Thanks Roger - It's tough sometimes trying new things and translating from brain to the actual sound to a cord that makes sense. After that, seeing that it is in written from only, someone else has to understand it. I guess I do need to record a video of one of my songs one of these days.
1,777 2008-01-20 19:53:01
Re: Not Far (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Hey Roger, thanks - I have the same trouble with so many songs on here lately.
1,778 2008-01-20 18:29:26
Topic: Not Far (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)
This is just a song about dreams, memories, friends, family, ending up where you end up and figuring out where you are is where you want to be, at least in my case. I hope you all like it.
Not Far By Jeff Gilpin
January 20th, 2008
Verse 1
[D]I had a friend
Who always wanted to be somebo[A7]dy
He [D]told me all his dreams
And how he’d get to where he’d want to [A7]be
[G]Said one day he would be a [A]big famous movie [D]star [G]
He said It’s like I already see it [A] and it’s not [D]far [A]
Verse 2
[D]Traveling across the country
Traveling so far west I ended up [A7]east
[D]Roadblocks and distractions
Made the road I traveled quite a [A7]beast
[G]Waiting for a ride in an [A]airport I wished upon a [D]star [G]
I [G]caught another plane traveling a[A]gain but not [D]far [D7]
Chorus
So [G]choose your destination
But [A]make sure you’re not where you want to [D]be [D7]
[G]Think about what you want in the end
Not all you want to [A7]see.
For [G]some folks that as easy as
[A]Driving down the road in their [D]car [G]
For me I’ll be satisfy[A]ied
Staying wherever you [D]are [A]
Verse 3
[D]I’ve thought about it for a while
Longer than I needed to some [A7]nights
[D]When I know I should have been
Asleep in bed tucked in [A7]tight
[G]Looking out the window I [A]see the morning [D]star [G]
Guess I just spent another [A]night not getting very [D]far [A]
Verse 4
[D]Thinking about Coulda, shoulda, wouldas
Only hurt my [A7]head
[D]Could have been much worse
If I would have done something else in[A7]stead
[G]Wondering mostly what my boy will [A]get out of this [D]war [G]
Though he’s across the world in my [A]mind he’s not very [D]far[D7]
Chorus
So [G]choose your destination
But [A]make sure you’re not where you want to [D]be [D7]
[G]Think about what you want in the end
Not all you want to [A7]see.
For [G]some folks that as easy as
[A]Driving down the road in their [D]car [G]
For me I’ll be satisfy[A]ied
Staying wherever you [D]are [A]
Verse 5
[D]Miles and smiles rattle round
The memories I’m sorting in my [A7]mind
The [D]bad ones and the good ones
The pleasant and the ones best left be[A7]hind
A [G]trip with my father just [A]me and him in his [D]car [G]
Asking if we were close and [A]him saying it’s not [D]far [A]
Verse 6
Now my [D]family’s separated
Scattered out there across the [A7]earth
[D]We’re all living so far apart
Like we’ve been traveling since [A7]birth
[G]In my mind I see them and [A]wonder how on earth they [D]are [G]
Always with me in my [A]mind I don’t need to travel [D]far [D7]
Chorus
So [G]choose your destination
But [A]make sure you’re not where you want to [D]be [D7]
[G]Think about what you want in the end
Not all you want to [A7]see.
For [G]some folks that as easy as
[A]Driving down the road in their [D]car [G]
For me I’ll be satisfy[A]ied
Staying wherever you [D]are [A] [G] [D]
1,779 2008-01-20 16:31:18
Re: "Business As Usual" (6 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Hey Roger - I think it's in your nature and also why we all love you here on chordie too. After all look at all the chordian's you've helped too.
1,780 2008-01-19 21:48:37
Re: "Business As Usual" (6 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Hey Roger - Great song. Sorry to hear about Henry. I know it is tough to lose a pet and a friend. Great tribute.
1,781 2008-01-19 21:37:35
Re: The Creative Process (8 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Thanks you all.
John - I never really know what to expect when I sit down to write. I have tons of unfinished songs that I want to get back to sometime and others just seem come out easy the first time.
Daddy - I do my best to write at least a song or two a week just to keep my hand in but some weeks are better than others. When I have to stop for a while for whatever reason I've found it very difficult to get those creative juices flowing going again.
Lena - I feel the same way but I never thought about writing until I was over 40. Now that I do write I have a plenty of experiences to draw from.
1,782 2008-01-19 17:50:34
Re: The Creative Process (8 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Hey ken - You can always be honest with me. I was trying to use the chorus to show the dynamic nature of creating where sometimes it flows without pause and other times it seems so easy to fowl it up with only the slightest tinkering. That was the idea anyway. As for the chords. I sometimes like to use D and D# together just because it gives a different flavor to the music if you know what I mean. I thought it fit the lyrics but I wrote the lyrics first this time and most times I usually come up with the music and words together. It is hard to get the idea without hearing the lyrics I know and I really need to get on the video side recording to help. Thanks for your comments ...food for thought.
1,783 2008-01-19 17:17:42
Topic: The Creative Process (8 replies, posted in Songwriting)
I was just thinking about songs and other things we create from our head and thought I would write about it. It sure seems like I can’t stop ideas sometimes and other time’s it’s like squeezing water from a rock. Aynway, I hope you all like it.
The Creative Process By Jeff Gilpin
January 19th, 2008
Verse 1
[D]Do you ever feel like you [D#]have an idea
[D]Forming inside your [Am7]head
[D]Like a gigantic [D#]nebulous cloud
Hiding [Am7]secrets that [D#]can’t be [D]read
Verse 2
[D]You want to help it [D#] grow
[D]But you’re not sure [Am7]how
A[D]fraid meddling will [D#]only slow
[Am7]What you [D#] want right [D]now
[D#]So goes the creative [D]process
[Am7]So delicate yet so [D]strong
[D#]Where the merest of ad[D]justments
[Am7]Can make it [D#]all so [D]wrong
Verse 3
[D]Not like growing a [D#]flower
[D]Truly far from bota[Am7]ny
More a [D]process where you have the [D#]power
To a[Am7]scend [D#]mediocre[D]ty
Verse 4
But [D]what you can send [D#]skyward
Can [D]also come crashing [Am7]down
[D]Overlook a lack of [D#]logic
[Am7]Ignore a [D#]thought un[D]sound
[D#]So goes the creative [D]process
[Am7]So delicate yet so [D]strong
[D#]Where the merest of ad[D]justments
[Am7]Can make it [D#]all so [D]wrong
Verse 5
Then [D]eureka at last you’ve [D#]got it
As you [D]gaze on you crea[Am7]tion
You [D]wonder who’d have [D#]thought it
[Am7]From your [D#]own imagina[D]tion
Verse 6
[D]Do you put it out for [D#]all to see
Or [D]should you maybe you keep it in[Am7]side
[D]Somethings are just for [D#]you or me
[Am7]Others you [D#]just can’t [D]hide
[D#]So goes the creative [D]process
[Am7]So delicate yet so [D]strong
[D#]Where the merest of ad[D]justments
[Am7]Can make it [D#]all so [D]wrong
[D#]May the creative [D]process
[Am7]Bring forth children to us [D]all
Who will [D#]gaze on and bear [D]witness
To [Am7]ideas that [D#]grow so [D]tall
1,784 2008-01-18 05:05:43
Topic: The Wow (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)
This song comes from another idea I got earlier tonight that I couldn’t figure out words to go with but liked the music. When I finally decided on writing what’s below I couldn’t figure how to work the music I originally thought of into a song about nothing meaningful, deep, thought provoking or life changing, just a song. So to sum it all up: this is a song about writing a song that I couldn't think of words for so I could use a catchy melody that in the end I forgot so I used something else. Get it? Good title huh?
The Wow By Jeff Gilpin
January 17th, 2008
Verse 1
[D]This is just a song
That I’m [G]writing just for me
[D]Making up the words because
I [G]like the melo[A]dy
[D]Can’t come up with any
[G]Clever lyrics now
[D]So I’m putting down
[A]Words without the [D]wow
The [G]wow that’s what they call it
Words that [D]kind of make you think
The [G]hmmm wish I’d thought of it
To de[A]bate on over drink [D]
Verse 2
But to[D]night I got nothing
But this [G]catchy melody
I [D]tried for deeper meaning
And a [G]bit more myste[A]ry
But [D]nada, nothing, zippo
I [G]guess I’m all out of words
And [D]still I keep on writing
What will [A]surely be ab[D]surd
The [G]wow that’s what they call it
Words that [D]kind of make you think
The [G]hmmm wish I’d thought of it
To de[A]bate on over drink [D]
Verse 3
[D]It is a pretty melody
And [G]now out of my head
[D]Had to share for all to hear
Even [G]if my words have [A]fled
[D]Though they’re not real cleaver
They pro[G]vide a way for me
To [D]launch a little music
Laced with [A]words used so care[D]free
The [G]wow that’s what they call it
Words that [D]kind of make you think
The [G]hmmm wish I’d thought of it
To de[A]bate on over drink [D]
The [G]wow I know it’s missing
I [D]somehow left it out
Just a [G]song no hidden meaning
Nothing [A]deep to figure out [D]
1,785 2008-01-18 03:36:58
Re: can you help me (3 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Hey Charile - I bet you have a song in you. Find the song that says how you feel about her or how your she makes you feel. Hear it in your head and try and figure out what chords fit what you hear. Just have a look inside and it'll be there waiting.
Good luck
1,786 2008-01-16 21:37:25
Re: Shut Up & Sing (22 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Hey Bone Daddy great song and great topic. Great use of F# by the way. Artists who are dependent on the public for making a living should carefully review public statements prior to making them. I don't think a lot of review went into those statements. When they were made the US was still a little sensitive and easily spun out of control and the media in America and the world for that matter was and still is way out of control trying to publicize anything they consider newsworthy and turning it into something that gets channels changed and newspapers sold.
1,787 2008-01-16 20:47:48
Re: The Mystery of You (6 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Hey James - Thanks.
The old Maurice Chevalier song from Gigi, Thank Heaven for Little Girls, sums it up pretty well.
1,788 2008-01-16 16:32:16
Re: The Mystery of You (6 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Thanks you two...
1,789 2008-01-16 05:36:03
Topic: The Mystery of You (6 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Jase got me thinking about how much of a mystery women are to me. This mystery can be looked upon as bad, good or downright exasperating in some cases. I usually like to think of it as a good mystery at least it is for the woman I’ve lived with for over half my life. So I hope you all like the song.
The Mystery of You By Jeff Gilpin
January 15th, 2008
Verse 1
The [D]greatest
Myste[Daug]ry
In my [Dsus]life
One I [D7]doubt I’ll ever [G]solve
Is the [A]mystery of [D]you [A]
Verse 2
[D]Standing still
Yet spinning [Daug]round
You’re in my [Dsus]head
I [D7]doubt I’ll ever get you [G]out of there
That’s a [A]mystery so [D]true [D7]
[G]Sitting here alone thinking of [D]you
[A]A smile has [G]grown upon my [D]face
[G]You’re set in your ways until the [D]end of days [D7]
And [E]I’ll be with you as long as I can [A]keep on going strong [A7]
Verse 3
Shake my [D]head
At what you [Daug]said
How’d you get [Dsus]that
I [D7]can’t figure this one [G]out
Add more to the [A]mystery to [D]you [A]
Verse 4
Smiling [D]eyes
Tilted [Daug]chin
Can’t look a[Dsus]way
Another [D7]treasured moment fades a[G]way from me
But not the [A]mystery of [D]you [D7]
[G]Sitting here alone thinking of [D]you
[A]A smile has [G]grown upon my [D]face
[G]You’re set in your ways until the [D]end of days [D7]
And [E]I’ll be with you as long as I can [A]keep on going strong [A7]
Verse 5
Close my [D]eyes
I see [Daug]you
Close my [Dsus]ears
I [D7]hear your laughter as I [G]fade to sleep
And dream the [A]mystery that’s [D]you [A]
Verse 6
Then I [D]wake
There you [Daug]are
Still [Dsus]sleeping
While I [D7]count my lucky [G]stars again
For the [A]mystery of [G]you [D]
1,790 2008-01-15 03:54:10
Re: Met a fellow Chordian today. (22 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Zurf wrote:
Hey, I lost 60 pounds a few years ago (and found thirty of it again). Will Russell's brother pay for me to go to Vegas? Will he cover my losses?
Seriously, though, have a campground near a river in the mid-Atlantic and I will make an effort to be there.
Jets-60, if you're into fishing, there are a couple of terrific fishing/camping/music weekends I can recommend to you not far from us. Assuming your definition of "not far" includes West Virginia and Kentucky. It's closer than Belgium or Ireland or Scotland anyway. Tough paddle to Scotland.
- Zurf
Hey Zurf - Fishing is okay but my favorite part was the sitting and waiting and drinking a beer or two. My son is more a fisherman than I am but he's out in the dirt for awhile. I do like the feel of Canaan Valley over in WV. Nice pretty area but I like outside of Asheville as well down in western NC. I really don't know where would be best. I'm not a big Vegas guy but if a bunch of Chordian go there I guess I could be convinced.
1,791 2008-01-14 04:34:54
Re: Met a fellow Chordian today. (22 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
One of these days we all need to have a kind of chordian convention. Like just pick a place go tent city it and hang out and play, pick each others brains and have a grand old time. Maybe sometime when the weather is not so darn cold. I know it might be tough to get the whole crew together but we could start small and have little regional get togethers. Who knows, maybe some day we could all head up Per's way.
1,792 2008-01-14 02:41:13
Re: My Hometown (8 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Hey Lena - Your Home is similiar to where I grew up in western North Carolina but now my home town is in northern Virginia. I visited back where I'm originally from in Asheville, NC but the town is very different from what I remember. Northern Virginia is a great place to live aside from the traffic but I do miss my mountains.
Take care,
Jeff/jets
1,793 2008-01-13 05:40:15
Re: My Hometown (8 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Hey Zurf - Yep, it sure has gone through some changes. I sure wish it could have stayed the same as you remembered it but it changed and I don't see it going back the way it was any time soon. I don't like the traffic but I do like the people I live with as well as work with. It is pretty easy to get away when I want to and for me that usually means heading west to the mountains.
1,794 2008-01-13 01:34:32
Re: My Hometown (8 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Thanks Reb - Yep my town is not near like it was when I moved here back in '97. Seems like yesterday too. It was going to be Disney America just before I got here but the locals fought it so it would not "be overflowing with people" and now it's growing like a wildfire of people and new buildings.
1,795 2008-01-12 22:53:28
Re: Help Me Doctor Phil (3 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Hey Phil thanks for the inspiration for this one
Thanks Topdown - I think there is a song in each of those quotes, don't you?
1,796 2008-01-12 17:48:50
Topic: Help Me Doctor Phil (3 replies, posted in Songwriting)
So I just got through checking out guitardocphil’s song The Freshman, which I liked by the way, and I got to thinking... Like a light bulb went on in my head: Doctor Phil for guitars. Now I get it. So I was thinking some more about how to use that in a song and this came out. It is true that I want to play better this year but in the song, not in real life, I blame my guitar when I know it is the person behind the guitar, AKA me, who is responsible for the sound. So here it is and I hope all of you like it. Phil, I hope you don't mind but I like chords you used in The Freshman so I kind of used them in this but a bit differently.
Help Me Doctor Phil By Jeff Gilpin
January 12th, 2008
Verse 1
[A]Help me Doctor Phil
I don’t know what to [A7]do
My [D]guitar don’t seem to want
To do [A]what I [E]tell her [A]to
Verse 2
[A]I treat her oh so nice
But she just seems to re[A7]ject
[D]All my renditions
Come out [A]not as [E]I ex[A]pect
I’ve [E]tried to treat her nicely
I’ve [G]tried to treat her [A]mean
But [D]my guitar don’t seem to under[E]stand
[E]It’s like the way I want to play her
[G]Doesn’t mean a [A]thing
Oh [D]Doctor Phil please help this guitar [E]man
Verse 3
I [A]think of all these stories
With these so sad melo[A7]dies
And they [D]come out sounding something more like
A [A]dog that’s [E]scratching [A]fleas
Verse 4
So I’ll [A]write something more cheerful
And that don’t work at [A7]all
Playing [D]happy music on her
Just [A]makes her [E]want to [A]ball
I’ve [E]tried to treat her nicely
I’ve [G]tried to treat her [A]mean
But [D]my guitar don’t seem to under[E]stand
[E]It’s like the way I want to play her
[G]Doesn’t mean a [A]thing
Oh [D]Doctor Phil please help this guitar [E]man
Verse 5
So [A]this year I've determined
To come up with a [A7]plan
That [D]my guitar will obey me
And not just [A]sit there [E]on her [A]stand
Verse 6
[A]It won’t happen over night
But only time will [A7]tell
If [D]she can change her ways
And my [A]playing [E]won’t still [A]smell
I’ve [E]tried to treat her nicely
I’ve [G]tried to treat her [A]mean
But [D]my guitar don’t seem to under[E]stand
[E]It’s like the way I want to play her
[G]Doesn’t mean a [A]thing
Oh [D]Doctor Phil please [E]help this guitar [A]man
1,797 2008-01-12 16:47:55
Re: THE FRESHMAN (5 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Hey Phil - I think I would have to hear it to get or understand how you mean for your song to sound but I do like the chord progression you have here, especially the A7, to D to Adim ...nice. The story told by your lyrics is one I can relate to both as a former freshman of sorts and a father of 2 former freshmen.
Thanks for putting this out for us.
1,798 2008-01-12 16:34:33
Re: My Hometown (8 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Hey John thanks. I guess putting up with the little problems like urban sprawl is better than putting up with the big ones like no jobs.
I hope I get to visit your home country sometimes John. I like the look I've seen on all the travel shows. I'm big on mountains and there are lots of those in New Zealand I hear.
Take Care
1,799 2008-01-11 23:47:35
Topic: My Hometown (8 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Just a little song dedicated to all the folks who live in a place like I do where we have to put up with a nasty commute to work so we can live in relatively affordable peace and quiet in the suburbs. I hope you all like it.
My Hometown By Jeff Gilpin
January 11th, 2008
Intro
[G] [C]
Verse 1
[G]Waking up in the morning in [C]my home [G]town
People coming and going not a[C]ware who’s a[G]round
[D]They’re not being rude just got a [Em]lot on their mind
[D]Many things to do and [Em]not a lot of time
In my home [G]town [C]
Verse 2
[G]Driving off to work from [C]my home[G]town
New buildings going up [C]nothing going [G]down
[D]It’s the super suburbs [Em]growing a fearful pace
[D]Watch out don’t blink might not [Em]recognize the [C]place
But it’s my home [G]town [C]
[Em]Not sure when it happened
But [D]one day things [Em]changed
This [Em]sleepy little hole in the wall
Some [C]how got rear[D]ranged
Verse 3
[G]Driving on the interstate near [C]my home[G]town
[G]Not fighting the drive with [C]all these cars a[G]round
[D]Like a telephone booth we’re [Em]seeing who all can fit
[D]Can’t get many more we [Em]got all we can [C]get
In my home[G]town [C]
Verse 4
[G]Driving back home after work to [C]my home[G]town
The [G]road’s backed up again [C]everyone’s slowing [G]down
[D]Hard to make plans don’t know [Em]when I will arrive
[D]Trying to get home in one piece [Em]hoping I'll sur[C]vive
To my home[G]town [C]
[Em]People sure complain a lot
But that’s [D]just what people [Em]do
[Em]Maybe look on the bright side
And what [C]others are going [D]through
Verse 5
[G]I think I’ll keep on living in [C]my home[G]town
[G]Moving somewhere else means other [C]problems to be [G]found
[D]So I’ll gut it out and make the [Em]best of my crazy home
I’ll [D]laugh at all the my problems ‘cause I [Em]know I’m not a[C]lone
I my home[G]town[C]
Verse 6
[G]One day I'll retire and move away from [C]my home[G]town
[G]Like so many friends before me who are [C]no longer a[G]round
[D]I’ll say goodbye to all the [Em]good things that I’ll miss
But [D]all those crazy drivers well they [Em]know what they can [C]kiss
Kiss my home[G]town [C]
Yeah [Em]I’ll miss all of my friends
And the [D]fun we had [Em]there
I’ll [Em]miss the local attractions
Going [C]here and every[D]where
I’ll be [Em]thankful for my time there
And tell [D]everyone to take [Em]care
I’ll [Em]write to everyone who [D]stays
In my home[C]town [G]
1,800 2008-01-10 03:20:46
Re: Extraordinary Love (4 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Thanks you guys.
John, the chords fit pretty well so try giving her a ride.
Toney, I'm not sure where the idea came from. I guess it was related to me not doing too much with myself until she came along.
Lena, I truly think having the good fortune of meeting her made me a better person and the even better fortune to have become her husband, well what can I say other than I'm a lucky guy.