How may have you written? Gees, I am over twenty.
How good are they? My early ones were not good. I have a bunch of decent ones, but only one that I think could be kind of a hit.
Who would you like to do one of your songs on an album? I would choose Guy Davis for most and Toby Kieth or Rodney Carrington for one. That one would be 'Titties & Tires.”
What's good about songwriting? Just a form of expression for me. And it's pretty cool to do a home made song on a home made instrument.
What's hard about songwriting? Being original. Not borrowing or stealing too much.
What do you like in a song? I like a story. And some fun.
Do you have an example of a song or part of a song you've written?
Here's one that came to me today while mowing the grass. Well, most of it did. No title yet. Kind of a blues formula...
I met Pedro in the Johnson County slammer.
He was doin' thirty days for fighting with Anna.
I said, “Pedro! You don't DO that!”
A girl is a princess and a woman is a queen.
You got be lovey dovey and keep things serene.
And you never, EVER hit a woman.”
He said, “Senor, it ain't like that.
Anna likes to fight at the drop of hat.
She was a golden gloves boxer. Heavy WEIGHT!”
Anna's picture was hanging on the wall.
She started looking GOOD and that aint all.
Pedro told me, she cooked muy bueno.
I got out of jail first and I stole Anna.
She was hungry for love. I was her top banana.
And for a little while things went great.
Till one day she hit me and knocked me down.
I barely got up and she knocked me around.
And she knocked me out. I NEVER hit that woman.
When the cops came to get me I said, “It ain't like that.
Anna likes to fight at the drop of hat.
She was a golden gloves boxer. Heavy WEIGHT
”When I get out jail I'll get a restraining order.
I'm leaving this town and goin' to Florida.
I wanna make things clear. I never hit that woman.
I want to make things clear. I Never hit that woman.
Replies
How many have you written? .....over 50 including instrumental pieces.
How good are they? .....good question...I like 'em, some people like 'em enough to buy 'em, I've never regretted any of 'em!
Who would you like to do one of your songs on an album? .....anybody who likes it enough to cover it.
What's good about songwriting? .....it refreshes the soul, satisfies artistic outlet and feels good to have a gripe sometimes!
What's hard about songwriting? ....I could never write to order I have to be inspired, a little apple, the core of an idea, could drop anytime....driving, in the middle of the night....if I get an idea I record it onto my cell phone for later.
What do you like in a song? ....a theme, a story, a hook, an interesting riff .
Do you have an example of a song or part of a song you've written? ...posted!
RTZ that was fun to see you having fun, rocking the folk song. Steve, I forgot how good you sounded on that song, man. Wayfinder, that is a really good answer. And Steve, that pretty gal is a knockout.
Okay, truth is I am closer to 50 songs written, but 30 of them seem like crap.
UJ the girl is Nicola Adams our UK female Olympic gold medal boxing champ - she's really sweet, polite and courteous....until she gets in the ring! ;-)
RTZ in the act of writing a Song.
RRRRROCKIN' ....!!! :-)
that's pretty much how I do it, but one instrument at a time.....
Hi Uncle John song writing is just part of Who I am, What I do, How I express Myself. I have been writing about as long as I been playing Guitar over 50 years.
I will try to answer The form questions now as best as I can
How many I've written Lost count many years Ago I'll just say several hundred, since I join Cigar Box Nation about two years Ago Around 225 posted most .
I think most were good some I wrote just for fun turn out Ok Some written live when I just turn on the web cam and just made um up as I played. Some so bad forgot um.
Who I would like to record one my songs. Alabama, Tim Macraw , Toby Keith, and You Uncle John I think you would do a
fine job on My song Cigar Box Heaven
What's good about Song writing . When you write one Others seem to enjoy and relate to
What's hard about writing . For Me it's putting them on paper the writing part as I am a terrible speller My wife Helps Me a lot on that God Bless Her think She can spell just about anything
What I like in a Song. A story, something I can relate to, Emotions Original Ideas and just having Fun
Example of one I have not finish yet
Twenty years of My life
Twenty years of My life __ has just past me by__ It's only time__ but it"s not always on our side
Some things I did right___ others turn out all wrong ___ the best We can ever do___ is to keep on Try_ing
To Be Finish soon I Hope
Well I"ll keep writing That,s what I do It helps Me stay Happy and forget about My troubles for a little while
See Ya,ll James O
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