[Stephen]

This song is now finished to the point where with a bit more rehearsal I'd be happy to perform it, although it may need further refining.

The process of writing the song has been documented in the Songwriting Forum.

I'm having trouble with uploads so if this one doesn't work please find the recording here:

http://www.notabody.com/Songs/Of%20Course.mp3

I'll post the full lyric and chords shortly.

[Stephen]

Here are the lyrics and chords:

Of Course

Of [C]course the love [Cm]between us is the [G]real thing
There’s [C]nothing [Cm]about it we can [G]do
Of [B7]course it’s bigger than we can im-[C]agine
There’s [A7]something in it I can see
That’s [D7]more than it appears to be
That’s [G7]more than me and you
Of [C]course you can [Cm]believe the things I’m [G]saying
Of [C]course my every [Cm]word is [G]true
Of [C]course we two are [Cm]really one,
Of [Bm7]course we’ll always [E7]find the sun,
Of [A7]course, of course, of[D7] course, I love [G]you


(Bridge)

Of [C] course you [Cm] can be [D] free from the [D7]care you once [G]knew
Of [C] course you can [Cm] say you don't [D] want it but [D7] I know you [G]do
Of [B7] course there's a star in the heavens that carries your [C] name
Of [A7] there is something in me and in [D7] you that's the [G] same
Of [C] course you're for-[Cm]given of [Bm7] course love is [E7]living
In [A7] me and in [D7] you there's no [G] blame

[si16]

First off Stephen, thanks for allowing us to share in your thought process from start to finish. Naturally many questions on these forums (fori?) relate to barre chords, or which guitar to buy, and while it's good to answer these questions it's also good to read something different and interesting.

I'll be honest and say that when I saw the lyrics you posted a few weeks ago I wasn't initially impressed but now, having heard words and music combined I found I enjoyed it very much.

I like the way the way the first lines start on the IV before resolving to the I at the end and I think the C maj to C min works very well. My favourite section is

Of [C]course we two are [Cm]really one,
Of [Bm7]course we’ll always [E7]find the sun,
Of [A7]course, of course, of[D7] course, I love [G]you

Particularly the Bm7 - E7 part. The vocal style reminds me very much of lead vocal in barbershop type singing, not unlike the Inkspots "If I didn't care".

There's certainly a lot of space for the guitar to fill in and complement the vocal. I think it would also be interesting to hear some extensions, other than sevenths, on some of the chords. Apart from that though, very interesting and a good inspiration to anyone who who is thinking of writing songs.

Simon

[naugrim]

This is fine work. When saw the lyrics I wondered what you will make out of this. Because it does not look really conventional. You did it fine. only I ask myself: is it ironic or really romantic. The melodic line reminds me for Monty Python; please don´t take me wrong.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by si16

I'll be honest and say that when I saw the lyrics you posted a few weeks ago I wasn't initially impressed but now, having heard words and music combined I found I enjoyed it very much.

There's certainly a lot of space for the guitar to fill in and complement the vocal. I think it would also be interesting to hear some extensions, other than sevenths, on some of the chords. Apart from that though, very interesting and a good inspiration to anyone who who is thinking of writing songs.

Simon

Thanks for your kind words. I've heard it said that lyrics have to stand on their own before they're good enough for a song, yet many very good songs don't have stand-out lyrics. The music-lyric combination is what makes them work. I'm often surprised to hear songs after reading the lyrics by themselves. The total is definitely greater than the sum of the parts.

Having said that, the best songs are sheer poetry.

I will play with some different harmonies as you suggest.

I hope this encourages people to tackle writing songs. I wrote a lot of ordinary ones before getting to the stage where they came more easily and I liked the results, so don't get discouraged if your first efforts disappoint. It's a very fulfilling process to create music in this way. Try it.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by naugrim

This is fine work. When saw the lyrics I wondered what you will make out of this. Because it does not look really conventional. You did it fine. only I ask myself: is it ironic or really romantic. The melodic line reminds me for Monty Python; please don´t take me wrong.

It was not meant to be ironic, but I can see how you might think that with lines like "Of course you can believe the things I'm saying". Some of those lines may need reworking.

Thanks for your appreciation.

[si16]

Originally Posted by Stephen

Thanks for your kind words. I've heard it said that lyrics have to stand on their own before they're good enough for a song, yet many very good songs don't have stand-out lyrics. The music-lyric combination is what makes them work. I'm often surprised to hear songs after reading the lyrics by themselves. The total is definitely greater than the sum of the parts.

I agree with this. I often find myself listening to Led Zepellin and wondering just what on earth Robert Plant is going on about. Perhaps it's just me but, although I admire the quality of his voice, I feel his diction is somewhat lacking (I said diction, you dirty bad boy!). However, despite struggling to make out the lyrics the sheer power, and occasionally the tenderness, of their music is undeniable.

[missileman]

I really did like it.
I like the way your voice and lyrics blended together with the chord progression.
Very inspiring.
I sat here and tried to imagine what it would sound like with a full band and, in my mind, I felt this song was meant to be a single instrument piece.
Although the lyrics seem positive and even a bit upbeat the overall feel seemed sad.
I guess I saw irony as well but in a different direction.

[Stephen]

Thanks, missileman. I guess the shift from major to minor gives it that feeling. It's meant to be more sweet than sad.

Everyone's comments are much appreciated.