JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback MP3 Feedback Forum Jeez Louise

Well, I threatened to post a song or two once I had "settled in" here, so here goes. This is actually about a year old, but I thought it might be a fun introduction to my unusual situation of being in North Carolina and writing country songs (among other things) despite originating thousands of miles away in Scotland. I'll post something I'm actually working on now a bit later.

I don't have a studio - just a cheap mike and it shows - but this was fun to do.

http://mysteriousbeings.com/portfolio/jeez-louise/

Hi Gavin:

Thanks for sharing your song with us. For a production created "outside a studio" I thought it was done quite well. The web-page was very professional in it's appearance and layout. Interesting to learn you created it "over there" but that is the beauty of writing (no matter the medium) and how a story, lyric or melody can find you and stir your imagination. I would suggest adding lyrics for those of us interested in the structure of the song.

I keep a small cardboard box in my tiny studio and scribble notes to myself such as, an title, a line or two of the germ of a lyric, etc. "Jeez Louise" is in there somewhere, waiting to be created. Small world.

Looking forward to your next song.

Best, ----Dave

Thanks Dave. The website is just a bit of a laugh, but I find it useful to have my songs hosted there as well as at SoundCloud, because SoundCloud has so many bugs.that they refuse to fix.

Actually, I didn't create this song "over there." I've been in North Carolina for 20 years - but my accent hasn't changed. The song is very loosely based on a bar I used to frequent when I first moved here. It kind of became my unlikely home from home.

Sorry for the misconception, Gavin:

Accents are usually difficult to "mask" but some seem to be more capable of disguising their accent than others. When I was in the Navy, I would often attempt to soften my southern accent when in the company of numerous Yankees. They would catch me every time. Upon returning home, I noticed friends and family believed I had picked up a northern accent. Funny how that works... or not!

Scotland is a beautiful and sometimes rather desolate place, depending on the location. When arriving there from London, it took a while to accustom one's ears to the Scottish Burr (as we call it) and some seem to slide into the more Gaelic form more than others. (Same thing is true in Wales!)

One thing is for certain, I would jump at the chance for a return visit to Cardiff, Edinburgh or London... but only if I could arrive via private jet. The security measures we must endure these days are necessary but really are a drag.

Have a great weekend, ----Dave

I wish you would post the lyrics..makes it easier to critique.
Kim

Your wish is my command, Kim. I'm never sure whether to post the lyrics as it's more fun to listen without knowing the story.

VERSE 1
A redneck bar in a one horse town
So drunk I could hardly see
The barman said “Son, you’ve had enough”
And I said, “You’re telling me
It’s been a year since I moved over here
Four thousand miles from home
And I wish I hadn’t 'cause things are pretty bad ‘n’
I’m all alone

CHORUS
Jeez Louise, won’t somebody please
Get me out of this country song
I’m not from around here,
‘n I don’t belong.
Whatever I’m drinkin’, I can’t help thinkin
You’ve got a nerve calling it beer
If I don’t die of thirst first,
I’m outta here

VERSE 2
I miss good friends, good food, good fun
I miss my mum
The telly here is shitty and the girls aren’t as pretty
As they are where I come from
There’s a big old boy named Bubba
And his friend at the end of the bar
Giving me the stink eye, which is why I think I’ll
Head for my car.”

(spoken)
Excuse me Bubba, you’re in my way
Oh, I see, you’ve got something to say.

VERSE 3
“Don’t need your kinda whiner in North Carolina
Gonna put you in your place”
And he swung his fist, but I ducked and he missed
And punched his friend in the face
Then some other guy hit Bubba in the eye
And Bubba pulled out a gun
I said, "Cheerio, it’s rude I know
But I’ve got to run."

CHORUS
Jeez Louise, won’t somebody please
Get me out of this country song
I’m not from around here,
‘n I don’t belong.
Whatever I'm drinkin’, I can’t help thinkin
You’ve got a nerve calling it beer
If I don’t die of thirst first,
I’m outta her

VERSE 4
I was leaving that dive when the cops arrived
I hid to watch the fun
In the parking lot the rednecks fought
The law – the law won
I felt a tap on my shoulder
The barman handed me a can
Said, “Why all the fuss, you’re one of us
And I can prove it man.

VERSE 5
Talking about how things were better
Back where you came from
Crying in your beer about those you hold dear
And missing your mom
Getting in a fight on a Saturday night
Hiding from the law, gee whizz
Son, if that ain’t country, I don’t know what is.”

CHORUS
Now Jeez Louise, I’m fine if you please
Living in this country song
Y’all are all good friends now,
I feel like I belong
That stuff you all drink, well it really does stink
And brewing it should be a crime
But there’s more to a man than the beer in his can
I guess that’s why I’m …

Going country
(I don’t bloody believe it)
I’m going country
(If the folks back home could see me now)
I think I’ve gone country
Goodnight, y'all.

That's a funny and clever song, Gavin. It doesn't seem as though you are at all concerned about it being a commercial song, as it's way too long for that, but it would probably go over really well in a dive bar!

Have you considered putting the first chorus after V2? Just an idea. Anyway, it was a fun listen. Thanks for sharing.

Ricki

Thanks for the feedback, Ricki. Much appreciated. Yes, it's obviously way too long for radio, but then there are plenty of other reasons why it wouldn't get played on the radio

I agree it would be a good live performance piece. I have a few like that. The irony is that I would be a useless live performer.

I did originally want to put the chorus after verse 2, but verse 2 kind of runs into verse 3 story-wise and I felt the chorus would get in the way at that point. Also, there is a short spoken part between those verses, which breaks them up nicely..

Thanks again for listening and commenting.

Hello Gavin,


This is fun / clever, good job !
Thanks for the entertainment.

Calvin


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

Thanks Calvin. Glad you enjoyed it.