Songwriting forum challenge. Need to add vocals. Watch this space.

Orange (instrumental accompaniment)

Title: Pour My Ashes
Track Time: 04:00 / BPM: 68

VS 1
Pour my ashes from the Narrows Bridge
Hear my bones splash in the water
Facing southwest -
see the breeze blow the fine dust
Gray clouds dancing in the sun

In the dead of winter -
I'll have darkness and silence
Summer's boats will hum up above
In time I'll find my way -
to rest below the birches -
in front of the home of my youth

I'll dream of watching - the sailing regatta
Colored sails against the sky so blue
And when the Lord returns -
I'll pull myself together -
to meet all the saints in the air 

Copyright Steve Lundgren 2018 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After a relative passed away, the family sprinkled the ashes at the trunk and roots of a newly planted tree. We each were allowed to take a handful of ash to sprinkle or spread below the tree. This got me to thinking about what I might want done with my ashes. The lyrics of this song muse about my ashes being poured into the lake from a bridge near the home of my youth. So that I could find my way to rest below the birches in front of my childhood home. I imagine my conscious presence being with the ashes until the Lord returns when I pull myself together to meet the saints in the air. lol 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Technical Notes: 
This is a demo track recorded in my home studio on a computer. 
The song (lyrics and instrumentation) was written by me, Steve Lundgren. 
The drums are programmed. Which explains the lifeless sound. (sorry) 
I played the remaining instruments as direct input with effects being applied in the DAW (recording software). 
Multitrack electric guitars and 5 string bass. 
Vocals by me using a borrowed Blue Yeti microphone. 
The software was typically used as a creative tool. 
These tracks are song writing demos. Everything you hear is a placeholder. 
The hope is to some day form a band to record and perform these songs live.

Pour My Ashes

Title: Smoke Out the Window
Track Time: 02:05 / BPM: 100

VS 1
You go for a drive - to get some fresh air
You blow the smoke out the window -
smoke out the window

You take a big drag -
it goes down in your lungs
You blow the smoke out the window -
smoke out the window

CH
You blow smoke out the window -
it comes into my car
I'm coughin' on the fumes -
I smell like your cigar

You blow the smoke out the window -
smoke out the window

VS 2
You don't like smoke in your car -
but you like it in mine
You blow the smoke out the window -
smoke out the window

You have an ash tray -
but you flick it out the window
Ash out the window -
ash out the window

CH/ending
You blow smoke out the window -
it comes into my car
I'm coughin' on the fumes -
I smell like your cigar

You blow the smoke out the window -
smoke out the window - (repeat)

Copyright Steve Lundgren 2018 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
This song idea came from an observation of what smokers do when they drive and smoke. Unfortunately for us nonsmokers, the smoke is blown out the window where it can come get us. I hate driving behind a smoker. This song is my revenge. lol 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Technical Notes: 
This is a demo track recorded in my home studio on a computer. 
The song (lyrics and instrumentation) was written by me, Steve Lundgren. 
The drums are programmed. Which explains the lifeless sound. (sorry) 
I played the remaining instruments as direct input with effects being applied in the DAW (recording software). 
Multitrack electric guitars and 5 string bass. 
Vocals by me using a borrowed Blue Yeti microphone. 
The software was typically used as a creative tool. 
These tracks are song writing demos. Everything you hear is a placeholder. 
The hope is to some day form a band to record and perform these songs live.

Smoke Out The Window

You'll need a sense of humor for this one.

I was recently trying to explain to my wife how men have a very different approach to problem solving than women. I likened the male approach to solving any conflict by burning a village. I wasn't sure if you she totally understood the dark humor of what I was saying.

So I thought I should write a song about it. The village burning is only metaphorical, of course. No actual villages were burned in the making of this song. Although it might be ill-advised to give this song a bad review. (humor)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Title: Burn Your Village
Track Time: 00:00 / BPM: 00

VS 1
We don't see eye-to-eye - but that's okay
Let's sit and talk it out - right here today
Gather your people - and have your say
We'll find a compromise - come what may
And if diplomatic efforts - don't make the grade
In my heart I know that - we'll find a way...

CHORUS
Gonna burn your village and dance in the glow
Stow the loot in wagons right before we go
Put your shrunken heads on a bamboo pole
So you can hang around and watch the show
(REPEAT)

VS 2
We've planned a party - in your honor
If you attend - you'll be a goner
RSVP - your sons and daughters
Invite the grand folks - Moms and Fathers
No one missing - for the slaughter
Don't need to bring a thing - we got 'er

CHORUS/END


© Steve Lundgren 2018 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Burn Your Village

Title: Wake Up Dead   
Track Time: 06:10 / BPM: 60 

Vs 1 
The sky is not blue today 
I guess that's my new job 

It's supposed to rain all week 
Lord, when will it stop? 

Don't ya know I'm soaking wet - 
Feel like I'm gonna drown 

I hate this rain and gray  
Gotta get away somehow 

CHORUS 
Been a long time brewing - 
inside my head 
Kinda shocked myself - 
with what I said 
Some days you're better off - 
to stay in bed 
When the best thing you can hope for is to - 
wake up dead - wake up dead  
(say it again) 
wake up dead - wake up dead  

Vs 2 
Maybe there's a song in there
A nice ring to what I say   

I just might make something good 
out of this worthless day 

Everyone feels like this sometime
We all gotta find our way

If we can just talk about it 
We'll get ahead of it today 

CHORUS/ENDING  


© Steve Lundgren 2018  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wake Up Dead

Title: Got What I Wanted (but I'm not happy)
Track Time: 03:17 / BPM: 60

INTRO

VS 1
Got what I wanted, but I'm not happy
Got what I needed, but I'm not satisfied
Thought I had it figured out,
but now I have my doubts

VS 2
It's not because I'm ungrateful, no
Not because I think - that I deserve more
Just this sense of loss - when I count the cost
Got to turn over now - to the Lord

INTERLUDE

VS 3
Puzzled by this sense of disappointment
Not sure how this fits into - the plan
The provision seemed to lack refinement
Causing me to question who - I am

ENDING

© Steve Lundgren 2018
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Got What I Wanted (but I'm Not Happy)

Title: Tell Me I'm Pretty
Track Time: 03:21 / BPM: 96

Vs 1
I overheard some women talking
about what they need to hear
The lament of their sad longing
almost made me shed a tear

Ch 1
Tell me I'm pretty
Tell me I look thin
Say you love my cooking
And the dress I am in  

Vs 2
The other woman added hers  
And it went a different way
Made me think there's more to this
That's not all she had to say

Ch 2
Say your glad you married me -  
and that you want no other
Tell me I'm pretty -  
and that I'm a good mother

Vs 3
Some tender care is in order -
like a garden that needs tending
Some repair work to restore -  
a heart that needs some mending

Ch 3
Tell me I'm pretty
Notice my new shoes
I shouldn't have to tell you -  
when I've got the blues

Vs 4  
I guess I learned a thing or two
about what makes these gals tick
Just be more observant
That will do the trick

Ch 4
Tell me I'm pretty
Tell me I look thin
Say you love my cooking
And the dress I am in  


© Steve Lundgren 2018
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tell Me I'm Pretty

Title: Dirty Man   
Track Time: 03:31 / BPM: 82 

VS 1
I don't wash my face 
don't comb my hair 
change my socks 
or underwear 

My clothes are smeared 
with grease and grime 
Hey c'mon, baby 
that ain't no crime 

I'm a dirty man 
- Dirty 

VS 2
People run 
when they see me comin' 
I say they're smart 
They should be runnin' 

I work the corner 
with my cardboard sign 
Can you help me please? 
Fell on hard times

I'm a dirty man 
- Dirty 

VS 3
Bought a bottle 
with collected change 
I call it dinner  
It ain't that strange 

Pass the paper bag 
that holds our dinner 
Get that last swig 
and you're the winner 

I'm a dirty man 
- Dirty 

---- (instrumental) ---- 

ENDING (slower - in half tempo) 

But the stars - are so beautiful 
as I lie here - on my back 
Angels appear - to serenade 
In nothing - do I lack 

So peaceful here - tonight 
surrounded - by the glow 
How long - will this last?  
Ask me - tomorrow 


© Steve Lundgren 2019  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dirty Man

Title: Devil Talkin'     
Track Time: 02:44 / BPM: 76

VS 1 
"Ain't nobody watching"
Dat's dat devil dare talkin' 

"Only the good die young."
Dat's dat devil dare talkin' 

"You only go around once."
Dat's dat devil dare talkin' 

"Better grab all the gusto."
Dat's dat devil dare talkin' 

CHORUS 1 (spoken like Rap/Hip-hop) 
There's an unanswered question - in Genesis three 
I'll have to say - it's always intrigued me. 
Adam said he hid - 'cause he was naked 
God asked - "Who told you that you were naked?" 
- Who indeed? 

VS 2 
"Go on, you deserve it."
Dat's dat devil dare talkin' 

"I'll try anything once."
Dat's dat devil dare talkin' 

"It's just experimenting."
Dat's dat devil dare talkin' 

"Whatever gets you through the night."
Dat's dat devil dare talkin' 

CHORUS 2 (spoken like Rap/Hip-hop)  
That voice in your head - is messin' with you  
If you listen to it - you'll be a fool 
Learn to discern - right from wrong 
You have to resist - if you want to be strong 
- Heed the word! 

MOSTLY INSTRUMENTAL ENDING 
Dat's dat devil dare talkin' (repeat) 
Who indeed? (repeat) 
Heed the word! (repeat) 


© Steve Lundgren 2019 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Devil Talkin'

Title: Life's Pretty Good (without you)    
Track Time: 03:16 / BPM: 105

VS 1 
Woke up this morning to a beautiful day 
Blue skies and sunshine painted the view 
Seemed to be no reason, but I'll have to say 
Life's pretty good - without you 

CHORUS 
Life's pretty good -  
Life's pretty good - yes indeed 
Life's pretty good - without a doubt 
Life's pretty good - without you 

VS 2 
I used to wake up to a gray cloudy sky 
Raining again - will it never stop? 
I just couldn't see - the reason why 
Always at the bottom - no way to the top 

CHORUS 

VS 3 
Finally got rid of that - ball and chain 
Put the rudder back on this boat 
Put this thing in gear - before I go insane 
Got the 'gators out of my moat 

CHORUS 

VS 4 (repeat vs 1 with additions) 
Woke up this morning to a beautiful day 
Life's pretty good - without you 
Blue skies and sunshine painted the view 
Life's pretty good - without you 
Seemed to be no reason, but I'll have to say 
Life's pretty good - without you 

CHORUS/ENDING 


© Steve Lundgren 2019 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Life's Pretty Good (without you)

Title: That Thing Goin' 'Round (special thanks to Andrea, RK and Aaron G)
Track Time: 06:00  Tempo: 135 BPM 

VS 1 
Have you heard about it - 
COVID-19 goin' 'round?  
Seems to be spreadin' - 
all over town 

Hard to keep from gettin' - 
you down  
That corona virus - 
has been given a crown 

Have you heard about (it) 
that thing goin' 'round? (2x) 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
CH 
Have you heard 'bout it? 
That thing goin' 'round 
Across the sea - over hill and dale
Target-ing - both strong and frail  

Challenges that we all share 
Soon will be found everywhere 
Have you heard about 
that thing goin' 'round? 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

VS 2 
Have you heard about it -
that virus goin' 'round?  
Gotta keep your distance 
or you're goin' down 

Cover your mouth 
and wash your hands
That's the news 
across the land

Have you heard about 
that thing goin' 'round? 

CH 

VS 3
Have you heard about it - 
shortages goin' 'round? 
The world ran out of toilet rolls,   
hand sanitizer and pasta to boil  

The store shelves are empty 
but the parking lot is full 
Infection rates are rising 
as the stock markets fall   

Have you heard about 
that thing goin' 'round? 

CH 

VS 4
Have you heard about it - 
isolation goin' 'round? 
Can't go to the office - 
they're all closed down 

Caught on camera 
helping folks who need ya
As evidence trending now 
on social media  

Have you heard about 
that thing goin' 'round?

CH/ending -- slower 

We're now in a downward spiral 
I hope at least this song goes viral 

And if we're brought down to our knees  
don't forget to look up please

Take care of the ones you love 
We'll survive with some help from above

Have you heard about 
that thing goin' 'round? 


© Steve Lundgren 2020  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That Thing Goin' 'Round (special thanks to Andrea, RK and Aaron G)

Instrumental based on pre-apocalyptic theme for lyric writing contest

Instrumental (pre-apocalyptic theme)

This song is a lyric writing contest winner. The previous instrumental track was provided as the accompaniment to write to. I added the vocals to the existing accompaniment. Congrats to Andrea for a job well done. 

Title: First Encounter (lyrics by Andrea Brennan)  

V1
Lights in the sky
Appear to be flying
Looping and diving
Can't believe my eyes

Ch1
First encounter
Fear and Wonder
Come together
Tear Asunder

V2
Cloaked in darkness
I take cover
Watch it hover
Before it touches down

Ch2
First encounter
Fear and Wonder
Come together
Tear Asunder

V3 
Hold my breath
As doorways bend
Bridges descend
Creatures enter the night

Ch3
First encounter
Fear and Wonder
Come together
Tear Asunder

V4
I hear them chatter
Shrill and grating
Communicating
Hairs on my neck arise

Ch4
First encounter
Fear and Wonder
Come together
Tear Asunder
 
V5
Eyes like a cat
Reflect the light
Teeth that rip and bite
These hunters are here for prey  

Ch5
Alien army
First encounter
Human slaughter
Earth will never be the same

© Andrea Brennan 2020

First Encounter (lyrics by Andrea Brennan)

Title: Gift-Wrapped  
Track Time: 03:04  
Tempo: 128 BPM 

VS 1 
Bethlehem Star - traveled afar 
Magi following - knew what it was 
no map, no compass - to know where they are 
wise men drawn to - the advent for us 

CHORUS 
Salvation came gift-wrapped - in swaddling clothes 
no shiny paper - no ribbons or bows 
Savior of the world - with baby fingers and toes 
Emmanuel - God with us - just as foretold 

VS 2 
shepherds watched - their flocks by night 
glorious light - never seen such a sight 
angels singing - glad tidings bringing 
rejoice, rejoice - for the newborn king 

CH 

VS 3 
lying in a manger - a child in danger 
escaped to Egypt - just in time 
walked the earth as a man - and everyone knows 
he's coming again - to heal all his foes 

CH / ENDING   

© Steve Lundgren 2020 

Malachi 3:2
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears?
 For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap.

Gift-Wrapped

Title: Wheat Penny (1944)     
Track Time: 04:11 / BPM: 87 

VS 1 
Something caught my eye down at my feet 
Looking closer - what did I see? 
Was it really nothing - or something sweet?
- A wheat penny - looking back at me 

CHORUS 
Wheat penny, wheat penny, 
where have you been? 
How did you get here today? 
Can you tell me - all that you've seen?
If you could - what would you say? 

VS 2
The date on the penny - 1944 
Eleven years older - than me 
A time long ago - at the start of the war 
The great conflict - across the sea 

CHORUS 

VS 3 
Headline news about - the D-Day invasion 
that happened in - Normandy, France 
Was that the day - that you were minted? 
I suppose there - might be a chance 

CHORUS 

VS 4 
Hard being devalued - over all of these years?   
Not like life - when you first appeared  
Hand to hand - you were - passed around 
From cash drawer - to pocket - all over town 

VS 5 
Do you remember - being shiny and new?  
Or the piggy bank hammer - that set you free?  
The Five and Dime store - or the trip to the zoo?  
C'mon now - why won't you - talk to me? 

CHORUS/ENDING 


© Steve Lundgren 2019/2020  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wheat Penny (1944)

Title: She's 23 Today  
Track Time: 04:09 / Tempo: BPM: 80 

VS 1 
She's 23 today 
and past her prime 
Guess she always knew 
just a matter of time 

Read the wishes on the cake 
and wiped away a tear 
On the other side of 22 
dwells her biggest fear 

CHORUS 1 
She's 23 today 
and the future's hard to see 
Really no way to see ahead 
and know what she will be

Time went by so quickly 
can't stop the symphony  
Look forward and wonder 
while she was 23 

VS 2 
She's 43 today 
new thoughts on her mind
Many things that she could say  
if she had the time 

The kids are growing up so fast 
her firstborn and the twins 
Everything is heading south 
eventually gravity wins 

CHORUS 2 
She's 43 today 
wouldn't trade it for the world 
A woman in her prime 
no more a little girl 

Time went by so quickly 
can't stop the symphony 
To look back and remember 
when she was 23

VS 3 
She's 63 today 
Life is slowing down
Thoughts of retirement 
and getting out of town 

The kids are out of college
starting families of their own
Only seen on the Holidays
or heard on the phone  

CHORUS 3 
She's 63 today 
will see the family this weekend 
Cake and ice cream on paper plates
Shared the date with kids and friend 

Time went by so quickly 
can't stop the symphony 
To look back and remember 
when she was 23

VS 4 
She's 83 today 
and sorting through old photos
Meant to do this years ago 
to look through old mementos 

Found a birthday photo 
a haunting memory  
Gave her pause then to reflect 
when she was 23 

CHORUS 4 
She's 83 today 
sits in the house all alone
The mantel clock, it ticks so loud 
no calls come on the phone 

Time went by so quickly 
can't stop the symphony 
To look back and remember 
when she was 23


© Steve Lundgren 2019  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She's 23 Today

--- FREE MUSIC TO DOWNLOAD --- 
Welcome to my collection of home-recorded songwriting demos. Free to Share and Download. All content Copyright Steve Lundgren 2018/2019/2020. Request permission for reuse. I want you to be covered legally. Thanks. 

The driving theme inferred by the project name "Motorist Sketchbook" and the image of the open road, refer to the typical source of inspiration for these songs. Most of them have come to me while driving. I see something (visual) that sparks an idea or an observation worth writing a song about. These mental "sketches" are then developed in my home recording studio. 

These song recordings are demo tracks; recorded, edited, and mixed in my modest home studio, using a two-input PreSonus Audiobox and Studio One software. 

Check out my Geeztown interview on YouTube at this link: 
How To Get Started Recording Your Own Music
https://youtu.be/_NB7ueBhJgE

Artwork by Derek Lundgren. Contact info below. 
Album cover merchandise available on Red Bubble. (mugs, T-shirts, etc.) Crackers the Monkey Designs: https://tinyurl.com/yc23yfz4 

The songs (lyrics and instrumentation) were written and played/edited by me, Steve Lundgren. (unless otherwise noted)

The drums are programmed. I played the remaining instruments as direct input with most effects being applied in the DAW (digital audio workstation). 

Multi-tracked electric guitars and 5 string bass. 
Vocals by me using a basic Blue Yeti microphone. 

The software was typically used as a creative tool. 
These tracks are songwriting demos. Everything you hear is a placeholder. 

The hope is to someday assemble a band of professionals to record and perform these songs live. Leaving me the luxury of singing them with great accompaniment. Hey, I can dream, right? 

Derek Lundgren artwork contact info: 
Deviant art: https://tinyurl.com/y7x7g997
Redbubble: https://tinyurl.com/yc23yfz4
Patreon: https://tinyurl.com/yadblfa7

Motorist Sketchbook

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