A song for anyone, actually.

Bruno123 (John C.) recently wrote...


As I crossed over the bridge I saw a man fishing with a drop line, he didn’t have a fishing pole and his clothes were worn. I live right on the ocean in a large home with many emanates and some great investments, but -- I could not help thinking that the man on the bridge is possibly happier than me. He seemed to have captured a feeling that I have overlooked...


When I read his words, I thought of two songs I have written where I came to a similar conclusion. This crazy world we live in sometimes can begin to get to you.

One day I was driving down a road by a river and saw an old man fishing with a cane pole. I mused that he sure had it made, compared to the hectic day I just had. That was the seed for this song I wrote... River Rat.

This was recorded on psr2000 and I don't think I did any additional guitar tracks, I think it was all psr2000. I used the onboard vocal harmonizer. Thus, this was done in one take, no separate tracks.

It's a traditional country song, maybe something someone like Alan Jackson would do. If you especially like it, let me know, I need to figure out if it needs extra attention for pitching to publishers. (Or to can it.) Beats me, I just write 'em.

I have another song that I will post with a similar theme but for now, I give Bruno123 "River Rat."

Click on RIVER RAT

:::

"River Rat"
Copyright 2002 Bill Pittman All rights reserved.

[CHORUS:]
His overhead is way up high
Cotton clouds sail sea blue sky
He just might be where it's at
Ah, to be a river rat

Peaceful, friendly, babbling water
Background sound for a high bank squatter
No more phone calls or road rage close calls
Traffic jams would be long gone
It's nature's own Discovery channel
The Red flowin' through Louisiana
A regular change of episode
Today, dragon flies tease Mr. Toad

[CHORUS:]
His overhead is way up high
Cotton clouds sail sea blue sky
He just might be where it's at
Oh, to be a river rat

[ BREAK ]

I sold my house, I sold my car
Stashed my cash in a jelly jar
Bye-bye squeeze from the banker's fees
My note holder is my guitar
I gave the rest to charity
Kept some jeans and favorite tees
Rubber boots and tennis shoes
But barefoot days are the rule

[ MODULATE + 1/2 ]

Sunrise fog beats city smog
I greet the day through a misty dawn
Free from stress, just catch a mess
Save the best and throw back the rest
Nighttime show is The Milky Way
Venus is a star in the play
Crickets on rhythm and the frogs sing a tune
As coyotes bark their parts at the moon

[CHORUS:] ( 2x )
Now, my overhead is way up high
Cotton clouds sail sea blue sky
Now, I know I'm where it's at
Ah, I'm a river rat

------------------
Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

[This message has been edited by SemiLiveMusic (edited 09-04-2006).]

I have been taught that if only one person hears you, you have succeeded.

Bill, thank you for your reply, it is a special subject for those who take time to feel.

I will listen to your song again tomorrow, it is special.

Thank again, John C.

Bill .... nice job... Roger Miller would have LOVED it ...
t.

Bill, the site asks me to download a plug-in, then it says it can't find one.
DonM

Hi Bill, finally was able to download and listen to "River Rat". As one with admittedly limited talent as a songwriter, I admire your ability to come up with some interesting song ideas. The one thing I keep listening for (and miss) though, in this song is a re-occurring 'chorus' along with a memorable hook line for the listener to grab on to', to break up the monotony of the many verses. Also, because this song is a conversational story telling sort, I feel the lyrics may be delivered in a little too strict time matching in lockstep the rhythm and cadence of the melodic line, resulting in occasionally breaking up your words mid sentence. I might suggest attempting to re-phrase the lyric so you can sing your sentences the way you would actually speak them in a more conversational fashion. One of the things I learned from my vocal stylization training is to initially memorize and delivery the lyrics (absent of the melody) as if speaking to someone, before even singing them. Play the role of a dramatic actor delivering his lines. Doing this helps to develop a more conversational approach, and helps you develop how you'll end up vocally phrasing it (making the story told more easily followed & believable to the listener) when sung. Bill. Looking forward to hearing more songs from you as I know you have a lot of interesting stories to share thru your music. Thanks.

Scott

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 09-04-2006).]

Hmmm... interesting comment. There are many styles of writing, including songs with no chorus (Folsom Prison Blues) but this one has a chorus and it is repeated four times! Lyric is at bottom of post 1. Thanks for taking your time to post those comments.

------------------
Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

[This message has been edited by SemiLiveMusic (edited 09-04-2006).]

Hmmmm, beats me. It works fine in my browser. That's odd it would ask for a plugin. If I figure it out, I'll let you know.

------------------
Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

Ok Bill (aka: River Rat), I stand corrected. Thanks for pointing out (with from you lyric printout) that your song indeed includes: 3 chorus'.

Scott