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Lowered Expectations
©2003 Corey Parkman

Bar clock says it’s ten
and I’m drunk again
Looking for a honky tonk jewel
There’s pretty Jeaneane
She’s a near sure thing
But she says I’m just a worn out fool

By eleven oh eight
I’m searchin’ in vain
For somebody with a pulse and curves
I make a lot of eyes
Get shot down twice
Well, I guess it’s just what I deserve

Chorus
Every night keeps living up to my lowered expectations
In this sad pathetic search for satisfied relations
I’ve lost my heart, I’ve lost my mind, and damn near lost my patience
‘cause every night keeps livin’ up to my lowered expectations

It’s thirty past two
I’m asleep in a booth
When I feel a hand go up my thigh
It’s the owner Ms. Raye
She said it’s getting late
With a twinkle in her one good eye

(Repeat Chorus)

Bridge
I used to have high standards
Had a girl so sweet and fair
But she left me last December
and it’s been down hill from there

Now every night keeps living up to my lowered expectations
In this sad pathetic search for satisfied relations
I’ve lost my heart, I’ve lost my mind, and I’ve lost all my patience
Yeah, every night keeps livin’ up to my lowered expectations

My love life keeps livin’ up to my lowered expectations

------------------
"He said, "It's about money boy, money in the bank
Country ain't into no existential angst
Write for the cash, not for the soul."
Right then I knew man I's bound to roll
Outta Nashville, VietNashville" - Houston Marchman

Check out my Soundclick site: Corey's Soundclick Site

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My Site

[This message has been edited by Corey (edited 02-28-2003).]

Sorry to bump this but it t'was about to drop off into the great void...I'd sure like some comments or suggestions.

Hi Corey

I like this and in particular the chorus and the bridge. In my opinion it would be better if you left the 1. chorus as it is and not changed it at the end, leaving out the last line. Also someone who is as drunk as the singer wouldn't normally be in a state to observe the time as exactly as "By eleven oh eight" and "It's half past two" sounds more conversational than your line "It’s thirty past two". The singer isn't put in a favorable light but I think you get away with it since it's so humorous.
I like it
Jan

Thanks Jan. You may be right about the guy keeping up with the time...I was just trying to make that element consistent through the lyric...and honestly, I can remember my drinkin' days and I usually knew what time it was... Anyway, I appreciate your comments!

Corey

Mornin' Corey,

This is an interesting one...sort of a hopeless take on "the Girls All Get Prettier at Closin' Time". This one must have snuck under the radar somehow not to have any more comments that this.

I particularly like the chorus.

dawg

Corey,

Excellent, all in all, as always. The only thing that rubs me the wrong way is that "LOWERED Expectations" doesn't seem "tangible"(?) enough to qualify as a solid title/hook IMHO...were it me, I would try for something like "NOT so great expectations" if I could fit it, because that incorporates a cleverer "negative" and relates to the book title which has developed into a semi-common expression, though not to the point where it is "cliche" yet?

Chris

Thanks Dawg. Todd Snider has one called "I Can Drink Any Woman Pretty" .

CP

Hi Corey,

"With a twinkle in her one good eye" . . . Man, I've looked at a lot of your great stuff, but I guess I never realized you dabble in the humor side too. That's probably because I get so engrossed in all the more serious songs you put up. Nonetheless I'm still impressed. You just keep crankin'um out.

If you get a chance take a look at "Instruments of Passion" on this board. I started out trying to write a song using a lot ridiculous twists on songwriting terms and devices, and ended up somewhere else. I'd be interested in one of my favorite lyric writer's opinion on whether the thing is even salvagable, and if so, where I should go with it.

Larry

Well, I dont see a dang thang wrong with it IMO. Fact is, I like it pretty much AS IS, and think the hook-title is unique enough to make a go.
Excellent country song, I'd say. I do think the "half past two" o'clock works better than 30 past two. I can hear this one in my head, and could almost know the melody, I felt. Jake

Corey, I LOVED everything about this lyric, very very clever writing in my opinion. The only negative for me is it came a bit close to Daryl Singletary's "I'm Living Up to Her Low Expectations" - in title only because from memory I'm sure the content is quite different. I loved the humourous touch in this one. Cheers, Judy

<Copy and paste Judy's entire post here>...thanks Judes! Good stuff Corey.

Thanks Chris. I think the hook works pretty well, but I'll see what some other folks think on that. Your idea would make a great hook for another song possibly. There was once a Saturday Night Live segment...a 'realistic' dating show called 'Lowered Expectations'...I may have been subliminally inspired by that to write this .

Corey

As you know I made a comment elsewhere and I have to say I like this bridge a lot better.

I think the piece is well written.
The chorus fits the verses fine.

Eric

Thanks Larry. I write a little bit of everything ...redneck songs are one of my favorites...and you can hardly write one of those without a little humor (See 'Single in a Doublewide' on my Soundclick site ). Glad you enjoyed this...I'll check your latest out tomorrow, gotta get to bed tonight.

CP

Thanks a bunch, Jake. I'll fix that 'time' line in v.3. Glad you enjoyed!

Corey

Hey Judy. Glad you liked this. I've never heard that Daryl Singletary song, but since it wasn't a big hit, I'm betting it wouldn't hurt this one's potential (this one doesn't have much potential anyway ). With as many hooky country songs as there are these days, it's sure getting hard to come up with a unique hook!!

Corey

Thanks Blake and Eric. Good to hear from the western and northern contingents!

Corey

[This message has been edited by Corey (edited 03-05-2003).]