This song almost composed itself as I was reading @crisp1's lyrics. They're rhythmically catchy and tell a story so well it was just a matter of connecting some dots.
I'm trying to become a better slide player so I incorporated some of that here in order to get some amount of country vibe going, because I think the lyrics call for that.
I can't pull off a proper country song with my accent or knowledge of the genre, so this is something that's, well, from somewhere east of Nashville.
crisp1: cheslain found a way to the heart of the song even if it's not proper country. Beautiful guitar work, percussion, and vocals. Sung almost the way I heard it in my head, but much better, since I can't sing anything like this. Thank you for a great collab!
I’ve pulled the car to the side of the road
Somewhere east of Nashville
It’s blazing hot and the A/C’s off
And still I’m feeling frozen
And a voice inside my head just said
“You really should turn around”
But I’ve taken stock and know if I knock
On any more doors that just aren’t gonna open
A tender part of my once-brave heart
Will stop
It’s harder than I ever could imagine
There’s no one who can say I didn’t try
It’s harder than I ever could imagine
To leave behind a dream that hasn’t died
I’m taking deep breaths on the side of the road
Somewhere east of Nashville
I picture Ma and the star she saw
I don’t know what I’ll tell her
On the day I left, car pointed west
Her eyes had lit up with pride
A smile so big, imagining gigs
Me living like Elvis rather than in a cellar
What will she do when I walk on through
Her door?
It’s harder than I ever could imagine
There’s no one who can say I didn’t try
It’s harder than I ever could imagine
To leave behind a dream that hasn’t died
Tears might be falling on the side of the road
Somewhere east of Nashville
Pawned my guitar to gas up the car
I almost wish I hadn’t
When I look ahead, I feel half dead
I swore I’d outshine the sun
Need to come to grips with this total eclipse
When even one ray of sunlight leaves me saddened
I won’t be king, not of anything
At all
It’s harder than I ever could imagine
There’s no one who can say I didn’t try
It’s harder than I ever could imagine
To leave behind a dream that hasn’t died
I’ve pulled the car to the side of the road
Somewhere east of Nashville
@oswlek Mar 2022
The Bbm chord grabs me every time, such a wonderfully unexpected musical moment. It also adds just the right touch of off-kilter-ness to match the imbalance of Doug's lyric structure. When I was trying to write something to this lyric, the structure kept tripping me up, but you found a way to lean into it and make it feel like an integral part of the overall experience. Well done.
And it doesn't stop there! The slide is terrific as are the guitar licks. Even the appearance of the new minor at the end was a brilliant touch. And a stellar vocal, too! Not much to complain about.
And Doug, given how many talented artists wrote for this lyric, I probably don't need to tell you how moving and relatable it is. Especially for a musician who had to let go of big dreams a long time ago. :)
Awesome stuff, guys.
@berni1954 Mar 2022
The lyrics are a great portrait in song. This setting is well East of Nashville, but with those nods to the Country Music Capital on the slide guitar, the feel is there. Great vocal too.
@dreamscuba Mar 2022
Great interpretation of the lyrics...lovely slide playing...great vocals. Very well composed and arranged. Good song.
@tamsnumber4 Feb 2022
I swore I’d outshine the sun
This write makes me feel like you actually lived it, really great visuals and story telling and I love that slide....that really adds to the atmosphere, great treatment of this lyric, very laid back and great vocal, wonderful collaboration!
@katestantonsings Feb 2022
The guitar slide is just gorgeous! I'm taken back like it's Dwight Yoakam playing...I love this! This is a journey in sonic form. Lyrics like "I swore I’d outshine the sun
Need to come to grips with this total eclipse
When even one ray of sunlight leaves me saddened"...how do you come up with this? Solid songwriting.
@cowboydick Feb 2022
A sad tale, beautifully told. Music is perfect ... slide work is ideal, and I love that blocky percussion underneath.
@jacobeverettwallace Feb 2022
This is an awesome lyric, Doug. Possibly one of my favorites! Cheslain has done a marvelous job of bringing it to life. Great collab! Well done.
@janeukey Feb 2022
Great collaboration! @crisp1 has really captured the mix of emotion so well in this moment by the road. @cheslain I love the finger picking, slide and djembe combo - it conveys a floating feeling, the kind you get when you stop fighting the current and resign yourself to being carried somewhere you didn’t want to go.
@vainhirvain Feb 2022
Fine work, both of you! So pleasant to listen to. And really relatable and well constructed story. The sections of the song float so naturally together and your singing voice truly transfers the weary, melancholy feeling. And those minor chords in the end of Verse <3
@jeff9 Feb 2022
Wow--really impressed to hear a nice Finnish boy's take on Country/Americana. Fantastic picking and singing on this and I love all the layering. As you know, I took a crack at it also and I purposely avoided listening to yours until I finished it so it wouldn't mess up my brain for finding a melody in Doug's lyrics, so just now checked it out for the first time. You took it to a really interesting place yourself. Well done, sir!
@keithcuts Feb 2022
So cool this song in both lyrics and performance. Kudos!
@nadine Feb 2022
What a song! I love the vocals, the guitar picking, the percussion and the lyrics (this storytelling!) Good job both of you!
@coolparadiso Feb 2022
Love that dreamy feel up front! Was a cool Doug lyric! Like the delivery doesn't rush itself lets the story be told!
@mikeb Feb 2022
Love what you did for the chorus in Doug's lyric!
@jayjay Feb 2022
Beautiful storytelling. I teared up a little. Sounds absolutely great. Love the really sensitive music supporting the lyrics.
@leka Feb 2022
Wow. Great lyrics, wonderful composition and performance. Excellent slides.
@sdcpaman Feb 2022
Great take on Doug's lyrics! It's really fun to hear a different version of the song. Good job!!
@juoppis Feb 2022
A swing and a hit.
The living melody running between major and minor chords underlines the bittersweet melancholic moment. The lyrics are stellar and the music is just perfect for it.
Not to mention the beautiful performance, of course.
@donna Feb 2022
Wonderful melody, music, and vocals. Gorgeous slide guitar. Fantastic, captivating storytelling by Doug. Such a poignant tale. A tremendous collaboration on every level.
@colgoo Feb 2022
Love the slide and djembe and two guitars. Great musical treatment to Doug’s lyrics.