Morning, John:

I have several songs that require emotional overpowering before I can adequately sing them. Another great reason to practice several times (especially the intro) before wasting recording time. If the song has enough potential, I always consider having a demo done. I've noticed our friend Mike Zaneski has started posting again... and I'll be willing to bet he may get back into demo work. That would be such a welcome event.

Later, ----Dave

Hi Dave,
But which ones are they, and how can you overpower a song that cuts you to the core? The song I mentioned and some for my mother, only get worse when I practice them because I think more about them meanings as I go. Guess I'm just an old softie.

This was written by one of my older daughters Cat) for my youngest daughter (Kayla) for her funeral. She was hit by a pickup truck while riding her bike (10 years old). The driver was texting. Cat managed to sing it at the funeral (with difficulty). I have never been able to sing it. It has been 13 years.

For Kayla

2/4/97--3/11/07
By Cat
I won't buy flowers
to place at your head
I'll meander to your grave
pick wild ones instead.
Blooms of bright hues
tangled stems and leaves
rock roses, lantana
and African daisies.

You were no poised
composed bouquet.
You were the scatter
of springtime at play.
You were thunderheads
in a blue summer sky
with a deep purple rage
that would wring you dry.

Your own scattered petals
you gather with wind,
mix them with dust
pirouette in the sand.
The rocks will never know
your footsteps again
but you dance on wind,
kick up cyclones of sand.
You dance on wind,
kick up cyclones of sand Kayla,

You

dance

on wind.

This was written by one of my older daughters Cat) for my youngest daughter (Kayla) for her funeral. She was hit by a pickup truck while riding her bike (10 years old). The driver was texting. Cat managed to sing it at the funeral (with difficulty). I have never been able to sing it. It has been 13 years.

For Kayla

2/4/97--3/11/07
By Cat
I won't buy flowers
to place at your head
I'll meander to your grave
pick wild ones instead.
Blooms of bright hues
tangled stems and leaves
rock roses, lantana
and African daisies.

You were no poised
composed bouquet.
You were the scatter
of springtime at play.
You were thunderheads
in a blue summer sky
with a deep purple rage
that would wring you dry.

Your own scattered petals
you gather with wind,
mix them with dust
pirouette in the sand.
The rocks will never know
your footsteps again
but you dance on wind,
kick up cyclones of sand.
You dance on wind,
kick up cyclones of sand Kayla,

You

dance

on wind.

Oops on the double post. Some songs that you write from your heart are best given to someone else to perform while you sit listening, and going through an entire box of tissues.

Hi Perry and John:

Emotional song for sure, Perry. Outliving one's children is not something we plan... and must be so painful to endure.

The only way I've found to get past "choking up" is by forcing myself to practice, practice, practice. Even then, it does not always work... but life must go on and if your "message" is to be heard (received) hard work is the only way I know to get past the pain or heartbreak.

Interesting topic, John. Your deadline for relocating is rapidly approaching. I hope it ends up as the Philippines because I know you will be in familiar surroundings.

All the best to both of you.

----Dave

Hi Perry,

Yes, it is a hard hitting song. Tell Cat she should be proud of it for me. I was a pediatric nurse for 30 years and got to see the after effects of many idiots, like the guy texting while driving. I wouldn't be able to sing it either. One of my hardest is a Mother's day lyric I wrote for mine that she never got to hear, at least while she was on earth. I have a co-writer now that will wing it and it should be posted here sometime. I will never sing it in public, and it is hard, even to read, in private. here, is "More":

More
Back in nineteen eighty one
My boy came up to me
Holdin’ to an envelope
He wanted me to see
It was on a Mother’s Day
He’d made up his own card
Readin’ it I held back tears
But it was very hard

It said “I love you more”

“More than cotton candy-------------} Chorus
More than my marbles too
More than sleddin’ in the snow
More even than ole blue
More than choc'late ice cream
More than my best friend Joe
More than ridin’ my new bike
More than anything I know”

Twenty years have passed and more
To the birthing of his son
I waited until Fathers Day
Then I gave him back this one
Plus another I had made
Just waitin’ for this time
It had taken years to write
What I had on my mind

It said “I love you more”

“More than nights out on the town
Or getting’ any sleep
More than fortune, more than fame
Or knick-knacks that I keep
More than berry ice cream
More than a life my own
More than anything on earth
I hope my love has shown

He couldn’t read it for the tears-----------} Bridge
Flowing from his eyes
He said, “Mom you loved me more
Than I ever realized”

Turnaround 8 bars

"And I still love you more

More than cotton candy
More than my marbles too
More than sleddin’ in the snow
More even than ole blue
More than choc'late ice cream
More than my best friend Joe
More than ridin’ my new bike
More than anything I know”

“Now with a son to hold on to
I know I’ll love him more”

Copyright 2007 John W. Selleck BMI

It looks like Bali is out, they have strange rules about baggage. You can only bring one carry on for the economy flights. If you pay $600+ more you can bring one suitcase, and for $150 each you can bring others. I travel with 3, and the same rules apply to their outgoing flights. I'll skip that.

The more I try to practice these, the harder it gets. I will just have to settle for listening to certain songs.

This song by Don Conoscenti, called "The Other Side" :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkL33VFPSGI

The singer is in an unnamed (other than calling it "the other side") place (after-death) and consoles the listener to not worry about them. I learned this song before my mother died and even sent my rendition to friends. When I moved to San Diego (in 2014) and began to busk near the San Diego Zoo, I found it was too emotionally overwhelming since it had just been a year since my mother had passed, after I had taken care of her for over a decade and grown very close to her..

For that same reason, "Husbands and Wives" (Roger Miller song covered by many including Brooks and Dunne) and "He'll Have to Go" (Jim Reeves) are permanently retired since they were my mother's favorite songs and I would sing them to her frequently.

Several of Townes Van Zandt's songs. "If I Needed You" is so simple and straightforward and brave. Also much of Iris Dement's work. Her "Our Town" gets me every time and I can't make it through singing it without choking up badly/.

Dave, sorry, I'm probably out of the demo business for good, making a lot of what might be considered experimental and modern classical music and learning new software like After Effects for video production..

Mike

Hi Mike:

I completely understand. We must follow our instincts and aspirations. So good to see you back among us posting again.

John:

That is a bummer on the luggage deal. Gone are the days when you could walk out on the tarmac, be greeted by smiling Flight Attendants, say "Hi" to the Pilots going through their checklist... door open and returning the courtesy. There were no baggage limits... just whatever you could drag on the plane and pop in the overhead bin. They would even take your "hangup" bag for suits and stow it for you until you reached your destination. Swissair was probably the classiest airline, customer service and meals especially. Makes me glad I don't fly these days.

Keep us posted.

Regards, you two! ----Dave

Hi Mike,
You list some very good ones. I wasn't familiar with The Other Side so I listened, very touching. I think it is good to feel. It just makes it tough to sing some of the songs that touch us.

This one I wrote for my mother and it turned out to be for many mothers. Locally it was a smash hit. I guess it said what many felt but couldn't say.


PRECIOUS MOTHER.

IS THERE ANYONE MORE PRECIOUS THAN MOTHER
CAN ANYONE EVER TAKE HER PLACE
IS THERE ANYONE MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN MOTHER
BE IT EVER SO HUMBLE A FACE

IS THERE ANYONE WHO COULD LOVE YOU MORE TRULY
AND CHERISH YOU IN SPITE OF WHAT YOU ARE
IS THERE ANYONE MORE PRECIOUS THAN MOTHER
I WOULDN'T TRADE HER FOR A DIAMOND STUDDED STAR
(CHORUS)

OH MOTHER, PRECIOUS MOTHER OF MINE
THERE'S SILVER IN YOUR GOLD, AND YOUR FACE REFLECTS THE TIME
YOU GROW SWEETER WITH AGE, LIKE WELL RIPENED WINE
AND YOU GROW MORE PRECIOUS, PRECIOUS MOTHER OF MINE

IS THERE ANYONE MORE PRECIOUS THAN MOTHER

CAN ANYONE EVER MEAN MORE TO YOU

IS THERE ANYONE MORE PERFECT IN YOUR LIFE

WHETHER SHE TWENTY OR NINETY AND TWO

(REPEAT CHORUS)

Songs about family are especially touching, more so to us that write them about our own. Well done Everett. I am sure yours appreciates this one, wherever she may be. Mine only got to hear one I had written for her while she was on earth. I am sure she is still listening in heaven.

I wrote a few about folks but one for my dad when he died.

One of the most touching songs for me was Springsteen the wish. A lost track, but it reminded me alot of how my dad bought me my first guitar. And many memories of childhood. It can choke you up. Beautiful unknown song

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nCOdn1DNoko

Dirty old street all slushed up in the rain and snow
Little boy and his ma shivering outside a rundown music store window
That night on top of a Christmas tree shines one beautiful star
And lying underneath a brand-new Japanese guitar

I remember in the morning, ma, hearing your alarm clock ring
I'd lie in bed and listen to you gettin' ready for work
The sound of your makeup case on the sink
And the ladies at the office, all lipstick, perfume and rustlin' skirts
And how proud and happy you always looked walking home from work

If pa's eyes were windows into a world so deadly and true
You couldn't stop me from looking but you kept me from crawlin' through
And if it's a funny old world, mama, where a little boy's wishes come true
Well I got a few in my pocket and a special one just for you

It ain't no phone call on Sunday, flowers or a mother's day card
It ain't no house on a hill with a garden and a nice little yard
I got my hot rod down on Bond Street, I'm older but you'll know me in a glance
We'll find us a little rock 'n roll bar and baby we'll go out and dance

Well it was me in my Beatle boots, you in pink curlers and matador pants
Pullin' me up of the couch to do the twist for my uncles and aunts
Well I found a girl of my own now, ma, I popped the question on your birthday
She stood waiting on the front porch while you were telling me to get out there
And say what it was that I had to say

Last night we all sat around laughing at the things that guitar brought us
And I layed awake thinking 'bout the other things it's brought us
Well tonight I'm takin's requests here in the kitchen
This one's for you, ma, let me come right out and say it
It's overdue, but baby, if you're looking for a sad song, well I ain't gonna play it

[quote=Fdemetrio]I wrote a few about folks but one for my dad when he died.

One of the most touching songs for me was Springsteen the wish. A lost track, but it reminded me alot of how my dad bought me my first guitar. And many memories of childhood. It can choke you up. Beautiful unknown song

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nCOdn1DNoko
[quote/]

Yes, another beautiful song. And it sounds like he wrote it for his mom.

Yeah, But it still reminded me of how my dad bought me my first guitar. And childhood in general. But pa is in there too, on the negative side

He's more famous for writing angry songs about his dad. This was a rare one about Ma