So. I’ve got some dummy verses (which I’m working on re-writing) and a chorus. But that’s it. The song stops short.
Wanna write a bridge with me?
Bridges usually either summarize the point of the song… Or, they take us somewhere else – adding a surprising twist to the main point.
With that in mind, this bridge can really be whatever. Depends on what you think this song is about. I have no personal interest in where this is headed – it’s just words and tones that I think fit together.
So we can go wherever you want to take this thing.
Give me some great words, tones, feelings, thoughts, lyrics…
And let’s see what we can do with this one:
These places – they don’t look the same -
they don’t smell the same – they don’t feel the same.
These faces – they don’t look the same -
they don’t smile the same – they don’t speak the same.
Is this where I lay my head?I’m so far from home…
These city streets – they don’t wind the same -
they don’t drive the same – they don’t look the same.
Is this where I find myself?I’m so far from home…
If your not smelling the samethings
feeling the somethings
Driving and seeing things the same
You are far from Home.
So when you smell, feel, see
things the same
You are Home.
Hey I never claimed to be a song writer.
But I like how “same things” and “somethings” play off one another… Interesting combo.
I love how this sounds Mandy, so haunting.
Got nothing in the bridge stakes though…it’s 12AM and I came here just before heading to bed as I’d run out of steam on my own song…will prob be back for another visit when I’m more awake…
Love the new banner, btw
Well if the song makes it big, I will only expect a .000000000001% royalty….
Sounds reasonable! I’ll print the contract when I get home from work today.
these voices all around…they don’t talk the same
they don’t sound the same
they don’t know my name
Is this where I lay my head?
I’m so far from home…
Nothing is the same when everything changes
sometimes life takes a turn and it all rearranges
but I keep looking up at the blue sky above
and I’m reminded of His never-changing love
I like it…
You might’ve just given me my 4th verse. Epic win!
Okay, so I AM haunted by this song. I love the music of it…it is mesmerizing…but at some points it seemed like your voice was kind of muted or dragging a bit. Like you were holding back some. I think because the music was low or “ridged” your voice because it is so extremely pure could be whatever – like higher or louder maybe? I know I am not using the right words to tell you what I mean…but I think your voice should “ring” the words or something because it is so so so beautiful. I love this song, Mandy. Really.
I get you. I will sing it better next time.
Oh snap. That is so not what I mean and you know it.
What? I don’t need to be louder?
I guess I kept the kind of haunting lost feeling. Hope you don’t mind but I wrote it out and took it to the piano to work on the bridge..I included the recording at the bottom. Here are the lyrics for the bridge I came up with.
I’m just looking for something
That I can cling to
I am looking for a reason
To hold on to
I keep trying to find a glimmer
Of the place I used to know
copy the following into your browser to hear
http://myweb.cableone.net/wmsumc/farfromhome.MP3
wow. What a crazy experience to hear someone else’s version – so quickly done while I’m working through this myself.
I like where you took the bridge melodically, and in concept.
I think I’m gonna work with it. Maybe give it a little more edge and crunch and angst? I think I might’ve just had my first co-writing experience!
Thanks Russell. WHAT a wild twitter/blog-filled memory.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the feel of this song.
What do you think of, instead of “They don’t speak the same.” before “Is this where I lay my head?” you put “They don’t speak my name.” I think it would connect you to the lay my head line and give it a little twist.
mmmm good.
Thanks.. it was fun…To me the second verse sounds like it should go as long as the first verse…. Glad you like the bridge… I haven’t done alot of co-writing but would love to do more in the future.. thanks.
I agree about the second verse. It feels too abrupt. I didn’t hear it until you did it… Hmmmm…
Now my wheels are spinning!
You have room for it.. I think when I recorded it it only came out at 3:30 or so.
What are the chords for the bridge?
Don’t know nothin bout chords, bridges and such.
1st
Life is a journey
Why can’t mine take me home
Life is a journey
I am so far from home
2nd
Life is a journey
I am so far from home
Life is a journey
Please take me home
You’re such a words man! But I love what you bring – every time.
I think these are the chords… this is from my recording which is down one step
F Dm Am
I’m just looking for something
G
That I can cling to
F Dm Am
I am looking for a reason
G
To hold on to
F Dm Am
I keep trying to find a glimmer
G F
Of the place I used to know
In your key it would be
G Em Bm
I’m just looking for something
A
That I can cling to
G Em Bm
I am looking for a reason
A
To hold on to
G Em Bm
I keep trying to find a glimmer
A G
Of the place I used to know
Didnt know the reply would mess up the spacing but listen to it and you can figure out where they go.
Got it! I came close before these comments. I used (most) of your words – sped up the syllables/melody to increase intensity. I’m coming back to it tonight to listen again, but I think it’ll work! This has been so educational. Thank you, Russell.
Gotta say, it’s very cool to witness a song transforming like this
I agree.
Glad I could help. Maybe you can help me out on a song in the future. I look forward to hearing the final version and this has inspired me to write more.
Yes!
im SO late to the party. sorry, mandy. ive had a very sick boy on my hands.
havent listened to the song yet – but im lovin your lyrics! it immediately painted a picture in my mind. what i was reading became real and visual. i love it when that happens!
Y’all are surprising. I don’t like the lyrics at all in this one.