Little Town Like This

It started with one line, in June. “Loitering at the dairy queen”. For a while, I’d been interested in writing a song about small town living, but, seeing that it’s a common topic in country music, it’s a somewhat difficult topic to approach, especially when you are an OCD amateur songwriter. For the longest time, I focused on the modern country interpretation of a rural community, complete with bonfires, moonshine and big trucks. But the small town way of life is so much more. It’s an attitude. It’s a cycle. It’s raw, yet artistic. Instead of writing about the common perception of small town living, I approached it as someone who grew up on a few acres, off an old dirt road. I tried to dig to the roots and find some core images that really summarize the lifestyle that I was raised to admire.

That’s easier said than done. I was just driving down the main drag when that single line came to me. There were no accompanying ideas, or melody concepts. Just five words. I decided that, in the pursuit of developing my craft, I would take that line and turn it into a musical portrait of my small southern Indiana community. Surely, it wouldn’t take more than a few hours, right? A few days at the most?

Five months later, I was sitting on three verses and at my wits end. The first two verses came to me a few days after I started messing around with the concept, and a month or so later I worked out the kinks in the third verse. I had no idea where to take the chorus. This was partially due to my OCD, partially due to the fact that I was just thinking the song through in a few spare moments here and there, instead of sitting down to finish it, and partially due to lack of inspiration. I was frustrated that I couldn’t just whip out a chorus. The chorus is supposed to be the easy part. While other writers dread the “second verse curse”, in which they are unable to formulate a follow-up verse after the first verse and chorus have been completed, I determined that I had just the “verse curse”…and my version of the curse was that I could only come up with verses!

I finally gave up. On November 11^th, I sent it to Jake, pitching it to him as an incomplete lyric and essentially telling him that, if he wanted the song, he could do whatever he wanted. Then it happened, on my way home from work. “We ride our one horse, down a two lane, through a single traffic light”. I had the first line of my chorus. What is something ironic that you’ll see in a small town? “Liquor store across the street from the Church of Christ”. 

I figured out how I wanted to hit my hook, but still needed a leading line. I stared at the wrinkled, scribbled, water spotted page, on and off, for a few days. Then, yesterday, I decided to change my guitar strings during my lunch break (because I was trying to get my songwriting idol to autograph it last night, and if he was going to see it, I wanted to have pretty new strings). I didn’t think anything of it. I was just changing strings. However, when I sat back down at my desk and a momentary thought about my beautiful red fender gave me the inspiration I needed.

The date that I noted on the writing pad was 6-25-16. That was when I wrote down the ideas that I’d been tossing around in my head. On November 17^th, I excitedly texted Layton the chorus and a celebratory “It’s done!” 

Music will come later, but for the moment, I will just enjoy the relaxing feeling of resolution, and look for my next glimmer of inspiration.

Little Town Like This

© 2016 Chelsey Sears

Loitering at the Dairy Queen, ‘til the cops chase you away

Hoping he won’t spill the beans, to your momma come Sunday

He’ll roll his eyes, it’s “10-4 guys, just kids being kids

And can you really blame ‘em in a little town like this?”

Relationships, they happen quick, and spin your world around

You kiss, hook up, then fall in love, recite some wedding vows

Do your best to keep it fresh, like Granddaddy did

That’s how you find forever in a little town like this

We ride our one horse down a two-lane through a single traffic light

Liquor store across the street from the Church of Christ

It’s family farms, front porch guitars and cold beer in the fridge

Yeah we thank the good lord that we’re blessed to live

In a little town like this

Turn eighteen, Army, Marines, go defend the flag

Support the troops, you pledge, salute, and pray they all come back

Some pay the price of sacrifice, no we will not forget

That’s how we stand for freedom in a little town like this

We ride our one horse down a two-lane through a single traffic light

Liquor store across the street from the Church of Christ

It’s family farms, front porch guitars and cold beer in the fridge

Yeah we thank the good lord that we’re blessed to live

In a little town like this

Better On A Beach

Every now and then, you come across a song that elicits an unexpected excitement. Whether it be the result of a particularly catchy line, a solid hook, or the emotions evoked by the imagery, sometimes a song can not only elevate your desire to write, but also bring encouragement through any troubled times.  This past summer, as Layton and I were becoming a bit restless, in regards to our relocation, we made an impulsive and somewhat financially irresponsible decision to plan a return to St. John. At that moment, I was immediately engaged in full island mode.  This elation was quickly evident in my writing as I set out to create a song that would convey my love  for the island life.

Typing with fervor, the lyrics magically came together, without question or hesitation. A melody in my head, I picked up my guitar and began to strum a simple progression, with a modern pop country groove, and the dream of having a hit on my hands as it was, without a doubt, one of my most commercial works to date. Playing it for Layton, I smiled excitedly as he told me that he really liked it, and my eyes lit up when he followed with “Jake might even want that one”. Seeing that my only song placed with Jake is Longshot at Best, which he began to play a few years ago, I’ve been itching to get another song on his roster. I told Layton that I would send him the lyrics and the chord progression so he could record a demo to send to Jake. Anxious to get the ball rolling, I was at one of Jake’s shows, intending to flag him down after the final set and begin discussing the song, when he played a fairly new tune that he had written, titled “Better Than This”.

My ecstasy was quickly calmed as I listened to Jake’s song, which is a fantastic song that I highly recommend downloading from iTunes. However, my song almost directly contradicts that song that Jake wrote. My hopes for placement faded. Though I was excited for the momentum Jake had gained with his tune, personally I was a little disheartened.  So sat on it for a few months, thinking maybe he would still want it.  I even mentioned the song to Jake’s father, who suggested that I still send it to Jake, but I knew it’d be nonsense for him to follow up one of his popular songs with another tune that essentially would discredit the vibe of the initial release.  I tossed around the idea of having a professional demo made, in order to pitch the tune for other artists, but with the upcoming relocation, my budget is completely strapped. As much as I enjoy this song, moving to Orlando and being able to once more wake up next to my partner in crime is my greatest priority. With these factors in mind, I decided that its place is in my blog, in hopes that maybe, someday, I will receive an interest in placement. Written for a male vocalist, “Better On A Beach” conveys to the listener that you can elevate even the best of plans if only you add a little sun and some sand. 

Better On A Beach

© 2016 Chelsey Sears

There’s nothing wrong with sipping on a longneck

On the tailgate of your truck

Sweet thing beside you, in her muddy boots

You’re both praying you’ll get stuck

That’s when you lean back, in your ballcap

Thinking “ain’t no topping this”

But I’mma break it down, gonna tell you what I’ve found

Truth of the matter is

Life’s better on a beach, picture her, ‘neath a clear blue sky

In a string two piece, don’t it sure sound nice?

The cooler’s well stocked, go ahead, pop a top, take a long slow drink

Life’s better on a beach, bonfires, yeah they burn a little brighter

When the hot sun sets and the tide rolls higher

Try it once, you’ll see, Life’s better on a beach

Better on a beach

Hey buddy, you’ve been working for the weekend

It’s fin’ly in sight

She’s got her best dress laid out, you’re heading downtown

For a little wine and dine

I know your mind’s set, how ‘bout we make a bet

‘Cause some plans are meant to change

Don’t stop, don’t park, ‘til you find a sandbar

It’ll blow your mind away

Life’s better on a beach, picture her, ‘neath a clear blue sky

In a string two piece, don’t it sure sound nice?

The cooler’s well stocked, go ahead, pop a top, take a long slow drink

Life’s better on a beach, bonfires, yeah they burn a little brighter

When the hot sun sets and the tide rolls higher

Try it once, you’ll see, Life’s better on a beach

Better on a beach

Better on a beach

Mixing everything from Reggae to Cash

When she hears the beat drop, boy you know she’s gonna dance

North, South, East, West, by the ocean, ‘round a lake

Relax and escape

Life’s better on a beach, picture her, ‘neath a clear blue sky

In a string two piece, don’t it sure sound nice?

The cooler’s well stocked, go ahead, pop a top, take a long slow drink

Life’s better on a beach, bonfires, yeah they burn a little brighter

When the hot sun sets and the tide rolls higher

Try it once, you’ll see

Life’s better on a beach, picture her, ‘neath a clear blue sky

In a string two piece, don’t it sure sound nice?

The cooler’s well stocked, go ahead, pop a top, take a long slow drink

Life’s better on a beach, bonfires, yeah they burn a little brighter

When the hot sun sets and the tide rolls higher

Try it once, you’ll see, Life’s better on a beach

Better on a beach

Oppenheimer Bay Beach, St. John, USVI

Stranger

It was Ludwig Van Beethoven who stated "Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy", and it is a point that is hard to argue. In music, one can explore the depths of the soul, which cannot otherwise be explained. Songwriting takes this exploration one step further. Instead of standing on the ledge, peeking into the canyon, seeking a glimpse of purpose, we scale the cliffside to retrieve the resolution. 

As many others have, I reached the point, a few years ago, in which my heart longed to start over. My soul needed a hard reset, and my only anchor was my nagging sense of responsibility. However, last fall, Layton received a job offer that would require his relocation. The night that he decided to leave, he asked me to accompany him. Originally, I insisted that it would be impossible. However, the following morning, I looked my mother in the eye and told her that I was moving to Florida. We kept things quiet for several months, and I was grateful for that as I not only wanted to ensure that the move was definite before revealing our plans, but also because I was still processing the upcoming transition (and I remain in this "still processing" state).

Overcome by a wave of emotions, I turned to songwriting to help piece it all together. Balancing tension and redemption, I put pen to paper, then words to music, writing a song simply titled "Stranger", finding courage to embrace the freedom of change, and being overwhelmed by hope for the future. 

Stranger

© 2016 Chelsey Sears

   

What I wouldn't give for a new wind in my sails

And a town of faces who don't know me too well

A different horizon, where I can sit and watch

The sun and another day slowly drift off

Where I can be a stranger, with no story and no past

No reason, no demons, there to hold me back

Just a smile and a handshake to be forgotten later

Where I can be a stranger 

Folks around here, all they do is talk

About the could've, 'bout the should've, would've chances come and gone

Where lost loves and mistakes define your younger years

It'd sure be nice for my name to fall on a fresh set of ears

Where I can be a stranger, with no story and no past

No reason, no demons, there to hold me back

Just a smile and a handshake to be forgotten later

Where I can be a stranger 

A fresh start for my tattered soul, to wander unfamiliar roads

Find a place with room to breathe, take the slate and wipe it clean

Where I can be a stranger, with no story and no past

No reason, no demons, there to hold me back

Just a smile and a handshake to be forgotten later

Where I can be a stranger, with no story and no past

No reason, no demons, there to hold me back

Just a smile and a handshake to be forgotten later

Where I can be a stranger 

Where I can be a stranger

Last Cigarette Rough Demo

As a music lover, attending a concert stirs the soul. As a songwriter, attending a concert sparks creativity. It seems that, at every show I attend, my drive and passion for writing become engaged. At times this will even lead me to leave a show early, in order to return home and jot down some ideas. Last night was, by far, the most inspirational concert that I have ever attended. I had the opportunity to be in the front row of a Gary Allan performance. For those of you who are unaware, I love his music, his style, and the emotion conveyed through his works. Singing along to nearly every word (I have heard "What Would Willy Do", but I wasn't familiar enough with it to even attempt it!), I was instantly overcome with the desire to work on Last Cigarette. Seeing that I returned home around 2 AM, I got a few hours of shut eye and, although I had planned on sleeping in, I rose with excitement and pulled a guitar off the wall. Still feeling the vibe from the show, I decided to play it on my good ole PRS and had a blast! Below is the very, very, very rough demo, complete with a raspy voice (the result of me singing along/screaming during the whole concert) and some ... interesting facial expressions (I was completely unaware of them while recording) but I'm very excited about developing this one further!