JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback Lyric Feedback Forum 2 Prayin' for Keeps & NASCAR Cowboy MP3's

just got these back. After i'm done with work tonight i'll back to check out what i've missed over the last week.

http://www.songramp.com/homepage.ez?Who=blakeh

First two songs in the list.

Prayin’ For Keeps
© 2003 Blake Hill BMI & Scott Barrow BMI

V1
The front pew's never been his kinda place
But he can't say it’s looking too bad
He watches while she plays those keys with such grace
She's far more woman than he's ever had
A pastor's daughter ain't so easy to get
When her daddy says follow the good Lord's way
The path to follow is narrow and set
Never bowed his head till last Sunday

Chorus:
Now he's praying for keeps
Every night on his knees
Never before, asked the Lord, for anything
But with honest intentions
He seeks divine intervention
With a vision of how their future could be
He's praying for keeps

V2
It seems a rebel’s ways die mighty slow
Against her daddy’s wishes she says yes
He takes her to a show then they watch the lights below
She sure looks pretty in that summer dress
Young passion captures them so easily
But he recalls those prayers made each night
He knows God’s given him no guarantee
So he asks for strength to do what’s right

Bridge:
On Sunday’s he’s in that front pew
Wearing a new gold wedding band
Answered prayers can change a man
Make him do things he never thought he’d do

Changed Chorus:
Now he's praying for keeps
Every night on his knees
Never ignores, but thanks the Lord, for everything
And with honest intentions
He seeks divine intervention
With a vision of how their future will be
He's praying for keeps


NASCAR Cowboy
© 2003 Blake Hill BMI, Dan Fenstermacher BMI and Ben Krahne BMI

V1
I qualify my stock car with two hot laps
Hittin’ them marks I trip the speed traps
I`m down the list a little ain’t worried though
The "go round" that counts is the Sunday show
When it`s saddle-up time I strap myself in
No silver buckle just a trophy to win (yeah)

Chorus:
It`s checkers or wreckers
When they drop that flag
Put the pedal to the metal
Let the rough side drag
Flying while driving on tires and alloy
No bull needed, I’m a NASCAR cowboy

V2
I drive 500 miles round a paved bull ring
Adrenaline’s pumping the engine screams
Like a 200 mile an hour rodeo
She’ll be buckin’ like a brahma I won’t let go
800 hundred horses just rarin’ to run
There`s gonna be a stampede in turn one

Chorus Repeat

Bridge:
I`m an ex-bull rider turned racin guy,
Taming a beast of a different kind

Chorus Repeat

Tag:
No bull needed, I’m a NASCAR cowboy


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Blake's Songs
My Tonos Site

Good to see them up Guys. There is so many new atrists on SongRamp at the moment, and I have a good selection of you guys at the moment I gotta put these one on the get later list for the moment. Seem to remembr the lyric titles and look froward to the listen Guys.
I know where ya live.
Graham


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http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/grahamhendersonmusic.htm

Blake & Co-Writers,

Reallt nice work, here. Particularly liked "Praying For Keeps". That'a real nice arrangement of that one...hats off to the arranger. Nice vocals, too.

As I read it, I didn't have a clue about a melody at first. When I heard it, it was just perfect for the words and context of the song.

I guess what I'm trying to say, obviously not very well, is that it's a really nice piece of music that deserves lots of props.

Real nice, guys! Couldn't find a single nit.

Alan

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When you talk, you say something you already know...
If you listen, you might learn something new.

Double header tonight, eh Blake?

I'll keep it short. (There's a switch!) Prayin for Keeps doesn't work for me. Interestingly, I love some of the vocal phrasing. But the words don't work for me. Some of the phrase combinations seem, well, forced. And the subject matter (pastor's daughter) just seems like it's there to spice up the meal. Sorry. Probably just me.

On the other hand, Cowboy rocks. It's the kind of song that gets picked up in today's market. Yeah, it's macho, testosterone and adrenaline pumped. But I can hear it blaring in the background with the 500 on TV. One suggestion though. The bridge isn't doing much for you. Either cut it and go for a straight repetitive adrenaline rush of chorus, or expand it by a minimum of two more lines. And drop the bit about being an ex bull rider. It's not necessary to the analogy (or is that metaphor? I always get confused). It stands on its own without being brought back to the reality of rodeo riding. Have faith in what you've painted. It don't need any more support.

One thumbs up, with a HOT! One out of two ain't bad.

Hey! I was just re-reading Cowboy and I noticed this Dan Fenstermacher guy up there with a co-credit. Windowman! Nice work! Good to see your name up in the lights again!

[This message has been edited by Michael Thomas (edited 06-14-2003).]

Hello, Blake,

I'm still not able to listen to your tunes on songramp, but I sure do like these two lyrics. Regarding "Prayin' For Keeps": It's inconsequential, but when he "watches while she plays those keys with such grace," I heard something stronger than just "plays." Something like "caresses" or... I don't know. It just seems like he's so taken with her that anything she does will be described as out of the ordinary.

I know I'm going to feel silly when I find out what it means, but I didn't understand what they were doing when they "...watch the lights below." All in all, a fine lyric in my opinion.

I REALLY like "NASCAR Cowboy". The line, "It's checkers or wreckers" alone justifies this one's existence. I also think the last two lines of the chorus that rhyme "alloy" and "cowboy" are dynamite.

The only thing I wondered about was the tense in the first verse. I kept hearing:

I qualifiED my stock car with two hot laps
Hittin' them marks, I tripPED the speed traps

and

When it's saddle up time I'LL strap myself in

I don't know anything about racing; what does it mean to "hit marks and trip speed traps?"

Fine writing--fresh language, tight structure.

Good luck,
Mark

Graham, no problem buddy. Thanks for stopping in.

Alan, thanks as always for stopping by. It's always appreciated; glad you liked Prayin' for Keeps.

Mike, thanks for the listens buddy. No problem Not liking Prayin'...different strokes for different folks as they say. Glad you liked NASCAR...yes, the bridge is NOT needed, we knew that going in; might change it to 4 lines though and could change the angle on it completely. THanks for stopping in...always appreciated.

Homer, sure apreciate the listen buddy, and YES you are correct on those minor words changes...the Nascar song isn't "soup" yet; we have a few kinks to work out, and that is ONE of them...but there are a few more. Thanks a bunch for taking the time to comment.

the "lights below" line is just referring (somewhat vaguely) to them going to a "makeout point" type place.

Two for the price of one, eh? What a bargain!!

NASCAR Cowboy has GOT to find it's way to the folks at Winston, Busch or whoever the heck sponsors those races, cause as I listened, I could hear it in the background to the beginning of a race and each commercial during it. That adds up to some mighty fine royalties, guys! Get it there, quickly!!!

Prayin For Keeps is mostly good, but the only problem I have with the lyric is in the very beginning and it makes it a little difficult to get past. It starts off sounding like he's only going to church to see her. Not that there's anything wrong with it, it just seems like a shallow thing to do. You wrap it up nicely, but it's still difficult for me to get past that first part. (But, don't take my word for it, I've been a bit of a heathen lately myself, not worshipping communally... I think that's okay as long as I maintain my personal relationship with Him. I think he's still listening!! )

Good luck with both of them, I firmly believe NASCAR Cowboy's gonna be bigger than any of us ever imagined! Good on ya!
Tink

Hi Blake,

Both are real nice songs.

I would be more inclined to buy NASCAR COYBOY. just my personal preference

Good Luck and thumbs up on both.

Regards
Bill

hey tinkster,

thanks for the listens. Ya gotta remember, the WHY he's there is somewhat implied...the front pew's not his kinda place...she IS why he's there...he's not a church guy...that's why the bridge says "answered prayers can sometimes change a man, make him do thing he never thought he'd do". I understand what you are saying, but that was intentional.

Appreciate your insights and comments as always...yeah, wouldn't it be nice to get that to the NASCAR people.

Thanks for the listens bill; you know i always appreciate it buddy. I hope you can buy it on cd someday.

Hi Blake and all the co-writers, Hey Dano-- where you been? Good to see ya back. Sorry I cannot get any music into my PC with Songramp. Have no idea why, but I will tell you this. The Nascar Lyric is pure gold, pure NOW and if your demo is good, which it probably is--?? Pitch this one with vigor and vim! Idamarie

G'day Blakeh. Gee I like your song "Prayin for keeps" and I love fast cars so I like your "Nascar Cowboy" too. They are both bonzer songs, good luck with them both and best wishes,Ray in Australia.

Enjoyed both -- two totally different types of songs, obviously, but I think NASCAR Cowboy is the real WINNER of the two!!! Blake, you know how to pitch, so get that one out there quick! Great job!


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Mary Lou

Ida; sure appreciate the read....and i know ya listened too finally so thanks....still gotta few tweaks 'fore this one is "clean" but glad you like!

Just stopping in to thank everybody for checking out these songs. Sooo...thanks Graham, Alan, Mikey T, Mark, Cin, Bill, Ida, Ray, and Mary Lou! Glad you all like NASCAR COWBOY.

Blakester,
Nice job to you and Scott on Prayin. I`m kinda "heathen-y" like Tink...so I see her point about the opening of the song. (Then again, I knew a dude that did go to church only because his new girlfriend insisted he go.) I think it`s a pretty good song with very fitting music. Dano

As a side note, I`ve known a few pastor`s daughters, and they were more "heathen-y" than me.

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www.angelfire.com/music3/danolyrics

ray, thanks for listenin' mate! Sure appreciate it.

thanks mary lou! Trust me, i'm pitching i'm pitching!