JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback Lyric Feedback Forum 3 Only the Good Times

I think this was precipitated by a phone call I got from a friend I literally had not seen or heard from since grad school...MANY years ago. For those of you who know tidbits of my life story...some of this is true, some not. I took a lot of license with the facts here, but I am hoping that a lot of folks might relate to the wondering about a lost love. I know Garth had a huge hit with WHAT SHE'S DOIN' NOW which is along these same lines. This may not be in that league...but I had to write what I was thinking. Appreciate your thoughts and insights here.

Bobbie

Only The Good Times
© 2005 Lyrics by Bobbie Gallup ASCAP

I ran into an old classmate of ours
We hadn’t seen each other for years
We sat at that restaurant for hours
And laughed until we were in tears
She said “Whatever happened to Robert?
Do you even know where he is?
I said “I haven’t thought of him in forever
I don’t even know where he lives.”

CHORUS:
Now I can’t help thinking about you
Since she brought up your name
I never thought it would ever happen
But I think I’ve forgotten the pain
I’m way past the tears, the doubts and the fears
No longer care who was to blame
Now I find all that’s left in my mind
Are memories of only the good times

Like that September night on the pier
Watching the dance of the Lights
When I first knew what it felt like to love
Nothing could have been quite so right
But like most things that seem to be perfect
Our fairytale somehow went wrong
Now I can’t help but think back and wonder
How the rest of your life has gone

CHORUS: repeat

Did you ever remarry?
Do you have 3 kids and a wife?
Do you ever think of me fondly
And hope that I’ve had a good life?
I checked for your name on the net
And saw that you live in St. Paul
Even though I know that I won’t
I had this strong urge to call

BRIDGE:
I wanted to ask you one question
Only one thing I wanted to say
If we had the choice to do over
Would we
Could we
Still be together today

CHORUS: repeat


[This message has been edited by Bobbie Gallup (edited 08-27-2005).]

Oooh, delicious. I'll be back to this in a few minutes. I'm looking for another one I need to critique for a specific person, but then I'll be back here.

Charley

Howdy Charley,

Can't wait to see your thoughts on this one. Look forward to your return to it. Thanks so much. I will take a "delicious" anytime.

Bobbie

Hey Ms Bobbie,

First off, I think we all have these types of thoughts. Our first love, or a special past love, is I think always on our minds. Not in any obsessive way, but in a way that says, as you say, I hope life has unfolded well for you.


Not sure if I've wondered about "us" in any serious way though. Personally I've found everything I've ever wanted, so no second thoughts about past loves for me. (in other words, I do question the bridge.... but its totally a personal experience thing)


As for this, needs some work IMO, but the germ is there.

For example,

Because all that’s left in my mind
Is that I only remember the good times

is not a logical converational construct...and since I'm assuming this is country, that part is important.


It could probably use some of the Shayne Vaughan treatment too ie, getting rid of some of those and's and the's and such.

Hope that's a start to helping out.

Ciao

Hi Burleyman,

I was hoping that most everyone has had these kinds of thoughts at some time or another...even if happily married. It all comes down to wondering what might have been if we had chosen differently. Like you said...not obsessively, merely wondering where we would be if...

As for the lines you don't care for...do you have any suggested alternatives you think would improve it?

Thanks so much for checking this out. Appreciate the thoughts.

Hugs,
Bobbie

Hi Bobbie,

First of all I want to say that this a a very universal subject the way it unfolds I am sure is a common experience.

I might want to use "What's his name" or "What's his face" in place of Robert just to make it more general. People can mentally put in the name of who applies when they hear the song.

I said “(I) Haven’t thought of him in LIKE forever (this is possibly more conversational)

"Because all that’s left in my mind
Is that I only remember the good times"

I agree with John that these 2 lines don't quite work for me but I don't have any suggestions to offer at the moment for what they should be.

If we had the choice to do IT over
Would we
Could we
Still be together today

All in all though it is coming together very nicely and I do like it.

Best,
Rachel

Good Morning Bobby

I think it's fine to keep Robert in your lyrics, it didn't stop me from "filling in the blank" with my first loves name. hee hee

These are the words and melody I hear in my head for your chorus.

I can’t stop thinking about you
Since she brought up your name
Never thought that it could happen
But I no longer place the blame
Doubts and tears washed
Away by the years
Till I no longer feel the pain
Now I only remember the good times
or
Now I only remember the good (things)

Thanks for letting me practice my budding skills on your lyrics.

Hugs, Willie



[This message has been edited by TxBrownEyedBlond (edited 08-24-2005).]

Hi Bobbie,
A good enough story but IMO needs some condensing. Maybe not exactly but similar to what Willie did with the C. I don't find a lot of fault with that. I'd personally also cut "now" out of his last line . Well , maybe, to save the alliteration on these two lines---------
Doubts and tears washed
Away by the years --

Tears doubts and fears
Washed away by the years

And--oh well, that's enough <G>
IMHO the verses could be cut down in a similar fashion.
There's a good story in there but just think it's too "wordy"
Wy

Hi Ria,

You could well be right about not using a name, but, in this case, since the girlfriend would have known the husband's name it didn't quite seem right not to use a name in that line.

In the line:
I said “(I) Haven’t thought of him in LIKE forever...
Using the word "like" is pretty passe' these days and reminds me of Valley-girl-speak from about 15 years back. Not sure I want anyone to recollect those days. I know teenagers still use that term, but us old fuddy-duddies never quite caught on to using that word, at least it isn't in my comfort vocabulary.

I can go either way on inserting the word "it" in that line. Guess it would depend on what the music called for there. I'm not sure it is necessary because it is the choice that I am suggesting they do over..but "it" could work also.

I would still like some ideas on the two lines John pointed out. They kind of bother me also.

Always appreciate your perceptions on my stuff!! Thank you SO much!

Hugs,
Bobbie

Good mornin' Willie!

Good to see you again. I haven't forgotten GRASS ME UP! We still have to work on that one. I coordinated a bluegrass concert two weeks ago...hired none other than the inimitable Mike Dunbar and the band he works with, The Stone County Boys! They were awesome. It reminded me to work on our song.

I really like your suggestions for the chorus. Might just have to grab up most of those ideas. I truly do appreciate the review and revisions! Thank you SO much!

Hugs,
Bobbie

Howdy Wy,

You could be right on the paring down issue. I can easily take some words off the verses like this...
Ran into an old classmate of ours
Hadn’t seen each other for years
Sat at that restaurant for hours
Laughed until we were in tears
She said “Whatever happened to Robert?
You even know where he is?
I said “I haven’t thought of him in forever
Don’t even know where he lives.”
However, with the head tune I am getting it doesn't feel quite right because the abbreviated lines lead to a more uptempo "feel" than I was looking for here. This seemed to need to go more of a poignant direction for the music. This is one case where I think whoever does the music will get to call what words need to come out. I am certainly not married to keeping them in there.

Always appreciate your thoughts and perceptions!

Hugs,
Bobbie

Quick in out before a meeting

Because all that’s left in my mind
Are memories of (all) our good times

Ciao

Hey Bobbie!

LOVED THIS ONE! Reminded me of the best of Henley and Brooks combined.....Just some suble line changes. Use or lose

I ran into an old classmate of ours
We hadn’t seen each other for years
We sat at that restaurant for hours
And laughed until we were in tears
She said “Whatever happened to Bobby?
Do you even know where he is?"
I said “I haven’t thought of him forever
I don’t even know where he lives.”

CHORUS:
I really can’t help thinking about you
Now that she brought up your name
I never thought it would ever happen
You see, I think I’ve forgotten the pain
I’m way past the tears, the doubts and the fears
And I no longer care who was to blame
Because all that’s left in my mind
are the good times

I remember the night on the pier
Watching the dance of the Lights
When I first knew what it felt like to love
Nothing could have been so right
But like most things that seem perfect
Our fairytale somehow went wrong
Now I can’t help but think back and wonder
How the rest of your life has gone

CHORUS: repeat

Did you ever remarry?
Do you have 3 kids and a wife?
Do you ever think of me fondly
And wonder what became of my life?
I checked for your name on the net
And saw that you live in St. Paul
Even though I know that I won’t
I had this strong urge to call

BRIDGE:
I wanted to ask you one question
Only one thing I wanted to say
If we had the choice to do over
Would we
Could we
Still be together today

CHORUS: repeat

Bobbie,

Just did a real quick read. Saw a couple of small things. Don't have time now, but will get back to you on this one as soon as I can.

BTW, looks like Helen is headed back for another major surgery again. We'll know pretty soon...next couple of months or so.

Will try to do a "real" critique soon. But, looks good so far.

Alan

------------------
If I were but half as good as Dawg...I'd be twice as good as most.

http://www.soundclick.com/alanddavid

[This message has been edited by sideman66 (edited 08-24-2005).]

Bobbie,

Glad there was something you could use.
We will definetly get back to Grass Me Up in a couple weeks. Would love to go to a Blue Grass Festival Sometime! I bet you had a ball working on it.

I had to go out of state for a few weeks and haven't worked on my music much lately. My Mom was ill and then passed away. I caught something from the days I spent with her in the hospital and was very ill myself for a couple weeks. I am home now. My Son is here on leave untill the 31st then he goes back to Iraq.

I will try and buckle down and finish several lyrics that keep flirting with my mind after that, but Grass will be the first one lol

Hugs, Willie

Hi, Bobbie1. LOL

Very poignant, bittersweet, and well written. Made me think of a few past loves of my own, you %$#$#@!! LOL

No nits at all. With Rachel's music, you'd have 'em weeping big time. Love it!

------------------
BOBBYJOE DEMOS

Think loose, write tight.

"Human speech is like a cracked kettle on which we tap crude rhythms for bears to dance to, while we long to make music that will melt the stars." - Flaubert

Good morning Bobbie,

Well Done.
I like this part a lot...

I remember the night on the pier
Watching the dance of the Lights

I think..
And I no longer care who was to blame
should be..
And no longer care who's to blame

Calvin

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewartmusic.htm

Howdy John,

I am gonna stick that line in the hopper and see what emerges. Thanks again for the read and thoughts. I always appreciate your perspective.

Hugs,
Bobbie

Howdy Teri,

I am still giggling over our conversation yesterday!! You are a HOOT! You could be right about switching the Robert to Bobby. You ARE a sly one, but he never did go by Bobby. I always called him Rob to avoid the Bobby/Bobbie thing. I like your suggestions for the chorus, particularly the ending. You ROCK, lady!

Thanks SO much!
Hugs,
Bobbie

Oh Alan, I am SO very sorry to hear that Helen has to go back to the hospital again! Please know that you are both in my prayers! Thank you for dropping in to read this. I do appreciate your time and ideas.

Hugs,
Bobbie

Hi Willie,

Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your mother. Such a loss leaves a huge hole in our lives. My folks have been gone quite a few years and I still miss them. I am sending some big hugs your way today for sure! Let me know when you are ready to tackle Grass Me Up.

I will keep you and your son in my thoughts and prayers also. I am glad he has been able to be there with you for awhile. I am sure it must be hard to have him head back.

{{{Hugs}}}
Bobbie

Howdy Bobby2,

LOL Sorry about that! They say what's good for the goose...

Glad you liked this anyway, despite the memories. Nothin' quite like a good ol' fashioned trip down memory lane, huh?

Yeah..I was kinda heading for poignant or bittersweet here...so appreciate that. Hope Rachel might want to do the music when the lyric is tweaked up a bit. Sure appreciate your time and take on this.

Bobbie2

Very good lyric!
U got so much feedback, ain't much left to say ! Only thing that seemed a little off to me is Ch. L3
"I never thought it would happen" or, if u need the 2 extra syllables:
" I always thought it would never happen".
Made me think back to my first......,.

ben

Bobbie
I think this song would be beautiful, with the right melody. I was wondering if you needed to say remarry? or if it could have been left as just a first love?. since it didn't say in the begining anything about them getting married. just my thoughts.

Emmy

Howdy Noel,

You could be right about those lines being overused. I kinda like 'em personally, but what do I know?

You know..we wimminfolk are a strange bunch. I am sure some gals wouldn't hesitate to call out of the blue...but I'll bet you a lot more think about it than actually act on it. In most cases, it is probably best to let sleeping dogs lie (how's that for a cliche'?) I have maintained lifelong friendships with several of my former boyfriends but I would NEVER call my ex-husband.

Thanks for that Pandora's Box!! LOL YIKES

Hugs,
Bobbie

Howdy Calvin,

Glad you liked those lines. That really happened. Was one awesome night when the Northern Lights were INCREDIBLE!! Never seen anything close to that display before or since! Did write an earlier song about it...called AURORA DANCED.

I'm thinking about shortening that line about the blame...but need to keep it in past tense..and "who's" is the contraction for "who is"...which is present tense. I can probably get by with just:
No longer care who was to blame

Thanks so much for the read and kind remarks!

Hugs,
Bobbie

Hi Ben,

Thanks so much for the kindly comments! Check out this alteration and see if it works any better for you?
Never thought it could ever happen

Sometimes those "firsts" can be pretty powerful memories. Hope yours was good.

Hugs,
Bobbie

Howdy Tricia,

Yeah...those special friendships are so special. I think some of our HS friendships just never seem to fade because everything seemed so dramatically important back then. But it is funny to compare notes because some of the things my old boyfriends remember I don't and vice versa. It is sure funny what sticks in your long term memory bank.

Hugs,
Bobbie

Hi Tricia,

Yeah...I look at my old photos and know that skinny girl is still in there somewhere! Dang! Wish she'd stop hiding! LOL I actually had a LOT of fun in HS. I have no regrets in that regard. I was involved in everything! School was pretty easy for me so I'd get my homework done and still had time to have fun. It was all harmless stuff. I was pretty much a goody-two-shoes back then (as compared to what? )

Good memories are a real treasure IMO.

Hugs,
Bobbie

Hi Emmy,

That remarry thing could go either way. I think there are a lot of folks with exes out there who will relate to this as is..but if a publisher says it goes..it goes. I can hear LeAnn Womack doing this one...and I know she has an ex or two.

I waited to put that bit of info in at a later time in the lyric as one of those continued revelation things. I hate giving everything away up front...or else why would someone want to hear the whole song? JMO of course.

Thanks so much for coming by and checking this out. I do appreciate the read and kind remarks on it.

Best...
Bobbie