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I'm always concerned about why I'm able to be so good and so bad at the same time. I worry about it then I remember something Popeye once said, " I yam what I yam". This song is about getting on with it and accepting who I am.


Get out of the Way (2005)

I'm invisible most of the time
Lost in my world of rhythm and rhyme
But when pride and envy get in my way
I'm my worst enemy on any given day

I hold the truth in high esteem
But Istrech it at times it seems
I stand up for the highest ideals
Stoop down for some low down deals

Get out of the way and you're blocking the light
Stand on the line between what's wrong and what's right
You caste a shadow on those who pretend
Trying to be something they can't defend

I pray foreverlasting love
Then run like hell when push comes to shove
I've been trying to serve mankind
But I've been selfish and so unkind

I pray to god take away my pain
Curse him used his name in vain
I've been righteous, solid and strong
I've been wicked ,weak and just wrong

So get out of the way, let the light shine
You are who you are ,the plan is working fine
Get off your high horse and covet no more
We're all saints and sinners,it's are very core

repeat first chorus

Deleted By Brian: Enough Attacks! Please do not post on his lyrics any more BAL.

[This message has been edited by Brian Austin Whitney (edited 09-06-2005).]

Well I can see you haven't changed ! It is a song and has been sung for a few weeks. I believe we are free to write about anything we choose. Maybe these things don't interest you but the they do me and I will write about it. Your mean spiritness is counter productive and besides that taking advice from you makes me think... Why? Thanks though I now remember why I left this site! Being a original writer I really don't need your advice, sorry about wasting your time and mine!

[This message has been edited by trush (edited 09-04-2005).]

Well I really liked this song. It sticks to its ideals well and still manages (as far as I can tell) a flawless beat pattern and rhyme scheme. And in my seemingly infinite capacity to disagree with BAL I would like to mention that I think the ideals are very poignant.

Also, provided it is given a good tune, the phrase 'Get out of my way' could be quite catchy and memorable because it is an everyday saying.


Put simply - I wish I were capable of such a meaningful song with near-perfect structure. You should be proud of this piece of work.

[This message has been edited by Meerkat (edited 09-04-2005).]

Thanks meerkat! I hope the only genre represented here is not what BAL thinks is appropriate. I've been a musician alot longer than I've been a writer and I almost always have a musical framework to work in before writing and this one is no different. I'll have something up to listen to this week for comments and critiques . The " get out of the way" is the hook because it is the point of the lyric. It may not be what some would see as a commercial hook but that is not why I write. I write because I have to and I'm not concerned whether it's commercial or not. The formula for writing hits is "being in the right place at the right time" from my experience so i just keep writing original lyrics and maybe my time will come or not. I'm still a songwriter and musician.

I also often don't agree with Amanda, but I've gotten used to her ... manner. Keep or sweep, that's the name of the game on a board like this.

I also have some problems, though. Keep or sweep. Keep or sweep.

The main one is that without your explanation at the beginning, I wouldn't have a very good handle on what you're trying to say.
The problem is the choruses. You switch from talking about yourself in the verses, to criticizing other people in the choruses.
But I don't know who those other people are.
"Those who pretend. Trying to be something they can't defend."
"Get off your high horse and covet no more."

If I read your explanatory note and then the choruses a few times, it seems like maybe you're criticizing people who don't allow for the good and the bad in human nature.
But that's sounds contradictory to me beause the verses are written in such a way that it seems like you're lamenting your own behavior.

So, my constructive criticism: On the verses, put the positive part of the contradictions you're talking about last.
I've been selfish and so unkind.
But sometimes I try to serve mankind.
or
I've been wicked, weak and just wrong.
But I've been righteous, solid and strong.

Some of the verses would need to be rewritten, but see the difference? What you have now is "I know what's right, but I'm going to do wrong." I'd suggest trying "I do wrong sometimes, but I know what's right and try even though I'm not perfect." Like everyone else.

(I mean, right now it sounds like you are say that bad behavior can be justified by good, so don't worry about it. Hey, so what if I stole that car? I donate to United Way at work.)

You might also try being more upfront in the chorus. Who are the people you're talking about? What do they think that you disagree with.
"Trying to be something they can't defend" is just too abstract. What are they pretending? That they're perfect? That people can always do the right thing when they really know that's not true?
What are they coveting? (Frankly, that line lost me completely.)

Get out of the way of what? It seems obvious in the second chorus, but not the first.

Also, the rhyme scheme is same all the way through the verses and the choruses, and the lines seem about the same lenghth. It's not a rule, but I think it's more effective to change up when you get to the chorus -- make some significant switch in the texture of the song. It helps people hear the chorus, which is usually where the hook is.

Keep or sweep. Keep or sweep.



[This message has been edited by joyboy (edited 09-05-2005).]

Hey Joyboy.....Wow very thoughful critique and suggestions.
I wrote the verses with me in mind and the chorus with me in mind as a " come on dude quit analizing every move you make and get on with it because duality is the nature of our world." Sorta like giving myself the answer to get out of my own way and let the light (truth) in. It maybe an abstraction built on an unspoken reality and it maybe only my reality but it's " welcome to my world." My problem would be to think that everyone spends time thinking about their actions.
This probably highlights why I'm in the wrong place. Country songs generally are about our actions in the now ( cheatin, drinkin and lovin') I'm thinking at least in this song about the results of our actions and trying to understand why we go there.
I truly appreciate your thoughts and the time you took to comment. It's refreshing. I'm a songwriter and a musician that is independant and determined to go his own way and thats not the formula for hit songs. I'm all over the board when it comes to genres. Thanks Again!

Deleted by Brian. Please do not post on his lyrics anymore BAL.

[This message has been edited by Brian Austin Whitney (edited 09-06-2005).]

You know what BAL....your right you would never understand or admit to being flawed because you are so self rightegous. It's the reason you can be so mean and claim it's your right, or your age or your expertise, or experience as writer.But you know, it's ok because I've given way too much time to your holier than thou attitude. I'm so glad that I don't have to justify my actions to people that don't like me. And girlfiend you've got alot of them!

Note:

I deleted BAL's needless attack. Enough is enough. Please do not post any more replies on Trush's lyrics BAL. Ever. I am tired of controversy always following you around and this is clearly a case of you being the pain in the ass this time.

Brian