JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback Creative Challenge Forum Songwriting Challenge 31 Concept Writing 2 (Vehicles & People)

The goal of our "Song Challenges" is to write songs/lyrics on demand within set parameters. We don't critique each other's songs in this thread (but you can say you like someone's song if you want to.) Please post your original works. If you have already written a song/lyric that fits within the parameters, please feel free to post it.

Here are the parameters: The concept is a story that features a person or persons plus some kind of vehicle. Car, truck, boat , plane, rocket ship, bicycle etc. - anything that transports a person or persons. The vehicle used must be important to the story and must either be mentioned in the chorus or in the most of the verses or both if you like. It could also be in a repeated line of the verses if a chorus is not used. It could have any kind of emotional tone you want. Doesn't have to be humorous or cheerful.

Good luck.

One I'm currently working on a rewrite.


Respect The Road


Verse 1
Son we need to talk, before it's overdue,
One day my posession, will belong to you,
Life roads we don't know, so give me peace of mind,
Respect my little "Harley", and she'll treat you right..
(And)

Chorus
Respect the road......It can take ya if ya don't,
Watch out for the others.... those that won't,
Always wear your helmet, when you take a ride....
Little respect, will do you up fine.

Respect the road......and take care of this bike,
Treat her like a woman, medium maintainance kind,
A little care she'll getcha, where you need to be....
Respect her and.. she'll treat ya like she's done me.

Verse 2
Son this little "Harley's" been, my best girl for years,
Ever since your momma died, life's been changin' gears,
Tune her 'fore she needs it, always keep her spark alive,
Show that bike respect, kind you'd give a wife.
(And)

Chorus
Respect the road......It can take ya if ya don't,
Watch out for the others.... those that won't,
Always wear your helmet, when you take a ride....
Little respect, will do you up fine.

Respect the road......and take care of this bike,
Treat her like a woman, medium maintainance kind,
A little care she'll getcha, where you need to be....
Respect her and.. she'll treat ya like she's done me.

Bridge
Glad I taught ya 'fore I die.. Bout fam-i-ly and other guys,
'Rest you'll figure... every mile you ride....
You're pretty good, I'll admit, but more to learn is there....
Little "hogs" aren't meant to, attract "bears".

Chorus
Son respect the road......It can take ya if ya don't,
Watch out for the others.... those that won't,
Always wear your helmet, when you take a ride....
Little respect, will do you up fine.

Respect the road......and take care of this bike,
Treat her like a woman, medium maintainance kind,
A little care she'll getta, where you need to be....
Respect her and.. she'll treat ya like she's done me.

Tag
Respect the road son, kind you've always shown me.

I'm Not Afraid
© words and NO music yet, by C. Stewart ( May 27, 2009 )


I got bright orange hair on one side
The other side's purple and green
One side of my brain's mellow
And the other side's obscene

And I sleep on cardboard
Ride my skateboard
Steal everything I need
And I sleep on cardboard
Ride my skateboard
I'm not afraid to bleed

And I'm not afraid to rock out one more time

Lay it on me baby
Show me what ya got
Bring it on baby
I heard it was hot

I'm a little younger than mom
But I get more action than dad
All the girls in history class say
I'm the best lover they've had

And I sleep on cardboard
Ride my skateboard
I'm not afraid to bleed
And I sleep on cardboard
Ride my skateboard
I'm not afraid to breed

And I'm not afraid to rock out all day long

Lay it on me baby
Show me what ya got
Bring it on baby
I heard it was hot

INSTRUMENTAL BREAK...

And I sleep on cardboard
Ride my skateboard
I'm not afraid to bleed
Yeah I sleep on cardboard
Ride my skateboard
I'm not afraid to breed

And I'm not afraid to rock right out with you

Lay it on me baby
Show me what ya got
Bring it on baby
I heard it was hot

Lay it on me baby
Show me what ya got
Bring it on baby
I heard it was hot


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart
_________________________
Calvin

OK, I'll give it a go, though, I gotta say, this was just kinda waitin' in the wings...and it's been posted before.

http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=68475

Last Call

Barry Crannell ASCAP/Bobbie Gallup

From the sound I can tell
It’s a hammer and a nail
In plywood where the windows used to be
Like the nails in a coffin
Of a town that’s up and died
The fields are dust, the crops - a memory

Looks like
Last call – for the leavin’ train
It ain’t ever comin’ back this way again
We’ve packed up our lives
And we’ll be movin’ on
All aboard – Last Call

As kids we’d see it comin’
Steamin’ in to take the grain
The conductor’s tired eyes had seen it all
Been too long on these rails
He once looked that engine over
And knew he had to name her – Last Call

Last Call – the leavin’ train
She ain’t ever comin’ back this way again
We got our tickets
It won’t be long
All aboard – Last Call

Looks like a cemetery on Main Street
Town can’t live without no rain
Sometimes the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel
Ain’t nothin’ but an on coming train

We were born here, we belong
Raised our families, worked the farms
It gave us all something to believe
We thought the world couldn’t live without us
So we worked from dawn to dusk
Looks like nothing's ever quite the way it seems

‘Cause now now it’s
Last Call – the leavin train
It ain’t ever comin’ back this way again
Like driftin’ tumbleweed
We’ll keep rollin’ on
All aboard…

Could've had a V-8
Marc-Alan Barnette

I've been thinking it's a doggone pity
Just look at what I'm driving around this city
Fourteen hundred pounds of recycled aluminum
Computer driven micro car of the new milinium

I've got me a photograph of my old man
Standing by his Barracuda looking young and tan
Back when cars were cars, men were men,
If I'd ve' been alive back then

Chorus
I could've had a V-8
With a four on the floor
Drop dead cherry red like my daddy had in 64'
But you can't go back,
Not even in a Caddilac
But if I could, you know I would
Could've had a V-8

Back then you drove around in a thoroughbred stallion
Didn't have to worry bout' getting miles to a galleon
But now I wonder everytime I get behind the wheel
What happened to the chrome and steel?

Chorus
Bridge
Vinyl, plastic, safety glass, unleaded fuel
Ain't no substitute for cool

Chorus

Hi Jean,

Just whipped this one off! It's an homage of sorts...to a place, a poem and a ride.

Thanks for the opportunity ,
Beth


“What the….?”
© Lyrics 2009 Beth Williams, BMI

The roads of Bean Town
Are all mixed up
So when Visiting Dan
Got lost in his truck
He finally pulled over
Out of gas, out of luck
Thinking NOW what to do?
I just might have time for a....

DUCK Tour!
The Duck Tour
Amphibious bus tour
See Boston by land and by sea
So fun when it’s packed
All encouraged to quack
At passersby, loud as can be

Dan called Triple A
They were all backed up
Destiny! he cried
So locked up his truck
Then hopped on the T
And hoped, with some luck
Before the day’s end
He’d be enjoying a really good....

DUCK Tour!
The Duck Tour
Amphibious bus tour
See Boston by land and by sea
So fun when it’s packed
All encouraged to quack
At passersby, loud as can be

Dan timed it correctly
They were just loading up
A small boy ahead smiled
It wooks wike a twuck!
First-timers looked wary
But he was in luck, when
This gal sat on down, whisperin’
Can’t beat an afternoon...

DUCK Tour!
The Duck Tour
Amphibious bus tour
See Boston by land and by sea
So fun when it’s packed
All encouraged to quack
At passersby, loud as can be

Dan reached for a comeback
But the bus started up
They quacked all thru town
Even drove by his truck
Then SPLASH! in the river
And oh what wet luck
They got soaked to the bone
Now they meet once a week for a....

DUCK Tour!
The Duck Tour
Amphibious bus tour....




EDIT: FYI, this IS a real ride here in Boston....I figure they have something akin to it in other cities-on-the-water?

Just lyrics so far, music will have to wait until I get home.

Retreat
By Michael Downing, (c) 2009

(v1)
Driving through the darkness, down this beat up old road
Trying to get home to make things right,
I left the interstate now 40 miles ago
I need more time to think, more time to drive

With one cell call you write our epilogue
So resolute, you cry, you don't want me back
I hit the brakes hard, stop in a cloud of dust
What we had, you say, is now in the past

(chorus)
Just before the sun begins its climb
To erase the darkness from this canopy
The earth pauses taking one last breath
Of the night that's began its slow retreat

On an old gravel road, now sitting in my truck
Starring blindly at the mountains in the east
They stand there firm not caring about the night
Nor about my broken heart that's in retreat.

(v2)
Your call is dropped, and I know you're long gone
This truck stop coffee has gone cold
The windows down, breeze it chills me to the bone
So tired of roaming, dear God, where do I go

(chorus)
Just before the sun begins its climb
To erase the darkness from this canopy
The earth pauses taking one last breath
Of the night that's began its slow retreat

On an old gravel road, sitting in my truck
Starring blindly at the mountains in the east
They stand there firm not caring about the night
Nor about my broken heart that's in retreat.

(Bridge)
Where do I go? Dear Lord
What matters most, I've thrown away
Is hope now lost, please show me that its not
Please show on this brand new day

(Chorus)
Just before the sun begins its climb
To erase the darkness from this canopy
The earth pauses taking one last breath
Of the night that's began its slow retreat

On an old gravel road, sitting in my truck
Starring blindly at the mountains in the east
They stand there firm not caring about the night
Nor about my broken heart that's in retreat.

I love to just start writing off the top of my head and see what comes out. So, here goes.......LOL!

Truckin'

It's a weekend load on this lonely road
and my mind is startin' to wander
Can't remember a time when I had more than a dime
and a storm is brewin' way up yonder

Headin' for the hills just to pay my bills
and it's a battle I'm a-losin'
I may be outta luck, but I got my truck
and together we go a-cruisin'


(Chorus)
Life may be suckin'
and those hard knocks, well they just keep me a-duckin'
Don't even own a hat to throw a measley buck in
But, the gypsy in my soul just keeps on truckin'


(Okay...so this is coming out quite strangely, and the one word I want to use to rhyme with "truckin" is not allowed, so I think I'll cut my losses now and stop! LOL!)

Thanks, Nightengale for the tender biker song. Very creative.

Thanks for posting this, Calvin. Sounds like it would make a good punk song.

Hi, Barry! Previously created works are perfectly acceptable. Last call fits the parameters perfectly. Thanks for posting.

Just listened to this. Lovely. Great job both you and Bobbie. Who is singing?

LOL, Marc. I think we aren't allowed to have chrome anymore. Love the pun in the song. Thanks for posting.

Hi, Beth! Thanks for posting. When you first said Bean Town, it threw me for a minute until I remembered about Boston Baked Beans.

Gee, Michael. This is so sad. I hope it's fiction. Thanks for posting.

LOL, Heidi. I love the measly buck in line. Thanks for posting.

I wish I could just sit down and spit out a lyric. But I have already done a few that fit that fit this challenge.

here's one that's about a person and a vehicle.

http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=60819

have fun,
John

Jean,
here's one I just finished yesterday.

"White Lightning"
© copyright JR Hoffman 2009

me and Steve was watching the still
when some flashing lights come over the hill
they hovered above us way off of the ground
and two little fellas come floating on down
the biggest one said we just got off work
this here's Ernie and my name's Bert
we don't want you boys reporting no crime
and they beamed us aboard along with the shine
Steve said does this thing run on alcohol
and Ernie said no you fool we drink it is all
then a perfect clone of Marilyn Monroe
poured us a round and giggled here we go

not a cloud in sight
but there's white lightning
white lightning
there's white lightning in the sky tonight

well we musta shot past the speed of light
cause the game on TV weren't 'til Monday night
I said no way they can beat the Jets
Bert turned around and said you wanna bet
before I knew it he was setting her down
from the desert we could see the lights of town
he grabbed a remote and quick as a blink
that saucer turned into a limousine
Ernie hit a fireplug in our camoulflaged ship
as we made our escape down the Vegas strip
so the cops was on us lights and siren crying
but Bert hit the clicker and flash bang we was flying

not a cloud in sight
but there's white lightning
white lightning
there's white lightning in the sky tonight

I didn't remember getting home when I woke up on the lawn
I had lipstick on my collar and both my shoes were gone
and right here in my pocket I found what would become
my ticket to riches when the game was done
looking up at the stars I seen a little blue light
as it dipped and dived I just shook my head and waved goodbye

not a cloud in sight
but there's white lightning
white lightning
there's white lightning in the sky tonight

*************

LOL, that one was out of this world, John. I will listen to the soundclick one tomorrow night. Thanks for posting.

John, I lied. I just now listened to the Midnight Cab song and enjoyed it very much. A great example of collaboration. Love that chorus. Have you posted it on the MP3 forum before?

Thought it might be OK to post another since
I just now gave it a 1st rewrite.


(ATV ridin) Jumpin Those Razorbacks Give Me A Thrill



Verse 1
Baby you're the one I chose, when I gave you that ring,
Honey for the three of us, I'd do most anything,
I'm workin hard to give it all to my two best girls,
But my ATV is the next best in this world.

Verse 2
Savin' for her college, work overtime as able,
Baby I can still have fun, and put food on the table,
Things important to ya are dead serious to me,
But an occasional break for R&R is needed.
(to go)

Chorus
Quad ridin, side slidin, tearin up the sand,
Gimme a little sport ATV with the throttle in my hand,
Might cut up a little, when I top over that hill....
Jumpin those "razorbacks" give me a thrill.

Back slidin, tail spinnin, babe give it a whirl,
Say you want more time then come cut cookies with me girl,
I'll take time to teach you hon', give it a slow spin...
But a "diamondback" to me just another gem.

( I don't mind a look in on that cookin class you're learnin,
But honey my ATV's not on the back burner ).

Verse 3
My "utility" ATV is really necessary,
I don't quarter out that "elk", and leave what I can't carry,
Huntin's just another way of bringin home the bacon,
Try this "vennison" stroganoff I'm makin.

( Might be just a sport to you, but I do it for us...
And rippin through those woods is just a plus ).

Chorus
Quad ridin, side slidin, tearin up to sand,
Gimme a little sport ATV with the throttle in my hand,
Might cut up a little, when I top over that hill....
Jumpin those "razorbacks" give me a thrill.

Back slidin, tail spinnin, babe give it a whirl,
Say you want more time then come cut cookies with me girl,
I'll take time to teach ya hon', give it a slow spin....
But a "diamondback" to me just another gem.

Tag
Might cut up a little, when I top over that hill....
Jumpin those "razorbacks" give me a thrill.

Thanks Jean - that's me and my wife, Julianna Waters singing this one.

Barry

Thanks for posting, Nightengale. All terrain vehicle. Great recreation.

I love this challenge! How much fun.
Well, this is one i wrote awhile ago, but seeing as im new to the site, and just found this section, i thought why not?! Ok well, hope you like it

Drive this pain away ( give me the mud)
By dani lee

that Chevy in the driveways lookin sweet,
body's lifted, chrome is polished,
and I love those leather seats
yea there's not much that 4x4 can't make it threw
let's see if it can get me over you...

yea I'm gonna drive this pain away
while your shacked up with her
why don't you stay
I found your keys in the truck,
and I'm done bein stuck
yea you keep this thing so clean..
so I've got 4 words for you
and you'll know what they mean
gimme the mud.

yea I'm busy tearing up this path you made
I found her lipstick stained Chardonnay
nothin you can do or say can keep me round or make me stay
you spent hours polishin this chrome
to bad you didn't spend it at home,


chorus

that field there's lookin soggy as they come
bout now your ready to head back to where your from
well sorry I borrowed your ride
its buried as deep as it is wide

chorus

don't be surprised if when you drive it there's a thud,
a few cracks, dents, and missing plugs

chorus

drive drive drive the pain away
4 little words
give me the mud.

Here's a song I registered way back in 2001. Entitled: NUMBER ON THAT TRUCK. Posted under Ray's Music at
http://www.geocities.ws/fiverosesmusicgroup/ It has received some attention and was in line to be cut a couple of times.

Granny

(Vs)
I can barely see the top of her head
I wonder how she can see to drive
She has a death grip on the steering wheel
She has to be 90 doin 25

(Chorus)
Good gracious it's a granny again
Good grief I got passed by a bike
Good gracious it's a granny again
Seems I've been behind her almost all my life

(Vs)
Her left signal went on 3 miles ago
Now I'm too afraid to make a pass
I don't want to honk, she might lose control
But I'm late for work and runnin out of gas

(Chorus)
Good gracious it's a granny again
Good grief I got passed by a bike
Good gracious it's a granny again
Seems I've been behind her almost all my life

(Bridge)
I took a chance and I busted a move
Managed to pass her by using the curb
I glanced in the rear view as I sped off
She was mouthing something; flipping me the bird

(Chorus)
Good gracious it's a granny again
Good grief I got passed by a bike
Good gracious it's a granny again
Seems I was behind her almost all my life
(Repeat)

© L. James Tanner

Shackle Island Hauler
©2013 Mackie Humphries
V1
I was just sixteen
Had learned real fast
It was my job
To fix the mash
Almost perfect
Wasn’t good enough
My Uncle Jack
Made the good stuff

CH1
The Shackle Island Hauler loaded twice a week
We made night runs armed to the teeth
Uncle said son “tonight you go with me”
That sixty-nine Caddy could haul the whiskey
Yes sir those Feds were left behind eatin’ dust
His Shackle Island Hauler moved on, hammer down
Delivering our heavy load to Morgantown.

V2
In a few years
I ran the still
Uncle passd on
All of his skills
Said “the still’s yours”
With love and luck
I know you’ll always
Make the good stuff.

BR
Yeah, my Uncle Jack taught me good
But I don’t take the chances he took

CH2
The Shackle Island Hauler now loads every day
We make our runs in a semi pulling away
My Uncle Jack comes back to visit
That gleam’s in his eye with the first sip
The Fed’s now put their tax stamp on
No more hauling with the hammer down
The Shackle Island Hauler still runs to Morgantown.

TAG
The Shackle Island Hauler brings the Good Stuff.........

Mackie

Wrote this back in the 80's for friends who drive the Big Bim Haulers. They provided me with the tech and personal info and I wrote the song around that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f9rQW0hiYw

"Big Bim Haulers"
Thirty six wheels rolling about a city block long
Hauling the foundation to keep the Chesapeake strong
Polack Stinky and Weasel are the chauffeurs
But to their friends they’re know as the big bim haulers

Now according to the chauffeurs rules are made to be broken
Without the bim haulers the bridge would never see a token
And upon the weigh in scale they’re an obese lady
Another five thousand paid to Sheriff Sadie

Yeah we haul the beams across the U-S-A
To the maple leaves of Monterey
Hell it’s a rough road a thunder cloud
But every time my wheels cross a bridge
Damn I feel proud

Back at the Schuylkill plant lives an old white hat
Screaming and carrying on a pretty mean pole cat
But hidden deep within that old stiff white collar
He shines his medal for the big bim haulers

Yeah we haul the beams across the U-S-A
To the maple leaves of Monterey
Hell it’s a rough road a thunder cloud
But every time my wheels cross a bridge
Damn I feel proud

Now I know some day my road must take a detour
Still the beams will keep on rolling that I know for sure
Cause the little boy who I call hey carpet crawler
Just like his daddy one day he’ll be a big bim hauler

Yeah we haul the beams across the U-S-A
To the maple leaves of Monterey
Hell it’s a rough road a thunder cloud
But every time my wheels cross a bridge
Damn I feel proud

https://soundcloud.com/songwriterstan/blue-pacific-sea

Sailing on the sea
That’s the life for me
In the ocean breeze
Nothing more I need
Blue Pacific sea

Weigh the anchor free
Onward destiny
Set the sails high
Catch the wind and fly
Blue Pacific sea

I hear the song
Of the sea
Call me
And I belong
On the sea
That’s the life for me
That’s the life for me

Sun lit diamond waves
Piper’s Hollow sways
Moving with the roll
Rocking to the soul
Blue Pacific sea

Sailing Sailing

Sailing with the wind
To the horizon
Catch the setting sun
Starlit canopy
Blue Pacific sea

Set the sails high
Catch the wind and fly
Blue Pacific sea

In the ocean breeze
Nothing more I need
Blue Pacific sea

Funny, I wrote this as a challenge to myself about a year before this challenge was posted.
Video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tw6Oxpq_h0&feature=c4-overview&list=UUCT_l0toJJgbSQrwE723zww

Audio Here:
http://barnett.artgirlstudios.com/music/storm/11.mp3

"El Camino"

Baby's got a yellow El Camino
Driving down the coast to San Francisco
Trees and mountains flying past
She never lets up on the gas
Driving in that yellow El Camino

Bought it almost fifteen years ago
Big block engine and four on the floor
Pedal down with all her might
Golden shaft of bright sunlight
Driving in that yellow El Camino

(chorus)
She loves that yellow El Camino
Takes it everywhere she goes
I can't say a word
I know it sounds absurd
She don't love me like she does that El Camino

Speeding in the yellow El Camino
Past a radar trap in Sacramento
Now her nose is out of joint
License pulled - eighteen points
Driveway storage for the El Camino


© 2008 By Doug Barnett

This is a pretty good song lyric, but I think you should make it a little longer.
Dennis

Fun song, Doug! You sound good and I enjoyed the guitar playing. Thanks for posting.

Biker Riding Song

Wild Rider


I don’t need nothing but the rode under me
The roar of thunder heavy metal runs free
My old lady my fender bunny
Got the hammer down there’s a world to see

Wild Rider Wild Rider
Road tripper tripper road road tripper tripper
Road tripper tripper road road tripper
Wild Rider

I love the feeling of the world rushing by
Catch a tailwind see my cycle fly
I ride to live live to ride
God on the right devil on the other side

Wild Rider Wild Rider
Road tripper tripper road road tripper tripper
Road tripper tripper road road tripper
Wild Rider

Bikers kicking tires
Canyon carving flyer
Damn I love the gypsy runs

Lightning on the highway
Nothing gets in my way
Ride until my days are done

Gonna keep on rocking and rolling along
Wild parties bikes woman and song
Detailing then light the fires
Pour on the coals burn up the tires

https://soundcloud.com/songwriterstan/wild-rider

Here's another go,
On The Bus.

When she gets on the bus
And sits in her usual seat

As she looks outside
I’ll drop a dime at her feet,
Then I’ll say excuse me
You’re throwing money away,
She’ll smile like a beacon
Then we’ll start speaking
And get married one day.

chorus
What a great idea
Beats jam on bread
Soon we’ll be shopping
For a king size bed,
And in the months ahead
When the preacher asks us
We’ll say we fell in love
On the bus.

When she flips her eye brows
And says that dime isn’t mine
Our eyes will connect
And our hearts will entwine,
Then I’ll roll that coin
To the kid in the back row,
She’ll be so impressed
She’ll adjust her dress
And I’ll be her hero.

chorus
What a great idea
Beats Scotch at noon
Soon we’ll be rehearsing
For our honeymoon,
And in the years ahead
When our children ask us
We’ll say we fell in love
On the bus.

Well she didn’t get on the bus
Maybe she’s got the flue
But a classy lady
Sat in row twenty two,
She’s looking outside
Leaning on the window sill,
Think I’ll miss my stop
And discreetly drop
My last dollar bill.

chorus
What a great idea
Beats ice cream cones
Soon we’ll be sharing
Our erogenous zones,
And in the decades ahead
When our grandkids ask us
We’ll say we fell in love
On the bus.