Write the best song possible

So I've been thinking about teaching a course through the music store.

What would the class be about, farmboy?

Rewriting and editing songs. Something I've been doing for a long, long time.

I know.

So I need some help from you. I need you to be someone I can bounce ideas from. There are questions I need to ask myself before I present my application. 

Okay. Here's a question for you. Why should a person take this course?

To go further in songwriting, to get the song to be what you really want it to be. To say what you want to say in the best possible way. And we do that by going over the song, pinpointing words and phrases that do not work. Now, I'm talking about lyrics here, but, really, the same goes for music.

It's kinda hard because I do a lot of stuff, especially music, by instinct. I find I need to get out of the way of the song, especially when I'm doing the initial writing. But what I do is play the song over and over, trying things out and making decisions about the song. I look at what's awkward, I look at what doesn't feel right. And, with time and patience, it works out. Hopefully.

So, basically, the main thing behind this class is helping you to trust yourself and write the best song possible.

What's another question, farmboy?

How do I plan to accomplish these goals? That's another question. One thing I really want to do is turn the class into a critique group. It would be where people would play their new songs for feedback. A big part of this is accepting criticism, and another part of it is knowing when to disregard criticism. A lot of it comes down to trusting yourself to know the best way you can write.

Another way would be to have class members bring in songs by other writers and analyse what makes the songs work. What makes them special. Learning by example, Let the class members find their own meanings. Don't tell them everything. Let them come up with ideas.

That sounds good, farmboy.

Thanks. I'm just starting. I'd like to continue this. Would you mind?

Of course not, farmboy.

Good. I'll be working on some stuff and then I'll come back. It really helps to have someone to talk about this to. Thank you.

when the hurricane comes

when the hurricane comes

we will meet in the attic

the highest place this old house

will ever come to know

the power will go off

the radio no static

I know we should have left

when we had the chance to go

when the hurricane comes

the water rises in this town

we know what to do

we've been through this before

but this time it's different

you shouldn't hang around

when the levee breaks

and the water finds your door

when will something happen?

when will something happen?

I ask myself each day

the morning begins at sunrise

and then slowly slips away

to become a yesterday

like so many days before

when will something happen?

I know there must be more

soldier

I woke up late

I stayed in bed

because I was too sad

to get up

I just laid there

unaware

I didn't have the strength

to step up

but somehow I arose

put on working clothes

and stumbled my way out the door

and now I am here

I did not disappear

and I'm back where I was before

a soldier in my private little war

still fighting what I fought before

I used to have an imagination

I used to have an imagination

it never failed me

it would lead me into situations

that only myself could see

it would take me far up

it would take me back down

it would take me foolish brain

and turn it around and around

till I couldn't take it no more

I used to capture empty wishes

in my open hand

I don't know exactly what this is

I was making other plans

one time I'd go this way

next time I'd go that

wherever I'm going

is not where I'm at

and I just couldn't take anymore

big open field

I want to be out

in a big open field

with an ocean of land

around me

with nothing but time

to learn how to feel

in a life

where everything astounds me

I took a walk stoned

I took a walk stoned

through the neighborhood

it didn't go like 

it thought it would'

no revelations came to me

about this time

with no TV

no high-falooting thoughts

that I could see

instead I was in the twilight zone

walking while I'm stoned

calm down

calm down

take it easy

nothing's going to harm you

I know it might alarm you

but you'll do just fine

calm down

relax

nothing's going to hurt you

your courage won't desert you

it works every time

          that's just your mind talking

          static pounding everywhere

          it's time to start walking

          on a path

          meeting yourself there

calm down

take it slow

you won't get in trouble now

still around and I'll show you how

even though I barely know

calm down

take a deep breath

the world is not against you

it'll be all right since you

know where you are going

          that's just your mind yelling

          arguments you don't need

          there's nobody telling you

          to not go at your own speed

I was your friend

you don't remember me

I was your friend

I was one you knew

all the way back when

youth was our identity

the world was on our side

it's been a real experience

it's been a long, hard ride

look at your old photographs

I was your friend

now something that was so much fun

has come to its end

you don't recognize me

I'm someone you don't know

I didn't even become a memory

from a long time ago

bloodstream

I have trouble in my bloodstream

it's in my DNA

everywhere I go

it always ends the same

me crying loudly

shaking on the floor

but it doesn't help

it only bring me more

problems to the surface

stuff I can't ignore

there is trouble in my bloodstream

and it wasn't there before

hard ride down

someone hurt you years ago

but it feels like it was yesterday

times like this you'll do anything

to stop feeling this way

what can you do?

you'll tried it all

cried into the darkness

beat your head against the wall

but still nobody

answers your calls

the blues keep hanging around

it'll be all tight, but for now

it's a hard ride down

come on tonight

come on tonight

hurry up

don't be late

it's going to be all right

something you

will appreciate

I got big plans

I got trouble up my sleeve

I understand

what I want to believe

I want to live

and I don't know how

come on tonight

I could use you right now

keep the motor running

keep the motor running

I'll only be a minute

I've just got to see a guy

about some stuff I bought

he'll hand me a bag

with my future in it

and then I'll be back

there's no way we'll get caught

wait here in the car

I'll be back soon, I promise

it's just a little errand

I have to run now and then

don't talk to anyone

you never know who's honest

the only thing you need to know

is they are not your friends

          I'll be back

          soon enough

          with a smile on my face'     

          and the stuff'

          I'll be back

          I'll come back out

          and I'll show you what

          I'm talking about

keep the motor running

I'll just be a second

watch what I do

take notes in your mind

it's all very simple

it's easy, I reckon

learn what you can

you'll be doing it next time

you are not my friend

you remind me of my ex-wife

but I won't hold that against you

I'll just keep you out at arms' length

the way that I was meant to

I've made that mistake before

and I'm not going to make it again

let me spell it out for you:

you are not my friend

you remind me of my childhood

dramatic and traumatic at the same time

I will be away from you

the space around me is mine

I could try to get along

I could do my best to pretend

all I know is I'm not willing

you are not my friend

          pack you bags and leave

          I'll pay you no never mind

          I do my level best to believe

          you're someone I can leave behind

you remind me of my boring job

except you bore me more

looking for a way out

is an option I'll explore

you are not a lucky charm

a helping hand to lend

I am telling you goodbye

you are not my friend

Charlie Manson eyes

I look in the mirror

what do I see

Charlie Manson eyes

staring back at me

I don't know what I've done

I don't know what I'll do

but you better watch out

or I'll be staring at you

through Charlie Manson eyes

they'll cut you down to size

one day you'll realise

that I don't tell lies

with these Charlie Manson eyes

the one to blame

why does everything have to be so fuckin' hard

no matter what I do, I'm picking the wrong card

every fuckin' day it's all the same

how can I be a loser in this game

bad luck only ever knows my name

and it's a shame

only thing I know

is I'm the one to blame

back to the present

take me back to the present

I don't like living in the past

I've had my fill of yesterdays

and I don't want them to last

I've been around this old town

I just want to go home

I don't want to live in some place

that I've already known

jump up high

he was jumping

he was running

he was just a little kid

he was making 

lots of mischief

with everything he did

like that's his job

it's the everyday things that children do

to make them seem like a pest to you

but, fact is, you could join them, too

son't be shy

the time has come

for you to jump up high

I'm ready for summer to be over

I'm ready for summer to be over

I'm tired of the sun

beating down on everyone

it's not much fun

to be sweating in  this heat

I'm ready for summer to be over

I don't mean to complain

but I'm lonely for the rain

to fall upon these city streets

you are tired

you are tired

you want to go to bed

pull those blankets

up over your head

shut out the whole world

you're living in dread

and it won't go away

still you try

you do everything you can

turn inward

and try to understand

when all is said and done

you're only a man

and that is where you'll stay

fact

I keep searching

I don't know what for

but I keep searching

more and more

for things that I

will never find

that I want

to claim as mine

I'll keep searching

till I die

but the fact is

I don't know why

punchline

I never had a chance, did I

everything I've done, I did in vain

all those times, worrying, scurrying,

and there's nothing that remains

it's all a bad joke 

and I'm the punchline

I don't know what happened

I worked so hard

I hung my ambitions on the clothesline

but the wind came

and blew them all over the yard

          it's all a bad joke

          and I'm the punchline

          what a fool I was

          to think it would work this time

long road ahead

every day I walk

every day I see the same old things

stop signs

city buses 

tall trees

but I never really take much time

to look at the smallest examples of joy

a flower peeking up at the sky

a kid playing with chalk on the sidewalk

the birth of new leaves

I should see all this and rejoice

but I don't 

instead I move on my way

plodding and complaining

about the long road ahead

complex world

it's a complex world

everything changes

it never stays the same

it's a complex world

you do your best

and you accept the blame

nothing is simple

it's all insane

all those atoms and neutrons

inside your brain

firing off signals

they never complain

but you do

my job

I've been walking

I've been watching and listening

and I'm here to tell you

there's a lot happening out there

there are a lot of trees, for example

and there are a lot of bees

there is activity everywhere

ask the squirrels and the dogs on leash

they'll tell you

and I am part of it

and so are you

so I keep on walking

like it's my job

concrete desert

I have been wandering

through this concrete desert

since I don't know when

it's been anything

except being pleasant

and it's happening again

every time I think

I'm out from under

that's when I slip back in

I need somebody to help me

I know that with help

I can win

broken wheels

I am a stranger in your house

you know how it feels

to be left with unanswered wishes

me and my broken wheels

I'm still running despite the odds

no one can stop me now

except I'm running out of steam

I don't know how

to continue down this road

but I know I'm going to

you've been in trouble before

but you don't know what I'm going through

you will always be young

time moves on

it's here

now it's gone

its heroes are all fools

but you don't pay it any mind

you never ever fall behind

you never played by the rules

          time doesn't pay

          attention to you

          sometimes what's old

          continues to be new

          like those old rock 'n roll songs

          that float off the tongue

          you will always be young

          you will always be young

wake me up

maybe things will change

if I just give up trying

I've done all I can

there's no denying

so I'll just lie down

there's no use in crying

wake me up when something happens

things never change

believe me, I know

everything around me

moves real slow

if it's time to leave

I guess I must go

wake me up when something happens

I don't belong here

I pulled up to the sheriff

i said I'm gonna look around

the sheriff looked at me and said

boy, you're not from our town

you're from that other place 

where other people go

I looked at him and said

you're right, how did you know

          I don't belong here

          I'll be moving on, it's clear

          I need a brand new atmosphere

          i need a new home

          right now it's crystal clear

          my headaches would disappear

          I don't belong here

          I need a new home