JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Mentor Questions Forum Help me avoid making a fool of myself?

I posted these two questions on the Songwriter Forum and got no answers, so I guess I need mentor help.
First: Is the word "freak" (meaning a woman who likes/is good at sex) too urban to use in a country song?
Second: Is King Street in Charleston a busy enough shopping street to be called "bustling"? I want a southern setting, and I need a bustling street where my speaker can run into an old lover and duck into the crowd.
Thanks for your help!

Post deleted by DonnaMarilyn

Pam,

From my perspective, yeah, I would probably avoid "Freak." I would also avoid "Busteling. That is a fairly 1950's word. So you have the 1980's and 1950's. Pretty soon you'll be right up to date.

MAB

Super freaky: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFfbtaMFcW8

Kevin

LOL @ Super Freaky, nice Kevin

Yes, freak is too urban for country music and bustling is too old for todays country.

But...that said...not knowing how you are approaching either...it's hard to say whether they are completely out of place.

I think the term freak is one of those words that someone who is already established in the music biz. I could hear it coming from Toby Keith or even Tim McGraw.

Actually, the two words are in two different songs. I will rewrite them both, especially the "bustling" one. I loved the "Super Freak" video. I also laughed out loud, Kevin. Thanks.

The word "freak" referred to a hippie or alternative lifestyle in the 60's and 70's. 70's Funk music, Rick James, George Clinton et al took over the term which could have sexual connotations.

60's "freaks" are now hippies who are in their 60's.

Such incredible lyrics:

"She's a Superfreak, a Superfreakin'
Yeowwwwwww!!!!!
Ohh ohh ohh ohh ohh ohh ohh!!!...."

Rick James

Oh to go back to those days.

MAB

I still like George Clinton (Funkadelic). Good Disco stuff.

"I'm RICK JAAAAAAAAMES, beyotch!"

"We got a real type of thing going down gettin' down, got a whole lot of rhytmn going down."

We're gonna turn this Muthu out...

"Da Roof, Da roof, Da roof is on fire!!!!!
We don't need no water let da motha ...... burn!!!!"

Oh yeah!!

Way to go Marc. Funkadelic was a true band in the disco age. Not very many except for The Bee Gees.

Ben,

I used to play all that stuff. My favorite was probably "Earth Wind and Fire's" Serpantine fire.' Back in my first or second or fourth career in this business. "Play Dat Funky Music White Boy". In the 70's, I used to look like KC from the Sunshine Band. And a bunch of places I went, particuarlarly soul food places (I was friends with several African American people, one who was in my band, and Eddie Kendricks, from the Temptations) the wouldn't take "no" for an answer that I wasn't him. So I ended up with a lot of free food and signing autographs. Hope there was no law against impersanating a disco star.
I had a great time in the 70's-80's, actually liked Disco (LOVED THE WOMEN) and loved the Bee Gees.

MAB

FWEET..She's a BRICK...HOUSE....She Mighty-Mighty..Jus' Lettin' It ALL Hang Out...

Yep. Sure WERE The Days! Thanks Kevin for the Alt. Country HIT there Amigo! (Talk about a Ho Down, eh?) ;-)>

Mz Pam, I think Folks here are right about those 2 words...both kinda Define-An-Era..& both Eras are kinda-Passe..at the moment..in Country Music.

HOWEVER..WHEN-Used, they CAN define Their PARTICULAR Era (& Region) rather-effectively...(Anyone remember Ode to Billy Joe..where the line goes "There was a VIRUS GOIN' 'ROUND, Pappa got it & he died last year"... Really Dated-Phrase..YET it screamed "Small, Bit-Backwards Southern Town"...

So..I'd hint that CONTEXT makes or breaks those 2 words of yours.
But, in-general, I'd agree with all the others..mostly.

Good Luck with the Song(s), & Big Hugs,
Stan

I am so glad you guys are having so much fun with my post. Marc, "Play that Funky Music" is still popular with teens in my town. The crazy 60-something teacher next door used to play it between classes, and you should have heard the kids singing it! LOUD!

Thanks, Stan, for your advice. I'm going to change "freak" to "up the creek". The other song is on the back burner; I'll get to it later.

Would you guys mind looking at "The Lord Sent a Cowboy" which I accidentally posted on the Songwriter Message forum?

Pam,

I sent you a private e-mail about it. I made a few observations from a Nashville industry perspective. That might not be what you are interested in with the song but it is what we deal with every day here. You can send me back any questions you might have about my comments.
When writing songs we have to consider many perspectives, such as how would it be recieved by audiences, publishers, pluggers, artists (if you are not the artist) and just the overall look at music.
I tried to enclose some ways to look at it from those perspectives. Hope it helps. Thanks for being a part of this community.

MAB

"Heeeeeyyyy Heeeeeyyyyyy!!!!! I was a funky singer...."

Even the main stream bands of the era got out a disco song. At least they were being played in the Discos.

Led Zeppelin- Trampled Under Foot

Stones- Hot Stuff

MCcartney- Comin' Up

Rod Stewart- Can't remember the song

Rod Steward- HOT LEGS, DO YOU THINK I"M SEXY

Stones- MISS YOU

Oh Rod Stewart (swoon) I love that man.

I cover both Hot Legs and Play that funky music. You can have a listen on either Ourstage or Soundclick. Link is below.

I went to a Rod Stewart concert in the late 70's. He had the Japanese lead guitar player (can't remember his name).

I was at the front of the stage before the concert started. As soon as the show started, a surge of wild women made their way up front kicking and punching to get up close. I had to retreat to the bleachers to watch the show.

Hi Ben the Japanese guitarist you refer to was probably the bassist Tetsu Yamauchi. He played bass fo the Faces in early seventies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetsu_Yamauchi

Thanks Jim, I thought he played lead.

It was a good show. I liked the part where he started kicking soccer balls into the audience. They rolled them to him from offstage one after the other and he didn't miss one.

For the past three years, my publisherm Robin Ruddy, played steel guitar, dobro, and banjo for Rod. It was amazing. Played in front of 80,000 people in Wembly Stadium. Played on the Prince's Diana tribute thing,met Prince Charles and the boys.

They traveled first class and did a ton of stuff all over the world. He books about 8 or nine private parties every few months for one million dollars plus. Makes a FOTRUNE. But takes care of his people very well.

MAB

Anybody hear Rod Stewart and Dolly sing "Baby It's Cold Outside"? Now there is something different!

Speaking of bringin, the funk, Bootsy Collins is my bud! Wish my computer challenged ass could upload a picture for ya.

Freak is fine...it's all in how you use it. Urban terminology is used in country songs frequently. Write what you feel sounds good.

Yeah like, "My grandma's FREAKY with my boyfriend" might not go over too well...

Hey Pam, thanks for being a good sport about letting us have fun here...that's what threads do from time to time...they go from the OPs topic to weird stuff (because most of us ARE weird) but you're a cool lady for taking it all in stride. We really do take music seriously, but sometimes we get sidetracked with whackiness.

I always thought "Tell Me Something Good" by Rufus with Chaka Khan was the best GROOVE THANG ever!!!

Rod Stewart......AND Dolly Parton.......Now there IS a pair of freaks LOL.

"the morning sun shining in your face really shows your age"
LOL Rod Stewart

Use...

Peachtree

as your southern street

I just figured out that was a dog and not a bowling ball
in your avatar.

That line "I'm Rick James!" from some video where he's
drinking in the dressing room was my introduction and my
most memorable image of him. Guess first impressions are
lasting impressions.