JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback A.I. Assisted Music Forum The Image In My Head

Several days back I was listening to a song posted by John Paragreen (A ladder with a million rungs) and I was reading the comments, John and Bill Draper was chatting and Bill made the statement (the image that popped into my head). I thought The image in my head and asked if they would be OK with me using that and both of them was OK with it.

I know right off the angle I had in mind. this isn't an autobiography, but my does have stage 3 Ovarian cancer so that may have had something to do with the angle. She's going through chemo now then will have to have a major surgery and more chemo. If all goes well she'll have a 40% chance of making it 4 to 5 more years.

I have spent two days in a hospital waiting room, I took a pen and a notebook with me and jotted down thoughts for this one. It is a bit longer than I had in mind but when I listen it doesn't feel too long to me.

https://soundclick.com/track/15344802

The Image In My Head

I was eighteen with Grandpas old six-string
Two dollars and a pocket full of dreams
Thought I'd take on the whole world
And become the man I thought I'd be
Had my Dad's old rusty Ford pickup
Had a girl I swore I'd wed
Had a thousand roads ahead of me
And a picture in my head

Some roads I thought would lead me home
Some dreams never came true
I lost a few along the way
And found some I never knew
I came home to little voices calling, "Dad"
I let some moments slip away
And left some "I love yous" unsaid
Now I'm thinking 'bout that kid

'Cause when you hear that doctor say
You've got more days behind than ahead
You start looking at your whole life
Through a different kind of lens

Did I live up to the image in my head?
That young man I was back then
Did I love like I said I'd love?
Did I become a better man?
Did I give more than I took?
Did I leave something good behind?
If that boy could see me standing here
Would he recognize my life?
I've got no more years to borrow
No more words left unsaid
So I'm asking that young man one last time---
Did I live up to
The image in my head?

I see my wife across the room
She's trying hard not to cry
I wanna tell her I'm not scared
But we both know that's a lie
I see my children as they were
With their little hands in mine
Funny how the years can disappear
In the blink of an eye

I thought I'd have forever
To get everything right
But forever is just a word
When you're staring down goodbye

Did I live up to the image in my head?
That young man I was back then
Did I love like I said I'd love?
Did I become a better man?
Did I give more than I took?
Did I leave something good behind?
If that boy could see me standing here
Would he recognize my life?
I've got no more years to borrow
No more words left unsaid
So I'm asking that young man one last time---
Did I live up to
The image in my head?

Maybe he didn't need a mansion
Maybe he didn't need to be somebody
Maybe all he ever wanted
Was a hand to hold when he got old
Maybe being someone's shelter
Maybe being the man someone can trust
Was the picture he was chasing
Without knowing it back then

Sometimes I wish I could go back
And find that boy still living in me
Put my hand upon his shoulder
And tell him, "You're gonna see...
Life ain't always gonna give you
Everything you thought you'd get
But don't be afraid to love it---
You'll learn what matters in the end."

Did I live up to the image in my head?
Yeah, I think I finally know
I wasn't always who I wanted
But I never quit the road
I loved a woman with my whole heart
I watched my children grow
I took the good along with the bad
And gave more than I owed
And if that young man could see me now
I think he'd understand---
You don't have to live a perfect life
To become a better man

So when they lay me down tomorrow
And the last thing I see is him
That eighteen-year-old boy

I'll tell him
"You made it farther than you knew..."

Then I'll close my eyes
And let that image
Carry me through

Hi Tex, really nice song and moving story which I relate to, six years ago I had prostate cancer, I had robotic surgery to remove the whole prostate,I still get yearly check ups.I hope things work out well, tell your loved one a guy from Scotland sends his best wishes
all the best, john.

It's gorgeous Tex.

Thanks John, I'll tell her and I want to wish you the best of luck.
Tex

Thanks Marty, I'm happy you took time to listen and reply.
Best to you
Tex

Actually Tex,

I listened to it two or three times marveling at what a lovely expression that it is, and how well written the song is.

IMO that is one the major failings of these ammy song sites...
when someone who writes as well as you, puts up something as good as this song, there are very few people able to recognize how good it is, and/or not wanting to recognize how good it is.

Neither of which changes the fact, that it is a very fine song.
Keep them coming...please.

Its a good song, I think its a bit verbose, and the music leads you to think the chorus is in several places.

Doesn't resolve well enough me. The hook and title is "the image in my head", which you wouldn't take away from listening.

Wasn't crazy about about the spoken word.

That said, it is a very nice introspective look at ones life. I could imagine youngsters being inspired, and older reflecting.

To piggy back on what Marty said, id say now that everybody has Suno, everybody thinks there's is as good as anyone else's.

The real problem with ammy sites, is that not enough people know what a good song is, suno augments that

Marty likes old country, nothing else is good.

Doesn't get it.

But the bottom line there's not enough users here.

I enjoyed the song, the part I like about it, I dont think can be learned. Its just who you are

Marty likes anything written well , with a compelling message, and music of any genre that delivers it.

My 2 favorite songs are Without You by Nielsson and Unbreak My Heart by Tony Braxton. Neither is traditional country.

Tex song may be, but it is standout at this site. Maybe anywhere.

Don't dungbeetle Dom. You have your opinions and I have mine. You've been doing better lately.

Should I address you as 9th street line?
Such an easy read.

Just wondering if you saw the irony of you saying
"The problem with ammy sites, nobody recognizes a good writer"

How would an ammy know the difference yet you transcend this and so it is?

A guy who never posts, nonetheless

Now dont hijack this thread any further

I've run over the time allocated this month for Illuminating dung beetles.

But I'll leave you with a challenge:

See if you can write a song anywhere near as compelling as the one in this thread. Once you've done that, I'll take your sensibilities regarding this song more seriously than I do now.

You also need to spend less time on the internet as 9th Street line, Etc and more time focused on guarding the properties that you're being paid to guard.

That's the right thing to do.

And not a good listener either.

Listening is imperative to writing, playing, producing, the whole nine

Hay Dom,

Thanks for taking the time to listen and leave a reply.