Assignment 3 for the Berklee/Coursera songwriting class, edited to ensure the first chorus is unstable. 

Just lyrics, melody and a beat so far. I'm open to any suggestions for the best way to harmonize and arrange this. Cheers.

(Verse)
I know all the pickup lines
And watch the telltale flirt signs
Your smile, as you touch your hair,
Beams me right to your chair

We talk 'til the rising sun
I think you might be "the one"
It ends how it always ends
You say, "Let's just be friends"

(Chorus)
My heart could be a lonely place
My soul could be the only one
My heart could be alone forever

(Verse)
My shoulder's for crying when
You dump your bad boy boyfriend
Don't know why you like those dudes
Guess I should get some tattoos

I think we still have a chance
Until I watch that first dance
A toast to the bride and groom
Now I'm alone in this room

(Chorus)
My heart could be a lonely place
My soul could be the only one
My heart could be alone forever
If you won't come

(Verse)
Do nice guys all finish last?
Well I can't relive our past
You say that you'll stay in touch
I'm not expecting too much

But then like an answered prayer
My door flies up and you're there
And I see as my shoulder dries
A look of love in your eyes

(Chorus)
My heart could be the only place
My soul won't be the only one
My heart could be the only place
Where we're together as one

My Heart Could Be a Lonely Place (V2 Edit)

Now with re-recorded vocals, plus awesome guitar work from Alex Berserker! The mix is getting there...

(Verse)

You and me
Never seem to agree 
Now I'm down on my knees
You won't give me no credit

Out of work
Wipe my face off your smirk
Makes me feel like a jerk
Like I never will get it

But I'm never going to run from you
Even when it seems we can't break through
Never thought I'd be a family man
But you know you know I'm doing all I can

(Chorus)
It's only money
It's only money
It's only money

(Verse)
We all see
What we want to believe 
Got no tricks up our sleeves
But you might as well search us

Pass the bills 
From the company shills
Every pol knows the drill
They were already purchased

Now we're living in a corporate state
TV makes it hard to motivate
Anybody else to take a stand
But you know you know I'm doing all I can

(Chorus)
It's only money
It's only money
It's only money
And each one that hoards it hurts ninety-nine people who don't

(Verse)
Occupy
When they won't tell you why
They're discounting your lives
Just to sweeten their profits

Take the cash
Run a million man dash
Money train's going to crash
So you better get off it

Now I'm tired of running in my sleep
Would they really sell the world so cheap?
Don't think I can spoil their master plan
But you know you know I'm doing all I can

(Chorus)
It's only money
It's only money
It's only money
And each one that hoards it hurts ninety-nine people who don't





It's Only Money V3

This is my Week 4 assignment in the fall session of Pat Pattison's online Songwriting course at Berklee. Now with Actual Guitar Playing (TM). (Well, I'm learning...) Feedback of any kind is welcome.

Lyrics:

(Verse 1)
When we were kids
He was my best friend
Through triumphs and screw-ups
No need to pretend

Then he moved away
And we fell out of touch
I think about calling
But not very much

(Pre-chorus)
I'll make plans to phone
With noble intentions
But then I can't locate
That mobile invention

(Chorus)
I've got to find a phone
So I can call him up
And tell him everything is beautiful 
Because that's something I would like to say

(Verse 2)
For all my life
She's been good to me
She's like my mother
Emotionally

As I grew up
We both grew apart
But we're still connected
By mind and by heart

(Pre-chorus)
I rarely make time
To give her a shout
I say I'm too busy
But that's copping out

(Chorus)
I've got to find a phone
So I can call her up
And tell her everything is beautiful 
Because that's something she would like to hear

(Verse 3)
Honesty's great
But not in every case
Sometimes we require
False praise and clichés

'Cuz one simple touch
Can make you feel better
And it doesn't matter
Who's giver or getter

(Chorus)
So someone should find a phone
So they can call me up
And tell me everything is beautiful 
Because that's something I would like hear

Someone should find a phone
So they can call me up
And tell me everything is beautiful 
Despite the fact it's not exactly true


.

Copyright (C) 2013 Robert Lee Dixon

Find a Phone

Assignment 5 for Pat Pattison's online Songwriting course from Berklee. Still a work in progress. Lyrics:

(Verse 1)
She's going to quote you out of context
Then she'll refute your quote but fail to reveal her source
She wants to simplify your complex
When you prevaricate she'll push and she'll feel no remorse

And just when you think that you might understand her
She'll shock your public with libel and slander

(Chorus 1)
It's bad enough
When you find you're in love
To learn she's
A Muckraker

(Verse 2)
He's going fishing for a sound bite
He'll stick that mic up to your face and demand a retort
He wants emotions in the spotlight
It's like psychiatry's become a professional sport

And just when you think he can finally fulfill you
He'll burst upon the scene with a full film crew

(Chorus 2)
It's bad enough
When you find you're in love
And learn he's
A Muckraker

(Bridge)
They're impressive there is no doubt
There's no dirt that they can't root out
They go to extremes just to hear you shout
But there's something they don't know…

(Verse 3)
She's going to spam her social network
Her thousand closest friends will see your every blemish and wart
She'll post the pix up where the Feds lurk
And if she's underage the next place you'll meet is in court

And just when you think that she's worth getting busted
She'll post new selfies with someone you trusted

(Chorus)
It's bad enough
When you find you're in love
And learn she's
A Muckraker

(Bridge to Nowhere...)
They're impressive there is no doubt
Take your world turn it inside out
They go to extremes just to hear you shout
But there's something they don't know…

You could just walk off their talk show...
Cut your losses and let go…
Give the 'rakers the heave-ho…
Oh there's something they don't know.



/// Note: I have since changed the chorus lyrics, but didn't have time to record new vocals, so I left these older lyrics as-is. But all feedback is welcome! Thanks.

Muckrakers

Here's my Assignment 6 for Pat Pattison's Songwriting course from Berklee & Coursera. 

(Verse)

At the pub you were just hanging out with your BFF
Not looking to hook up or get down
Just keeping it real

I know I'm never going to catch your eye as my low-key self
I'll never get something for nothing
Unless I appeal

(Chorus)

I've got to try
To see
If you're the only one for me
I've got to try
'Cuz I believe
That you and I are
Meant to be

(Verse)

It's not my style to be so direct
'Cuz I play it too cool, I'm too matter of fact
You say you don't believe it's true
But everybody here is after you

My friends tell me that we're leagues apart
'Cuz you're looking like a masterpiece of modern art
But I can't admire you from afar
Tell our future kids I met their mother in this bar

(Chorus)

Try
I've got to try 
To make you see 
I've got to try
'Cuz I believe
That you and I are
Meant to be

(Bridge)

Your smile tells me more than words do
You're very alarming
Got me disarming
I've lost all my cool for once, now you've
Blown my composure
I'm not so sure if I can

(Chorus)

Try
I've got to try
To make you see
I've got to try
'Cuz I believe
That you and I are
Meant to be

(Bridge 2)

I'm dreaming of Sunday morning
Our bodies warming
Our laughter appealing
I'm dreaming of years together
Time is the treasure
Worth fighting for

(Chorus)

Try
I've got to try 
To make you see
I've got to try
'Cuz I believe
That you and I are
Meant to be

//
Words and music (C) Copyright 2014 Robert Lee Dixon

I've Got to Try V2

New work-in-process track for Assignment 4 in Pat Pattison's online songwriting course from Berklee. Sorry this mix is very rough!

(verse)
Well I've got to find a way on back to you lover
People don't you tell me to stay
The mysteries of life we have yet to discover
Drive me to travel a different way


And I see ooh, your love shines baby
Lighting every step of the way
And I know ooh, your loves shines sugar
Clearing me a path to see you one day


(chorus)
But now time keeps a-holding me
Keeps a-holding me
Time keeps a hold on me
Yes it does


(verse)
Honey you're a part of me and I hear you calling
People don't you tell me to stay
I've been busy here but it feels like I'm stalling
When one track ends try a different way



And I see ooh, your love shines baby
Lighting every step of the way
And I know ooh, your loves shines sugar
Clearing me a path to see you one day 


(chorus)
Because time keeps a-holding me
Keeps a-holding me
Time keeps a hold on me
Yes it does


(bridge)

But that train's gonna fly through the city
And that train's gonna fly through the night
And that train's gonna fly through the northern lights
And I got to find a way to ride to ride to ride
Got to find a way to ride 


(chorus)

I know time keeps a hold of me
Keeps a hold of me
Time weaves a spell on me
Yes it does 

(outro)
It's just a matter of time
Taking everybody away away away
It's just a matter of time
Oh my lord I hear that train a comin' my way

Got to ride, got to ride, got to ride on home... to... you….

Time Keeps a Hold on Me

Early mix of my song for Assignment 5 in Pat Pattison's Songwriting course from Berklee/Coursera.

Lyrics:
(Verse)
I left you behind
What do I have to do
To make it up to you?
You're out every night
Taking out your aggressions
Upon yourself


(Chorus)
Don't fall down
Don't waste away in this town
Don't fall down
Or you could be heaven bound


(Verse)
We had wondrous days
Laughing together, lighting it up
Like shooting stars
I'm back but I can't stay
Take my hand, we'll ride out of here
To a better place

(Chorus)
Don't fall down
Don't waste away in this town
Don't fall down
And we could be heaven bound

(Bridge)
Hey girl
Won't you come on with me
'Cause we gotta lotta things that we can do y'know

Hey girl
Won't you stay by my side
And we'll rocket to the moon
Or maybe Tokyo

Hey girl 
Grab on those reins
And ride us on up to a better place, y'know

Hey girl
It's just a matter of time
Until you see your true potential 

rdix

Pinned to spotlight

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