4. Song

 

Adrian Song of the Week 4. "Song"

Links on Soundclick

Album version : https://soundclick.com/r/s875ka
Live Version : https://soundclick.com/r/s8777x

Two versions of the same song... called "Song"... are posted for your listening pleasure this week. It seemed logical to follow up a post titled "Music" with one called "Song."

"Song" came out of an experience I had where I had been invited to play at what I thought was to be a concert (featuring mostly "Me") but turned out to be an event where I was just providing backing music as people did their own thing. It did not go well. Some of the other activities taking place were very noise generating, so my presence was rather pointless. I persevered, and even gathered a few folks to listen for a while to what I had to offer, but it was not my finest hour.

For myself songwriting has an element of personal therapy. I tend to write about stuff that impacts me, as a way of dealing with it. But I also get a whole lot of joy from communal experiences of sharing my songs, just as long as others are on board. I don't mind being the one providing backing music but like to know what is required in advance.

The "Live" version invited participation and is from a concert in the early 80's at St Mary's Church in Upton. Very much a warts and all performance and an earlier version than the recorded one. "Song" has served me well as a useful opener in solo performances. I've used it as a warm up song in an open mic set. If you are the first act up, you tend also to be the soundcheck. The opening Chords require hefty strumming. The little instrumental break is quirky and keeps folks’ attention. And the chorus is mindless da-da.

When it came to doing a recording, it was fun to balance the guitar part with the other instruments. The Bass guitar offers a riff going up as the keys and acoustic go down. The lead guitar (Hayman) was played in the control room and plugged in directly to the sound board. Drummer Gwyn produced a groove that really drives it along. Yvonne and Susan offered tuneful da-das. 

The use of silence in the chorus involved two of us on the mixing desk pressing mute buttons on every channel but the acoustic guitar, so as it really was a silence! Fun memories. With its prominent opening chord, I'd originally thought of it as an opening track for the "Jester" album (my only ever studio excursion) but came up with a rather dramatic version of Psalm 150 that took over that role.

The biblical reference in the album sleeve notes is from Matthew 11:17 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' The original context was that whatever Jesus did or suggested, folk did the opposite. Frustrating experience for any preacher! The sentiment seemed to vibe with the song theme. Bear in mind, I was in theological college/seminary at the time.

My favorite part is the mid-section "I've been singing my songs for quite a few years now and, yes I've had some really good times. Now here I am, singing my songs for you, Laying down a song, singing a rhyme." Musically I included a few bars of 'boogie' ... right after the words "good time" ... as a musical reference to the band Status Quo, whose music I so enjoyed as a kid... and an oblique reference to another song I'd written called "Good Time Boogie". But that is more information than anybody needs.

I simply hope that you enjoy this particular "Song" offering :-)

(Album lyrics)

I can sing my song for you
Maybe I'll make you smile
Maybe I'll make you tap your feet
Make you think for a while
But there's no point in me singing
if no-one wants to listen
There's no point in me playing my songs
If no-one wants to hear my ...

Chorus: Da Da Da Da Da Da Da. Da Da Da Da Da Da

I can play my guitar for you
Maybe I'll make you smile
Maybe I'll make you tap your feet
Make you think for a while
But there's no point in me playing
If no-one wants to listen
There's no point in me playing guitar
If no-one wants to hear my ...

Chorus

Well, I've been singing my songs
For quite a few years now
And yes, I've had some really good times
Now here I am, singing my songs for you
Laying down a song, singing a rhyme

I can sing my songs for you
Maybe I'll make you smile
Maybe I'll make you tap-tap your feet
Make you think for a while
And I can play my guitar for you
Maybe I'll make you smile
Maybe I'll make you tap-tap your feet
Make you think for a while

But there's no point in me singing
If no-one wants to listen
There's no point in me playing my songs
If no-one wants to hear my ...

Chorus

Adrian: Acoustic, Bass & Lead guitars, OBX Synthesiser, Vocal
Gwyn:    Drums
Yvonne: backing Vocals
Susan Rice-Hughes: Backing Vocals

MATTHEW 11:17

3. Music

 

 Adrian Song of the Week 3. "Music"

Link on Soundclick: https://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=13493380

By the time I was in junior/middle school, sitting at a musical instrument and making up music had already become my happy place. At our family home in Orchard Road there was a piano in the front room. Unfortunately, that was the same room as the record player and television... so access was not always readily available. But whenever I could occupy that space and, whatever else may be going on in the world, just enjoyed weaving tunes out of nowhere. I was supposedly doing piano practice for the lessons I was taking, but more often than not would be doing my own thing.

Sometime, during High School years, I came up with this piece simply titled "Music." It's not so much a song, as a prelude. I really don't know what genre you would place it under. Or who would sing it. I'm sure Freddy Mercury could have killed it, (with Brian May on guitar of course,) though it's maybe more musically styled toward Michael Bublé or Barry Manilow. Never really known what to do with it! It certainly did not fit in with the output of any bands I ever played in. Nor is it the kind of song you could just strum on a guitar.

 All these years later, now I can see things retrospectively, the line that startles me (and a reason for sharing) is the final one that declares "No matter what I do, The music keeps breaking through." My chosen career as a minister in a traditional denomination hasn't exactly created personal musical opportunities.

 Every congregation I have been part of has embraced traditional music, i.e., hymnbooks, organs and S.A.T.B Choir anthems. I have had more than one church music director inform me that my musical efforts were not welcome on a Sunday morning. Other folk made it quite clear to me that they did not appreciate pastors with guitars invading their sacred space.

Thankfully other venues such as youth retreats, community concerts, open mics and song writing retreats have welcomed my contributions with open arms and offered an opportunity to share my musical creations. And there have even been very occasional songs offered during Sunday services, despite the naysayers.

Music is still my all-time go-to happy place. Over the years I've received far more positive feedback then push-back. The arrival of the internet offered an opportunity to share music with folk I would never otherwise interact with. It has been astounding to see where songs and tunes have sometimes ended up. But that's another story!

The recording is my usual homemade effort. This one was done some twenty plus years ago but remixed here and there. I really like the interaction between the guitar lead and synth in the instrumental part. Although I still have no idea what to do with it, (other than share it) the lyrics still ring true all these years later.

 Enjoy it for what it is 😊

Music has got a hold on me
And I can't seem to break free
No matter how I try
And music
Seems to live somewhere deep inside of me
No matter what I do
The music keeps breaking through.
The music keeps breaking through.

2. Uninvited

 

 Adrian Song of the Week 2. Uninvited

Having previously posted a song I wrote back in my teens, thought I'd follow up with a more recent ditty.

Covid arrived on our doorstep as an unwelcome guest. We all deal with things differently. Some journal. Some binge. Me? I write a song. "Uninvited" is a response to the epidemic that came our way in 2020. As it began disrupting our live's some underestimated its effect. "It will be all over by Easter" they promised. Hmm.

A particular effect it had on my life was to force the closure of our church for numerous weeks, and we had to learn how to produce and present online services. The line "Not in a month of Sundays" references that interruption to my usual routine! Although written over a year ago, we still don't know how it all ends. Hence the line, "But what will be...Wait and see"

Musically it follows a simple 4 chord verse/chorus structure, until the middle section, which becomes a little more complicated as a way of saying, "We are not handling this well, it is throwing us totally off course!" Likewise... there are prickly noises and sounds that reflect the nature of the beast.

For techno junkies among you, one of the synths used is my vintage Roland SH1000... yep, still going strong (though tuning is an even more troubling issue than ever!)

Anyway, give it a listen, enjoy and indulge in some musing about your own Covid responses! We are getting through this crazy time in whatever ways we can. The more creative, the better. We are all becoming experts at making lemonade out of lemons these days.

Link to Song on Soundclick:
https://soundclick.com/r/s8d2vz

Uninvited
Adrian J. Pratt 5/10/20

Uninvited
Not welcome here
Uninvited
Not welcome here

Uninvited you arrived on the scene
Little did we know of your terrible scheme,
Complacency left our judgment impaired
All of our dreams turned into nightmares

We shall never be friends
Not in a month of Sundays
This relationship must end.

Uninvited
Not welcome here
Uninvited
Not welcome here

They promised you would go away
You made it clear you came to stay
No one immune from corruption
No limits upon destruction.

We shall never be friends...
Not in a month of Sundays
This relationship must end.

The time will come
When you no longer have your way
And we will keep on moving
Towards that day.

You have us now
That is true
But what will be...
Wait and see...

We shall never be friends...
Not in a month of Sundays
We shall never be friends...
Not in a month of Sundays
This relationship must end.

We shall never be friends...
Not in a month of Sundays
This relationship must end.

Uninvited
Not welcome here
Uninvited
Not welcome here
Uninvited

1. Wurpelwurzelpunkerldink.

 

Adrian Song of the Week 1- Wurpelwurzelpunkerldink.

I have decided that during 2022 I would share a song or piece of music on a weekly-ish schedule and a little bit of the story behind it. Really appreciate those who take the time to listen! 

 

Wurpelwurzelpunkerldink was one of the first songs I ever wrote. I had a guitar called 'Eric' and eventually managed to master playing the chords G, C and D after each other. While practicing I started making up a story loosely based on many of the cowboy films I used to see at the matinees at the local "Flea-Pit" Cinema or watch on TV. Cowboys, Phony doctors peddling miracle cures, bank robberies, sheriff's and lynchings all featured in good measure in those B movie classics. 

 

I had a fascination as a kid for making up words. Not sure where that came from, but maybe I was trying to create my own crazy reality. The medicinal compound after which the song is named became 'Wurpelwurzelpunkerldink.' 

 

I justified playing it at gospel events because it was a moral tale in which the perpetrators of a scam eventually faced justice. That was really stretching it! It is really just a silly story created by a teenager trying to master his first few guitar chords and beginning a songwriting journey that as an old guy he is still traveling. 

 

The link is to a page on Soundclick.

https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm...

Wurpelwurzelpunkerldink

Adrian J Pratt 1972 ish

 

Well, it all started in a grocery store, 

About half a mile from Arkansas, 

Big George he was a thinking' he ain't doin' to well, 

So he thought up a new kind of product to sell. 

 

He made up a remedy to cure rheumatic pains 

Cure chicken pox, measles, and chilblains. 

All he had to do, was think up a name, 

To attract customers into his new found game. 

 

So he chunnered, and he muttered, 

And He chuckled, stammered, and stuttered, 

And said, "Now I've had a think, 

I'll call this brand new product 'Wurpelwurzelpunkerldink'" 

 

Later in the day, he was out on his way, 

His friend Tex Norman had something to say, 

He said "Hey buddy can I come in with you? 

'Cos I think there'll be a lot of money you'll be coming to". 

 

 Now Big George he wasn't the most learned of scholars, 

He know no math's, like counting up of dollars. 

So he let Tex Norman become his partner, 

And looked up to him just like he was his father.

 

Tex meanwhile was an evil child, 

Their fortunes were soon made,

 But they wanted even more of' it, 

And they formed a sort of syndicate. 

 

They robbed a few banks, and did other silly pranks,

 And Killed a few people here and there, 

Till after a few years, they were morally in arrears, 

But had lots more money to spend. 

 

 Now The sheriff didn't seem to appreciate this much 

He said "If I catch them, I'll string them up", 

But Big George and his friend Tex, 

They didn't want any rope around their necks. 

 

 So they decided to make a break while the going was good, 

They shot the sheriff 'cos they thought they should, 

This didn't place them in the rosiest of light, 

So they headed for the border on the stroke of midnight. 

 

 As fortune had it, they had run out of luck,

Tex's horse collapsed, and George's horse was sick. 

Some men from the government were on their trail, 

So their plans were destined to fail. 

 

The good men finally got in the baddies hair, 

Our heroes got sentenced to the electric chair, 

The death is going to be in the village square, 

So everybody can see them there. 

 

 At approximately half past seven, 

Tex and George floated up to heaven. 

Pity for them they didn't do to well, 

And floated back down again to hell. 

 

The devil set them down, and gave them a drink,

 Of a bubbling mixture with a pungent stink,

 They said, "Hey devil, What is this thing?" 

He said "It's Wurpelwurzelpunkerldink"

It Starts... Song of the Week

 

 In January 2022 I decided to post "A Song of the Week" on Facebook. This blog is a complementary post to that intention! 

A place to share and explain.