Jennifer and I came up with song titles or first lines for several country songs a few weeks before I started this challenge, but I have not really pursued this goal yet. I will continue to add to this list of country songs. I suppose I don’t have to write a country song, but that is the music that I have been obsessed with for the last couple of years. It is just about all I listen to, other than Eighties music—which I’m always obsessed with. I don’t see myself being able to make something that sounds like 1999, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, or Eyes Without a Face in the next few months, but I do feel confident in my ability to write a simple “three chords and the truth” country song.
I do realize that simple does not necessarily mean easy. Most of Johnny Cash’s songwriting oeuvre is not musically complicated, but his songs will last for many years because of his talent and sincerity. He could also tell a song in three minutes. There’s nowhere to hide in a simple country song. You either have a good song that connects with people, or you have three minutes of polite silence. I think that I am a good writer of prose, and that I understand economy of words—when it suits me. I truly believe that if I don’t try to hide behind sarcasm, being funny*, or parody, that I will write a song to be proud of.
*Being funny is not the same as a sense of humour. There are many great songs that have a sense of humour, but are not trying to “be funny". Look at Buck Owens entire catalogue, as an example.
Going forward:
In the next ten days I am going to make a point of writing down into my bullet journal any snippet or phrase that could potentially be a song. I have gotten out of the habit of using my journal, and this is a good way to ease back into it. This challenge does not have a pressing deadline, but for once I would like to be not scrambling at the last minute.
Thank you, as always, for reading.
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