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#1213946 01/19/26 10:13 AM
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I'm blocked and stuck and can't seem to get out of this rut I'm in.
No inspiration. No joy. No sun.
It's cold here in Buffalo and only getting colder.

I was told that in these moments to just write something. Anything. So I started to, but only got this far....


I sat down and wrote a song today
thinking up words in the usual way
not really sure what I wanted to say
but I did it anyway

what can you do
when there's nothin' to do
but sit around thinkin''bout
who knows what?
might as well
get it all down on paper
put it to music
and share your thought

I stood up and walked around today
a step at a time in the usual way
my joints weren't sure
think they wanted to stay
but I did it anyway

What can you do
when there's nothin' to do
but walk around thinkin' 'bout
where to next?
might as well
keep it all moving forward
??????????


Peace,

Dave


"Where there's a Gill, there's a way"
David Gill #1213950 01/19/26 12:13 PM
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What can you do
when there's nothin' to do
but walk around thinkin' 'bout
where to next?
might as well
keep it all moving forward
??????????

What can you do
when there's nothin' to do
but walk around thinkin' 'bout
how to move forward
The mind is willing
The heart is encouraged
But the pressure of time
on my back is torture


DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME HERE... CANCEL CULTURE IS ALIVE AND WELL @JPF!
YOU'LL NEVER KNOW WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN DELETED...
David Gill #1213954 01/19/26 03:41 PM
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Originally Posted by David Gill
I'm blocked and stuck and can't seem to get out of this rut I'm in.
No inspiration. No joy. No sun.
It's cold here in Buffalo and only getting colder.

I was told that in these moments………….

Peace,

Dave

I like the directness of your preamble, (the above quote) and thought, this is going to be good. Could you do something with that first part ??

So try something like this. From the word, moments…..think of a title hook……like

Hold on, Hold on, Hold on, Hold on.

Next, establish a basic rhythm w that hook.
Then, go back and re-write the preamble to this rhythm.

You then will have first verse and a short chorus
And a rhythm.

I will do music for that minimal, and post here in jumpshare player. Yes? No?
Bill

Last edited by Bill Draper; 01/19/26 04:19 PM. Reason: Added to chorus, to make 4/4 beat
Bill Draper #1213955 01/19/26 04:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill Draper
Originally Posted by David Gill
I'm blocked and stuck and can't seem to get out of this rut I'm in.
No inspiration. No joy. No sun.
It's cold here in Buffalo and only getting colder.

I was told that in these moments………….

Peace,

Dave

I like the directness of your preamble, (the above quote) and thought, this is going to be good. Could you do something with that first part ??

So try something like this. From the word, moments…..think of a title hook……like

Hold on, Hold on, Hold on, Hold on.

Next, establish a basic rhythm w that hook.
Then, go back and re-write the preamble to this rhythm.

You then will have first verse and a short chorus
And a rhythm.

I will do music for that minimal, and post here in jumpshare player. Yes? No?
Bill


Yes. Thank you, Bill.

I'll work on this and post tomorrow.

Peace,

Dave


"Where there's a Gill, there's a way"
JAPOV #1213956 01/19/26 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by JAPOV
What can you do
when there's nothin' to do
but walk around thinkin' 'bout
where to next?
might as well
keep it all moving forward
??????????

What can you do
when there's nothin' to do
but walk around thinkin' 'bout
how to move forward
The mind is willing
The heart is encouraged
But the pressure of time
on my back is torture


Thank you, JAPOV.

I'm leaning towards more inspirational, if that makes sense? Ending the thought with "in spite of the obstacles, you should still try" kind of thing.

I appreciate the read and feedback!!

Peace,

Dave


"Where there's a Gill, there's a way"
David Gill #1213957 01/19/26 04:54 PM
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David................ I try not to write when I'm not in the mood. It's not very helpful to me personally.

if you're in a rut, try to write something you normally wouldn't, like upbeat, happy, silly, funny, danceable.......That usually breaks the ice for me.


"It Mattered to THAT One"
David Gill #1213958 01/19/26 04:57 PM
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Rhythm.

1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2

Block, stuck
No out
Big rut
Walk about
No joy
No sun
Am I
The only one

David Gill #1213959 01/19/26 05:08 PM
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Japov: time pressure chocks creativity

Kay-Lynn: give it time.

In 2/4 time sig

Bill

David Gill #1213960 01/19/26 05:12 PM
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Well Bill, sometimes helping someone else gets you where you want to go. (How Life works) LOL

You can give me some verses for the song I posted that I'm stuck on (??)) What It's Not............

no pressure, just an idea. (smile)


"It Mattered to THAT One"
David Gill #1213962 01/19/26 06:09 PM
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Just had to finish my thought...

The mind is willing
The heart is encouraged
But the pressure of age
On my back is torture

Searching for meaningful change
The answer is always the same
Keep moving forward

The sun and moon keep time
The stars continue to shine
Eternal hope of the infinite mind
On and on and on

My eyes are dim
My hands loose their strength
The grey in my hair
Remembers its length

Searching... On and on and on


DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME HERE... CANCEL CULTURE IS ALIVE AND WELL @JPF!
YOU'LL NEVER KNOW WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN DELETED...
David Gill #1214684 03/09/26 03:08 PM
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The best way I've found to get out of a rut is to go down to the local gas station/cafe/whatever and just sit outside and watch and observe people coming and going. When you people watch, you notice things when you're not in a hurry.


"It Mattered to THAT One"
David Gill #1214715 03/10/26 10:56 AM
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I know what it's like when you want to write a song and have no idea what it should be about. Often, I end up writing a song about trying to write a song. I think this is what you're trying to do. Catchy songs need strong hook lines. Your draft lacks a hook line. It doesn't have a song title either.

I gave it a try. Maybe you can find some bits and pieces here that you can use.

WRITE IT ANYWAY
https://suno.com/s/96Z9wLTglpny1p7d

Verse 1
I sat down and wrote a song today
Thinking up words in the usual way
Not really sure what I wanted to say
But I wrote it anyway

Pre-Chorus
Sometimes the lines don’t mean a thing
Sometimes they don’t even rhyme
But every once in a while a little spark
Shows up right on time

Chorus
When the words won’t come
And the day’s gone wrong
The sky’s just cold and gray
You write it anyway
Write it anyway
When the song’s half bad
And the rhyme’s off track
You don’t know what to say
You write it anyway
Write it anyway

Verse 2
I stood up and walked around today
A step at a time in the usual way
My knees weren’t sure
Think they wanted to stay
But I moved ’em anyway

Pre-Chorus
Sometimes the road feels way too long
Sometimes it’s hard to begin
But every step is a little proof
You’re still walkin’ again

Chorus
When the words won’t come
And the day’s gone wrong
The sky’s just cold and gray
You write it anyway
Write it anyway
When the song’s half bad
And the rhyme’s off track
You don’t know what to say
You write it anyway
Write it anyway

Bridge
Maybe tomorrow the sun breaks through
Maybe the clouds just stay
But songs have a funny way of showing up
When you’ve got nothin’ to say

You strum a chord
You hum a line
You chase a passing thought
And somewhere in the middle of the mess
You find the song you sought

Final Chorus
When the words won’t come
And the day’s gone wrong
The sky’s just cold and gray
You write it anyway
Write it anyway
When the song’s half bad
And the rhyme’s off track
You don’t know what to say
You write it anyway
Write it anyway

Last edited by Rob B.; 03/10/26 01:09 PM.
David Gill #1214721 03/10/26 12:57 PM
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Hey Rob!
That turned out well, you make the case for such, very well! Cheers.
Bill

David Gill #1214722 03/10/26 01:01 PM
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Yeah, it works extremely well as a Taylor Swift song. Now I've got a co-write with Dave... I hope he likes it!

https://soundclick.com/song/15211774


At its core, the song is about pushing through creative block and inertia by simply doing the thing anyway.
- It’s about a songwriter who feels uninspired, stuck, and maybe a little worn down.
- Instead of waiting for inspiration, he/she writes and moves forward anyway, even if the result isn’t perfect.
- The ordinary actions in the verses—writing a song, getting up, taking a walk—mirror the larger idea: progress happens one small step at a time.
- The tone is self-aware and slightly humorous, acknowledging that sometimes you don’t know what you’re doing… but doing something is still better than nothing.

The song is about showing up and creating anyway—even when the inspiration isn’t there and you’re not sure where it’s going. I have to admit, I know what that feels like. Sometimes this can lead to your best songs.

Last edited by Rob B.; 03/10/26 04:10 PM.
David Gill #1214724 03/10/26 03:32 PM
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And just like that... Inspiration!

Thanks, Rob!! This is pretty cool!

Peace,,

Dave


"Where there's a Gill, there's a way"
David Gill #1214725 03/10/26 03:36 PM
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Hey Dave,
I'm glad you like it. Over at Soundclick you can download it if you want to.


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