General Music Chat

I uploaded a new song to my play list but I'd like explain the situation around this song and print the lyrics here. The name of the song is "When You're Blind"

I consider this one of my best lyrical songs I've ever written because of the irony in each line. I wrote this song after my oldest son, at the age of 16, decided he wanted to try acid (LSD) He was riding around with friends when he started tripping out. He got out of the car and removed all his clothes. He just so happened to do this across from the country sheriff's home, so he got word of what was going on, put my son in his cop car and took him to the hospital. I get the call from one of the friends he was with. He said, "I think you need to get to the hospital, something is wrong with Richard (my son). So I speed off to the hospital and as I enter the emergency room I could hear him yelling, singing, reciting the commercial for Skittles. Now, it's funny, back then, it wasn't. He was tripping big time. He had a tongue ring in...and the Doggie Houser doctor came in and told me I had to take out his tongue ring so they could do a scan of his head because they weren't sure what was going on with him. (his friends are in the waiting room...they knew what he had taken but wouldn't tell the doctor) First, I told the doctor I'm not going anywhere near his mouth so he can bite me...secondly I told the doctor he was tripping on LSD (I grew up in the 60's and 70's)...his heart rate was over 170 per minute...I told the doctor to give him valium or something to bring him down, but they refused because THEY didn't know what was going on wtih him. Needless to say I was not pleased with the doctors or his so called friends. I confronted his friends to come clean, but still they refused. He tripped heavy for about 5 hours and then slowly came out of it. His heart could have given out at any time because his heart rate stayed well over 150 for over 5 hours. By the time he was released I was playing the guilt game with myself for not keeping a better eye on him. Anyways...that was a low time in my life; my kid, tripping out on acid...That is where the inspiration came for this song. I hope you will take a listen to it and read the lyrics...


WHEN YOU’RE BLIND
COPYRIGHT: DEBRA CRAINE, 2001


HOW DO YOU REACH FOR HOPE WHEN THERE AINT NO MORE?
HOW DO YOU GRASP AT LIFE WITH DEATH AT YOUR DOOR?
HOW CAN YOU SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL WHEN YOU’RE BLIND?

HOW DO YOU GET UP WHEN YOU AINT NEVER SLEPT?
HOW DO YOU GAMBLE WITH NOTHING LEFT TO BET?
HOW DO YOU HOLD ON TO THE END OF A ROPE THAT’S COME UNTIED?

CHORUS:

SOMETIMES I SIT ON MY FRONT PORCH, AND WATCH THE TRAINS AS THEY PASS BY.
SOMETIMES I HAVE TO STOP MYSELF, FROM JUST CATCHING A RIDE; TO BE ANYWHERE BUT HERE.


HOW DO YOU LAUGH WHEN THE JOKE IS ON YOU?
HOW DO YOU DREAM WHEN YOUR NIGHTMARES COME TRUE?
WHERE IS THE STRENGTH WHEN YOU’VE GIVEN EVERYTHING YOU GOT?

WHERE ARE THE WORDS WHEN THERE’S NOTHING LEFT TO SAY?
WHEN ARE THOSE GOD DAMNED SIGNS GONNA LEAD MY WAY?
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU FIND OUT YOU’RE NOT EVERYTHING YOU THOUGHT?


2ND CHORUS:

SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA KEEP ON GOING, EVEN WHEN YOU JUST DON’T HAVE THE HEART.
AND SOMETIMES THE HARDEST THING YOU HAVE TO DO, IS WATCH IT ALL FALL APART; AND THEN BUILD IT BACK AGAIN.

1ST VERSE AGAIN

Pure heartfelt personal song, there. Needs production to make ot work better.

Hope your son is over that stuff.

It's a bit country/simple for my tastes, musically, but it's working on that level.

oh yeah...he's well past those days...almost 28 now and a professional rock climber. He is more of a "natualist" if you know what I mean.

I wrote that song when he was 16..so yeah, it's a bit countyish, but I'm thinking of changing the tempo and tune to see if Ican't make it more contemporary.

There are tons of folks who prefer to listen to "country-simple," just none on this forum.
But - that being said - forget them all . . .
.
Write the song the way YOU like it.
.
You shouldn't have to be hunting for a particular audience.
Just play what you like.
People will listen - just play what you feel, what you like - they'll find you . . .

There are tons of folks who prefer to listen to "country-simple," just none on this forum.
But - that being said - forget them all . . .
.
Write the song the way YOU like it.
.
You shouldn't have to be hunting for a particular audience.
Just play what you like.
People will listen - just play what you feel, what you like - they'll find you . . .

Thank you. I guess I just needed that reassurance; I rather like the song how it is. thank you again.

Well...I DID say that it works at that level. I'm not trying to get you to change a thing, Debs. It's good as it stands, as a song.

Before I read your lyrics, I will hear your song. I think it just works better that way as for getting a feel of the thing.
Hope your son has learned better. I,ve done my share of acid and there is nothing wrong with meeeeeemeeemeemem.

Ok, wow, so I dont need to read the lyrics after all.
Production aside, very nicely done.
Yes I think I could make a fire breathing rock anthem out of those lyrics.
Not that it would make it better mind you, just the way my evil little mind works hehehe

Well...I DID say that it works at that level. I'm not trying to get you to change a thing, Debs. It's good as it stands, as a song.

I know dude...and I know you weren't trying to get me to change it. I'm always open to suggestions of what might improve a song. It's all good...

Before I read your lyrics, I will hear your song. I think it just works better that way as for getting a feel of the thing.
Hope your son has learned better. I,ve done my share of acid and there is nothing wrong with meeeeeemeeemeemem.

I can see you are perfectly "normal"..........

Ok, wow, so I dont need to read the lyrics after all. Very Happy
Production aside, very nicely done.
Yes I think I could make a fire breathing rock anthem out of those lyrics.
Not that it would make it better mind you, just the way my evil little mind works hehehe

thanks...I've always thought the lyrics were awesome because of the irony in all the lines....

I always incorporate a catch line in all my songs...and it doesn't necessarily have to be in the chorus or title of the song. it's a line that makes the listener go..."WOW"...and sticks in their head for some time. The catch line in that song, for me, is the line that says, "When are those GD signs gonna lead my way?"....I love that...because of the shock factor maybe or how desperate I make it sound to know which direction to go next. The song is powerful and when my son grew up I told him I wrote that song after his "episode" with acid....He sat down and listened to the song; actually heard the words I was saying...and he cried. Mission accomplished. Not to make him feel guilty for what he did, but because the song was powerful enough to bring my grown son to tears. If I never sell a song...if I never earn a single dime from what I write, knowing I've caused that kind of emotion with a song is worth more than any money I could make.

and as everybody says, "coughbullshitcough" I'll say, sure, making money with my songs would be great...I'll take it if it comes...

The catch phrase is a very important part of a good song, be it lyical musical or both.
You do seem to have a talent for it. Glad your here sharing.

The catch phrase is a very important part of a good song, be it lyical musical or both.
You do seem to have a talent for it. Glad your here sharing.

Thanks....I'm glad to have a place to share it with folks who all have at least one thing in common...

Good song, kinda iffy recording quality. Tremendous potential with this song properly recorded and mastered/ / Good luck Debbie. (what are you using to record with? - there are ALOT of people here that could set you up/ guide you to a better sound, if you're interested..) (and a lot of it's free stuff, too )
Cheers-

Good song, kinda iffy recording quality. Tremendous potential with this song properly recorded and mastered/ / Good luck Debbie. (what are you using to record with? - there are ALOT of people here that could set you up/ guide you to a better sound, if you're interested..) (and a lot of it's free stuff, too )
Cheers-

I use audacity directly into my computer. I have a 4 track recorder, but it is not digital and I'm not sure how to take the finished product from it and get it onto my computer.

So...please....do guide me to better recording sound devices...FREE preferably.

Ok, I've heard Audacity is good.. I think the 4 track may be the problem. I am def no recording expert, but I use my 4-track as a pre-amp (plugging the mic or bass or guit in to it) then using the main sends out thru a converter box (RCA type to 1/8 stereo plug into the pc soundcard) .. then recording direct to PC.. No tape involved..