10 replies to this topic

[carol m]

I had a request for some lyrics from Randy (checks in the mail, Randy), so here are some from a couple of years ago in one of the old country music traditions - a story from struggle street.

Anyone can have a go (please do ) and as always, cut/add/mix/change anything that you like or need to fit your music. Change the place where I've put the Bridge and Outro if you think they fit better somewhere else. Maybe even put v5 right at the end - whatever you like.

All standards of playing, singing, recording are welcome - that's how we learn to do stuff, and we're all friends here.

Anything in brackets or after a forward slash is because I couldn't decide, and what you choose probably depends on the beat/rhythm of the music you put the lyrics to, and what you prefer.

Kelly's Boy

Kelly grew up hard and fast
No-one ever (really) loved her
Her dad loved drinking more than most
Her mom was always somewhere else.

v2
Kelly’s luck turned, late one night
Found/Met a man who seemed real nice
Before too long they made a home
A place where kids weren't left alone

v3
Her Jay was always quite a boy
Loved his toy cars ‘n GI Joes
Loved his Mom and Daddy too
Grew to be a man too soon.

v4
He liked to go out every night
No-one knows how life will end
One night, the cops come to/came to/knock on, Kelly’s door
Her Jay was found on a toilet/men’s room floor.

Bridge

Who can save a life that’s taken?
Who can stop a heart from breaking?
Who can mend a life that’s shattered?
Kelly’s love destroyed and scattered.

v5
Only Jay had ever loved her
No one else had ever cared
Now her boy lies dead and cold
The same old story, now retold/newly told

Outro/bridge
Kelly’s boy lies dead and bleeding
How can broken hearts keep beating
Who can save a life that’s taken?
Who can stop a heart from breaking?

[randy d]

OK Carol - It makes a good story - could take awhle - but with your permission I'd like to give this a shot - I hope you don't mind if I make some changes -
I'll keep you posted - this should be fun
thanks

[carol m]

Sure - anything goes. If it doesn't work out or you'd like a different option, let me know I'll see what I can come up with.

[randy d]

OK Carol
I'm a little nervous about this - I changed some lyrics to suit my style a little more
also only used two chords - not sure about that yet - this is just a rough draft - I hope you like it - if not I apologize in advance

here are the lyrics i used

Kelly's Boy
Kelly grew up and and she grew up fast
Her daddie was a drunk - his marriage didn' last
Her Moma took off - said that they were through
And Kelly could't wait to get out of there too

She thought her luck had turned, late one night
Found herself a good man to hold her tight
To raise their son, he built a little home
But then he died, he left them both alone
chorus
Now Who can mend a life that’s torn and shattered?
Poor Kelly’s love was destroyed and scattered.
And Who can save a life already been taken?
And maybe only God can stop a heart from breaking

She raised her boy to be a fine young man
She taught him always be the best that he can
He really loved his mom and he treated her well
How far he'd go only time would tell

He decided to go out and to party one night
Never drank before - never had to fight
The policeman came to knock on Kelly’s door
said her son was found on the bar room floor.

Kelly’s boy's lay dead and bleeding
How can broken hearts keep on beating
And Who can save a life already been taken?
And maybe only God can stop a heart from breaking
Ok Carol

Attached Files

•  Kelly\'s Boy.mp3   3.88MB   27 downloads

[carol m]

He he, can't stop smiling - I thought you said it would take a while? I was expecting maybe 3 or 4 weeks - but no, a cracker of a song in less than a day!

Nice job on the lyrics too.

It's interesting how different people can 'see' how a lyric might fit in a style of song or music (or not - me ). I wrote the original as an attempt at 'an America country song' - a story of people with lives that are full of difficulties, with a bit of tragedy thrown in, but I see now that (probably because I don't hear much of that real 'american country music'), when I read your lyrics before hearing the song I couldn't see how they could fit to my idea of an 'American country song'...... and then I listened to what you did with the lyrics and the result is perfect.

It's a mystery to me how that works, but it certainly did - you produced an authentic sounding 'American country song' - something I could probably never do.

Well done Randy - take a bow!

[randy d]

I'm quite relieved that you are ok with me changing lyrics up a little - it's a good story - still just a draft - probably change a few things before I'm ok with it - I'd love to hear other people's concept of your song - you are right - there are may ways to look at lyrics
and different ways to tell basically the same story - thanks for the collaboration it was fun.

[carol m]

No worries Randy, it's always nice when someone takes my words and uses them to make a song. And you do have the perfect rich deep voice of American country - have you heard of Greg Brown (Iris Dement's husband) - you sound like him.....

[eddiez152]

Randy,
Great Job on the collab. Thats country.

[mset3]

Randy,

Very good!!

Mike

[starsailor]

Enjoyed this, cool collaboration Carol and Randy

[randy d]

Thanks for the kind words - Carol's lyrics were awesome -fun to work with