On Valentine's day I was saying on a forum here that I had written very few love songs for my darling Carmen, considering that we will have been together for 35 years this year. This morning was her "early to work" day, so she got up and left me in bed. I felt an ache as she left me alone, that only amplified when she left for work.
Now, the best way for a songwriter to get rid of discomfort or pain is to write it out of them. That's just what I did with this one.
Backing by Band in a Box.
Instruments played:
Baton Rouge Parlour Guitar (w/ pick up)
Gear4Music Semi-Acoustic Telecaster
Recorded on a Boss Micro BR 80
Intro (D) (A) (E)
(E) I'm lying in bed, it's (D) early morn
You've (A)had to get up for (E) work
It's dark outside an (D) hour before dawn
But your (A) duties you won't (E) shirk
I (F#m) hear you having (A) breakfast
Hear your (F#m) shoes clack on the (A) floor
Then I (D) get this sinking feeling
As I hear you close the (E) door
(NC) Part of me just (D) left
Left me feeling be(A)reft
My heart in twain is (E) cleft
Oh what a cruel (F#m) theft
(D) (A) (E)
I (E) try to fall a(D)sleep again
But my (A) mind will not keep (E) still
The beds still warm on (D) your side
I feel (A) sad against my (E) will
(F#m) I can almost (A) sense you here
Like some (F#m) amputated (A) limb
It (D) seems you've floated out on a tide
That I never learned to (E) swim
CHORUS
BRIDGE
I (C#m) feel so hollow and (F#m) empty
When (C#m) you're not by my (F#m) side
But (C#m) when I hear your (F#m) key in the door
My anx(A)ieties sub(B)side
I (E) know you'll be home at (D) lunchtime
And I (A) have so many things to (E) do
It seems absurd after (D) all these years
That I (A) think so much about (E) you
"My (F#m) other half" was (A) just a phrase
Be(F#m)fore you came a(A)long
But you're (D) part of me, I'm part of you
And this is where we be(E)long
CHORUS
@chipwithrow Mar 2022
My birthday is also Thursday! 56 for me.
Right away, I got into the easygoing groove. And I can certainly relate to how you feel.
Great lyrics - love the rhymes. Super guitar work, too!
@seemanski Feb 2022
This is very sweet. I loved your choice of rhymes. Really enjoyed the listen, very pleasant indeed.
@markg Feb 2022
a sweet and intimate story. Nice to have such a lovely Valentine through all these years.
@sheslin Feb 2022
I am so impressed with Band in a Box - such a powerful tool with such a great song. I love how easy it is to edit. My friend Larry is really good at it. Loving your vocals in this song - they sound great with the instrumental track. Congrats on 35 years!! Love the song topic and such a lovely sentiment. I like how the guitar echoes the vocals in the chorus.
@kahlo2013 Feb 2022
Love the love of a long-standing and long relationship that you feel the absence of their presence as soon as they are gone! Wonderful delivery and sentiment!
@billwhite51 Feb 2022
i feel you here. my wife gets up at 5 and is off to work before i wake up; so this song plays like a daily lament for me.
@sbs2018 Feb 2022
Bernie - I finally figured it out. The verses remind me of “Cat’s in the Cradle.”
@arthurrossi Feb 2022
A lovely pop ballad with a very powerful melody. It has a nice laid-back feel to it. I love the quadruple rhyme in the chorus, too. Also, enjoyed your words choices as always... Very nice singing, too!
@sbs2018 Feb 2022
The verses remind me so much of a song from the 70s but I can’t think of the name and that’s driving me crazy - lol! Great story!
@abudabard12514 Feb 2022
Maaaan, you are makin me jealous of Carmen! I hope she writes songs for you too, also Mashallah on 35 years together, that takes some beautiful work
I hope you spend a lot of time in that vocal range of the high harmony in the chorus cause it sounds fab!
@steviej Feb 2022
i like the hook and music to this, very catchy.