Song #18: Maps

The labor process of birthing a song this week was the equivalent of pushing out a 15 pounder with no anesthetics. It began with lyrics I had about second chances but after the instrumental tracks evolved, I found that the words and the music did not go together. At all.

And I realized this at 5pm on Sunday.

With only a few short hours left I threw away the previous vocal tracks and attempted to write new lyrics, using two of my friends as sounding boards to help come up with ideas. The music I had written reminded me of a California road trip, so we got to work weaving some lyrics together around that. By the time I had some something in place it was late and I was frustrated, so I recorded the vocal track and called it a night.

All of that said, I in no way feel this song is complete. The chorus words just aren't there, the flow is too chunky and the ending double chorus doesn't work. But I think this song has potential. It just needed more time; perhaps I will revisit it at a later date.

As for now, though, it's time to move on to #19.

PLAY:



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LYRICS:

Black-ribbon road is stretching out
The tank's at two-o-clock; it's getting late
Sundown glow ahead of us
A burning torch that guides and lights our way
The desert wind, your summer dress:
I pretend I'm not staring at your legs
And as the headlights rise like fireflies
It's hard to hide the smile upon my face

Worn maps show us the way back
But not where we're at
I don't think it matters now.
Right here: bare feet on the dash
That way that she laughs
All we need's right here on this side of the glass

We could drive for miles and miles
but we both know that we're already there
This journey is the destination
so where we end up I don't really care

Comments

[Michelle M.]

Trevor, you are much too hard on yourself, but I kinda now what you mean. This song definitely has a Jimmy Buffet feel to it (in my opinion). I love every word that comes from your mouth and every cord/key that you play, whether it be guitar or keyboard, etc (and even in your photography). You are amazing with everything you do. Thank you, once again, for sharing such great talent with "the little people" :o)

[Kaitlinkav]

So you really undersold this song. I read the intro and I put off listening to it because (no offense) but I thought it was going to suck...but guess what?! It didn't! It was actually pretty good...guess I should have known better :) Liking the electric guitar part that starts it off too.

[MJS]

So, I'm really thinking the words are the best part?!? The tenor of the song is so lacksadasical, but the weight of the words are crazy. The whole "tanks-full-of-gas-so-this-is-gonna-take-awhile" metaphor and the important things being on the inside of the glass...nicely done.

[Trevor]

Michelle / Kaitlinkav / MJS -

Thank you for your feedback. I'm encouraged by your unique thoughts on the song and am glad you connected with it in any way. The more I live with this track, the more it grows on me; Hope it does the same for you all.

Thanks for the continued support. You guys seriously rock.

[Stephanie]

You are a great writer. So nice to see someone doing what they love. Take care, Stephanie