Just Keep Writing

As I mentioned in a prior post, I decided to kick off a new branch of my blog called the Dream Cut Series. In this series, I’ll be discussing the artists that I imagined singing the songs as I wrote them, and the vibe I was going for. As many of you know, my musical skills are limited, so I rarely actually get the songs where I want them to be, but I try. To start the Dream Cut Series, it only seemed fitting to talk about a song that has a line in it that came from a dream I had about co-writing with one of my idols. In this dream, from what I can remember, I was sitting there with Gary Allan. We were chit-chatting and working on writing something, when he looked up, kinda shugged off a cold chill, and said “Whoo, I felt my guardian angel fly a little too close that time”. I woke up right after that line, picked up my phone and typed it in, then went back to bed.  I was bound and determined to use that line in a song someday. Fast forward to the May Songwriting Challenge....

Took some time this morning to record Heart in a Bottle. This was the first song I wrote in the May Songwriting Challenge and it has been on my mind since then! I’d love to maybe learn  ukulele someday because I feel like it might go really well with this tune! Drop me a comment and let me know what you think!

It's taken me a while to come around to writing this one. I feel like this is a pretty universal feeling: Every writer has a list of "Dream Cuts"...maybe even "Wildest Dream Cuts". At least in my case, a lot of my writings are influenced by these "Dream Cuts". Sure, I can write with others in mind, but somewhere in the depths of my soul, I'm hearing certain artists wail the notes I'm imagining. I'm feeling the solos that I can't play, but that I can interpret from the song. Dream cuts are an amazing motivator. Then comes a day when that dream cut simply ceases to exist. I'll never forget the day that it happened. For years, I'd been writing thinking "All I need to do is get published, then get some cowrites going, and if we work hard enough, it'll happen." September 8, 2017. That's when the dream ended. I was checking social media to keep tabs on the island, which had just been destroyed by Irma when I firs...

If you’ve followed my blog at all during the past month, you know that I took part in the Song-a-Day May Songwriting Challenge. The challenge began with a callout from the founder of a songwriting group that I joined on Facebook named “The Sounding Board: A Roots and Rhinestones Songwriters Critique Group.” As I have been in a bit of a songwriting rut these last several months, I thought that this challenge would help me break out and get back into the groove of things a bit.  I bought a new notebook and went to town. After titling the first page “Hooks, Lines & Stinkers”, I jotted down a list of different concepts to use for inspiration down the road. Some of these came out of the blue, on the drive to work, or from things that I’d heard from strangers throughout the say. Some of them came from conversations that I’d had with my honey, where we’d pause after saying something completely random, and both agree about how that’d be a good line for a song. Some of them wer...

And with this, the May Songwriting Challenge comes to a close. I’ve officially written more this month than I have in the past year. It was full of ups and down, and I finally feel like my muses have returned to inspire. To wrap this challenge up, I decided to finish one that has been in the back of my mind for a few months. I’ve had the chorus, but the verses just weren’t coming to me. That all changed this morning on my drive into work. I first got this idea after a quarter beer night at the Bluebird (nightclub, not café) and thought it’d be fun to write a song about broke girls going out on ladies night.  Right on the Money © 2018 Chelsey Sears V1: Once bills are paid, most my hard work ‘s spent Countin’ down the days ‘til my next check So hard for broke girls to have any fun But once a week, that old marquis Reads “ladies get in free” Like a beacon calling out to us CH: Times are tough and the struggle’s real So let’s belly on up for a quarter bee...

Well…it was down to the wire, but do y’all remember when I said I was going to say armadillo in a song? Look, look, look!!! Look at the first verse! Line 4! I SAID ARMADILLO!!! Yay! Why did I want to say armadillo? Because armadillos are armadorable and it’s my songwriting blog so I can write what I want to write, gosh darnit! Karma © 2018 Chelsey Sears V1: You think it serves you well To play us women like a fiddle Hidin’ way in your shell Some Amarillo armadillo Popping up, at the worst of times Rolling in, on that wave of pride Mastered the heartbreak game Yeah that charm goes a long, long way CH: But someday, you’ll meet your match Tables can turn, just like that Fallin’s harder when you’re the one on the ground Baby, karma, it’s comin’ ‘round, comin’ ‘round V2: Boy they’re more than rumors Wildly circulatin’ Yeah, you’ll find the truth hurts When you’re on your own, facin’ The facts, your track history No, girls won’t wanna ga...

So, I’ve written this one once…and absolutely hated it. But, on a day when I’ve gone crazy writing, it seems that a song about writing should be my last one to throw together. The Starbucks is closing in ten minutes and I’m officially caught up for the first time in a few weeks! Write On © 2018 Chelsey Sears INTRO: If your heart ’s got a rhythm, and your soul ’s got a song Set them free, write on, write on V1: You could be a legend, or still stuck in the closet With a Gibson, or yard sale guitar, strings all rusted If you’ve got a dream, turn it loose, let it fly Never know where it might lead, unless you try CH: Ideas jotted on bar napkins Rhymes, lines and hooks, tryin’ to add a twist Some may laugh, but don’t hold back Yeah, set out to prove ‘em wrong If your heart ’s got a rhythm, and your soul ’s got a song Set them free, write on, write on V2: In a studio, or pulled over beside the road When the spirit hits you, gotta let it fl...

Almost there folks! I’m almost there! My goal is to catch up by 2:00, so I can hopefully go get my oil changed before our drive to Indiana next weekend. Plus, this starbucks is closing at 2 for a store meeting, so time to hustle! File this one under another one of our “hey, that’d be a fun song” conversations at dinner time. My boyfriend has really been a trooper throughout this challenge, listening to my lyrics and letting me vent my frustrations. Two Tequilas Ago © 2018 Chelsey Sears V1: The ones who say “don’t run from your problems” Have obviously, never lost in love ‘Cause my first instinct to solve ‘em Is to buckle down, with wheels up Panama City, for the weekend Rented myself a red corvette Which helped me pick up a new friend Sweet little local brunette CH: Watchin’ the waves from a beach cantina She’s sippin’ on mango magaritas No, I’m not too far behind Lickin’ salt, suckin limes A perfect mix, her sunburnt lips, and a taste of Mexi...