in the animated short "Lily and the Snowman"

Follow You Follow Me (Genesis cover)

:P I couldn't help myself with such an operatic instrumental... found here:

https://soundcloud.com/alexphott/spoos

First thoughts were the spoken word bits, mainly because it seems like this was a space opera and needed some dialogue and separate chapters to tell the story.  I know it's a little rough given my mixing abilities, but I thought I'd share it as a very fun writing challenge that I enjoyed immensely. 

Thanks for letting me play, I hope you like it :)

“Tell me something that terrifies you in the vast silence of space”
“Can you hear me?”
“What frightens you?  Open your eyes”
“What do you see?”

Everything is ready - Lights are flashing steady - Count down is on – let’s go
Hands a little sweaty - Heart is pounding heavy - In your mind are two words – let go
The world is streaked in starlines spinning almost starblind strapped into the sideline - tell me
can you feel the weight? First out of the gate in this test of will or fate or history

“I’m sorry”
“there’s nothing more we can do”
“you’re on your own”
“good luck”

Tell me what you fear; that when you scream no one can hear or that it makes no sound?
your breath collapses
You are the future built on the past and the ever-present
Were you ever meant to return?
I heard you say you wanted this but now that you are in the infinite of space, can you say you wanted this?
The world is watching, breathless
but until you make it home you will never be the hero they are looking for 
just an anecdote

Walls are cold – cold to touch – the hum of the air blowing just the vent
The words of men - are meaningless – the fake smiles, well-wishers, politicians
The thin wall of metal that separates has all meaning now – meaning now
You were chosen to be lost but here you are… found
You know that out here you can have it all: to be the hero is to rise when your purpose was to fall

Tell me if you’re ready cuz it you’re ready I’m ready – come on come on
Tell me if you’re ready cuz it you’re ready I’m ready – come on come on come on 
I’m coming home




Spoos (Original - rogue Collaboration With AlexPhott)

This is a cover that i did on the karaoke website, SingSnap.  

Special thanks for the SingSnap house band for this acoustic instrumental.

Dancing In The Dark (Bruce Springsteen cover)

This backing track is courtesy of and licensed from RockItPro.com

So... my song/rap writing process is mostly just freestyling ideas until I have a couple of lines I really like and then I just repeat them until I start adding more lines. Then I stop and actually look if there's a theme evolving and write to link pieces together. The whole process of writing this one took about an hour and a half, starting with the opening line of "this is the breakthrough", as I wanted to write an over the top frontin' sleezy swag rap with the lines "I ain't getting it up in the morning unless you put some glitter on it". Then I realised that it really isn't me at all (though it's fun to write)

I slid back to what I do like to write about - the meta experience - so this is more about someone trying to find a way into the biz and getting a glimpse of just what that life could look like. Here are the lyrics:

--- THE BREAKTHROUGH --- 
This is the breakthrough 
The breakout. the sellout 
You gonna stand there, dip your toes in
Damn... Jump in or get the hell out

It's time to enforce just a little bit of order here
There's me. That's it... better step off and steer clear. 
Ain't got no time for tourists, this ain't no country fair (yee hawww)

cuz it's time to divine if this well is full or just dry
give me a minute with this beat and I'll drop it for the next guy
because you wanna be following the path I'm leading
keep your eyes on the prize - on the dust i'm kicking - and if you see my behind then you better come kiss it (*smack*)

nah, i'm just clearing the path of the haters
come in, hang out - I'll call in the waiters
have a canape, some chardonnay, (thank you!) some fancy ass brandy 
and while those fat cats get sick on that I’m gonna be up on my way (and what?) and I'll say

- chorus -
this is how we rhymin'
this is how we do it
this is how we rhymin'
this is how we gonna sell it

Cuz you gotta put the time in to develop the timing
you can't just chime in, this ain't no game show (ka-ching)
you gotta hit the road running to pound the pavement
keep your nose to the ground til you wonder where the day went
living on crackers and cheese and some lame neon drink

blood sweat and tears but it's more about 
keeping shit real, than how you think
and swallow that fear - spit it up or choke it down, 
before you sink and keep your head up – 
one foot, then another step at a time
no posse no crew, just me and my mind.

I won't talk about rollin' or cruisin' or tappin' (that ass)
I won't talk about smokin' and tokin' and clubbin' or bustin' a cap
I'm just a guy who knows that the rules of the game
they change all the time
and you gotta keep your shit together or you may be losin' your mind 

(chorus)

Fast forward til I'm sitting on my millions
buy a new crib in each state I visit
Jersey to LA, tourin' the UK, maybe I'll sip that chardonnay
Ballin' on the freeway in my Tesla Model 3 (zoom!)
spare no finger for my bling - cuz I likes the jewelry!

Can you be immune to the accolades, the fan brigades, front cover magazines
telling you, selling you - like you shit diamonds with every word you say
Time to collect the cheque so there better be some zeroes on it
I'm not getting it up in the morning unless you put some glitter on it
Is it Candy on a Tuesday? (Hello!) 
Maybe Amber on the Thursday? (huh?)
I forgot to get up, what day is it today? It's all the same, hey

I wave for fans in a blur of lights and I fight it
the feeling that this world is spinning too fast and I'm spiking
from talk show to cribs, paparazzi glitz, to chanting more more more til i'm almost sober lying on a hotel floor floor floor - oh... 

That ain't me. That shit's too real - I detach what I feel
from the art that I make and the road that I take
because unless you want to live the tragedy you have to see the comedy of the fame game and let it be...

this is how we rhymin'
this is how we do it
this is how we rhymin'
this is how they gonna sell it


The Breakthrough (A Rabid Parrot Rap)

Created as part of a friendly songwriting competition as a collaboration between members.  The theme was "spring" and the following rules applied:
   -  There has to be a link with the 'Spring' season 
   -  The song must contain the words 'cake' and 'love' 
   -  The word 'like' is not allowed
   -  There must be a reference to 'cheers', might be the sound of two glasses toasting or a reference in words.

Steve and I decided to pair up as we had never collaborated previously.  He provided the instrumental based on his song "Mr. Marigold" (originally recorded by Steve in 2013 and re-mixed in 2015 using Apple Logic, featuring on his album "Feckless").  He sent me the instrumental version stripped of vocals and I wrote the lyrics inspired solely by the instrumental after listening to it on a loop to develop the vocal melody, with the above theme and rules in mind.  After some fine tuning and feedback between us, this is our creation!  Enjoy!

All instrumental credit goes to these musicians (hailing from the Newcastle area in the NE of England): 
   -   Steve Gray: Mandolin (ADAD tuning)
   -   Ken Schoch : Whistle 
   -   Charlie Mallet: Bass

This song represents a person in the "autumn" of his life, trying to remember (relive?) the "spring", which only crystalises in brief memories and moments.  ultimately, it's a bittersweet search for the happier times only to be confronted with regret.  

Everytime (A Reason):

I’ve got a secret tucked away since long ago or maybe yesterday - it’s burning in my brain
I’ve got a notion there is something more important here to say – what should I say?

Every time I see an image stirring into focus... everytime, it fades
Every time I find the courage to stand tall and face the wave - It breaks

It’s a story of a boy, a girl, of spring and summer days, slipping into night - I forget
It’s a story of a heart that breaks, an altar, dress, of guests and cake, of vows unread – and regret

Every time I try to find the meaning of this blinding flash of light.. everytime, it fades
Every time I find a reason to stand up for all these buried memories - I break 

Was it love - is it just the years?
Is this love - or just misplaced tears?
What is love? Oh.

I’ve got a secret tucked away since long ago or maybe yesterday - it’s burning in my brain
I’ve got a notion there is something more important here to say – what should I say?

How easily you fade.

Everytime (A Reason) - (Original song by Steve Gray ft. lyrics and vocals by Rabid Parrot)

A brand new collaboration with the incredibly talented Michael Heider, who provided the instrumental inspiration for this, our entry in the "Love Song with a Kitchen Twist" (Fall 2016) friendly/not-friendly(?) competition for the Songwriters In The Kitchen songwriting forum.

The challenge of the competition was simple: "'Write a bizarre love song, with a twist, in a genre that you've never tried before", which was later amended to mostly to echo the idea of submitting a love song with the added challenge of stretching into (hopefully) a genre never explored.  

I was fortunate enough to find a collaborative partner in Michael Heider, who has written several amazing tracks that can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/michaelheider

As with all my collaborations in the Kitchen, I was first introduced to the demo instrumental and played with the feel of it as something that seemed to shift between two moments - from there I decided to craft this as a flashback story.  The momentum and the dreaminess of the chorus was what inspired the idea of a wild and incredible night, but I wanted to avoid the cliches of sex or partying.  I wanted it to be about how some moments can be about a different kind of attraction - about how you see yourself and the world around can change with just the right catalyst.  

As always here are the lyrics (I wrote lengthy songwriting notes as well, but I'll save that for the forum: :  http://www.songwriter-forum-kitchen.com/

"What's her name?"
   Voices over coffee say
   The sun is bright in my eyes
   Still punch drunk mesmerized 

   Late night, long walk
   Skipped the cab, you and i
   Short skirt, loose tie 
   You said that it was cold outside
   Don't wait. Don't think
         "Lets not regret this thing"
   Street light, park bench
        "Let's forget everything" 

"What’s her name?"
"How can you not know her name?"
   She said it just wasn't one of those important things
        "Let's make a deal and be anyone else now"
   "What does that make us?"
        "Come on let's find out?"

   Late night, long walk
   Skipped the cab, you and i
   Street light, park bench
   You slipped your hand in mine
   Daylight whispers 
   "We're almost out of time"
         “Promise me you'll miss me?" 
   (Every time I close my eyes)

   What did she see?
   Where does this go?
   Why did she choose me? How will I know?
   Was she running away or was she meant to save me 
   I started to ask 
   She laughed 
        "shhh. shut up. let's go"

"What's her name?"
   A grin gives me away
   I said I don't know
   "Maybe she forgot to say?"
   Looked at the back of my hand 
"Is that permanent?" 
   I smiled and I shrugged at a heart-shaped drawing 
   "Yeah It's permanent enough"

   Late night, long walk
   Skipped the cab, you and i
   Street light, park bench
   You slipped your hand in mine
   Don't wait Don't think 
   "We're almost out of time"
        "Promise me you'll miss me?"
   (Every time I close my eyes)
   That night, one walk
   Just when things don't ever change 
   All I know is I'll never be the same
   Memories still warm before they touch the ground
   "When can i see you again?"
        "How does now sound?"

Voices Over Coffee (Original song by Michael Heider ft. lyrics and vocals by Rabid Parrot)

Just thought I'd share this random track.  

This is a solo entry in the "Love Song with a Kitchen Twist" (Fall 2016) friendly/not-friendly(?) competition for the Songwriters In The Kitchen songwriting forum.

The challenge of the competition was simple: "'Write a bizarre love song, with a twist, in a genre that you've never tried before", which was later amended to mostly to echo the idea of submitting a love song with the added challenge of stretching into (hopefully) a genre never explored.  So why not alt-country? :P

I was looking at all my old post-teen angst poetry from 20 years ago and stumbled upon this.  It's something I wrote while in between universities and just learning a few chords.  Inspired by Blue Rodeo, a Canadian alt-country rock band and one of my songwriting idols, Greg Keelor (always writing love songs that are in between dark, whimsical and just... different) than I'd ever heard.  I was just getting into the idea of writing songs at this time and used every one of the 4 or 5 chords in my arsenal to write this into a song!

It reminds of such a different time in my life and always felt like a campfire track with someone playing on a brush drum, with a cello or harmonica playing along outdoors under the stars.  

I've re-recorded it here (you're welcome) as the original track is unlistenable (for the recording technology, my guitar skills and my shower-ready only vocal ability).   

Here are the lyrics:
Hopeless Romantic (December 24th, 1997)

Just hold on for a second dear while you dissolve all my history
I want to study the face that holds me here
every line, every subtle mystery

Take a second to look in my eyes
I don't want to be anywhere else than in the gaze of someone I love
You make more sense to me than I do to myself

No I don't own a plane and I can't even fly
but the hopeless romantic in me wants to write your name in the sky

You seem to want so much to bend my brain
My heart's been on a roller coaster ride 
trying to twist and turn myself in between
something behind your smile and in your eyes

Well it makes no sense to me because I'm afraid of heights 
but the hopeless romantic in me wants to write your name in the sky

I ran into my best friend and asked what best friends often do
"Tell me how to win her, woo her", I said
     "You know that many have gone before you, and most without a sound"
     "All things being equal, best keep your feet on the ground"

There are a thousand ways, I'm sure to offer up a rejection
There are an equal number of ways, I'm sure, to show one's affection

Most of them make sense to me but for this, don't ask me why
because the hopeless romantic in me wants to write your name in the sky
And it seemed to make sense to me
In spite of it all, I’ve got to try
The hopeless romantic in me wants to write your name in the sky

Hopeless Romantic (A Rabid Parrot Original)

Just in time for the New Year, an unlikely song about keeping your hopes up and never relenting - to appreciate the journey and to always move forward, upward, and onward.

This song was written as my entry for the friendly/not-friendly(?) competition on the Songwriters In The Kitchen songwriting forum.  The theme was simply a new year's song.  I toyed with the idea of a party song, or one about the odd ritual of celebrating such an arbitrary point in time and hanging all your hopes onto a move away from the past and into the future.  

I wanted to create the sense of moving and looking forward and being hopeful - the kind of new yearsy feeling that I think we need to hear, but at the same time, it's meant to be an almost meditative song about wanting to be that driving force that can withstand all that life brings, starting from the opening mantra of wanting to be the wave that can erode the jagged rocks at the bottom of a waterfall - and how regret, fear of failure and loss, and settling for the status quo can trap us in place.  Thus the quiet build-up as a way to imagine that eventual rush towards the falls, not in defeat and resignation, but to embody the confidence and strength of the water against rock that will always win in the end.

Here are the lyrics:

Wave upon wave wash upon the shore
Til centuries of rock are no more
All silica and sand - soft in your hands

Clouds darken and the rain may fall
as-the earth collects and guides it all into 
brooks and streams. These are our dreams

I want to be the wave 
I want to live my dreams 

As we're headed towards the waterfall why do we 
fight about who's got the better view
why discriminate as the drop awaits

We fear the unknown and mourn the loss
of familiar things with familiar costs
hardened with age, we turn the page

I want to be the wave 
I want to know your dreams
I want to trace the
constellations on your skin

In all that we lost
We have been found
Hope abounds 
Hear the sound 
It rings aloud, high above
Love

Say hello to our history because we've been here before
And we know what to do - we know now what to do 
it may take all of our time and strength but If we teach ourselves nothing 
then nothing is all we'll ever do

I want to be the wave
I want to know your dreams
I want to remember the taste
and the way you looked at me

In all that we lost
we have been found
Hope abounds 
Hear the sound 
It rings aloud, high above
(Love)
This is our life
these are our dreams
courage to love
courage to be
awaken your heart
see what i see
the future awaits
dream it with me

Because if you've got me, tell me you got me, I’ll go
cuz I got you, baby come on, let's go
Don’t wait another second – we’re out of time
don’t need to tell me – tell me I’m out of my mind

Because if you've got me, tell me you got me, I’ll go
cuz I got you, baby come on, let's go
don’t need to tell me – tell me  I’m out of my mind
It’s about … it’s about time
All we got is time.

Constellations (Another Year) - (A Rabid Parrot Original)

My entry in the Songwriters In The Kitchen group forum's March 2018 songwriting contest.  "The assignment is simple: 1) Write an extremely positive song. 2) Don't use the words 'like' and 'love'.  I think I can get behind that :P

So I'm going back to the beginning with this: a re-recording of the first original song I wrote back in my more recent return to songwriting, I think somewhere in early 2014?  

This is a tongue and cheek song based loosely on the wild world of getting to meet and play and sing with so many fascinating people online.  From my first experience on KaraokeParty.com where I met so many of the talented singers and eventual friends that have inspired and supported my singing hobby all these years, from being encouraged to write my own songs and ultimately to performing them on Raidcall (voice chat group) for them.  It's ultimately about finding a whole new world of people that enjoy singing and writing and playing music after feeling like I was alone in this for so long.  

This song is dedicated to all of those who can't help but find themselves in an environment where you are shy or hesitant one minute but take a deep breath and jump in the next.  Where you find yourself yanked away in all sorts of directions like a kid in a toy store.  From being insecure to being elated, from finding a soulmate or inspiration to finding the next something new around every corner, This is about that joy of discovering a whole world that you never knew existed and falling in love with every interaction and every moment. 

LYRICS: 

Let me describe this in so many words.
I don't mean to be forward
I don't mean to be bold
But when it gets this way it needs to be heard
You're a mind-blowing toe-curling kinda girl

Strange I don't even know your face
Between the walls and the halls 
Of the places where we meet
Maybe I don't even know this place
with fingertips etching memories I can't erase

-chorus-
And It's sugary sweet
It's cool and it's neat
Volume up, press play, then hit repeat
And I can't get enough
It's cool and it's neat
Volume up, press play, and then hit repeat
-

So what’s your name?
Where’re you from?
I’m just a little bit drunk
I don’t mean to give off
That I’m a hell of a jerk
I mean I know it
But man I don’t mean to show it
Can we start over or did I already blow it?

Pack your bags and move on
That’s how this thing goes
I wish I could stop 
But I’m already a "GO"
So long, farewell, what’s the deal anyhow
If I knew I’d be doing better than right now

Cuz you’re cool and I’m not
I’m a fool and you’re hot
Don’t even know – don’t care - I just want to get
off this train of thought
before it starts to get
Into something I might regret
I didn’t mean to do that
Or did I already do it?

You know it’s not all that complicated
I’m into you and you seem to tolerate it
Even if we’re apart, we're still doing fine
When we’re together, we always have a good time

Strange I don't even know your face
Between the walls and the halls 
Of the places where we meet
Maybe I don't need to know this place
Because some things, they’ll never be erased

-chorus- x2
And It's sugary sweet
It's cool and it's neat
Volume up, press play, then hit repeat
And I can't get enough
It's cool and it's neat
Volume up, press play, and then hit repeat
-

Hit repeat

Press Play (A Rabid Parrot Original) Redux 2018

I stumbled upon this "write lyrics to this instrumental" challenge in one of my rare visits to a fantastic forum for songwriters.  It was based on an original thread requesting ideas for lyrics for the following instrumental:

https://soundcloud.com/blackbauble/the-great-balloon-song

I haven't attempted to write a song in over a year - for lack of inspiration, for lack of time, and lack of enthusiasm, but I did click on this instrumental to see if it might be the kind of challenge that renews my love of freestyle lyric writing.  As a non-musician, I often have very little to contribute in most music production discussions, but I do have confidence in words and lyrics and telling stories.  

What I heard in this short but incredibly power-charged instrumental was   the initial cacophony of sound - the distorted jangle of electric guitar blocking out all but an almost playful playground background echo piercing through.  Like a lighthouse guiding a ship through a storm.

It made me picture the feeling of being at a funeral of a loved one with so many unresolved emotions and grief and sympathy making you feel almost numb and unable to process your thoughts, and the guidance of a spirit telling you to let go and move forward.

My story is this moment: The service starts and it's the beginning of the formal goodbye.  The deceased had tried to prepare you weeks ago for this moment before their passing and wanted to provide you with the key to process your grief but in that moment you can't understand or appreciate the message - that the only thing to do is take one step at a time and find the strength to move forward.  It's only when you start taking those steps that you will ultimately understand your grief, accept your loss, and truly reconnect with all that was cherished.

I kept the title - "The Great Balloon Song" because in essence, this is the image that I kept throughout as the resolution - lifting and rising above the drowning grief.  It was a bit of a gamble to wait until 40 seconds in to introduce the vocal, but I think this instrumental creates such a solid foundation for the story that allowing it to simmer is almost like a panning opening sequence that lets your soak in what is to come.  The second challenge was to tell a complete vignette in the short total run time of 2:47 - but I think the brevity adds to the strength of the emotion as the song seeks an urgent resolution.

The Great Balloon Song

And so it begins
And so we begin
Where are you now that you’re gone?
where are you now?

You shone like the sea – you washed over me
These words in my head,  so precious, you said:
"When I am gone, I won’t be gone" (gone gone gone)
I try to feel but nothing feels real

My eyes are dry
My tears won't fall
I know you are here but why do I feel nothing at all?
When all that we were is replaced with a scar

Emptiness can’t be filled
We aren't meant to rebuild
The only step is beyond - into the unknown, out of the fog
And here I find - I see you now
At the clearing of the sky - I feel you now

The Great Balloon Song

A cover of this song - I'm not here for money, exposure or fame.  I just love this song and love to sing!

Where Are You Going (Dave Matthews Band cover)

A cover of this song - I'm not here for money, exposure or fame. I just love this song and love to sing!

Scars (a James Bay cover)

Welcome to my SoundCloud jukebox!

I have loved the idea of writing music and songs for as long as I can remember but life seemed to have other plans... so where does a 40+ year old expert car singer start in this world of singing and songwriting?  I have no idea.  But thanks for letting me find out :)

In February 2013, I discovered a fantastic karaoke site (KaraokeParty.com) that completely reignited not only a love of singing, but the desire to write and be heard.  I am just an amateur singer/songwriter and have only been at this since I joined KaraokeParty.com - some of the songs you may have heard there if you have visited me, but a lot are songs not available on the site and have been poached from various sources online to whom I owe my gratitude.

Fast forward to the end of 2013 and stumbling upon RaidCall, a primarily gaming and streaming voice channel service that turns out to be more than a perfect match for karaoke enthusiasts worldwide, allowing users to join karaoke rooms and "perform" for a live audience.  What better place to build the confidence that only comes from playing for an audience.
  
I have met some fantastic people with some incredible voices, some of whom I have collaborated with on the tracks on this page.  Between life, work, 2 kids and 2 dogs (RIP Riley  and Watson 2014), I usually only get time late at night to work on these things, but I hope you stick around and listen and enjoy what you hear!   I am so excited to share this music with you.  Welcome!

Technical stuffs:  I use an ART M-One USB mic and Audacity (still learning) to record and mix.  ADDENDUM:  All of my recordings from the end of August 2014  were mixed using Samplitude Music Studio and all my recordings since June 2015 were recorded using an AudioTechnica AT2020 microphone and Scarlett Solo (by Focusrite)

p,s,  I'm still trying to learn how to mix and record.  Be gentle.

Rabid Parrot

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