Hello! This will be song post #41. After open mic night, I was inspired to finish this one up. I started it a few months ago when I was thinking about dumping the guy I was with. I have music for this, so once I get the house to myself for a night, I'll try to get a GV recorded.

Turn Around

© 2011 Chelsey Sears 

Midnight storm is rolling through
The wind begins to howl
Rain and thunder carry on
But they can't seem to drown
The thoughts that are racing through
My restless mind
As I stare at my phone and wonder
If it's worth the fight

'Cause the road is getting rough
And we don't know where it leads
But I've got this crazy feeling it's gonna
Dead end in the weeds
And we'll be left with nowhere to go but down.
Maybe it's time to take the easy way out
'Fore it's too late to turn around

I know that in theory
We could fall in love
But that's a lot to risk
On nothin' but a hunch
'Cause fairy tales and happy endings
Are few and far between
Sure I'd like to have faith
But a blind man could see

That the road is getting rough
and we don't know where it leads
But I've got this crazy feelin' that it's gonna
Dead end in the weeds
And we'll be left with nowhere to go but down
Maybe it's time to take the easy way out
'Fore it's too late to turn around

Yeah the road is getting rough
And we don't know where it leads
But I've got this crazy feeling that it's gonna
Dead end in the weeds
And we'll be left with nowhere to go but down
Maybe it's time to take the easy way out
'Fore it's too late too turn around

'Fore it's too late to turn around

Baby I want out

Open Mic Night

Well folks, I think I'm hooked. I attended my first open mic night last night and had a blast. I have to admit, I was super nervous...so nervous that I texted all my musician friends asking for advice. They all pretty much gave the the same advice...to go out and rock it. I got there a few minutes after the signup was open , so I didn't get to perform until 10:00, which gave me a little more time to calm down. When they finally called me up onto the stage I grabbed my guitar, plopped down on that stool and just gave it a go. Amazingly, all my nerves melted away and I enjoyed every minute of it. Now I'm putting my pencil to the paper to write some new songs for next month. 

One Night In Amarillo

This is very different from what I usually write but I figured I'd still post it. A song is a song, right? lol. This is number 40 of 100!! I'm almost half way there...with...two months to go. Oh boy, I better pick it up a bit! :)

One Night in Amarillo
© 2011 Chelsey Sears

One night in Amarillo
In a little motel bar
She ordered up another
To close out happy hour
One night in Amarillo
She left her past in the rearview
And tried to drown the memories
Good and bad, in a bottle of 80 proof

One night in Amarillo
He stopped in for a beer
After a business trip
He made sale of the year
One night in Amarillo
He took that ring off his hand
Knowing damn well that
He'd never see her again

When the morning sun rises
He'll greet it alone
'Cause she is already
Fifty miles down the road
He'll gather up his things
Head back home
And they'll move on
But they'll never let go

Of one night in Amarillo
The talk wasn't so small
And they both lingered
Until last call
One night in Amarillo
She handed them the keys
And both of them hoped they'd
Be what the other'd need

But when the morning sun rises
He'll great it alone
Because she's already
Fifty miles down the road
He'll gather up his things
And head on home
They'll both move on
But they'll never let go

Of one night in Amarillo
When he didn't spot
His wife's chevy malibu
In that motel parking lot
One night in Amarillo
He thought he could change
Her mind, but she'd already
Slipped away


But when the morning sun rises
He'll great it alone
Because she's already
Fifty miles down the road
He'll gather up his things
And head on home
They'll both move on
But they'll never let go

Of one night in Amarillo

One night in Amarillo

Them Colts

Now, this is not an anti-Indianapolis Colts lyric. No, this is a song expressing the grief being experienced by Colts fans far and wide. I love the colts. I still wear my blue and white on game day, and still try to believe that something marvelous will come together to produce a victory. But until that happens, I will be singing the following song

Them Colts
© 2011 Chelsey Sears

Seems like just the other day
I was watchin' the big game
With blue and white painted on my face
On the winning side
Now it's like I'm caught in a dream
A nightmare 0 in 16
Is what some are prediciting
It sure is a far cry

From dominating the AFC
And going down in history
As a championship team
Like they did, not too long ago
We tried our best to have faith
But it's hard to watch twelve losses straight
Yeah I'm fairly certain that I aint
The only one who wants to know
Who broke them colts

Still can't believe that Peyton's out
Now there are rumors flyin' around
Sayin' that they doubt
He'll ever return
Painter, yeah he's a good kid
He'd better if he would quit
Letting the ball get picked
Maybe eventually he'll learn

How to dominate the AFC
And go down in history
As the quarter back of a championship team
Like we had not to long ago
We tried our best to have faith
But it's hard to watch twelve losses straight
And I'm fairly certain that I aint
The only one who wants to know
Who broke them colts

I'm sure theres nothing us hoosiers wouldnt give
for the chance to celebrate a win

To dominate the AFC
And go down in history
As the home of a championship team
Like we did not so long ago
We're trying to have faith
But it's hard to watch twelve losses straight
And I'm fairly certain that I ain't
The only one who wants to know
Who broke them colts

The Evolution of a Song

As I was driving around today, "Let The Storm Roll By" shuffled through on my iPod, I found myself thinking about how it developed over time. Now that it's been released, I think it's okay to blog about the evolution of a song.

On April 4th, I set out to write a new lyric. At the time, I was dating a musician who had talked about co-writing. He had a very modern style so I decided it was time to step it up a bit and try to get a cut. When I would go to visit him, we'd spend the night sitting by a campfire, and he would play his guitar. Then one night there was a horrible storm and we were forced inside. It was then that I started thinking about how romantic it would be if the power went out and he played guitar by candlelight. Yes, that's sappy, I know. But to this day it still sounds super romantic to me. When I sat down to write the lyric, I just thought about that scene and tried to imagine Jason Aldean singing it. The resulting lyric was called "Hideaway". I was in the process of editing it when I found out he had a girlfriend and, needless to say, I abandoned the idea of co-writing with him.  I put "Hideaway" on the back burner to work on other material for a while, but eventually dug it up and put some chords to it. However, it was still rough...so rough that I never even recorded it. 

Well, one afternoon I decided to look on the craigslist musician ads and noticed a guy on there looking to build his band. I sent him a message telling him that I couldn't play, but I wanted to write with him. In one of our emails he mentioned that his producer wanted him to record a Jason Aldean/Luke Bryan type of ballad. "Hideaway" instantly came to mind, so I practiced it a bit and took my guitar to the writing session. After stumbling through it, I half expected him to end the session and send me on my way...but he didn't. He asked if he could play with it a little bit. Of course that was completely fine with me! I got out my notebook and started scribbling out the re-write. Long story short, after two writing sessions, it was finished. And...it didn't sound too bad. In fact, it actually sounded really good. He added a music break in the last chorus that gave me goosebumps. A few weeks later, I got the email that he was going to use it as his next single.

I have since gone to several of Layton's shows and every time, I notice more people singing along. At the first show, a bunch of women cheered when he dug down for the "camped in the living room all night" line. At his last show, the bartender got excited and shouted "this is my song". On November 4th, "Let The Storm Roll By" was released to iTunes and Amazon. 

The NSAI motto is "It all Begins With A Song". Very well put NSAI! I had a crazy idea in February to write 100 songs in one year. During this challenge, I penned a lyric in hopes of getting a cut. Of all the lyrics I wrote, this one particular song stood out. Layton was nice enough to work with me and now we are working on our fifth write. Even if I don't finish 100 songs in one year, I feel like this challenge gave me the push I needed to make it happen. Maybe someday I won't have to introduce myself as a wannabe songwriter.



"We can light some candles
Break out a bottle of wine
Throw some blankets down
Camp in the living room all night"

Another Frog

This is probably the hundredth time in the last month that I have opened a new post form. But this time I swear I will finish a blog...yeah, it's probably the hundredth time that I've said that too.

This song will be a female country number, kind of Miranda Lambert meets Taylor Swift.

Another Frog
© 2011 Chelsey Sears

He's got a great smile, he's got a fast car
And a ten year plan
He's everything, a girl could ever want
Wrapped up into one man
Tells ya he wants to, turn the world
Into a better place
But you better think twice, before you let him
Carry your heart away

You can dress 'em up and take 'em out
Have the night of your life
Experience one of those long slow kisses
'neath a starry sky
But in the end you'll see
That more times than not
Prince charmin' turns out to be
Just another frog

Somewhere behind. those big brown eyes
And the fancy degree
He'll hide his roller-coaster past
And immaturity
He might be the answer to your prayers
But just remember this
If he sounds too good to be true
He prob'ly is

You can dress 'em up and take 'em out
Have the night of your life
Experience one of those long slow kisses
'Neath a starry sky
Sure he may be the real deal
But more times than not
Prince charmin' is
Just another frog

Those fairy tales, happy endings,
and little white lies
All come together to make
A pretty darn good disguise

You can dress 'em up, take 'em out
And have the night of your life
Experience one of those long slow kisses
'Neath a starry sky
Sure he may be the real deal
But more times than not
Prince charmin' is
Just another frog

Multiple tracks and overdubs and....

So, the last time that I recorded something, I stumbled through a pretty rough GV which could hardly even be considered a work tape... to all my professional musician friends...stop laughing. But seriously, I decided to give it a go. How hard could it be? Especially with my ProTools software, which everyone says is amazing. (Psst....everyone lied). It's not completely difficult. But it looks so much more complicated than my audacity. Which, I know, means the recording will sound ten times better, but it's still a bit frustrating. So I resorted to using Audacity again...which I love by the way. It's simple and to the point. Just like lil ole me.
So, this whole recording thing took me over two hours. Why? Because I am a perfectionist. Being a hardcore perfectionist and a horrible vocalist? Those two qualities don't mesh well. In fact, one of these recordings is sharp on the chorus and I'll own up to it...but I've been upstairs in my bathroom for two hours, sitting on a barstool with my computer on the sink...so my voice is shot and I could care less at this point in time. I haven't even eaten dinner yet....and I'm a fat kid. That right there is dedication to ones musical obsession at its finest!
Anyhoo...back to the point. So, I've been sitting up here for two hours....recording...overdubbing (I think that's what it's called)...re-recording...deciding that I hate all the tracks and deleting them....recording from scratch...accidentally deleting them....recording again...realizing that I got the lyrics wrong (A LYRICIST GETTING THE LYRICS WRONG?! REALLY?!)...re-recording...more overdubbing....changing the lyrics....trying to lay down separate guitar and vocal tracks....lining up the guitar and vocal tracks....not being able to nail the pick-up....and eventually saying "Screw it, I wrote the dam,n thing. Nobody can say I did it wrong!"

So....I think I'm going to stick to single track recording from now on. But for now....below you will find two audio links. The first is to a previously posted lyric called "Along for the Ride". That's the one that I tried the multi-track recording deal on and failed miserably at. And, I will once again say, I am not a singer. So y'all will just have to deal with the vocal issues. And now comes the part where I explain that I am not a guitarist either....but I have been taking lessons so I'm slowly getting better. The second recording is a little something called "Swimming with the Sharks". I said I'd enter a song contest on Tunesmith.net about a month ago. Well the deadline was September 30th. I was sitting in my room with my guitar at 9:00 on the night of the 30th trying to write something. The biggest rule of the contest was that the song could not be a ballad...because that would've made it easy. So, the slow guitarist was sitting around trying to write a fast song. Thank God for 12-bar blues! I basically say down, started playing a progression, and just started singing. I had somewhere to be so the composition and recording of this lil number took place within like a ten minute time frame. Maybe 15 minutes, at the most. I remembered some old threads about song sharks and just decided to go with that idea. I have no experience trying to pitch anything in Nashville, and I don't know if my story is at all accurate....but it worked. Had I not agreed to enter the contest, I probably would've never put this together.  It's not my favorite by any means....but it was kind of fun. Sorry if it offends anyone. That was not my intention at all. I just had to write a song to add to the entry count so that the contest would run.

So, without further delay

Along For The Ride

Swimming With The Sharks

I am not in anyway proud of either of these. I am just posting them to prove that I am still writing. I may talk to Layton and find out if he minds me blogging our co-writes after he registers them. If he's cool with that, I'll be able to add..lets see...4 more to the count, and we are probably starting a new one this week. Good times! :)

Release Date for "Let The Storm Roll By"

So, it's official! "Let The Storm Roll By" will be released to iTunes and national radio on October 13th! It's really hard to believe this is actually happening. I know all my real songwriter friends on Facebook are probably tired of hearing about a little wannabe writer from a tiny Indiana town getting a co-write with an unsigned artist...but this is a big deal for me. Hopefully Layton will get a record deal soon and the songs we've written will do well. I'm not sure if he's using any of the other ones we've used, but just writing with him is an amazing experience, even if he doesn't cut any of our other co-writes. I do have some ideas cooking. I just need to sit down and finish them. So, to those of you who are still checking in, please keep checking. I'll probably post the link on Facebook when I get a few more lyrics done.

Along For The Ride

Well last week, I picked up my guitar, threw the capo on and just started playing. Little did I know that 20 minutes later I would have a complete song. It's by no means finished. But, seeing that my blog views have really picked up in the last week, I figured I'd post something newer. It's not that my writing has slowed down...I'm just keeping some set aside to send off for demos. Then I will post them.




Anyhow, this is kind of a personal one. When I was playing it, it was bit dark. So I decided to write about a rough patch that I went through. It's about a bad relationship that I was in with a guy who promised me was going to change. One night he tried to commit suicide and that was when I began to realize that no matter how bad I wanted to be there for him, he was still going to self destruct. Like I mentioned earlier, I have music. I just need to find the time to record it.


Along for the Ride
© 2011 Chelsey Sears


I'm on a road, to nowhere
Flyin' a plane that's runnin' low on fuel
Adrift in a boat, without a paddle
That's what I get for lovin' you

I've got no control
No say so
Feeling like my hands are tied
And I can't break free
Because you keep
Dragging me along, for the ride

I'm startin' to sway in a bone chilling breeze
At the edge of a mile high cliff
You say "baby, it'll be okay. Just don't look down"
But I know nothin' good can come of this

I've got no control
No say so
Feeling like my hands are tied
And I can't break free
Because you keep
Dragging me along, for the ride

You're on a crash course, you're gonna fall
That's why you hold so tight to my hand
But ev'ry time you tell me things will change
You say it with whiskey on your breath

You've got no control
No say so
The bottle, it keeps your hands tied
I'm beggin' ya please
Don't you keep
Dragging me along, for the ride

That road, it leads to nowhere
The plane you're flyin', it's runnin' low on fuel
The boat you're in, it ain't got a paddle
That's what it's like, lovin' you

Playin' Chicken With The Devil

I've been listening to a ton of Gary Alan this week and this popped into my head. The hook was a line I wrote for a co-write, but he didn't seem too thrilled about it, so I'm using it here. Maybe we'll dig it out again sometime and rewrite it. I don't know, we shall see. If he doesn't want it, I might put music to it myself.

Playing Chicken With the Devil

© 2011 Chelsey Sears

It's like going all in
When you know the deck is stacked
It's like treading the water
Despite the red flags
It's like playin with fire
You know you'll wind up burnt
Yeah darlin' you're like the lessons
I was too stubborn to learn

Like slapping the bull when he's wide awake
Like crossing a bridge that's bound to break
Like killing the headlights, when the pedal 's to the metal
Yeah lovin you, 's like playing chicken with the devil

It's like a drawn out game
Of Russian roulette
You know what's comin'
It just hasn't hit you yet
Like a coal black thunderstorm
That's pickin' up speed
You know you should run and hide
But you wanna feel the breeze

Like slapping the bull when he's wide away
Like crossing a bridge that's bound to break
It's like killin' the headlights when the pedal 's to the metal
Yeah lovin' you 's like playin' chicken with the devil

It's like prayin' that tomorrow
Will never come
Because you know that
When it does
You'll be broken like never before
But tonight you can't help
but beg for more

It's like slapping the bull when he's wide awake
It's like crossin' a bridge that is bound to break
It's like killin' the headlight, when the pedal 's to the metal
Yeah lovin' you 's like playin' chicken with the devil
Playin' chicken with the devil
Yeah lovin' you 's like playin' chicken with the devil

Diamond In The Rough

Hello folks! This is an idea that I have had for a while, but I haven't been able to find the words. However, last night they came to me. I have the music for this one, but I have yet to take my computer in to the geek squad so my recording program is still out of action. As soon as it's up, I'll record it.

Diamond In The Rough
© 2011 Chelsey Sears

Us women, we like to be ignored
The more, the better
So if you really wanna show a girl you care
Boy just forget her
Yeah go and make your plans
But don't you dare pick up that phone
'cause heaven forbid she go out tonight
Keep her waiting at home

You know we love a challenge
And we can't walk away
From a man that deep down
We know we'll never change
Some girls get their prince charming
But that leaves the rest of us
hoping that we'll find
A diamond in the rough

If you really want to turn us on
Then go ahead and look
Study every other woman in the room
Like an open book
You better spend half an hour at the bar
When you get our drinks
And come back with some lie
About the lipstick on your cheek

Because you know we love a challenge
And that we wont walk away
From a man that deep down
We know will never change
Some girls get their prince charming
But that leaves the rest of us
Hoping that we'll find
A diamond in the rough

If you really want her to want you
At the end of the day
Let her know how easily
She could be replaced
Yeah the key to winning
Each and every fight
Is to threaten her
With good bye

Cause we love a challenge
And we won't walk away
From a man that deep down
We know we'll never change
Sure some girls get prince charming
But that leaves the rest of us
Hoping that we'll find
A diamond in the rough

Maybe I'll find
A diamond in the rough

Taste of Freedom

Well, it's been a while since I've finished a lyric, so I sat down today and made myself write this one. One day I got a wall post telling me to write a song about riding and feeling the wind in your hair. This is a response to that request.  It's not too commercial, but it's a write. Number #34, if I'm not mistaken.


Taste of Freedom
© 2011 Chelsey Sears

She would spend all week at school
Day-dreamin' 'bout the farm
While all her friends  went to the mall
She was heading to the barn
Her uncle would saddle up
That ole buckskin
She'd set off on three hundred acres
Chasin' the wind

So she could feel it in her hair
Feel it in her bones
Feel it down in
The depths of her soul
Knowing that nothing
Would ever fill her up
Like the sweet taste of freedom

On the day she turned sixteen
Her parents dropped her off
At the dealership so she could
Pick up that ole rag top
Before turning it home
She took it for a spin
Just her and the open road
Chasing the wind

So she could feel it in her hair

Feel it in her bones

Feel it down in

The depths of her soul

Knowing that nothing

Would ever fill her up

Like the sweet taste of freedom

Ten years later, she waited

Until he'd passed out

Then she put her daughter in the car

And sped out of town

Knowing that she'd never have to

Hide the bruises again

She drove off into the sunset

Chasing the wind

So she could feel it in her hair

Feel it in her bones

Feel it down in

The depths of her soul

Knowing that nothing

Would ever fill her up

Like the sweet taste of freedom

Knowing in the world

Would ever fill her up

Like the taste

Like the sweet taste of freedom

"I wanna do it as my next single"

I'm not going to lie, I squealed and jumped up and down a little bit as I read those lines. It was an email that I got from the artist that I wrote with last week. The fact that the first co-write that I've had with an artist is going to be a single is blowing my mind.

I had a second writing session with the artist last week and it was amazing. Maybe it was because it was the first time I'd listened to someone else do a song that I helped to write, but I seriously got chills.

There is a bit of a down side to this new writing gig....I'll probably be screening the lyrics that I post on here from now on. As long as we are still working together, I'll most likely hold off on posting new material until he says that he doesn't want it.  I'll still write, I promise! And I'm guessing he wont like most of my ideas, so they'll make it on here eventually.  But if he does like them....I guess y'all will just have to go out and buy the CD. :)

I could get used to this...

Well, I have officially taken another step towards becoming a songwriter! Last evening I met with a local singer/songwriter for a writing session. I know at this moment any professional who is reading this will be rolling their eyes at me, but it was kind of a big deal. He had posted an ad on craiglist looking to put a band together. I emailed him saying that I was not a musician, but that I had some songs that might suit him well. To my surprise, he responded! What was even more surprising was that he was completely legit! I spent a few hours with him working out the kinks on a lyric while he put it to music. After a while, when the creative juices stopped flowing...around midnight...we both grabbed our guitars and played some of our other songs. Well...he played. I fumbled around with my little five chord arrangements. I'm not sure how well it went from his point of view but let's just say that I'm still on a bit of a music high. So I'm taking a break from my new writes to finish the two he likes. I'm not sure if he will put either of them on his next album...but if he does....y'all will need to go out and buy it! I'm off to write! Later!

Hot Tin Roof

This is an idea that I got while cleaning stalls at work this morning. This will mark song #33. This will be another one that I'll write as I go and hope for the best. This is going to be an upbeat male country song, with bit of a rocking beat. I will be working with a local country artist in the near future and plan on pitching this idea to him.

Hot Tin Roof
© 2011 Chelsey Sears

I'm up with the sun, ev'ry day
Plantin' corn, baling hay
It's simple, yes, but it ain't no easy way of life
Folks around here start to groanin'
When those summer storms start a rollin'
'Cause it's hard to run a farm when you're stuck inside

But I don't mind

When I feel the wind and see those clouds
I turn the ole john deere around
Make a bee-line for the barn
Where she's waiting for me with open arms
'Cause nothin' gets my baby in the mood
Like raindrops fallin' on a hot tin roof

I recall a couple years ago
It poured for six days in a row
Things 'round here came to a screeching stop
While all the folks in town
Were chit-chattin' and sittin' around
She was keepin' me busy up in that loft

Yeah when I feel the wind and see the clouds
I turn that ole john deere around
Make a bee-line for the barn
Where she's waitin' for me with open arms
'Cause nothin' gets my baby in the mood
Like raindrops fallin' on a hot tin roof

Let the weather do its worst
'Cause nothin' really phases her
Yeah, we could be in the middle of a hurricane
When it starts to getting wild
She gets that big ole smile
That says I'm about to be blown away

When I feel the wind and see the clouds
I turn that ole John Deere around
Make a bee-line for the barn
Where she's waitin' for me with open arms
'Cause nothin' gets my baby in the mood
Like breaking out a bottle of 90 proof
Kicking off them dusty boots
Turnin it up and lettin' loose
When rain starts fallin' on a hot tin roof

On a hot tin roof

If These Walls Could Talk

This is an idea that I've had for a while. I haven't quite nailed a hook on this one yet, but the first verse is pretty much complete. So I'm going to start typing, and finish it as I go

If These Walls Could Talk
© 2011 Chelsey Sears

I caught a glimpse of
That red check engine light
Just moments before
That old chevy died
On a dirt road in Georgia
With no service on my phone
I walked to that first house to see
If anyone was home

As I started to get closer
I could clearly tell
No one had lived there for years
But I couldn't help myself
Crunching through the leaves
That had gathered on the porch
I thought to myself as
I stepped through the open door

If these walls could talk
Oh the tales they'd tell
'Bout the memories made inside
This now hollow shell
I bet they'd laugh, I bet they'd cry
I bet they'd go on and on and on
Oh the stories I'd hear
If these walls could talk

Out of the corner of my eye
By that crumblin' fireplace
I saw the gleam of shattered glass
And a face-down picture frame
Made it across the creaking floorboards
Picked it up and stared into the past
At that man, his wife and their six kids
Having a picnic out back

Oh if these walls could talk
The tales they'd tell
About the memories made inside
This now hollow shell
I bet they'd laugh, I bet they'd cry
I bet they'd go on and on and on
Oh the stories I'd hear
If these walls could talk

I got this sinking feeling
As I looked down at my watch
It was time for me to leave like
The fam'ly that had long been gone
And as that ole house falls
Through the cracks of time
It will live on in
The back of my mind

If those walls could talk
Oh the tales they would tell
About the memories made inside of
That now hollow shell
I bet they'd laugh, I bet they'd cry
I bet they'd go on and on and on
Oh the stories I'd hear
If those walls could talk

That Was Us

Well, this is a little out of my comfort zone but I figured I'd go there and see what I'd find. This lyric is a story about a divorced couple coming together for their daughter's wedding, and any feelings that might be stirred up. I wrote this to be a duet, with a male vocalist singing the first verse, a female vocalist singing the second verse, with the chorus and bridge being sung by both (alternating who sings the melody, and who sings harmony). Obviously, this would be a ballad. I don't have any ideas for music on this one yet, but who knows what'll happen next time I pick up that guitar.

That Was Us
© 2011 Chelsey Sears


Can't we settle our differences
If only for today
'Cause it's gonna be hard enough just letting go
Of the best thing that we ever made
Yeah she looks like an angel
They've both got a fire in their eyes
That says they're more than ready
To begin their new lives

Hard to believe that was us
So many years ago
Before all the fightin', before all the lyin'
Started to take hold
Lookin' so happy, and so in love
It's hard to believe, that was us

Maybe a little later tonight
We can reminisce
Tell folks how darn cute they were
When they were just kids
Now our baby girl is grown up
And he's become quite a man
And they've got the whole world
In the palm of their hands

Hard to believe, that was us
So many years ago
Before all the fightin', before all the lyin'
Started to take hold
Looking so happy, and so in love
It's hard to believe, that was us

Ev'ry night I'm gonna pray
That they don't follow down our path
That they never know the pain
Of looking back

And thinking "that was us
so many years ago
Before all the fightin', before all the lyin
started to take hold
We used to be so happy, and so in love
Yeah it's hard to believe

That was us
So many years ago
Before all the fightin', before all the lying
Started to take hold
They look so happy, and so in love
It's hard to believe, that was us

Easy on the Sunrise

I just got this idea while I was sitting around thinking about how my friends and I used to go out for margaritas, or long island iced teas, or whatever the special for the night happened to be. This is a female country song, with kind of a tropical feel. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to put music to this one yet. I included the optional lyrics if it was for a male vocalist in parenthesis.


Easy on the Sunrise
© 2011 Chelsey Sears

My second cousin was gettin' married
Down in west palm beach
That open bar was callin' my name so
I asked for somethin' with whiskey
That little latin man shook his head
Then read through my list of options
Of spritzers, mixers, margaritas
And tropical concoctions

So I said give me something tall and cold
With a bit of a kick
I wanna feel it burnin down my throat
From the second it hits my lips
If you're gonna serve me something fruity
You better mix it right
Go heavy on the tequila
Easy on the sunrise

I was just gettin' started when
The party began to wind down
So I called the cab to drop me off
At a corner bar in town
There some man named Eduardo (There some pretty senorita)
Salsa-ed me across the floor
Then he asked what I would like (I offered to buy her a drink)
The bartender to pour (Then asked the bartender to pour

I told him get me somethin' tall and cold (Somethin' tall and cold)
With a bit of a kick
I wanna feel it burnin' down my throat (Said I wanna feel it burnin' down my throat)
From the moment it hits my lips
If he's gonna make me somethin' fruity (If you're gonna make us something fruity)
He better mix it right (You'd better mix it right)
Tell him heavy on the tequila (Heavy on the tequila)
Easy on the sunrise

After a few more rounds
Things began to blur
I must've had one hell of a time
'Cause all that I could remember

Was drinkin' somethin' tall and cold
With a bit of a kick
I felt it burnin' down my throat
From the second it hit my lips
I usually don't like my drinks fruity
But they knew how to mix 'em right
Heavy on the tequila
Easy on the sunrise

Heavy on the tequila
Easy on the sunrise

Somethin' 'Bout Summer Nights

This is an idea that I have had for a while. It's not the best idea in the world, but it's number 29! To be completely honest, there are several lines that are driving me crazy, but I've got to get this idea out of my system. I'll probably re-write it soon.

Somethin' 'Bout Summer Nights

© 2011 Chelsey Sears

There's something 'bout a dirt road
Country on the radio
Where it leads, I don't know
But there ain't no slowin' down
'Cause we got a full tank of gas
That cooler's slushin' in the back
We're prob'ly moving way too fast
But it's too late to turn around

'Cause there's somethin' 'bout a long kiss
Out underneath the stars
Somethin' 'bout sittin' on a tailgate
Just me and you and an ole guitar
Fallin' in love is just a little bit sweeter
In the campfire light
Yeah there's just somethin' 'bout summer nights

There's something 'bout a long ride
4-wheelin' through the country side
Gettin' lost and waistin' time
Where the honeysuckle grows
There's something 'bout a steady rain
On a hot and humid day
Washin' all our cares away
As we're dancin', puttin on a show

'Cause there's somethin' 'bout a long kiss

Out underneath the stars

Somethin' 'bout sittin' on a tailgate

Just me and you and an ole guitar

Fallin' in love is just a little bit sweeter

In the campfire light

Yeah there's just somethin' 'bout summer nights

There's somethin' 'bout cut-offs

And tied up bikini tops

Makin' all the boys gawk

At what they'll never have

There's somethin' 'bout a farmer's tan

On a hard working man

I can't think of nothin' else that can

Get my heart to race as fast

'Cause there's somethin' 'bout a long kiss

Out underneath the stars

Somethin' 'bout sittin' on a tailgate

Just me and you and an ole guitar

Fallin' in love is just a little bit sweeter

In the campfire light

Yeah there's just somethin' 'bout summer nights

Yeah there's somethin' 'bout a long kiss

Out underneath the stars

Somethin' 'bout sittin' on a tailgate

Just me and you and an ole guitar

Fallin' in love is just a little bit sweeter

In the campfire light

Yeah there's just somethin' 'bout summer nights

Okay, I feel like it may be time for a recap of this blog. On January 28th, after registering for FAWM , I decided to take on my own personal challenge to compose 100 lyrics in one year.  Well, to say the least, I'm a little behind. I should have completed 45 lyrics by now. (In my defense, I have spent a bit of time putting a few lyrics to music, so go easy on me :) ). So, here is the list so far...

1. Carry Me Home
2. Five More Minutes
3. California
4. More Than Enough
5. Straight
6. Bein' Me
7. What If
8. That Song
9. Understand
10. Wild Ride
11. Ain't Sorry
12. In Common
13. He's On His Way
14. Country As They Come
15. Hollywood
16. Let Me Lie
17. Hate The Game
18. Ain't It A Shame
19.  Hideaway
20. This Is Gonna Hurt
21. Fernando
22. She Don't Need A Man
23. You Can Go
24. Woman of Your Dreams
25. The Grass is Always Greener
26. Watch Me
27. I Lied

And here is number 28. I just wrote this today for the sake of writing.

Drag Me To The Altar
2011 Chelsey Sears

You might say I'm the black sheep of the fam'ly
It's been that way since I was a kid
My brother and my cousins all are married
I'm here pickin' this ole guitar for tips

Now I'll stand up and say that
I'm content with my life
But you know my crazy relatives
Have got somethin' else in mind

They wanna find me some prince charming
And set it all up
Do the best they can
To make us fall in love
Ev'rytime they bring up a new guy
It gets more awkward
But they're not gonna rest
'Til they drag me to the altar

I know that grandma means the best
When she's talkin' 'bout those good ole days
She slips in a couple hints
That I need a family to raise

When someone has a baby
I always get that look
That says "they're settlin' down
Like you probably should"

They wanna find me some prince charming

And set it all up

Do the best they can

To make us fall in love

Ev'rytime they bring up a new guy

It gets more awkward

But they're not gonna rest

'Til they drag me to the altar

They don't understand my thinkin'

On why I want to live

On the edge, on my own, on the open road

But to me it just makes sense

They wanna find me some prince charming

And set it all up

Do the best they can

To make us fall in love

Ev'rytime they bring up a new guy

It gets more awkward

But they're not gonna rest

'Til they drag me to the altar

Ev'rytime they bring up a new guy

It gets more awkward

But they're not gonna rest

'Til they drag me to the altar

Finally!

I have been working on some recordings and some new lyrics.
Here is an updated recording of You Can Go.
In addition to this I have also uploaded a rough GV recording for Woman of Your Dreams.
I've been in a bit of a lyrical rut lately so I wrote something for the sake of writing. So here is "I Lied"

I Lied
2011 Chelsey Sears

This is the phone call, I swore I'd never make
The silence on the line, well it says everything
I know I told you that I would be fine
Well I lied
Yes I lied

I told you I'd move on
And leave what was left of us
In a rolling cloud
Of memories and dust
Only to see you as
A giant waste of my time
But I lied

I've got a picture in my hand, that I want so bad to burn
But setting it on fire, won't fix that hurt
I know I promised that I'd get on with my life
Well I lied
Yes I lied

I told you I'd move on

And leave what was left of us

In a rolling cloud 

Of memories and dust

Only to see you as

A giant waste of my time

But I lied

It's so hard to let go of the kind of love we had

And I know I'd just waste my breath, asking to give it one more chance

So I'll choke my the tears and tell you I'll be alright

And I'll lie

Yes I'll lie

I told you I'd move on

And leave what was left of us

In a rolling cloud 

Of memories and dust

Only to see you as

A giant waste of my time

But I lied

Watch Me

Here's my attempt to write the second of five lyrics that I wanted to have finished by the end of the day. I'm also battling a migraine, so this could get interesting.  I will introduce this with a disclaimer... this is not one of my favorites. I'm just writing for the sake of writing.

Watch Me
2011 Chelsey Sears

You like to kick me when I'm down
Throw dirt in my face
Tell me I'm not strong
Enough to walk away

I bet you'll find it hard to believe
What you're about to see

Watch me turn the keys
And slam the door
On that life that I don't
Need anymore
Yeah, stand there and laugh
About how I'll never leave
Then watch me

I don't know why I ever
Let all those lies
Get to me again and again
Time after time

But I'm telling you baby
I'm not gonna let it phase me

Watch me turn the keys
And slam the door
On that life that I don't
Need anymore
Yeah stand there and laugh
About how I'll never leave
Then watch me

Don't bother leaving the lights on
In that old house
'Cause there's nothin' there
That I can't live without

You can watch me turn the keys
And slam the door
On that life that I don't
Need anymore
Yeah stand there and laugh
About how I'll never leave
Then you can watch me

The Grass is Always Greener

Well I have tried this every day for the past week, maybe today it will work.
I have been hit with a major case of writer's block! And recording block. But let's not go into that right now. So, today, in order to sort of get back on schedule, I will attempt to extract five completely new lyrics from the depths of my inactive imagination. Lyric #1, coming right up!


The Grass is Always Greener
2011 Chelsey Sears

I've put a hundred thousand miles
On that rusty ford
I have seen the east, I've seen the west
The south and the north

From the midwestern prairies
The sandy beach
But there's one thing that all this
Travellin' has taught me

The whiskey is a little bit stronger
The back roads are a little bit longer
And that drawl flows more easily
The men are a little bit sweeter
Yeah the grass is always greener
In Tennessee

The music is a little more heartfelt
Comin' through the radio
And that moons a little brighter
When you're lost on a dead end road

I love the florida coast
I love those Virginia pines
But no matter where I go
I always find

The whiskey is a little bit stronger
The back roads are a little bit longer
And that drawl flows more easily
The men are a little bit sweeter
Yeah the grass is always greener
In Tennessee

Yeah the whiskey is a little bit stronger
The back roads are a little bit longer
And that drawl flows more easily
The men are a little bit sweeter
Yeah the grass is always greener
In Tennesee

Well Hello Again!!!

I am very excited to say that I finally have internet access at home! It's a bit slow, but it's internet access! Guess what that means? You would be correct if you guessed that I am continuing this blog! Tomorrow I will post new lyrics for the challenge. In addition to that, I have several worktapes for previous lyrics to download onto soundclick! From this point on, this 100 Song Challenge is going into overdrive! :)

Well folks, even though I am still without real Internet access, the blog must go on! I've been fighting another bout of writers block. After being stuck on a different idea, I decided to write something new. It's a bit full of cliches, but it's a lyric. Well...really it's a song. I have music for it. I just don't have the voice to record or the internet to post a recording at the moment. So, music is on the way. But for now...


The Woman Of Your Dreams
2011 Chelsey Sears

She's not an angel, by any means
She's not the woman, that little girls wanna be
She's not the kind, to settle down
Yeah you think that you've got her all figured out

She's a flight risk
A longshot at best
She'll probably break your heart
Without an ounce of regret
She's downright wild
Not the kind of girl that you need
But someday you're gonna see
she's the woman of your dreams

She won't just show her hand
And she doesn't expect you to understand
Keeps her scars, hidden from view
Behind a wall, that's hard to break through

Yeah she's a flight risk
A longshot at best
She'll probably break your heart
Without an ounce of regret
She's downright wild
Not the kind of girl that you need
But someday you're gonna see
She's the woman of your dreams

Sooner or later, that day is gonna come
And you'll be left, wishing you were the one
That had stuck it, out until the end
'til she was ready, to fall in love again

But no, she's a flight risk
A longshot at best
Yeah she'll probably break your heart
Without an ounce of regret
She is downright wild
Not the kind of girl that you need
But someday you're gonna see
She was the woman of your dreams

You're gonna wish that you had seen
that she's the woman of your dreams

Sorry for my absence...

At the moment I am in Georgia. I hauled my friend's horse for her and decided to stay for a few days. I've been working on a few new lyrics! I will post them soon.

You Can Go (To Hell)

Well, I have recorded a very, very, very rough GV of this song. Keep in mind
A) I am not a singer
B) I am not a musician
C) This was recorded on my laptop in a dorm room.

Click Here to Listen to "You Can Go"

Take a listen if you'd like. Feedback is welcome. :)

You Can Go (To Hell)

This is an idea that I came up with last night. There have been a few times when men that I have dated have cheated. Usually I'll feel like things are going well and then they randomly are too busy for anything. Then, you see that they are in a relationship. The thing that strikes me is, in most cases, after a few months they try to call me. They tell me they are sorry and that it was the worst mistake they have ever made. This goes out to them. Words of advice to the men of the world. Don't cheat, especially on a girl with a guitar.

You Can Go (To Hell)
© 2011 Chelsey Sears

When I looked down and saw your name
On my phone, I must say
It took me a little more than by surprise
You tell me you're at your wits end
Since she just up an left
Now you comin' to me for advice

You're lost and you're feelin' alone
Like you've got nowhere that you can go
But I know a place, you'll fit in quite well
Honey, you can go to hell

Now that the table has been turned
You're gonna find out how bad it hurts
When your everything just wasn't enough
Runnin' around is not as much fun
When suddenly you are the one
Trying to pick all the pieces up

You're lost and you're feelin' alone
Like you've got nowhere that you can go
But I know a place, you'll fit in quite well
Honey, you can go to hell

So pack up those crocodile tears
'Cause there's nothing left for you here
Don't let the door hit you on your way out
If you're out lookin' for sympathy
You are going to find any
By coming back around

If you're lost and you're feelin' alone
Like you've got nowhere to go
I know a place, you'll fit in quite well
Honey, you can go to hell

(She Doesn't Need) A Man

I will never understand the whole "game" of dating. I was just sitting here thinking about that and this lyric came about. I plan on putting it to music tomorrow.

This will be a country ballad. Male or Female

(She Doesn't Need) A Man

© 2011 Chelsey Sears

She doesn't need a man

To ride in and save the day

When she feels like she's had

All she can take

She doesn't need a man

With all the answers to life

To be her open book

How to guide

She doesn't need a man

To be her better half

'Cause standing alone

She isn't doing too bad

No she doesn't need a man

She doesn't need a man

To make her life complete

To be everything that

She never thought she'd need

She doesn't need a man
To give her that glow
To make her feel that
She's not alone

She doesn't need a man

To be her better half

'Cause standing alone

She isn't doing too bad

No she doesn't need a man

So before you try to

Play all those lovers games

Know she's never had a problem

With walkin' away

'Cause She doesn't need a man

To be her better half

'Cause standing alone

She isn't doing too bad

No she doesn't need a man

Working Through Writer's Block

Since I have been so stressed out lately, I have caught a serious case of writer's block. Every time that I try to sit down and have a little quiet time with a blank sheet of paper and a pencil, I start to think about all the things I need to get done within the next week and I have a bit of a spaz attack. So, for the ump-teenth time, I am going to attempt to write. I have absolutely no clue where this is going to go, so bear with me. I am feeling some random ridiculousness...

Fernando

Sometimes, I just feel lonely

Around eleven o-clock

When the world is startin' to fall asleep

I head over to pick him up

It doesn't take no time at all

Soon as I gently touch his neck

He's up for anything

Hasn't turned me down yet

I say "Fernando, dear, you're glowing

In that streak of moon-light

That's creepin' through the curtains"

Then I pour a glass of wine

When I embrace him is magic

That nobody else can understand

When I wrap my arms around

That cherry red Fender Sonoran

The neighbors tend to complain

When we get a little loud

But when we find that rhythm

There's no slowin' us down

With every note that we hit

I swear the heavens open up

He's got the tone of an angel

And I can never get enough

I say "Fernando, dear, you're glowing

In that streak of moon-light

That's creepin through the curtains"

Then I pour a glass of wine

When I embrace him, it's magic

That nobody can understand

When I wrap my arms around

That cherry red Fender Sonoran

Fernando, Dear, you're glowing

In that streak of moon-light

That's creepin' through the curtains

Let me pour this glass of wine

Then we'll make some magic

That nobody can understand

I just want to wrap my arms around

That Fender Sonoran

.........Writer's Block Vanquished!!!!!! Disclaimer : This is....crap. But it's a complete lyric, so it counts. :)

As finals approach I find that I do not have as much time to devote to my writing. This upsets me, but the good news is that in 19 days I will graduate, which will give me some free time to devote to writing.
I have not written any lyrics in the past few days. However, I have been working on music for "Run", and I hope to be able to record it some time next week.
Tomorrow I'll head home for Easter Break. Maybe I'll have some time to write :)

Run

Sooo....I am going to try to write again. This is kind of building off of my idea from yesterday. I actually had a dream about the opening line of this. I think I finished the song in my dream, but I don't remember the rest. So, here goes nothing. Female country ballad.

Run
© 2011 Chelsey Sears

Always a bridesmaid, never a bride
Always the good friend, never the wife
In a one bed-room apartment down on seventh street
She's twenty-nine and she's got nothin' to show
But a job she hates, and an older model
Pick-up truck that breaks down every other week

People tell her to give it some time
That she'll find her place in life

But she's tired of bein caught in the backseat
Watchin' her friends and her family
Move on while she's waitin' for the better things to come
Sooner or later these stepping stones
Are gonna lead her to the open road
One of these days she's gonna run

This town is small, but its closets are burstin'
With skeletons, and folks peeking out of the curtains
It's hard to move forward when the past is standin' in your way
'Cause everybody knows someone who
Has a story to tell, regardless if it's true
Rumors spread like a wildfire 'cross a drought stricken plain

There's nothing' left for her around here
Eventually she'll get fed up and shift gears

'Cause she's tired of bein caught in the backseat

Watchin' her friends and her family

Move on while she's waitin' for the better things to come

Sooner or later these stepping stones

Are gonna lead her to the open road

One of these days she's gonna run

She sees the branches tossing in the wind

Of the thunderstorm that's movin' in

As she sits at the traffic light, waitin' for green

Raindrops on her windshield talk

Telling her not to stop

And the sweet smell of freedom is floating on the breeze

She's tired of bein caught in the backseat

Watchin' her friends and her family

Move on while she's waitin' for the better things to come

All these little stepping stones

Are leading her to the open road

Today's the day, she's gonna run

Just run

This is Gonna Hurt

Well, I've been trying to write for the last week but nothing has come to mind. I'm working on my 20th lyric of the challenge and I cannot seem to get my ideas across. Well, this isn't a fun one, but I'm going to just roll with this idea and see where it leads...
Female Country Ballad

This is Gonna Hurt
© 2011 Chelsey Sears

In the back of my mind
I knew this day would come
When he would look at me and smile
Tell me he found someone
That I'd tell him I was happy
That he deserved the best
But never in a million years
Did I think it'd feel like this

I can see that look
Dancing in his eyes
And I know he's gonna fall
It's just a matter of time
So I'll just keep playin' the good friend
And I'll brace for the worst
'Cause this is gonna hurt

As long as I can remember
I've looked up to him
Like a big brother
Back when we were kids
He was my shoulder to cry on
When Johnny broke my heart
Now his life is coming together
And I'm fallin' apart

'Cause I see that look

Dancing in his eyes

And I know he's gonna fall

It's just a matter of time

So I'll just keep playin' the good friend

And I'll brace for the worst

'Cause this is gonna hurt

I've only got myself to blame

Lord knows I had my chance

So I guess I'll let the "what if"s

Slip through my hands

'Cause I see that look

Dancing in his eyes

And I know he's gonna fall

It's just a matter of time

So I'll just keep playin' the good friend

And I'll brace for the worst

'Cause this is gonna hurt

I'll keep bein' his best friend

And I'll brace for the worst

'Cause this is gonna hurt

Hideaway

Sorry for my absence folks! It has been a crazy week. As I'm coming to the end of my college career I am feeling more and more burnt out, which has left me a bit depressed. I guess that's what 18 years of being in school does to you sometimes. But one thing I look forward to is having a bit more freedom in my schedule for my horses, and for my music. A forty hour work-week will be nothing compared to 22 credit hour semesters, being on two athletic teams, and working two nights per week. I'm hoping to take some guitar lessons in order to further my songwriting.

So, today I am just going to sit down at my laptop and write something. I have no idea where this is going to go, I just know that I need to make myself do this. It's time. This is going to be a male lyric, along the lines of Jason Aldean.

Hideaway
© 2011 Chelsey Sears

I can hear the thunder comin'
It's pickin' up speed
And the sweet smell of summer rain
Is floatin' in the breeze
It's gonna be upon us
Any minute now
And Honey I can't wait for
The power to go out

'Cause I've got a dozen candles waiting
And a bottle of red wine
We can lay down some blankets
Camp in the living room all night
This guitar is tuned and ready
To play your favorite songs
In our hideaway until
The storm moves on

The flash of the lightening
Is starting to break through
That crack in the curtains
Of the window across the room
Sure the wind is howling
Like a runaway train
If you stay right here with me
I'll keep you safe

'Cause I've got a dozen candles waiting

And a bottle of red wine

We can lay down some blankets

Camp in the living room all night

This guitar is tuned and ready

To play your favorite songs

In our hideaway until

The storm moves on

When the skies start to darken

As we journey through life

Just follow me girl

Come inside

'Cause I've got a dozen candles waiting

And a bottle of red wine

We can lay down some blankets

Camp in the living room all night

This guitar is tuned and ready

To play your favorite songs

In our hideaway until

The storm moves on

Ain't It A Shame

I got this idea after reading a thread on Tunesmith. The thread discussed the use of obscenities in modern media, as well as other issues that some of the Tunesmith community had some opinions about. The thread really got me thinking about society these days. I started thinking about how, these days, it's a "what's in it for me" world. Nobody seems to consider the bigger picture anymore. It really is a shame.

Ain't It A Shame
© 2011 Chelsey Sears

There's a picket line outside
A little white church
Shouting as that casket
Is carried to the hearse
They don't consider that
The soldier laid to rest
Died protecting their freedom
To gather and protest

Ain't it a shame that things have come to this

This ain't no way for us to live

It seems like this world is going down hill every day

Ain't it a shame

She's standing on a bridge
Because her so-called friends
Decided to spread rumors
Around the internet
If just one person had
Really thought it through
Maybe she wouldn't be the feature of
Tomorrow's news

Ain't it a shame that things have come to this

This ain't no way for us to live

It seems like this world is going down hill every day

Ain't it a shame

If we can look past our differences
We can make a change
So that our childrens' children
Will never have to say

Ain't it a shame that things have come to this
This ain't no way for us to live
It seems like this world is going down hill every day
Ain't it a shame

Ain't it a shame
There's still time to change

I haven't forgotten!!!

I swear I haven't forgotten about this blog. Things have just been crazy. Hopefully later today I will be able to write a little something. I've still been checking in. Thank you to my 4 followers!!!

I also re-recorded "He's On His Way"... take a listen if you'd like. All feedback is welcome!

 Listen Here

Hate The Game

It's funny how writing changes the way you think about things. Little events and phrases that you would normally shrug off start sticking in the back of your mind. How, you'll just be driving down the road, and those ideas will creep up and out of nowhere you have a verse...then a prechorus...and a chorus...and so on. This is one of those ideas. I was talking to a guy who was interested in dating me. I was only interested in being friends so, I was honest with him. He was, shall we say, upset by this. He said a few choice words and called me a player? I found this very interesting because I don't play games. I don't run around, I don't lie, I don't cheat, I don't flirt with other men if I am dating someone. Well, I was joking around with my mother about this and she called me a player, to which I responded "Don't hate the player, hate the game. Love is a freakin' monopoly". Well, I started thinking about that phrase and thought "you know, that's almost lyrical". So, I'm going old school...with an idea and a post. No editing, just writing!  This does not reflect personal opinions or beliefs. I do not live by this concept. I just thought it would be a fun write. So don't judge me! :)
 Alright ... here goes nothing!

Hate The Game
© 2011 Chelsey Sears

I learned my first lesson
When I was sixteen
When I liked the captain
Of the football team

But he had eyes for that cheerleader
And yeah, I can't compete
But as he walked off with her
He shared some wisdom with me

Love's just a set of moves
You gotta monopolize
The only way you can get ahead 's
if you're holdin the dice
Don't you know the banker never loses
At the end of the day
Don't hate the player
Hate the game

Those words, they stuck with me
And when I turned twenty-one
I was more dangerous
Than a loaded shotgun

It's not like I was tryin'
I'm a good-girl, I swear
Can't help it if I break their hearts
When I leave 'em standin there

Love's just a set of moves
You gotta monopolize
The only way you can get ahead 's
if you're holdin the dice
Don't you know the banker never loses
At the end of the day
So don't hate the player
Hate the game

Some folks like to leave
Everything to chance
But, you know it's harder to get hurt
If all the cards are in your hand

'Cause
Love's just a set of moves
You gotta monopolize
The only way you can get ahead 's
if you're holdin the dice
Don't you know the banker never loses
At the end of the day
Don't hate the player
Hate the game

No the banker never loses
At the end of the day
So don't hate the player
Hate the game

A HUGE THANK YOU!!

To everyone who followed the audio link for "He's On His Way"! It made the top 30 on the country chart (Out of 50,000+) and it went up to #10 on the country general subgenre (Out of 16,000+). I mean, it's only on the Soundclick chart, which really isn't a big deal...but it still made my day. So again, thank you very much!!!
And, an update on my progress...I'm actually ahead of schedule! I should've had 13 lyrics/songs done by now and I actually have 14 (Soon to be 15). Now, granted, only three of them have music, but there's music on the way for "Hollywood"...and I have a friend who is going to show me a thing or two about playing guitar. So, I might be doing even more recording! I would really like to record "What If" and "That Song" ...and possibly "Country As They Come". However, "Country As They Come" may have to wait until I can bring my electric guitar to school. I really want it to be a strong, driving, country-rock song. It's going to need a little more than an acoustic G/V to bring it home.

So, on to the writing portion of this blog! I got this idea a little while back when I was talking to an old flame (I say that as if I am, oh, I don't know 30-something. In all reality, it was just a few years ago). We are good as friends...as long as it is on and off. If we talk for long periods of time, it starts to get a little rough on my end. However, I do my best to keep it to myself as long as I can. I don't always succeed, but I tell him that I'm okay, even though that's not true sometimes. So, I attempted to be productive with those unnecessary emotions! (Stupid emotions...they always seem to get in the way. I mean, you can sweep them under the rug and throw them in the closet but they always seem to find a way to sneak out when you finally think everything is sorted out. Those pesky little critters...)
I began writing this about a month ago. It was stashed away in my Managerial Communications notebook. Since discovering One Note, I have been taking all of my notes on my computer so I haven't looked at my notebooks in a long time. Hence why this one has been sitting for a while. Okay, I will stop babbling. Here is "Let Me Lie", a country ballad.

Let Me Lie
© 2011 Chelsey Sears


I may 've had a bit to drink
But I can clearly see
That look in your eyes
So I'll hand you my keys
But that's only if you can
Promise me

That you'll let me lie
Beside you all night long
With my head on your chest
And I'll swear that I won't fall
I'll tell you that I'm not gonna
Regret tonight
So just let me lie

You're too much of a gentleman
To leave before I'm up
But this time, if you do
I promise not to judge
In fact it might be better
For both of us

If you let me lie
Until you're gone
So you're not around
When the tears start comin' on
And later when you call
I'll tell you that I'm fine
So just let me lie

We can't be together
I understand that
But we can't seem to leave
Our past in the past
So this one more time
I'll let you take me back

If you let me lie
In your arms once again
And we'll make love
Like it will ever end
Tomorrow you'll ask if we can still be friends
I'll tell you that's alright
If you can let me lie

Just let me lie

A Return Trip to Nashville?

...It's only been a week since I left but I am feeling the need to return at some point in the near future. I read about this event called the Nashville Songwriter's Festival (www.nashvillesongwritersfestival.org), which will be taking place in June, and is located on Music Row. Sure a lot of people go to play...but the classes caught my eye. I mean, what better way to learn about the art, or craft as it is heavily debated, of songwriting. These classes are inexpensive and they seem, to me, like a great way to gain insight on the industry.
OR
....They are a good excuse to return to Nashville. Also this summer, if I am correct, the Tunesmith Songwriting Challenge (www.tunesmith.net) will be taking place! Which is another excellent excuse to point my pick-up south!! I would really love to have the chance to meet the people who have grown with me through the years, and to thank them for helping and encouraging me.
So, there are some choices to be made. The outcome will depend on a) ...if I can get off of work. and b) ...if the Tunesmith challenge has a first round that you have to make it through to go to Nashville.
Either way, I will be doing my best to return to Nashville.

Oh, and by the way, if anyone would like to donate, oh, I don't know, a few million dollars to the cause, I found my dream farm about 20 miles outside of Nashville. It's only $600,000 (the extra $1.4 million would go to start-up costs, buying a few horses, and converting one of the 5 bedrooms of the house into a recording studio.)...I think it's a worthy cause :)

Hollywood

I got this idea a while ago. However, it has changed a bit since I thought about it. I always wear rhinestone shades, and one day at work, one of the guys started calling me "Hollywood" and I've wanted to write a song about that nickname ever since. But I wanted it to be different. Since a lot of the songs about Hollywood are about fame and fortune, I decided to go the other route and talk about how life never goes how you plan. Especially when you're a seventeen year old girl in a small town looking for a way out. So, I came up with a story about a girl nicknamed "Hollywood" who learns this lesson the hard way. Music to come. Enjoy.


Hollywood
© 2011 Chelsey Sears 

She grew up in a little town

With one stop-light, leading in and out

Everybody knew she wanted to leave

She walked to school in her rhinestone shades

Countin' down the days

Until she turned eighteen

They call her Hollywood, down at the diner

Where she's waitin' tables, and waitin' for the time

That she'll find out fast her Pontiac can go

Everyone tells her to give it some thought

Before she just up and takes off

But you can't tell her a thing she doesn't already know

'Cause she's seventeen goin' on thirty-five

Feel's like life is passin' her by

She's convinced all her dreams and hopes

Are hidin' somewhere on the west coast

She won't listen to anyone

When they say "I know where you're comin' from

Take a minute, maybe you should

Slow down Hollywood"

She met him on a weekend trip

To the big city and that was it

She had everything figured out

They've already set a date

It's only been six months, but she cant wait

To be with the man she dreamed about

'Cause she's seventeen goin' on thirty-five

Feels like life is passin' her by

But as soon as she takes his name

Everything is gonna change

She won't listen to anyone

When they say "I know where you're comin from

Take a minute, maybe you should

Just slow down Hollywood"

Their love burned out like a cigarette

Last week he packed up and left

Her with an apartment in Arkansas and a worthless ring

Now she's worried about June

'Cause that's when her daughter is due

And before she knows it, her little girl is gonna be

Seventeen going on thirty-five

Feelin' like life is passing her by

She'll be convinced all her dreams and hopes

Are hiding somewhere on the west coast

She's not gonna listen to her mom

When she says "I know where you're comin' from

Take a minute, maybe you should

Just slow down Hollywood"

Slow down Hollywood

They call her Hollywood, down at the diner
She's waitin' tables, and waitin' for the time
That she'll find out how fast her Pontiac can go