Let's Get Lyrical: 'That's It'

Happy Friday! I thought it might be fun each month to share lyrics with you guys song by song.

Let's get lyrical!

The lyrics for all but one of the songs on my first album have been pulled directly from the series of prose poems I wrote several years ago when living in New York. At the time, I didn't realise that I was writing songs, but when I looked back at that old work, I noticed that my style was inherently melodic. Many of the pieces of writing even already included a refrain.

Of course, my prose poems are far too lengthy and verbose for synthpop songs, and they require considerable reshaping and cutting down. And cutting back! (I find myself rolling my eyes at some of my own word choices that just don't translate into songs without sounding ridiculous and pretentious.)

I used one of my more narrative/wordy poems for that latest song I was telling you about earlier in the month. The song is about a fantasy I had after watching a music video that my (now) husband posted on Facebook. At the time, he was living the exotic London life, and I felt very detached and alone in NYC.

I like the way the words tumble along - one into the other - like an overactive mind getting carried away in a dream. Of course, this makes for long phrases that are difficult to sing - I haven't yet managed a recording that I am pleased with!

That's It

I would have to join a band who would travel to Paris

Where we'd drink wine and sing in cafes until the grey

Night sky turned to grey morning, and the flowers fell from my hair

And you whisked me away - well, that's it.

It would be cold red wine but it wouldn't stain my teeth

And lips would still be white and pink when I opened them to laugh

And to sing and kiss the flowers in my black hair

You untangled one stem. Yes, yes, well, that's it.

Flowers would fall from my hair

Petals crushed on my pale skin

Flowers would fall from my hair

Petals crushed on my bare skin.

You would be too scared to touch me until you took me away

From the smoke and the din and you fell asleep with my cheek

Between your heart and shoulder and then you touched my hair

And the corners of my mouth. Yes, yes, well, that's it.

Flowers would fall from my hair

Petals crushed on my pale skin

Flowers would fall from my hair

Petals crushed on my bare skin.

But not yet

But not yet.

Enjoy your weekends - I hope to have a new download for you guys next week!

xWG // #weekessings

#songwriting #lyrics #inspiration #synthpop #Paris #poetry #prosepoetry