usually, when i get close to finishing a song, i will play it for drew live to hear his thoughts.
but i couldn’t do that this time.
i couldn’t sing it live for him because of the lump in my throat, so i had to scratch record it. i nearly cried when he sat to listen.
i’ve said this to him for a while: he makes everything better.
since i’ve got a half-decent recording and your ears to hear it, tell me what you think i should do with the song.
oh, yes, the lyrics:
YOU MAKE EVERYTHING – June 5th 08
You’re my port in the storm.
You’re my something right when it all goes wrong.
You’re my ray of light when the night wears on and on.
You’re my magic man.
You can make me smile at your command
With a thousand card tricks flying from your hands.
You make everything… better.
You’re the space I need.
The familiar face when all I see
is new and scary. You are home to me.
And I don’t know how I would live without you.
21 responses so far ↓
Heather // July 7, 2008 at 8:30 am
Mandy … absolutely beautiful!
Cindy Beall // July 7, 2008 at 9:08 am
Um, have no idea what else you should do because I’m not a good songwriter. I know, I know.
BUT, it’s TERRIFIC!!!!!!!
Heidi // July 7, 2008 at 9:37 am
Incredibly written…
Oh what should I do with it????? RECORD IT!!!
Love ya
jon mckanna // July 7, 2008 at 10:20 am
good stuff…at first listen, i’m thinking some strings…like maybe even a string quartet? different idea, i know…just first listen thoughts…good walking bass line in there?
Becca // July 7, 2008 at 11:18 am
I think you could add a walking bass line too- but what I’d love to hear is some drums. If you can get some drums played only with brushes and an open high-hat…subtle percussion would work the best for this piece. It’s difficult to follow the rhythm in the begging when you’re strumming. I like the single strums down on the chorus…that’s fantastically powerful, and I love how it ends. After that powerful set of notes, you could simply drop any of the other instruments you may end up adding, and it would be beautiful.
Becca // July 7, 2008 at 11:20 am
P.S. Do you know how to play mandolin? It could sound cool adding a few notes here and there in that chorus, too.
Michelle // July 7, 2008 at 11:30 am
I think you wrote that for me and Phat.
mandythompson // July 7, 2008 at 12:05 pm
heather: gee thanks!
cyn: you don’t have to be a good songwriter to have an ear for music. that’s why i ask y’all about these songs - y’all can hear stuff that i can’t!
heidi: i’m workin’ on it!
jon: i agree - and already heard a bass line to move things. know where i can get a decent set of strings??
becca: mandolin. ah. i wish!!! “fantastically powerful” i like those words. i played it with that driving rhythm at the end, but felt like it was a stiff boring beat. then, listened, and it was all power. thank you for reinforcing it.
michelle: gasp. how did you know? don’t tell drew!
tam // July 7, 2008 at 12:36 pm
i hear a cello. i love the cello. its such a romantic/sensual sounding instrument. would be perfect, imho, here.
mandy…this is a gorgeous love song! i love it!!!
jon mckanna // July 7, 2008 at 1:00 pm
decent set of strings??? ah, no! haven’t ever really used any type of string quartet stuff on my triton. so, i’m no help.
mandythompson // July 7, 2008 at 1:11 pm
tam: i guess it is a love song, but i never thought i’d write one of those…
jon: what’s a triton? scary sounding…
jon mckanna // July 7, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Korg Triton 88 key workstation…
Becca // July 7, 2008 at 1:25 pm
mmm….Triton..
alece // July 7, 2008 at 8:05 pm
i can’t get it to load. it just keeps saying “buffering”.
dangit.
alece // July 7, 2008 at 8:06 pm
(and i’m not even in africa!)
alece // July 7, 2008 at 8:22 pm
wow. this is beautiful. you must’ve made drew’s heart melt. i know mine would if anyone ever said these words to me…
you sound a bit like kendall payne? know her? listen to her song “twenty three”. yeah, you sound like that.
Dan // July 8, 2008 at 11:59 am
I’m having trouble getting it to load also! I’ll try again later tonight!
name // September 1, 2008 at 12:02 am
Good day!,
name // September 1, 2008 at 12:03 am
Hello!,
name // September 1, 2008 at 12:03 am
Hi!,
brent(inWorship) // September 1, 2008 at 12:28 am
Sup’