JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback A.I. Assisted Music Forum Putting Up Shelves

https://suno.com/s/0GDvk5iAG0fl7PuS

I long forgot the whole melody to this one, but suno got pretty close.

If you don't understand the story then i'm gonna have re-write it.................... (sigh)

Everyone needs a life time of Putting Up Shelves.

I take by your thorough review... (grin).. you understood the inside joke? lol

Yes I do. I Want to put up shelves once or twice a week.

wow!! You go dude!! Sometimes I gotta build my own shelves. (sigh) lol

Bravo kudos and applause for the lyric Kay-lynn....

I don't think you have to change a thing

It goes so much further than putting up shelves...it show a warmth that allows putting those shelves up to flourish

Wow thank you John.............. it took me a long time to build this story and I'm still not sure the theme is getting through but at least of few of you figured it out...........(it's not too vague is it?)............that always worries me.!

This is what I mean when I say "furniture" in a song (not literally of course)

We're driving over to IKEA tomorrow. Guess what we're buying... shelves. I'm gonna be busy next week putting them up.

You do realize she's not talking about shelves right? LOL

Lol, yes, I understood it. The song is about a lifetime of love where the work never mattered as much as the moments - and realizing, too late, that unfinished plans don’t mean an unfinished life.

Most listeners half-listen while driving, cooking, scrolling, etc. They catch emotion first, story second, meaning last. They rarely analyze lyrics unless something forces them to. Subtle songs often grow on people and listeners discover the meaning later. This is how many classic folk/country songs work.

If your goal is radio / wide casual appeal it may be too subtle. “Shelves” is an unusual metaphor. Some listeners may assume it’s quirky or humorous. The payoff comes very late, after attention may have drifted. What you shouldn't do is explain the metaphor - that would weaken it. A line hinting at time slipping or a lyric that contrasts “someday” vs “tonight” or a quiet acknowledgment that projects keep getting postponed may help. Something like “We kept saying tomorrow, but tomorrow came fast”. A line like that would prime the listener’s brain and make the ending click faster. So, will average listeners understand it? Emotionally yes, intellectually not always. Is that a problem? I'd say only if you want instant clarity instead of slow resonance.

Yeah, I understand, the idea actually came from a Seinfeld episode I think........... someone was trying to figure out a way to get out of a social engagement so they could go home and "do the deed" so it became a running joke that she said, sorry we gotta go put up some shelves. That's why early in the song it says he winked at her when she said they needed to go home. Maybe it's not enough?

It is enough IMO

The revelation comes when the granddaughter comes to the house after both grandparents have passed.

She knew they always left early to go home to put up shelves, and was surprised to see books on the floor and no shelves....then the note on the door clinches it

Here is my only quibble BTW..if you are good, we can put up shelves is almost an "extortion"...if you are still up???

Ya know John,, you could be right. There may be a stronger line there since it IS the most important one of the song.

I used the note as a written form of a "wink" from earlier in the lyric, but if you have something more powerful, I'm certainly willing to change it.

Doesn't even have to be a note, it's just that's the first thing I could think of to wrap it up.

Truth be told, I'm such a stickler for realism......if they were both so old and died, he obviously wasn't going to work, so where was he that he had to leave a note in the first place.?

No the note is perfect...just what does it say

if you are good we can put up shelves.... (unless it means if you are good to go....)....is almost an extortive way to ask her to put up shelves

if you are up maybe we can put up shelves?

What would HE say to her between themselves?....inside, playful, I still want you after all these years...??mmmm

If you are up let's paint flowers on those shelves?

OK Gloria Steinem... don't overthink it... LOL It's supposed to be a cute phrase that man would say to the woman he loves... "well if you've been a good girl, I'll give you a treat" sort of thing. Not extortion at all.

Women love to be desired, It could also mean.. "if you make me that pot roast I love".. "if you put on that frilly nightgown I like".. etc etc.

If that works for the grandma and you that's good enough for me

The story is heartwarming and fun and it's a good song.

Thanks for listening and commenting, I appreciate any feedback especially about the story line because if the listener doesn't "get" it, than it's worthless.

Will it be a radio hit, I highly doubt it, but I'm proud just the same.