The song.
Y’all asked for it – the one I submitted to the competition. #35 out of this year’s 100 goal… Special thanks to Sandra Cofield, Cindy Beall, Tam Hodge, & Drew Thompson.
Here it is:
Forty More Falls – copyright Mandy Thompson, ASCAP, 2009
They got married in September of nineteen sixty-nine.
They were too young to remember much of life before that time,
but they dreamed and they planned and they lived
and they loved that fall.
And looking back on forty years of love behind them now
they can’t believe all these years of keeping every vow.
He looks at her still beautiful – still his young bride -
and he smiles as he says… He smiles as he says…
(He’ll take)
40 more falls
40 more years
40 more with laughter
40 more with tears
40 more dreams
40 more highs
40 more of all the lows
40 more falls
There were days filled with nothing but empty bank accounts.
They never thought they’d make it when they lost their first child.
And they’ve both buried parents, but they still feel like kids
with so much life to live.
Laughing at their daughter playin’ soccer – she won’t stop wavin’ at the stands.
If he hadn’t lost that job, they wouldn’t have that second chance.
And just like she promised she’s still by his side,
and she cries when she says… she cries when she says…
(She’ll take)
From fall to fall the leaves change their colors,
But their love will stay the same when they hold on to each other.
(They’ll take)
that right there is why i wanted to be your fan club president. you are so special.
[if any of you want to join Mandy’s fan club on Facebook, go here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=86749752742
Wow! Thanks a lot for this. This is great! Thanks for sharing.
GREAT song Mandy!! I truly truly enjoyed it
Beautiful. For all the enjoyment I get from some of your wilder experiments…it is clear, at least to me, that this is your musical home Mandy.
And I don’t mean comfort zone…I mean home.
I cut my teeth on “country” style stuff… If you poke me, I’ll bleed folk/country.
Thanks David.
Great song.
Enjoyed it!
holy crap.
that was amazing.
you win in my book, and we both know that’s the one that matters.
OH YAY!!! WHAT’S THE PRIZE???
I had the same verbal reaction somewhere early on in the song to Joshua: “Holy crap.” That’s a good thing!
Stunning, Mandy. Really.
I was on the edge of tears almost the entire time.
Maybe I can give it a few more passes later in the day, but I’m glad I listened to it before my daughter and I went about our mornings. Great start!
I can see why you’re so proud of this one. Way to go!
Amazing song….thanks for sharing!!
Way Cool. Teary Cool.
So in 11 years you have to sing that at our 40th anniversary. Even if you’re like Carrie-Underwood famous. January 10th, 2021. Please mark it on your calendar.
And, Carrie Underwood is one of my heroes!!
Wow, Mandy,
This is awesome.
Can I be the first in line for a signed CD from a ROCKSTAR with a little folk.
I love your music no doubt and no doubt it would be in my car blaring with my windows down on a warm CA day. (just remember we have 363 warm days a here)
That’s alot of playing time!!
Do I really have to sign it?
Mandy,
You know my thoughts – duet, all the way.
And for being “proud” – trust me, nothing makes me smile bigger than to see my kids being “PROUD” when they’ve done something great. Last night, Will (who plays T-Ball) took a shot with the big kids and did pitching machine … he belted it every time, getting on base. He was so proud. I was even PROUDER.
Your Heavenly Father is just as Proud, trust me!
great song writing, mandy.
i’m a proud mama.
i’m neither your mama…nor a mama, period…but i’m proud! haha.
Ya know this may be the best song I have heard ya do.
I like it a ton…a few things.
1. in 2010 the song wont make as much sense don’t know what to do with that one.
2. I would say instead of “he’ll take or she’ll take I would make it I’ll take and have a duet with the male and female voices in the end. would be killer but that may mean changing some of the “tense” in the song. hmm just a thought
Nice work!
Joel: The time frame kills me. I chewed on that & decided to leave it where it is… I’m very flexible on the duet (Fred mentioned it as well) – but it would be hard for me to sing in a male voice, so the demo goes to the 3rd person narrator.
i never even paid attention to the timeframe. it was the heart of the statement that caught me. it works. i think…
ask me next year.
daaaaaaaaang.
If i am not honest, i am nothing.
i liked your voice on the song.
it is not my favourite song of yours – it does not have to be.
i have unusual (ie not always ‘mainstream’ and hence not always ‘profitable’, or popular, taste).
Clearly though i am in a minority here so it should do brilliantly in the contest
i like the work you do best that says something about YOU – what you experience. i did not feel like you were writing this song for you and Drew thirty-odd years from now?
Good luck – when will you hear back?
<B
Thanks for the honest input… I will hear something in Mid-November, long after you have all forgotten that I even entered the song in a competition. I don’t expect to have my name on the winner/runner-up/honorable mention list. My goal in submitting has already been accomplished. Just taking baby steps in the direction of who I want to be, and who I already am.
So… Which would be your favorite?
I’m tempted to say Hector, Hector – i LOVE the musical Whimsey and your ad libs on the original – and it says a LOT to me about the REAL Miss Mandy (and her helpful Hub!)
But musically and performance wise, so far, i feel ‘Never’ has great potential ‘out there’. I have only heard about a dozen of your songs so far.
and i don’t LIKE to pick on you – i just say what i believe to be true.
Not EVERYTHING i say here is to be taken strictly PERSONALLY by you – ok?
There is more to ‘life’ than just ‘me’. We all need to remember that.
and YES! – i DID see the ‘wink’ you gave Hutch! (i don’t miss much)
Oh, and Hutch – maybe it was the 1969 thing that ‘threw’ me??
<B
Ok.
That’s funny Love, cause I thought the exact opposite. I thought it *did* picture Drew and Mandy 30+ years from now. Funny how music works.
Thanks, Hutch. Love likes to pick on me.
Dang… you made me all teary (not an easy thing to do most days!) I had to stop reading the words as I was listening ’cause it was making the emotions worse. Ha!
I agree that this would be a killer duet – I doubt there would be a dry eye in the place from that.
I must agree with David tho – this style is “you” and I love that you wrote a song about living out a life together instead of walking away when things got tough. Beautiful.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Jennifer! Now if I can just find someone to sing the duet. Hmmm… I have NO contacts. dang
Hey, Mandy.
I really like the melody of the chorus. The lift on the second line is unexpected and lovely. I feel like it really moves the song from one place to another. Does that make sense? Either way, nicely done.
One bit of confusion: if they’re been married for 40 years their daughter would be older than the waving at the stands stage. Maybe a granddaughter? Or maybe clarifying the time frame as a memory? I like including specific snapshots like that, but the rest of the verses are more general or at least bigger things (getting married, death, losing a job, etc.). Maybe changing that line to something more general or adding more little snapshots would grant a bit more clarity and continuity. Just something to chew on.
Keep up the good work!
ooooo Robin… dang. I didn’t think of that, and I went over this with a fine tooth comb. I thought it was assumed that it was a memory. Maybe it wasn’t so clear. Thanks for letting me know. If it ever goes anywhere, I’ll work on changing it.
I thought the same thing about the age of the kid, but I think it’s because in the line prior you say they still feel like kids, which takes us back to the present instead of looking back. Not sure how to fix it off the top of my head wording-wise, but I think that’s where the confusion comes from.
Gotcha. May or may not necessitate a draft #13…? We’ll see.
Thank you.
Mandy,
That was great! It had me near tears for most of it. Though for a bit, I thought duet as well, I think that might put it over the “cheese” edge for some reason. I love it written just like it is. All it needs is you adding some harmonies and that would fill it out just fine. Fantastic work! I can’t imagine you not doing very well in the competition. Good luck!
Thanks, Evan, for stopping by.
Hope y’all are doing well!
mannnnndddddddyyyyyyyyy…
tears. and chills.
be proud that you are honoring God with the talent He has given you.
be proud that you are pointing others to Him.
be proud that you are and He loves every bit of you.
i think you are pretty cool too.
:0)
<3 anna
AAANNNNNNAAAAAAAAA!!
Thank you!
beautiful!
I really like it!
I always like titles like this, different. Love the rhythm of first verse lyrics. I see places that could be tightened up lyrically/rhythm, but always like checking your songs out! You’re definitely not a beginner songwriter and worth seeing what you’re up to!
Thanks Steve. I always appreciate thoughts and feedback from those in the business. Even though I’ve been “writing” for 10+ years, I feel VERY new to this whole songwriting experience… I would consider myself a beginner in the sense that I’m learning more and more.
If you stop back by here, can you tell me which parts need tightening? I’d love to hear what you hear.
I’m the same way-feel like I’m still in songwriting school.
The following ideas are definitely not a “final answer”:
Changed the stress of words in verse 1. Built on rhythms already there.
Changed rhythm of last line (I listen to a lot of Jeffrey Steele)
Verse 2, tried to strengthen phrase by keeping phrase from starting w/ “of”
Didn’t work on lines 3,4
Felt chorus could up midway. Played w/chord changes.
That’s all I did on the rough track I xent you.
Other things: “And they’ve both buried parents” hmmm, might be able to make that better.
I really enjoyed practicing/working with your song a little.(People are probably wondering, “Who IS this guy!?)
———
They got married in September of nineteen sixty-nine.
They were too young to remember much of life before that time,
But they (sure) dreamed and they planned and they live
Yeah/Man, how they loved that fall.
Looking back, forty years all the love behind them now
They can’t believe all these years they’ve been keeping every vow.
He looks at her still beautiful- still his young bride
And he smiles as he says – He smiles as he says
He’ll take 40 falls
40 more years
He’ll take 40 more with laughter
And 40 more with tears
He’ll take 40 more dreams
40 more highs
40 more of all the lows
40 more falls…
THAT was wild. For so many reasons!
I’m listening to your track right now… I can hear the rhythm changes. Makes it a bit more melodic and talkative, all at the same time…
And the upswing of the melody on dreams/HIGHS is very surprising (which is a good thing!) A totally different experience, but it doesn’t feel country in that part – feels more like adult contemporary rock. I’m gonna listen to it a few more times.
Thanks so much for taking the time to show me what you heard. Really. I’m honored.
Yes, going for more talkative. Had recently watched videos w/Pat Pattison http://bit.ly/R6SJT on this.
Your AC Rock comment was very perceptive. Started thinking that as I was doing the track! Dianne Warren-ish. Maybe got away from the country song you originally intended.
oooohhhh… Thanks for the link! I’m gonna check out what he’s teaching that girl. I could use some help from a master songcraftsman!
Thanks so much Steve!
OOohhhhh! Thanks for leaving that link! I’m gonna go soak up what he has to say about rhythm/melody – I could use some tips from a master songcraftsman like him!
Thanks Steve!
good stuff! bryan adams got his first real six string that summer…played it til his fingers bled…in case you didn’t know!
you funny
Forty More Falls is a beautiful song, that tells a great story. I think it is one of your better songs.
Listening to all the songs you have on the Grooveshark site, there are three I like better, “Son”, “Out of Here” and “Do What You Can”. I love the raw emotion in your voice on Son. I love both the music, and your singing in Out of her and Do what You Can.
http://listen.grooveshark.com/
The lyrics in Forty More Falls are as good as the three I mention above, but I prefer the emotion in your singing, and the music in those three.
Of course I love the funky Aunt Marvel and your hip hop collaberation with Russ Hutto on Speed of Light.
I like listening to Forty More Falls, but I wouldn’t buy it. I would pay for Son, Out of Here, Do What I Can and Speed of Light.
BAD NEWS!!! You’ll pay good money for those songs, but NONE of them will be on the new CD. dangit Ed. Where did I go wrong??
Well, actually, I’m hoping to sneak a few bonus tracks in – and I’m considering “Do What We Can” in there. Hmmmm……
If the songs on the CD are as good as what you have posted you had better start looking for a new gown for when you pick up your Grammy.
You’re sweet, Ed.
This is definitely my favorite song so far!
About the age of the daughter: The first time through I pictured it as a memory. The second time, I pictured them watching old home videos after their kids have moved out. The lyrics for the rest of the verse work for that imagery, but they also work for a memory. I don’t think the “issue” takes away from the song at all though.
I’m going to show this to one of my friends! We have a running joke that I can make a rather large play list of songs that will make her cry, so I’m gonna test this out!
Thanks for your thoughts on the daughter stuff. And that you even listened more than once! wow. BIG thanks for that.
Let me know if your friend cries. hahahaha! If so, tell her I’m sorry I made her cry.
Success! I started it and she looked at me and said “Uh oh!”
She said it’s really good. She thought I had heard it on the radio.
Radio?? haha!
Thanks for sharing it, Marisa.
Just had a chance to listen to this. Really good song. I like country and for me this sits well in the modern country/pop section. I’m not very good at crit’ing songs (writing being my forte), but for what it’s worth my thoughts are as follows:-
Really liked the lines:
“They still feel like kids,
With so much life to live.”
and,
“If he hadn’t lost that job, they wouldn’t have that second chance.”
I don’t have a problem with time frame or the fact that it’s third person. Reminded me of this song (below); which is only a good thing. (Sorry for the Dawson’s Creek vid, best copy I could find
).
With regards to the shift in tense while they are watching their daughter, I don’t think it stands out massively, but you could just make it clearer by altering the line which follows (the second one I’ve quoted above “If he hadn’t …”). Move this to a past tense as well and it should work better. (Maybe just drop a ‘had’ after the ‘have’, if that doesn’t make the line too rushed.)
The one bit I’m not sure about is the end. I think it suits the style but I’m unsure if it dies away a bit too slow. I feel bad for pointing this out as I can’t offer anything to correct it at this point and I’m not even sure if I’m right. (It might be best just to ignore this point. ¬_¬ )
Anyway, I’ve slotted you into my ‘New Music Monday’ spot on my blog for this coming Monday. Hope you don’t mind (and if you get shy you’ve got a few days to tell me to drop it out of the schedule
).
Keep going with the music.
Leigh.
Wow Leigh. To be featured on your blog – thank you!!!
I agree that it dies out suddenly. That stuff would be taken care of in the production end of things. I tagged on a few “forty more falls” phrases to drag it out a bit. Ideally there’d be a jam session instrumentation for a few bars. Something super intense & emotional. I agree.
Thanks for talking through the part about the daughter as well… I’m so thankful that so many of you are willing to walk with me through this. I learn something new every time.
how did you know i love eggshakers?
this is beautiful, mandy.
Thank you. And thank you for listening… xxoo
Hmmm…
i figured since you had spent so much time on it, had submitted it to the comp and it was already copyrighted, that any suggestions for improvements were not ‘suitable’ in this case.
i guess i figured wrong – so it CAN happen??
Hmmm….
<B
Yeah. It can happen. I’ve submitted this to the songwriting competition, but that doesn’t mean the song can’t be improved.
I’m a perfectionist at heart. Admittedly, to a fault. Sometimes I just have to let it go and continue to the next song. My goal is to write 100. Not 100 perfect songs. I have to keep telling myself that.
I once read: “The perfect song doesn’t exist. If it did, we all would’ve stopped writing long ago.” That gives me hope and encouragement!
I’m sure you KNOW that songs are both personal and for public consumption, but mostly personal
So by all means seek to write the perfect song for YOU – and if others love it also – Bonus!
And as you said above – not every single song you write HAS to be ‘perfect’ – any more than all of our kids will turn out to be ‘perfect’, sometimes we need to do something that is less than perfect so we can get a part of future ‘perfection’ into our reality..
That is not to say that anything is not capable of some ‘improvement’ or that we should not continually try to improve things (us included) from how they first come ‘out’.
It’s great to see you making progress and finding people who can seriously help you in ways other than cheering from the sidelines (never really been my strong-point).
Woot woot. (See?)
<B
Even though I agree that songwriting (especially my experience and approach to songwriting) is very personal, I’m learning that a good songwriter (aka: musical communicator) always considers her audience.
Just as the old question stands: if a tree falls in the forest…?
So the same can be said of a song: if it’s sung, but no one is around to hear it, is it really a song? is it really fulfilling its purpose? is it really being heard?
Not being much of a song-writer i can’t say for ‘sure’… but something somwehere inside of me thinks…
that sometimes our very best songs are the ones we sing just for ourselves – that only ‘we’ (and He) hear.
i think sometimes (by no means all times) what is REALLY important is putting it OUT and not holding it in – hidden deep inside of who we are. Those times it does not matter so much who ‘else’ hears it, just knowing we wrote and sung it can be enough.
i guess some songs need only be ‘about’ ourselves.
it may just be that those are our best ‘work’ and maybe they will also be our most ‘popular’ (should others actually hear them)…. or not?
<B
I’m horrible for not coming to see this til’ now:) Please forgive me my dear friend!
I love this, it reminds me like Jewel, and of Faith Hill..
it has serious promise!
You rock!:)
Great song.
that’s a dang good song.
Hey, Mandy. Wow. Do we get to vote in this competition? You know, American Idol style? Because I’d vote for you.
Seriously, I’m glad I listened to this song today. It’s my 10th anniversary, so I’m already emotional and thinking about marriage and milestones and all that. But your song also makes me think of my parents – who have had lots of highs and lows (including losing their first child) – and Mark’s parents (married in 1969).
But the thing that’s special about this song is that I would imagine everyone who hears it will reflect on something different and walk away thinking it was written to touch them.
Thank you for sharing your work and your journey and your heart. I love it all.
Thank you so much, Mary.
Don’t make your decisions on voting until you’ve heard the rest of the contestants! haha. Actually, the competition is judged by members from the music industry… So, yeah, we just have to wait until November to find out. But, don’t worry, I DON’T expect to win – or even be recognized. The simple act of submitting is enough for me. 
You are a freaking rock star and I love everything about this song. Its my favorite and I am so proud of you.
i have a couple faves tucked in my little mind that i get to hear here in oregon on a weekly basis…but THIS one – so far, is my all time fave! for sure.
woman, you can write. and you write well! you are such a tremendous story teller. definitely a strength of yours.
i will be surprised is this song doesnt interest many people in that comp.
Mustache & soul patch… That’s it. He’s gotta have something or else he looks like a baby.
ok. so i know what youre referring to here…but your reply to me must look awfully strange to others.