Just Keep Writing

For the longest time, I have been a closet songwriter. But slowly I have been coming out...cowriting...even performing for the .... gulp .... public. Eek! Over the past few years, several folks have presented me with a question. They have asked me when I have a gig, or where my band is playing, or if I have anything on iTunes. (I can technically answer the last question...released by Layton James, "Let The Storm Roll By"....just a little shameless self-promotion. I'm done now.) To which I politely inform them that I am not an artist, I am a writer. For as long as I can remember, I have told people that I am not interested in being a performer...therefore, I write songs only for others in hopes that I will someday get a cut. Now, I will admit that I have slipped up a few times, and written some very personal material. But for the most part, I try to write things that other folks will sing. Recently, I submitted a few of these tunes to NSAI for song evaluations, with mixed ...

So I posted the lyrics for "Someone's Busted" several months ago. At the time, I didn't post the story behind the song, I just thanked the ... well... slut... for the inspiration. So I figured that I should probably explain the details of that night. On a cold friday night, my buddy and I headed up to 8 Second Saloon in Indianapolis for a Colt Ford show. When we got up there, we discovered that all the tables in the reserved section had been moved, leaving the dance floor open....translation: over the period of the evening, I could make my way to the front of the front of the stage. Well, I quickly became...intoxicated, and started dancing to the opening band. I was unable to sneak closer to the stage though, due to the fact that there were a couple of frat brats and hoes grinding on eachother. Needless to say, in order to avoid contracting any STDs, I kept my distance. I mean, they were getting NASTY! There was one gal in particular who was raunchier than the rest....

I know. Shame, shame, shame on me for neglecting the very blog which provided the motivation for becoming a better songwriter! But I'm back! I've been thinking a lot about this blog lately and where it is heading. Needless to say, I failed to complete my challenge of writing 100 songs in one year. Epically. I think I may have cleared the 40 song mark, which is not acceptable, but there's nothing I can do to change that. So I have been a bit bummed out about that fact, which has kept me away from this blog. So, in order to rekindle the flame, I have decided to completely revamp this blog! It began as a 100 song challenge. Now Just Keep Writing will document the journey of an aspiring songwriter/ band roadie / wannabe artist. So when I finally make it to Nashville, my... 12 followers will be able to say "hey, remember the time you played _____________ at _____________ and they all threw eggs?!" or "remember when ______________ told you to give up? I bet they ...

Hey folks! I'm so sorry for my absence. Things have been crazy lately, to say the least. But alas, I am still writing and playing! Just not as often as I'd like. Whenever I get the house to myself, I will be recording several new tunes. I must say, "Dead Man Walking" is becoming one of my favorite songs to play, even though I have yet to perform it live. I plan on returning to Player's Pub open mic nights over the summer, so hopefully I will have some interesting stories to post. Thanks to all of those who are still reading!

Well folks, I'm sure my fellow songwriters will be able to relate to the origins of this song. Do you ever hear a hook and take it somewhere else in the back of your mind? Well today I was listening to some Lynyrd Skynyrd with my boyfriend and he played a song titled "Dead Man Walking".... LIGHTBULB!!!! So, this is my version of "Dead Man Walking"...in the style of Miranda Lambert. Dead Man Walking © 2012 Chelsey Sears I hear his boots a draggin' Up the front steps I'm not a gamblin' woman But I'm willing to bet He's got lipstick on his collar And whiskey on his breath Looks like a dead man walking Across the porch Hopin'  his key will work When he gets to the door Sure he'll make excuses With his sweet talkin' But he's a dead man Dead man walking This ain't the first time And it won't be the last But for once I'm gonna stand my ground And I ain't holding back He probably doesn't h...

Before anyone asks, I don't know why I wrote another depressing and somewhat angry drinking ballad. I'm actually in a super fantastic mood today. I toned it down a bit from my original idea, but hopefully it will still get the point across. :) Down The Drain © 2012 Chelsey Sears Holdin’ an unopened bottle In a brown paper sack He shuffles through the door Swears it will be the last Even though he knows inside The promise he just made It’s going down the drain His head starts to spin As the night presses on Each second lasts for hours But he’s too far gone To even care about the time ‘Cause since she drove away It’s just been going down the drain Yeah the kitchen smells of whiskey But he hasn’t had a drop ‘Cause if she was still there She’d be beggin’ him to stop So he stands at the sink Drowning his pain Watching everything go down the drain In ev’ry ounce he finds a mem’ry Laced with regret Knowing that the bottle ...

It has been quite a while since my last post. I have been super busy lately! But rest assured, I have not placed my musical ventures on the back burner, as I have done in the past. Recently I have been diving into my musical lifestyle headfirst! A few weeks ago, I began playing at a local venue called Stable Studio during their Open Jam nights and I love it! The venue is amazing and the people are so helpful. And I'm slowly getting over my stage fright! I officially have six performances under my belt since I first began playing at the open mic night at the Players Pub! It gets easier every time. But now, I have a new challenge. I have to learn how to play standing up. Why, you might ask? Well, because I have been asked to play an opening set. Nothing has been finalized by any means, but I'm still super stoked. And on top of all that, I'm still trying to work on some co-writes. And top of all of that I've met someone pretty amazing. So, all in all, life is good right n...

I actually wrote this one a while ago, and thought that I posted it on here. But I guess I didn't! So, here it is! Clean Slate © 2012 Chelsey Sears Last night I caught my man At the bar with that "just a friend" And I could tell by the way he took her hand Just where it was gonna go Then this mornin' my boss Threatened to take my job I got mad, told him off Then sped back home No I didn't lock myself inside Grab a box of chocolates, lay down and cry Now I've got nothin' to hold me back, nothin' to tie me down I'm gonna pack up all my things, leave this ole town In my rearview, in the dust Gonna burn these tires up 'Til I find a place With a little farm house and a clean slate They aren't gonna know my past The skeletons, or the rats That used to stab me in the back In the name of jealousy 'Cause in a town like this Folks tend to frown on it When you try to live On crazy dreams But now I've got nothi...

This is just a little something I starter writing during my lunch break last week. It's supposed to be an upbeat, summery, country party song. I'll Drink To That © 2012 Chelsey Sears Here's to summer weekends Wearin' flip flops Dancin' 'round a bonfire In a pair of cut-offs Blowin' up the speakers With Hank and Johnny Cash I'll drink to that Here's to road trips To only God knows where Just fillin' up the tank And taking it from there Don't check the glove box 'Cause you won't find no maps Yeah I'll drink to that Just live in the moment 'Cause the best memories Are ones made when you are Flyin' by the seat Of your pants when you let loose And stop holdin' back Yeah I'll drink to that Here's to the morning after A hard break up When you open the curtains See the sun And realize his leavin' might Not be so bad No it's not so bad I'll drink to that Just live in t...

Well folks, a year ago I very optimistically decided to challenge myself to write 100 lyrics/songs in 365 days. Well, sadly, I wasn't able to complete this task. Between graduating college, getting a job, learning guitar and working with co-writers, my goal slowly faded in the distance. However....I will not quit until I finish 100 lyrics! Who knows, I may continue this blog until I get a cut (which means that I may be blogging until I'm 90!). Working on this blog has taught me that, no matter how pointless is may seem, as long as I just keep writing, the song will work itself out!

To the drunk gal who was dancing with the frat boys until her husband found out...thanks for the inspiration! Someone's Busted ©  2012 Chelsey Sears She set her sights On getting lit last night And findin' a cowboy on the floor She was busy dancin' On some younger man when He walked through the door Yeah, he spotted her from across the room Waited 'til the song was done, then made his move When he saw them kissin' He noticed her ring was missin' That's when he threw one back, and started cussin' Discovered "girls night out" Was code for "runnin' 'round" he thought she could be trusted Looks like someone's busted If she 've checked her phone She would've known He had offered to stop in and buy One for her and her friends Never thought when he walked in She'd be with another guy Yeah, I wish you could've seen the look on her face When she spun around and saw her husband walkin...

Hey folks! I was just sitting in church this morning and this one popped into my head. It's a male country lyric. Number 46, I believe. It's not the most commercial, but it's another lyric closer to my goal of 100! Slip Away (c) 2012 Chelsey Sears Back when I was just a boy I looked up to uncle joe Followed his every move Since I was five years old One afternoon on the lake With a cane pole in my hand I asked "hey Uncle Joe, Why don't I have an aunt?" His face lit up and I saw a fire in his eyes When he said "kid, once upon a time" I had a ring in my pocket For when the time was right But then one hot summer day I let my pride Tear us apart and it's a crying shame Kid, you should never let a woman like that slip away One day he pulled out his wallet At the convenience store And an old wrinkly picture Fell to the floor I picked it up and stared at The prettiest girl I'd ever seen 'fore he took it back I asked ...

So as I was driving this morning, this concept popped into my head. My middle school biology teacher used to say "I don't get mad, I get even". Well, I couldn't resist it. So, here's number #45!!! I'm iced in today, so I may even get some music going for this! Get Even © 2012 Chelsey Sears Well darlin' lately, You've been actin' shady And your phone's been buzzin' all night long I wasn't born yesterday So don't you dare try to say "oh baby, it's just my mom" Not sayin' you're guilty, but I also know you ain't A picture perfect man, honey you're no saint I'll just warn ya, 'fore you think about cheatin' Just know, I don't get mad, I get even Just wait until I head down To our fav'rite bar in our hometown Folks will wonder why I'm alone Then after a couple shots They're gonna  hear how I walked in on you and her, gettin' close Not sayin' you...

This is going to be an extremely random one folks.  It's going to be a male country ballad. I guess I'll just start typing and see where it leads Saved By Your Mem'ry ©  2012 Chelsey Sears I Lean back, close my eyes And try to ignore That empty whiskey bottle I just dropped on the floor I know it wont bring you home Or solve anything But maybe, just maybe After one more drink I'll fade away, to somewhere cold and dark With no happy ending in sight 'Cause when you were still here Those hardest moments where the times When you'd smile and take my hand Say "babe, it's gonna be alright" Maybe, after one more drink I'll be Saved by your mem'ry tonight I know in the mornin' I'm going to regret The achin' in my heart And the poundin in my head Yeah deep down I know I know This isn't good for me But maybe, just maybe After one more drink I'll fade away, to somewhere cold and dark With no happy e...

I'm busy recording tonight! I will only post one at a time so I can see how it charts. Hopefully I'll be able to break into the top 10 with this batch! Click Here to Listen! or play it on the side widget! 

#42! I'm getting closer to my final goal! This particular song began as a facebook status this morning. My good friend Penny told me to turn the status into a song. So during my lunch break I pulled out my notebook and just started jotting things down. I have the music ready for this, I just need a few days to practice it. I'll post the audio as soon as I get a decent recording of it! This is a very upbeat female country song. I honestly can't wait to play it at open mic night. I Kinda Like It © 2012 Chelsey Sears A rusty old pick-up truck on a hot summer night Speedin’ down a country road. Yeah you know I love to slide Around every little turn, ‘round ev’ry little bend Catchin’ air ramping off a one lane bridge Sure my momma taught me to keep that lead foot light But for some crazy reason it just feels right To stomp it to the floor and feel the gears shift I don’t know what it is, but I kinda like it A pair of big strong arms and piercing blue eyes With a bit of a ...