File this under Works in Progress. I turned thirty this year. I am married and have three children, two cats, and a Master’s degree. Yet some days I’m not convinced I’ve matured much from who I was in junior high: a scarcely pubescent addlepated twit. Faced with some recent, specific proof of this ongoing immaturity and finding myself with a guitar in hand, I began writing this song. Let me know what you think!
The piece
The chords thus far
[DADGAD, capo @ 2, all chords relative to capo]
Bm7 G5 D/F#-G Em-D Bm7 G5 D D/F#-G Em-D D Bm7 G5 D/F#-G Em-D D Bm7 G5 D D-D/E-D/F# A-G
[verse 1]
A B5 E5 D5 A B E5 A-B D-E A B5 E5 D5
[pre-chorus]
F5 G5 F5 G5 G5 A5
[verse 2]
[pre-chorus]
B C
[bridge]
F#m G F#m G/B-G/C#-G/D F#m G F#m G/B-G/C#-G/D (etc.)
I find I write more in-the-moment music when I keep a guitar next to my desk, out of the case and ready to roll. I heard this rhythm and progression rolling around in my head throughout the day, so I grabbed my gitbox and knocked it out.
It’s simple — almost embarrassingly so. I mean, where’s the influence of serial composition? Where’s the sensibility of Schoenberg? Who knows!
For those following along at home, here’s how it’s set up at the moment:
Intro
Verse 1
(turnaround)
Chorus
Verse 2
Bridge
Chorus
Outro
Like I said, embarrassingly simple. But I just can’t stop listening to this thing over and over, tapping my feet, bobbing my head, and generally feeling happy.
Right now, it has no lyrics and no melody…and I’m open to any and all suggestions!
Many years ago, I studied Music Composition and nearly earned a degree in it (it ended up as yet another minor). Every year, the college I attended held the “21st-Century Music Composition Competition.” In 2003, this piece won.
I don’t have a recording of it, and I sure as heck couldn’t play it, and one accompanist I approached about doing so laughed at me and went on a diatribe about non-piano-playing composers who think they can write for the piano. But thanks to the power of MIDI, here’s an idea of what it would sound like if A) it were playable and B) I could find someone who could play it.
Reflecting back on this years later, I see this piece as a prime example of why Mozart is still revered and no one my age has heard of John Cage and his ilk. I’m just saying.
I’ve finally figured out Chris Cornell’s songwriting recipe:
10 scoops Awesome Nouns (sun, fire, gasoline, highway, gun, “exploder”)
2 bunches Manly Verbs/Gerunds (cut, burn, drown, wandering, kill, wallow)
1 1/2 qts First/Second Person Pronouns (drown me in you)
4 cups prepositions
6 oz. pure nonsense
2 tbsp cusswords
A dash of Native American imagery
A sprinkle of spiritualism
Mix thoroughly. Spread over a base of Kim Thayil or Tom Morello to taste. Cut into batches of 10-12 and serve.
You’ve been gone
Wandering
Far too long
Asleepwalking
Strangely bound
For being free
Knowing down, deep down (deep down)
Freedom’s key (sets you free)
[Chorus]
Writhing in your sleep
You dream of resurrection
Tossed and turned from peace
Clad in disaffection
You saved for me (the irony)
The brunt of your rejection
Only you can turn your head
To finding your way home
Home
Your way home
Come home
[Verse 2]
Chasing down
Misery
With a round
Of the scene
Is this love?
Could it be?
Live or die
Wait and see…
