This is happening… in less than 3 weeks this is happening. My copilot Nick Howell and I are scrambling to complete my new EP- Life’s Lessons I’ll Never Learn.  The father I venture into the studio process, the more I realize that a record is never really “done”.  There is always something to tweak, improve, or add.  But, … less than 3 weeks.  I am excited because this is some of the best musical work I have done.  On the evening of November 18, I invite friends, acquaintances, family, and fans (do I have fans?) to join me at the Hidden Agenda Cafe in Midland for a concert and celebration of my 50th birthday. Check out the Facebook Event page for more details.

 

After my set, I’m requesting something I’ve seen done at other musician’s milestone events.  I am inviting my musical friends to come onstage and cover my songs.  To get ready for this I prepared a Big, Ugly, Spreadsheet of all of Sean’s Songs.  It contains lyrics, chords and demos for my 200+ songs.  Before I started it, I estimated that I had written about 150 songs.  Digging through notebooks and old digital folders, I kept finding more.  There are almost exactly 200 songs in my  Big, Ugly, Spreadsheet of all of Sean’s Songs.  I’d love to hear my friend’s interpretations of my music at my 50th birthday celebration.

 

As if one CD release is not enough, I plan to have CDs available for my 2017 February Album Writing Month digital only release, Guitars, Ukuleles, Etc…   Here is the cover art for Life’s Lesson’s I’ll Never Learn and Guitars, Ukuleles, Etc…  I found a dozen copies of my 2004 album, For the Sake of the Song, in the basement so those will be available too.

I completed my 14+songs for FAWM 2017 with a week to spare and realized that I had achieved all my 2017 FAWM GOALS and then some, so I added a personal STRETCH GOAL to release most of the tracks as an album on February 28.  The result is: Guitars, Ukuleles, Etc.. available at seanmcgaughey.bandcamp.com for free/ Pay what you  want download.

I’m still shooting for a 50th birthday retrospective album in November, but I may shift focus of the goal more to the event of having a 50th birthday party/concert, maybe even with full band.

One of my favorite memories of this year’s FAWM is that half a dozen of my friends from our local Saturday Morning Songwriter’s circle joined in.  My friend Jacki wrote over 60 lyrics and melodies, two of which I contributed arranging and recording. They are on my album.

I made an official Artistic Licence for each of them to remind them that they RAWK.

 

The artistic licences need a guide to explain them. The front painting is Tom Thompson . The back painting is by Emily Carr. The three muses are: Alice in Wonderland, E. Pauline Johnson, and Woody Guthrie. The signatures on the back are a smorgasbord of inspiration. I hope you find a favorite in there.

 

Every year I make a word cloud of my collected FAWM lyrics to see what recurring themes emerge. Here is this year’s word cloud.

Click below to see the archive of all my FAWM 2017 lyrics and comments.

Read the rest of this entry »

 
Here is a handy jukebox of my FAWM 2017 songs.

 

FAWM 2017 Resolutions

 

A Funny Thing Happened on the way to my SemiCentennial

 

At dinner one night in May, with all the family gathered around, I made a pronouncement.  (Yes, people sometimes actually make pronouncements).  I pronounced that for my 50th birthday in 2017 (then 18 months away), I would like to have an album release party.  Now it’s a little more than 9 months away– a fitting gestation time.   

Once I started seriously thinking about it, 3 things came to mind:

 

1. Do i DIY it, or pay to have a full studio production?
2. How do I choose a dozen or so songs from the 150+ I have written?
3. It’s time to learn to play my #$%!ing instruments.

 

It became clear quickly that with family obiligations (like paying for my teen’s college, etc..), and the fact that I am very much a DIY guy that doing as much as I can myself is something I value.  So, … I hired a friend for ‘music lessons’ // pre production.  We have been workshopping songs and I’m down to 20 or so.  He has me trying to get better at playing to a click.  

 

Last winter I had been semi-regularly practicing ukulele with Aldrine Guerrerro’s play along videos on youtube.  Frequently adds for Yousician would come up on my Youtube channel.  In late May, I decided to give it a try and fell into it.  Yousician is an online software and app for teaching guitar, ukulele, bass and piano.  It’s kind of like a cross between guitar hero and a personal music teacher.  It uses a freemium model that gives you about 20 minutes of free lessons a day per instrument.  

 

Something clicked.  The combination of playing along to actual tracks, instant feedback and gamification worked for me.  For the first time in as long as I can remember I’ve practiced daily for over 7 months on Bass, Uke, guitar, and since November– keyboard.  On November 14, just before my birthday, I found a casio midi keyboard for $25 at a thrift store.

 

I am walking into FAWM 2017 with something I never thought I had– CHOPS.  Now that I have upped  my game on bass and uke especially, and I’m learning keys– I want to do more multitrack and multi-instrument work this year.  

 

So here’s my FAWM 2017 Resolutions

 

1. As always, go where the muse leads, or in its absence forge on ahead.
2. Collab, Collab, Collab
   1. I am always open to collaborations: lyrical, musical or both.
3. This year several family members my attempt FAWM so I’m making myself available to the kids if they need arrangement assistance or need me to play behind them.  I plan on introducing my non musician son and niece to Music Memos (IOS) or Microsoft Songmith Software which allows you to record your voice, then it magically adds accompaniment.  
4. Write a song or songs starting with a bassline, or a simple keyboard riff– then add chords + lyrics.
5. I give myself permission to post weird experiments with my multi-effects pedal, looper and keyboard.  
6. I was always “just a rhythm player and stummer’. Yousician has opened up single notes and the whole Fretboard for me.  Do you know that guy who plays bad single not leads over everything at a jam session.  That’s Me!  Don’t worry, I’m not planning on living there- just passing throught.  But I do resolve to leave room for instrumental breaks and solos in this years crop of fawm songs.
7. Last year I had a track with a very simple harmonica solo on a toy harmonica.  I don’t play harmonica, but I was able to make it work for 8 bars.  This year I will again try to record an instrument I don’t know how to play.  If you can make it make a sound, you can make music with it.
8. Focus on my workflow and multitrack process.
9. Work on overcoming my click track phobia.  (I find a visual count in Reaper is much less intimidating) .  
10. Keep my eye on the ball.  After FAWM I’m going to have about 6 months to produce an album for my 50th.

UPDATE Feb 5, 2017
Dear FAWM, I’m doing you wrong. I know there is a strong ethos of write it and post it here in February. There will be time for revising and polishing in the Spring. But, I’ve set a personal goal to release a polished album on My 50th birthday in November.

To that end, I’ve been practicing my little fingies to the bone for about 7 months. I have also been revising and polishing songs from my back catalogue. My next step is to get really adept with REAPER, multitracking, keeping time to a click or drumtrack.
To that end, FAWM for me this year is about production experiments. Sure I’m writing songs, skirmishing, and collaborating.

But I have yet to post the first song I started this year. It’s written but I’m practicing, tweaking, polishing and trying some new techniques to produce a semi-finished track before I post it. This is what I need from FAWM this year.

I will keep up with the short shelf life acoustic one takes, and skirmishes, but I really am focusing on becoming more adept at the instrument that records all the others (REAPER and assorted electronic gadgets, effects and noisemakers).

Then again, maybe FAWM, I’m doing just fine.

2016 FAWM Resolutions
This is my fourth FAWM. Last year I wrote 22 songs during FAWM and 21 during 50/90. I have 150 songs on file since my teen years. about 100 are since I joined FAWM in February 2013. I’m sure some have gotten away on me over the years. Thanks FAWM.

Once again, I’m trying to bring friends along with a local songwriter’s group at the Midland Cultural Centre. I’m still hoping a few local songwriters hop on the FAWM bandwagon. We meet the third Saturday morning of the month at 11am at the Midland Cultural Centre. More info at https://www.facebook.com/groups/166268340244887/

Last April, I bought a 5 string baritone uke, then several smaller soprano ukes. I think I’ll probably write a few uke-pop and uke-folk songs this year.

As always, I’m very open to collaboration, whether contributing lyrics, setting another’s lyrics to music or whatever.

My FAWM 2016 Resolutions

* Go Wherever the muse takes me.
* If necessary, continue forward even if I can’t discern the muse.
* Write a bunch of poppy songs on ukulele.
* Live one-off acoustic demos are my comfort zone. I resolve to produce at least 3-5 multitrack demos.
* I am wide open to collaboration both online and face to face. Let’s make music together.
* This year I will try to release a 5 song (or more) EP of my FAWM2016 songs on Bandcamp by the end of March.

Here’s an old bio I wrote about 10 years ago.
Sean McGaughey is a folk singer-songwriter and children’s musician based in central Ontario. My songs seem to revolve around childhood, family, faith and small town themes. I used to do a long running song writing podcast, For the Sake of the Song where I chatted with other writers about the craft of songwriting, and played a few tunes. I will probably do one or two FAWM themed shows.

Tomorrow, I embark on my fourth February Album Writing Month. I cannot rave enough about how the participating in FAWM has energized my creative life and supercharged my songwriting output.

Here are my 2016 FAWM Resolutions.

• Go Wherever the muse takes me.
• If necessary, continue forward even if I can’t discern the muse.
• Write a bunch of poppy songs on ukulele.
• Live one-off acoustic demos are my comfort zone. I resolve to produce at least 3-5 multitrack demos.
• I am wide open to collaboration both online and face to face. Let’s make music together.
• This year I will try to release a 5 song (or more) EP of my FAWM2016 songs on Bandcamp by the end of March.

As the month progresses, you can follow my progress on the FAWM site. I’m known as ductapeguy over there.

Here is a handy jukebox of my FAWM 2016 songs.

Update: March 15: I had a great FAWM this year and achieved all my FAWM goals except for polishing up some songs for a Bancamp release. Stay tuned…

One of my highlights was the 8 collaborations. I find that working with another songwriter teaches me soo much.
I’ve known my dear friend, mentor and tormentor, paul court for over 20 years. He is the chief instigator for our local songwriting collective that is now in its 14th year. About five years ago, upon hearing there was such a thing as February Album writing Month, he wrote an album called Still Dusty— a song for song response to Fred Eaglesmith’s album Dusty. The following year I joined FAWM and I’ve been here since.

This year I’m trying to focus on face to face, in the same room, collaborations whenever possible. Paul has been focusing more on visual arts than music the past couple of years, so I was thrilled when he consented to write with me. Every collaboration is different and on this one Paul was the conceiver and did most of the heavy lifting. I was a contributor. What a privilege to be invited into the “inner writing place” of another musician.

Update: Paul Recorded a demo of the song at our monthly meeting of the Barrie and District Association for Singer Songwriters (BADAS/S). Here it is.

Every year I make a word cloud of all my FAWM lyrics. This year I tried a new wordcloud generator:wordclouds.com . It turned out fabulous.

All My 2016 FAWM Lyrics and Comments are below

Read the rest of this entry »

I have just completed my third February Album Writing Month with 19 new songs.  What follows, is a record of my 14 new songs, alternate demos, comments from the FAWM site, and a bit of accompanying artwork I produced along the way.

This year I felt like a honky-tonk was following me around. I wrote several country hurting songs, as well as my usual February fare of folk songs, silly filk songs and winter tunes.

This year, I also focused on online collaborations.  There are several FAWMers who post lyrics exclusively and welcome collaboration with musicians.  This year Arthur Rossi in Austria wrote over 195 lyrics.  I set two of them to music, I am Dracula and Z28.  I also got the opportunity to co-write with some of my FAWM friends Jane Eggers, Joel Canfield, Canadian Folksinger Kim Beggs, and FAWM newcomer POPMythology.

The process for each of the collaborations was different for each of them.  Arthur posts lyrics and then welcomes people to adapt them as they see fit.  One of them I set to music verbatim, the other I tinkered with lyrically.  Joel and I have wanted to collaborate for some time.  This time he sent me a set of lyrics, which I set to music unchanged.  Jane and I bounced ideas back and forth for about a week and collaborated on the lyrics and story of the song which I set to music.  Kim Beggs asked me for a set of lyrics, which she reworked into a hauntingly beautiful song.  And pm February 28, Pop Mythology posted a great set of lyrics in honor of the passing of Leonard Nimoy which I could not pass up.  I also had a collaboration which did not see the light of day because the lyricist did not like the direction I took the music, so I wrote new lyrics for the music I had set for it.

I experimented a fair bit with drum loops, but none ended up in my FAWM songs.  I did stretch myself a bit recording a few multitrack songs where I played guitar, bass, and shakers.

All in all it was a great FAWM.  I learned tons and got a good crop of new songs.

 

Here is a word cloud of all my FAWM 2015 lyrics.

 

And a handy jukebox of my FAWM 2015 songs.

 

It’s Canadian National Day of Podcasting so I did a bit of a ramblecast/rant about my current thoughts on podcasting and on my creative life in general.  I also plug my new podcast audiobook, Time for the Fair.  Please check it out.  I close out with a recording of This Ain’t My Hat, a song I wrote inspired by a children’s book This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

 

Happy CNDOP.  Maybe next year it will be a statutory holiday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February Album Writing Month has come and gone, and I haven’t made a single post here. With one day to spare, on February 27, I completed my second FAWM with 14 songs written.  I have come to greatly enjoy the idea of having ‘seasons’ for creative activity, with FAWM in February, the 50/90 challenge in the summer, and Nanowrimo in November.  During those months I find great inspiration and support from the online communities around those sites.  And the great thing about having set seasons for creativity is the during the ‘off months’ it does not feel like I’m slacking off creatively if I don’t produce anything year.

The thing I enjoyed most about this year’s FAWM is the face to face community we are building with a weekly songwriter’s circle on Saturday Mornings at the Midland Cultural Centre. It has been fantastic to have companions on the journey for this FAWM.  (I hope to get permission to share some of their songs on my site).

You can find out more about our Saturday Songwriter’s group in my Proposal for a Midland-Penetanguishene Area Songwriter’s Collective and on our Facebook Group for Midland Penetanguishene Songwriters.

There are some really neat things happening in the Arts Community in our area centred around the beautiful Midland Cultural Centre which was built a couple years ago, largely through a generous donation from a local business owner.

What follows, is a record of my 14 new songs, alternate demos, comments from the FAWM site, and a bit of accompanying artwork I produced along the way.

 

Here is a word cloud of all my FAWM 2014 lyrics.

 

And a handy jukebox of all 14 songs.

 

Sean McGaughey / FAWM 2014 Archive

1. It’s a Skirmish!

2014-02-01 @ 12:24pm
tags: acoustic-one-take folk silly songskirmish fawm

I awoke on Feb 1 around 6am EST, an hour before the FAWM site opened for posting so I posted a quick challenge on the FAWM forums to write a song in 45 min to be ready to post when the site opened on the topic of skirmishes or FAWM.

My apologies about the recording levels. I was either moving away from the mic or was having some computer weirdness.

Lyrics

It’s a Skirmish
Sean McGaughey February 1, 2014 6:16-7am
FAWM 2014 #1
G-C-D-C over and over again

I awoke on Feb 1 around 6am EST, an hour before the FAWM site opened for posting so I posted a quick challenge on the FAWM forums to write a song in 45 min to be ready to post when the site opened on the topic of skirmishes or FAWM

VI
First somebody posts on the forums
A time we’ll all gather to write,
Depending where you live in the world,
They can be morning day or night

At the posted hour, the host posts a title
And people start to write along
Don’t panic about the short deadline,
There’s enough time to write a song.

It’s a skirmish, a skirmish
Let’s all do a song skirmish
It only takes an hour of FAWM
Then you’ve got yourself a song.

Then it’s time to record and post your ditties,
To be listened by fawmers in other cities
And comment on someone else’s ZONGs
Three cheers for the brand new songs.

Comments

• Kevin Emmrich – 2014-02-01 @ 12:34pm
  

  sounds like it could be a pirate, drinking sing-a-long tune — the word scurvy would work well in there (ha, ha). This is what a skirmish is all bout.

• Tim Fatchen – 2014-02-01 @ 12:40pm
  

  Reminds me of Tom Sawyer singing Arkansas on Big River! (That’s a compliment BTW!) And this is going to be a recursive FAWM, clearly. Now I’m wondering whether to leap into the halfway through skirmish with a song about skirmishers writing songs about a skirmish… query in production, were you shifting position to/from mic? not that it matters here, but my own mics are appallingly sensitive to proximity.

• kathy moran – 2014-02-01 @ 12:48pm
  

  Ohhhhhhhhhhh, nooooooooooooooooooooo!!! This is going to be going to be going through my head all day now – the fawm skirmish theme song! I’m sure that anyone who hears this and does skirmishes will hear this song going through their heads over and over again. 🙂

• johnstaples – 2014-02-01 @ 12:48pm
  

  Yay! A cool song about a FAWM skirmish!! I keep wanting you to say scurvy dog or something piratey!! Very nice way to start FAWM!

• Vom Vorton – 2014-02-01 @ 12:57pm
  

  this is devilishly catchy! I can imagine the entire massed voices of FAWM joining in for the last chorus…

• writeandwrong – 2014-02-01 @ 03:14pm
  

  OooOOOOOO! This is the perfect skirmish song! Very catchy, clever, and fun!

• kimberlyinnc – 2014-02-01 @ 03:48pm
  

  good one… I woke up at 5 am…started on one..hehe….hoping to get some out this month..good luck!!

• Wobbie Wobbit – 2014-02-01 @ 06:27pm
  

  yes very catchy.. considering the topic i think its quite apt that the recording is a bit wonky, suits it – very skirmishy 🙂 and i didn’t know after all this time that FAWM could rhyme so well with song, who’d a thought it? (i don’t think it does in my accent)

• Steven Wilson/Plasticsoul – 2014-02-01 @ 07:24pm
  

  I feel like all of us should be singing and clapping along to this around a campfire. 🙂

• arthurrossi – 2014-02-02 @ 01:57am
  

  This song has an awesome folk feel to it with a high sing-along-factor! Very memorable melody and you beautifully dealt with the topic… it could become the official skirmish-theme-song, indeed…

• sexybass – 2014-02-02 @ 03:51am
  

  Well done Sean! Love the lyrics and nice bouncy tune! I will be putting my first one up called “Counting Stars” tomorrow. My FAWM name is sexybass by the way!

• Schnowd (Pronounced Sch-noy-d) – 2014-02-05 @ 04:19am
  

  Agree with @arthurrossi Official Skirmish FAWM song. Nicely done!

• PSEUDONYM – 2014-02-05 @ 07:31pm
  

  Thanks for the reminder on how a skirmish works. You sold me. Three cheers for this brand new song.

• krivmaster – 2014-02-05 @ 10:21pm
  

  I can’t get this out of my head

• joefahey – 2014-02-05 @ 10:47pm
  

  Fun, nice title, it’s both catchy and informational. Good way to kick off FAWM!

• imustbenuts – 2014-02-06 @ 03:58pm
  

  Have not done skirmish, but sounds fun, great song and performance. thanks for sharing!

• Benjamins Son – 2014-02-07 @ 11:22pm
  

  LOL! You got it right! I locked myself up in the cabin last wednesday and wrote six masterpieces 😉 full of inspiration, I’ll post them all soon!

---

2. Fly Away

2014-02-02 @ 12:24am
tags: acoustic-one-take folk yearofsongs january podcast

So this one satisfies both @antlion ‘s year of songs challenge and my local songwriter’s group’s challenge of “silent scream’.

Lyrics

Fly Away
Sean McGaughey (c) February 1, 2014
FAWM #2

D A G A
When the snowbanks are over your shoulder
D G A A
And the highs are thirty below
D A G A
When the days are short and nights endless
G A D D7
Show me anywhere warm and I’ll go.

CHORUS
G D A D
I want to fly away with the snowbirds
G D Bm A
Lie on the Florida Sands
G A D Bm
Throw off my touque and my woolies
G A D D
Get me a winter tan.

D A G A
No more shovels and parkas
D G A A
Leave my sweaters all here.
D A G A
If I could reach Cocoa Beach
G A D D7
My blues would all disappear

CHORUS

BRIDGE
Em Em F#m F#m
When escape from January is only a dream
G G A A
When the cold is relentless you silently scream
G A D Bm
When you can’t take one more flake of snow
G D Bm A
You have to stay but wish you could go.

CHORUS X2

Comments

• johnny – 2014-02-02 @ 12:44am
  

  i feel yer pain, my friend ev’ry lovely line of it tired of snow and rain you made the sun shine a bit

• johnny – 2014-02-02 @ 12:44am
  

  i feel yer pain, my friend ev’ry lovely line of it tired of snow and rain you made the sun shine a bit

• johnny – 2014-02-02 @ 12:45am
  

  Oppps consider it a favor! 😉

• Phil Mills – 2014-02-02 @ 01:45am
  

  Nice melody and I can identify with the subject matter. (Though, for me, perhaps not the flying into the U.S. part. 🙂 )

• andygetch – 2014-02-02 @ 03:34am
  

  nice imagery kind of a list song. Nice challenge combination too. It is not far removed from the summer’s day/winter’s day skirmish prompt from earlier today.

• Billy Sea – 2014-02-02 @ 06:20am
  

  Hi Sean. Perfect folk song. Found myself humming along with you. Love it.

• Tom Slatter – 2014-02-02 @ 07:48am
  

  What Billy said – great song and it had my foot a-tapping. Great choice of chords, and I like the contrast of the bridge. I have no idea what a toque is.

• Chip Withrow – 2014-02-02 @ 01:04pm
  

  Fun! We had a relatively dreary week of rain in Florida. Sun came back yesterday. I love the concrete details of the lyrics, and the easy campfire feel of your musical take. Your voice has a nice, comfortable, conversational feel.

• andymae – 2014-02-02 @ 05:11pm
  

  a song to warm the cockles of one’ heart… If spoke Brit, you would take that as a compliment

• John Crossman – 2014-02-02 @ 05:19pm
  

  Hey Sean! Ha, this one hits home and we want to join you on the chorus, which is a good thing. I particularly like the first verse that sucks us in and then the line about one more flake of snow is another favorite. Very relatable, good stuff, man!

• Ant Lion – 2014-02-03 @ 07:42am
  

  nice song! I like how you took the month theme and kind of subverted it. very tappable along to.

• Juha Keranen – 2014-02-03 @ 04:39pm
  

  Hehe, kinda reminds me of a similar themed song I did during the summer heat in 50/90. 😉 Really fun acoustic guitar playing! So light-hearted and bouncy. Exceptionally well written piece. And I mean it! This song really caught my attention and kept it til the end. It’s something one would like to sing along with. 🙂 Bravo!

• imustbenuts – 2014-02-04 @ 11:27pm
  

  Very well written and performed thanks for sharing!

• k anderson – 2014-02-05 @ 08:28pm
  

  I’m too pale to tan, but I can totally understand the sentiment of this song! How bloody long is winter?

• joefahey – 2014-02-05 @ 10:56pm
  

  I like this song a lot Sean, there are some great lyrics and it has a nice overall feel to it you sound good on it. Plus, I can relate, it’s been a rough winter and I’m south of you down in Minnesota.

• theresaj – 2014-02-06 @ 01:08am
  

  This is fun and I like the way it’s so straight forward. I can so relate!!

• bethdesombre – 2014-02-07 @ 02:27pm
  

  Love the line “and the highs are 30 below.” (It’s a bit too familiar, right now.)

• benjo – 2014-02-07 @ 05:15pm
  

  so many great lines in this lyric and so much truth WOW lie on the florida sands / get me a winter tan loved it way to go, i’ll be back for more of your work

• Dan Boyle – 2014-02-08 @ 01:29pm
  

  A subject I can totally get behind! I have to stop myself writing every song about hating winter! Nice sing man

• Dan Boyle – 2014-02-08 @ 01:30pm
  

  Song even… Damn these fat fingers! 😉

• Jaegerin – 2014-02-10 @ 01:18pm
  

  I like this! A good sing-along song. We haven’t had much of a winter here in Germany (see my “Will There be Snow?” !) but I can relate in general.

• motorcitymusicman – 2014-02-11 @ 03:21am
  

  Sitting in the middle of a Michigan winter, I was singing along with this by the end. Currently pricing flights to Cocoa Beach. Well done.

• The Jelly Factory! – 2014-02-17 @ 04:40pm
  

  Agreed – all this winter has definitely made me want to scream, although not necessarily in silence 🙂 . This is definitely toe-tapping, hand-clapping fun. Here’s hopin’ you do get that tan! That’s a take. 😉

• Corinne Curcio – 2014-02-19 @ 02:07am
  

  We all want to fly south with the snowbirds! 🙂 And I frequently scream on my balcony at the snow! 😀

---

3. Last Time

2014-02-02 @ 09:12pm
tags: country skirmish7 songskirmish songskirmish7 heartache acoustic-one-take podcast

The title suggested an old country heartbreaker to me. This one was a little too close.

Lyrics

The Last Time
February 2, 2014 Sunday Skirmish
FAWM # 3 (c) Sean McGaughey
I played it in C.

Last time, I swore and made her feel little
Last time, she promised then did it the same
Last night we rehearsed the old familiar complaints
Last time brought heartache, sorrow and shame

Last time I swore I’d tell her she’s lovely
Last time, she promised to always be true
Last time we could gaze into the stars forever
Last night we thought we’d never be blue.

But hard times only seem like the last time.
Our old hearts are strong enough to carry through
When the midnight feels like it lasts for the longest time.
There will always come a dawn to spend with you.

Last time, I knew that I could do better
Last time, she promised she changed
Last night we danced to the same old songs
Just like last time, we still remain.

Comments

• Isaac Lister – 2014-02-02 @ 09:17pm
  

  I love how this was recorded in a lo-fi way, I know that’s more circumstantial than anything but it adds a lovely warmth and feel to what is a simple but heartfelt ‘classic’ country number. Lovely stuff

• kahlo2013 – 2014-02-02 @ 09:18pm
  

  Love the bittersweet honest feeling lyrics that captures relationship ups and downs so well. The bluesy country music and vocal sound sets a perfect stage for this song! Wonderful!

• musicsongwriter – 2014-02-02 @ 09:20pm
  

  I love the vibes in your song. Read your lyric first and instantly liked it and I like it even more after listening to your singing and playing. Very clever song, it makes listeners think. It’s about love and about things which can go wrong but love brings the two people together, I love the sentiment here. Beautiful song and delivery. Love your vocals and playing. Sounds so effortless 🙂

• Corinne Curcio – 2014-02-02 @ 09:24pm
  

  You have lots of great lines and ideas here.You’ve expressed relationship ups and downs well. You did a wonderful job in a short time.

• Shady Wilbury – 2014-02-02 @ 09:36pm
  

  Reminds me of a Townes Van Zandt demo….could easily be such. 🙂 Great work for an hour. Love the bridge.

• tamsnumber4 – 2014-02-02 @ 09:40pm
  

  Wow, great lyric for a skirmish, very impressed!

• Will – 2014-02-02 @ 09:49pm
  

  Very nice. Needs some pedal steel, but aside from that… very nice!

• samsorrow – 2014-02-02 @ 10:26pm
  

  an old time country song. feels like a found recording. really nice

• Sonic Death Eagle – 2014-02-02 @ 10:35pm
  

  I was thinking along these lines, too! But mine came out more rockabilly..I really like your old -timey country vibe. This could have been written 60 years ago!

• snoozin – 2014-02-02 @ 11:20pm
  

  A good old country song…and nicely done I might add. Really feels like a trip into the past. You did well with this challenge in the hour. Bravo!

• Rahkoi – 2014-02-03 @ 03:58am
  

  Very pleasant bobbing country feel to this. The lyrics seem very well-crafted for a skirmish. Kudos.

• Roberta – 2014-02-03 @ 08:43am
  

  I like the old-timey vibe of this. The lyrics work really well with the slow, melodic tune. Nice one!

• Nick – 2014-02-03 @ 02:42pm
  

  Oh man! This is some excellent country music. So simple, yet your lyrics are super convincing and well crafted. This would sound so wonderful with a cryin’ steel guitar in the mix!

• kimberlyinnc – 2014-02-03 @ 09:47pm
  

  This reminds me of the old classics of country…very nice!!!!

• PSEUDONYM – 2014-02-05 @ 07:37pm
  

  You did this in an hour? Impressive. This is a heartbreaker. I can relate to it quite a bit right now. “When the midnight feels like it lasts for the longest time/There will always come a dawn to spend with you” is great. Agree with other people who said it sounds timeless.

• folkguy – 2014-02-06 @ 09:21pm
  

  Great song, sounds therapeutic? Or that might be me inserting myself into the song . But I guess that’s what makes a good song. Glad I reread the post, auto correct wanted therapeutic to be putrid.

• Miltz – 2014-02-07 @ 12:41am
  

  Well done. The kind of country music I like.

• Kathryn Hoss – 2014-02-07 @ 01:47am
  

  I was hoping someone would do a folksy ballad like this with that title. 🙂 Pretty song.

• imustbenuts – 2014-02-07 @ 10:10am
  

  Very well written and performed thanks for sharing!

• arthurrossi – 2014-02-23 @ 11:10am
  

  A wonderful, tender country song, just the way I love it… Made me think of the classic movie “River of no return”… So gorgeous lyrics, the repetition of “last time” works fine and never feels overdone, but just right… Great guitar and I enjoyed your singing so much… I am very happy I dropped by to hear this lovely song…

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4. Tony Tow Truck

2014-02-04 @ 02:51am
tags: children folk guitar acoustic-one-take

I started writing this in January for a little boy who is crazy about trains and tow trucks, but the verses I wrote for the chorus did not suit a children’s song. So I scrapped all but the chorus and wrote new verses. Then I tried several different chord structures and melodies before I settled on this one, so I think it can qualify as being a new song for FAWM.
Initial demo: ductapeguy.net/FAWM2014/SeanMcGaughey-FAWM4-TonyTowtruck-B.mp3

Update: Feb 24: This weekend I went into a friend’s studio and recorded a slightly more polished performance.

Lyrics

Tony Towtruck
(c) S. McGaughey February 3, 2014
FAWM #4

Melody 1
Tony Towtruck
(c) S. McGaughey February 3, 2014
FAWM #4

V1
C Am
All the cars in Toytown,
F G7
always play it safe

C Am
They keep the rules of the road
F G
and never, ever race.

(C Am F G)
But when accidents happen
That you never could expect
F C
They call on Tony Tow Truck,
G C
To help to move the wrecks.

CHORUS
C
Tow me Tony Tow Truck
G7
Tony Tow Truck tow me
G7 C
I can’t leave the ditch on my own
C
Tow me Tony Tow Truck
G7
Tony Tow Truck tow me
G7 C
Put me on the road that leads to home.

V2
(C C Am F G7)
(C Am F G7) x2
One January morning,
as the snow was falling down,
Cars and trucks were sliding
as they headed through the town.

(C Am F G7)
A shiny red car drove by
a little bit to quickly
(FCGC)
and slid right off the road
Because the snow had made it slippery.

BRIDGE
Am Em
The driver made sure everyone was alright
Am Em
The red car tried to get out the ditch with all her might
(C Am F G7)
But they could’ not get out
They knew that they were stuck.
(FCGC)
The driver picked up the phone
and called for Tony Tow Truck

CHORUS

V3
(CAmFG7)
After only 20 minutes, Tony came about
Hook his chain up to the car and quickly pulled them out
(FCGC)
Before the people went inside from the 20 below zero
Everyone gave three cheers for Tony the Hero.

Comments

• sexybass – 2014-02-04 @ 05:53am
  

  Good one Sean! Great lyrics and very infectious tune! Hope I don’t have to meet Tony 🙂

• Billy Sea – 2014-02-04 @ 06:51pm
  

  I was singing along on the chorus. Great song Sean. Really enjoyed it 🙂

• Stephen Wordsmith – 2014-02-04 @ 08:20pm
  

  Love love love the assonance in the chorus. Appropriately bouncy and child-friendly. And although it’s for kids, there’s a real warmth to the line ‘Put me on the road that leads to home’ which would feel right at the lyrical hook to something by Glen Campbell or John Denver.

• Tiira – 2014-02-05 @ 04:55am
  

  What fun! Replace the lyric “January morning” with “February morning” and it’s even more of a FAWM-y song. Just kidding, the track doesn’t need that to improve. This really gives me a solid image of a children’s show with Tony Tow Truck helping out his vehicle friends. The chorus is very catchy and it got me singing along. Thanks for sharing,this was a sweet start to my morning!

• Roberta – 2014-02-05 @ 09:30am
  

  What a chorus 😀 Love the catchy melody and the whole song is just adorable. I want to live in Toytown now.

• Marije – 2014-02-05 @ 10:30am
  

  Gahh the chorus! Congratulations on pronouncing that without any trouble! 😀 Like @roberta said, this is such a lovely song! 🙂

• PSEUDONYM – 2014-02-05 @ 07:29pm
  

  Love this! What a unique song. I don’t usually listen to children’s songs, but I think this would be pretty successful. I can see kids trying to sing along with that fun chorus, which is a bit of a tongue twister. I like that it switches from storytelling to a more active voice in the chorus of people calling on Tony’s services. Memorable too. It’s going to be stuck in my head for a while.

• Eric – 2014-02-05 @ 08:21pm
  

  What a great sing-a-long song, especially the chorus! 😀 Kids love a song with a good tongue twister.

• folkguy – 2014-02-06 @ 09:13pm
  

  Great chorus, love to tongue twisterish feel, I can see it being really fun for kids to sing

• Rob from Amersfoort – 2014-02-08 @ 12:06am
  

  I just crashed my car but still I can appreciate this, especially the Tow Me Tony Tow Truck Tony Tow Truck Tow Me parts :-). You should sell this to a children program on TV.

• Martin Quibell – 2014-02-08 @ 02:46am
  

  What a lovely song Sean 🙂 I love the story, the chord structure, the feel, and everything. The word play of “Tony, tow me…” etc is a fantastic piece of work. Wonderful!

• imustbenuts – 2014-02-09 @ 03:55am
  

  This would be an excellent song for a Pixar film. Great work thanks for sharing!

• yam655 – 2014-02-18 @ 07:40pm
  

  My daughter and I really liked this. I think my son (2.5) would also like this, as he’s a big fan of most things with wheels. 🙂

• yarimurray – 2014-02-26 @ 07:16am
  

  What a great and catchy tune! I also love the Tow me Tony Tow Truck Tony Tow Truck tow me line and the tongue-twisty nature of this one. Looking forward to hearing more.

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5. Beer Drone

2014-02-08 @ 03:34am
tags: folk guitar acoustic-one-take currentevent

I was inspired by the news story of LakeMaid Brewing Company delivering 12 packs to ice fishermen on the lake using a remote control hexacopter. http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/craft-brewer-lakemaid-beer-s-drone-delivery-hopes-put-on-ice-1.2520252

Lyrics

Beer Drone
(c)Sean McGaughey February 7, 2014
FAWM #5

Intro
F-F-G-Am
Am G
In Northern Minnesota when the cold winds blow
Am G
We drag our shed onto the lake across the drifting snow
Am G
Every fisherman has a place they come to every year
F G Am
To drop a line and share good times with good friends and good beer.

There is nothing as fine as dropping a line into a frozen bay
It’s a winter fishing village, you could stay here for days
With a nice warm hut and fish to eat and neighbours in good cheer
We won’t leave the lake until we’re all out of beer.

G Am
Look up in the sky, high above the frozen lake
G F G
Could it be fish and game, spying on our take?
G Am
Was that a bird or a plane above us that has flown?
G
I can hear it’s high pitched buzzing
G Am
It must be a drone.

Jack Supple is a genius. He owns LakeMaid Beer.
He hatched a plan to send his product out to here.
Tell your gps position to him on phone,
He’ll pick up a 12 pack and strap it to the beer drone.

Look up in the sky, high above the frozen lake?
Could it be the fish and game, spying on our take
Was that a bird or a plane that above us has flown?
I can hear it’s high pitched buzzing
Here comes the Beer Drone.

Am
C X4 Am x4
Beer Drone, Beer Drone
G Am
Flying Beer across the lake for you and me
C X4 Am x4
Beer Drone, Beer Drone
G Am
It’s the best damn use I know for a UAV.

It was a fisherman’s best dream, but we knew it couldn’t last
In came the FAA to shut it all down real fast.
It’s illegal in the land of the brave and the free
To deliver beer for sale from a flying UAV.

Look up in the sky, high above the frozen lake
Could it be the fish and game, spying on our take
Was that a bird or a plane that above us has flown?
I can hear it’s high pitched buzzing
Here comes the Beer Drone.

Beer Drone, Beer Drone
Flying Beer across the lake for you and me
Beer Drone, Beer Drone
It’s the best damn use I know for a UAV.

Comments

• Bill Martin – 2014-02-08 @ 03:44am
  

  Beer Drone! haha. I like the parts that I guess I would call the pre-chorus a lot. Good melody. Beeer Drooooone! 🙂

• Nancy Rost – 2014-02-08 @ 04:04am
  

  This is the epic ballad of the beer drone! Such an inspiring story.

• Bitshred – 2014-02-08 @ 04:53am
  

  Great story song, and exceptional performance. Enjoyed very much Sean.

• Phil Mills – 2014-02-08 @ 11:29pm
  

  Nice choice of story for a fun song. Even as someone who doesn’t drink, I have to agree with “the best damn use I know for a UAV.” 🙂

• Kathryn Hoss – 2014-02-10 @ 02:04am
  

  Okay, now I definitely need beer drones to be a thing that exist.

• Eric Distad – 2014-02-10 @ 06:17am
  

  This is a fun song! Great storytelling… especially considering the subject. (I don’t know that I would have thought this for a song!) The Beer Drone lines make me want to sing harmony. Great work!

• joefahey – 2014-02-17 @ 07:24am
  

  Nice fun tune here Sean. Funny story, I hadn’t heard of it so it had some local interest. I’d heard of the Amazon plan to deliver by drone. These lyrics are fantastic, so many greta lines, I love it … Could it be fish and game, spying on our take? … This whole section is written perfectly … It was a fisherman’s best dream, but we knew it couldn’t last In came the FAA to shut it all down real fast. It’s illegal in the land of the brave and the free To deliver beer for sale from a flying UAV. This already sounds like a classic !!!

• E Agner – 2014-02-17 @ 01:41pm
  

  Funny song — I saw that story too, and wrote my first FAWM song this year about it.

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6. This Ain’t My Hat

2014-02-09 @ 01:53am
tags: folk bluesy children

My friend is a fabulous songwriter who works part-time at the local library. For the past few years, he has been writing songs based on the nominated books for the Ontario Library Association’s Forest of Reading Awards, then performing them at local schools. My co-librarian reminded me that I am also a songwriting librarian, and I should do the same.

This song was inspired by/ adapted from the picture book This is Not My Hat by John Klassen, a 2014 Blue Spruce Picture Book Nominee.

Lyrics

This Ain’t My Hat
(c) S. McGaughey February 8, 2014
Inspired by/ adapted from the picture book This is Not My Hat by John Klassen
Blue Spruce Nominee 2014

Basic Travis picking

Intro G- G7 C- C7

Basic chord structure G–C-G-D with some sevenths and rude notes thrown in

This Aint My Hat. I just swiped it
From big Al who didn’t notice cause he was sleeping
I don’t think he will wake up for hours
Even then he won’t notice that it’s gone

If he misses it, he won’t know who took it
If he thinks it was me he won’t know where I’ve gone
Nobody ever saw the spot where I hide
Except for Edgar… but he swore he’d never tell,

C G
I know it’s wrong to steal but this hat fits me just right
C D
Al has to squish it over his ears, on him it’s just too tight

Meanwhile, over at Al’s place.

Hey where’s my Hat. my mama gave me
I left it on the post then went to bed,
I think it was Henry. He always liked it,
If I catch him with my hat he’ll be very, very, very sorry.

Where would he hide? Which to go?
I think that I’ll make Edgar tell me what he knows,
He’s an honest guy, who never lies,
And when he tells me I’ll find Henry and Henry is gonna
… give me my hat.

Comments

• samsorrow – 2014-02-09 @ 02:21am
  

  is there anything a song writing librarian can’t do? this is a great story song. this is fun.

• Phil Mills – 2014-02-09 @ 02:44pm
  

  Good stuff. A children’s song with a touch of backwoods, murder-ballad sound is a great mix.

• Eric – 2014-02-09 @ 03:00pm
  

  I love songs with 7ths and “rude” notes 😀 I like the way the song is split into 2 different perspectives.

• wyatt – 2014-02-09 @ 10:27pm
  

  Aw, I like that Real good job Great kids story song I like the transition over to Al’s place and the ending lines. We need some more kids songs on FAWM this year. I haven’t seen many. They’re a great change of pace

• darcistrutt – 2014-02-09 @ 11:00pm
  

  Like the extra notes in those chords – it does make it nice and bluesy. Love the “very, very sorry” and “give me my hat” instead of the obvious un-kid-friendly terms. Fun song!

• Taylor – 2014-02-10 @ 07:26am
  

  This makes me want to read the book – this is actually a really interesting idea for a songwriting challenge. I’ve done a song based on the first chapter of a novel, but a song and a picture book are matching sizes! I quite like the “hat fits me just right / just too tight” rhyme. And clever work hiding the “dead” bits – that’s a trick I’ve heard in kid’s TV shows before and you’ve made effective use of it.

• sexybass – 2014-02-10 @ 11:14pm
  

  I take off my hat to you! (Wait, where did it go?) love this song and my favourite so far! Funny lyrics and love the country blues feel! Well dne my friend.

• Brad Brubaker + The Crowd Goes Wild – 2014-02-12 @ 06:49pm
  

  You have reminded me how liberating it can be to abandon rhyming. All of the words fall in place of their own accord. It makes the few rhyming moments light up all the brighter, while still leaning in closely on the non-rhyming lyrics.

---

7. Half a Heart

2014-02-11 @ 03:14am
tags: folk acoustic-one-take guitar chord generator

I’ve been playing with a band in a box type app and random chord generators. This came from a chord structure I got from https://autochords.com/. The chords suggested an old style folk song to me.

There is room in the middle for fiddle or penny whistle solo if anyone wishes to oblige. 😉

Lyrics

Half a Heart
(C) Sean McGaughey Feb 10, 2014

Basic Structure 3/4 in F

A sections
F / C / Dm / Am / Bb / F / G / C
F / C / Dm / Am / Bb / F / C / F

B sections
(Dm / Dm / Am / Am / Gm / Gm / C / C7) x 2

Intro Bb F C F

1 A
F / C / Dm / Am /
Each evening she walks the cliffs by the shore
Bb / F / G / C7
Dreaming of when they were young and naive
F / C / Dm / Am /
She holds a worn locket, leading her her way
Bb / F / C / F
A gift from her true love to help her believe.

2 B
Dm / Dm / Am / Am /
As the months and years fall like leaves in October
Gm / Gm / C / C7
Hope tends to crumble, shrivel and burn
Dm / Dm / Am / Am /
But still she holds on to the locket he gave her
Gm / Gm / C / C7
Half a heart to be matched on the day he returned.

3 Instrumental (Penny whistle or fiddle) Pattern A
F / C / Dm / Am / Bb / F / G / C
F / C / Dm / Am / Bb / F / C / F

4 B
Dm / Dm / Am / Am /
One night she climbed up the path for the last time.
Gm / Gm / C / C7
Gazing out over the black, empty sea
Dm / Dm / Am / Am /
Then she took off the locket an cast it below
Gm / Gm / C / C7
Abandoning hope, she hoped to be free.

5 Instrumental (Penny whistle or fiddle) Pattern A

F / C / Dm / Am / Bb / F / C / F (fade out)

Comments

• amandajane – 2014-02-11 @ 03:42am
  

  I can hear a quite traditional folk song here 🙂 Almost bits of a trad Irish ballad in places… it is really lovely and sweet 🙂

• emkeev – 2014-02-11 @ 03:49am
  

  Nice waltz tune! a bit of a sad story which I like. I also really like your choice of key and chords, and the variance in the song structure. My favorite’s the melody at the start of the B section, which is very plaintive and communicates the mood very well. Great job!

• joefahey – 2014-02-11 @ 05:21am
  

  Beautiful tune here, very gentle and it has a nice timeless feel. Your voice sounds very nice on this especially when you sing the instrumental. I’ll have to check out the Autochords site, I didn’t know there was such a thing, that could come in pretty handy right about now.

• wyatt – 2014-02-11 @ 01:32pm
  

  Good hook and story. I expected her to jump off the cliff 🙂 I’m with @joefahey on the tune–Love it

• Donna – 2014-02-13 @ 10:06am
  

  I love a good folk tale. 🙂 The title/hook drew me in. You’ve given the song pretty melody and compelling music. Nice details in the lyric as well. Nice work. 🙂

• PSEUDONYM – 2014-02-13 @ 09:42pm
  

  Sad story, but very easy to relate to. Well written too. I think these lyrics work well with the melancholy feel of the chords. I agree with previous comments that it does have a timeless feel to it. Reminds me of Nico’s solo work for some reason. I think it’s a certain somberness in the voice.

• benjo – 2014-02-17 @ 05:34pm
  

  hey what a great story and so well told lovely melody

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8. Valentine’s Day

2014-02-14 @ 06:32pm
tags: folk acoustic children

On February 13, my first graders dared me to write a song about Valentine’s Day in one day. Not much of a challenge for a FAWMER but I didn’t tell them that.

Lyrics

Valentine’s Day
©Sean McGaughey February 14, 2014 FAWM #8
Sprightly in C. Verses C-Em-F-G , Choruses F-F- C-Em, GX4

All of the children are dressed in pink and white
They carry bags of envelopes, each one sealed tight
With cards that say ‘I heart you’, or ‘Will you be mine?’
My heart is sure to smile when I read my valentines.

Chorus:
There is chocolate and candy, and games to play
Everybody loves Valentine’s Day.

I got a picture of a globe that says, ‘You mean the world to me’
You’re the apple of my eye, written on an apple tree
You’re sew very special says a needle to some thread,
If I read more cards like that, I’ll get a swelled head.

Two socks with faces say, ‘We make a perfect pair’
‘I mustache you a question’, on a card with real hair.
‘We’ll always stick together’ says a jar of glue
And a monkey with some almonds says ‘I’m nuts about you’.

A bright orange goldfish says, “You are a catch”
A cartoon stick on fire squeals, “I finally found my match”
There’s a card with a measuring stick that says, “You rule”.
I always like the cards I get for Valentines at school.

Comments

• zarmo – 2014-02-14 @ 07:45pm
  

  That’s nice and funny in good way. Simply and sympathetic!

• arthurrossi – 2014-02-14 @ 10:40pm
  

  What an impressive and lovely collection of Valentines-sentences! Very nice idea, and the pair rhyme work very fine here… I also like where you have musically taken this, a beautiful, serene song, very nicely done!

• Phil Mills – 2014-02-15 @ 07:37pm
  

  Very pleasant song for the kids! I like the rhythmic style you’ve brought into it.

• expendablefriend – 2014-02-16 @ 08:45am
  

  Cute! I’m guessing you’re a teacher? In which case I hope being able to write songs like this on demand has now made you the coolest teacher in the school (if you weren’t already before)!

• yam655 – 2014-02-17 @ 10:01pm
  

  My daughter (5) wanted to say how much we liked your song.

• Eric Distad – 2014-02-18 @ 02:35am
  

  I love how you included all the the card lines and made them all work together. So many bad puns… how could they have not been made into a song before. 🙂 This has a great bounce to it – I love the fast chord transition under the somewhat more static melody line in the verse. Fun song!

• Chip Withrow – 2014-02-18 @ 12:44pm
  

  What fun! Hope you played this for your kids. Those lines about the cards and gifts are excellent! I like the humor in your voice – I can tell what a good time you had with this one.

• Chip Withrow – 2014-02-18 @ 12:45pm
  

  What fun! Hope you played this for your kids. Those lines about the cards and gifts are excellent! I like the humor in your voice – I can tell what a good time you had with this one. (Sorry for the double post – but I did like it enough for two!)

• flutterby42 – 2014-02-19 @ 12:05am
  

  What a sweet little ditty! But what I want to know is did you get the lines from the cards or did you make them up yourself? I agree with the poster below; I hope you played this for your first graders, as I’m sure they would have loved it!

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9. Through our Window

2014-02-16 @ 09:17pm
tags: skirmish sundayskirmish acoustic-one-take fragment

During the hour of the skirmish, I only got 1/2 a song done but posted what I had so far, then I came back later to finish it.

Update:
I have all the pieces in place to do simple multitrack recordings, REAPER, Zoom H4, can fake it at multiple instruments etc… but I always chicken out. Today I decided to try. This is one of the first recordings I have tried to build track by track. first guitar, then bass, egg shaker for percussion, then vocals. I monkeyed around with amp FX on the bass and guitar, and even did a couple overdubs on the vocals. I just mixed to my ears in the headphones.
It’s kind of empowering to be the whole band.

PS: Here is the initial rough acoustic sketch. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/43600061/SeanMcGaughey-FAWM9-ThroughMyWindow-first-acousticmix.mp3

Lyrics

Through Our Window
FAWM 9 Sunday Skirmish
(C) Sean McGaughey February 16

A Section G- B- C- G- G- D- G
B Section C- D- G -Em- C- D- G

A
Sunday afternoon, there is nothing as fine
as waking from a nap to see the sunshine
Streaming through our window.

A
We’ve got bills to pay and chores to do
but I want to stay in bed with you
Watching the world pass by our window.

B
The midwinter sun promises spring
As we lay here cuddling
Speaking volumes with hardly a word.

B
Dreaming of castles and getaways.
Calling “Time Out” for just one day.
As frosty diamonds sparkle through our window

A
Sunday afternoon, there is nothing as fine
as waking from a nap to see the sunshine
Streaming through our window.

Comments

• snoozin – 2014-02-16 @ 09:29pm
  

  I love the upbeat tempo and feeling you have going here…great start! Please let me know when you add to it and I’ll come by and have another listen!

• darcistrutt – 2014-02-16 @ 09:29pm
  

  This made me smile! My hubby happens to be napping this afternoon. Nice peppy tune and strumming.

• Sonic Death Eagle – 2014-02-16 @ 09:51pm
  

  I love napping on a sunny Sunday afternoon! This is a nice happy tune!

• Corinne Curcio – 2014-02-16 @ 09:53pm
  

  Nice 1/2 song 🙂 Lovely sentiment

• Kevin Emmrich – 2014-02-16 @ 09:58pm
  

  I only got one verse and chorus done, so I can relate. I do think while a full song is always the goal, a 1/2 a song is a great accomplishment for a skirmish (at least that is what I told myself today — ha, ha).. Nice rhythm and melody, I think this will be a good one when you come back and finish it up. In any case, chalk another song up in the count total!

• arthurrossi – 2014-02-16 @ 09:58pm
  

  Lovely happy tune and awesome half-lyrics with a lovely flow to them… I like the line “And watch the world pass by our window”…

• samsorrow – 2014-02-16 @ 10:05pm
  

  this is a brilliant half song. I like the sentiment of trying to capture that fleeting moment. this has a nice upbeat rocking feel, that will develop nicely if you chose to expand upon it. nice work.

• tamsnumber4 – 2014-02-16 @ 10:56pm
  

  I would LOVE to have a nap, you sold me. Like your upbeat melody and idea, nice vocal, enjoyed your skirmish song!

• John Crossman – 2014-02-16 @ 11:08pm
  

  A half song is a good half-skirmish. The chord progression and melody with the word “widnow” stretched out a bit is sounding really nice so far. Good start, Sean!

• Kevin Emmrich – 2014-02-17 @ 03:40am
  

  Congrats on the mulit-tracking thing — it opens up another whole world of fun. I had to crank the output volume, but when I did that the mix seemed pretty decent. Good performance and nice that you came back and finished it up!

• Eric – 2014-02-17 @ 02:37pm
  

  This song makes me feel wistful about last Thursday, when my wife and I were snowed in and all I wanted to do was just hang out with her, but I had to jump on the computer and work from home instead. *Sigh* I have had some really great “time out” days in the past though and they were exactly like this song.

• sexybass – 2014-02-17 @ 07:32pm
  

  Love the lyrics and the music really works well on this one. I also like the multi- tracking job you did. Good one Sean!

• Martin Quibell – 2014-02-18 @ 10:17pm
  

  From the notebook; Lovely changes between sections. Wonderful music. Love the words, and the performance is brilliant! Great song Sean 🙂

---

10. Old Freight Train

2014-02-19 @ 07:56pm
tags: blues slide acoustic-one-take train

@benjo wrote this the other day and asked me to try a blues treatment on it. I dug out a slide I’ve had for years but never figured out how to use and tuned my guitar to open g– too high, tuned to open D and it came together.

Lyrics

OLD FREIGHT TRAIN
Lyrics Benjo aka Tony McGlinchey Music and vocals Sean McGaughey
(c) Feb 19, 2014 FAWM #10
12 bar blues in open D

I

old freight train
keep on rolling
get that cargo
up the hill

blow your steam
burst through bridges
past silver streams
and smoky mills

old iron wheels
sweet rhythm soothes
echoes from mountains
freight train blues

II
old freight train
you’re in my heart
you’ll take my soul
the day we part

old freight train
one more load
one more run
pulling the coal

rain or shine
sleet or snow
over foaming rivers
with heavy loads

III
old freight train
at the station
our last run
before we part

after thirty years
riding the rails
you’ll be forever
in this old heart

old freight train
your in my heart
you’ll take my soul
the day we part

IV
old freight train
one more load
one more run
pulling the coal

old freight train
this is goodbye
I’ll remember you
until the day I die

© copyright house all rights reserved

Comments

• Mary Choate – 2014-02-19 @ 08:10pm
  

  Sounds great! You nailed it! Would also work as a bluegrass tune.

• Phil Norman – 2014-02-19 @ 08:11pm
  

  Great collaboration, y’all. It’s important for everyone to have a song about a train.

• sexybass – 2014-02-20 @ 04:30am
  

  Nice collab! Good lyrics and the tune suits it well. I can hear harmonica on this one!

---

11. Snowblind

2014-02-21 @ 12:35am
tags: folk dadgad acoustic-one-take winter canadiana

Last month, I wrote a set of verses and chorus that simply did not go together. This month I unbolted them. The chorus became the seed of TONY Tow Truck, and the first two verses here sparked off this bit of Canadiana. Besides– it’s February. Has anyone else ever written a winter song for FAWM?

Lyrics

Snowblind
(c) Sean McGaughey February 20, 2014 FAWM #11
Key of D in DADGAD

Driving Home one evening on Highway 69
The moon peeked above the clouds and stars began to shine
Out of the blue, snow began to fall
I had driven smack into a Georgian Bay Squall

I was Snowblind, Stuck tight in the snow,
Can’t go forth or back, got no way to go.
All you can do is dig yourself back out again.
I guess it’s all a part of being Canadian.

The road ahead had turned into a solid wall of white
Blackness behind me, not a single car in sight
I hit a patch of ice and felt the backend twitch
Before I knew what happened, I had plowed into the ditch

I was Snowblind, Stuck tight in the snow,
Can’t go forth or back, got no way to go.
All you can do is dig yourself back out again.
I guess it’s all a part of being Canadian.

When troubles swirl and drift around and you can’t see the road ahead
When promises are left unkept, and kind words unsaid
When you find yourself snowed under in the soul’s dark winter night,
After winter comes the spring, and with spring comes the light.

Comments

• wyatt – 2014-02-21 @ 12:56am
  

  Yeah, you’ve got that working Love the melody Real good vocal A story often told that far north I’d think. All our snow (about 10 inches” disappeared thos week what with it hitting 70 here today in MidMO I wouldn’t care if we didn’t get anymore till NEXT winter 🙂 Write on

• timwint – 2014-02-25 @ 06:40pm
  

  Great story with excellent application. Looks like we are both at 13 now. Good luck this week.

• Chris “Chickenwing” Quigley – 2014-02-27 @ 08:04pm
  

  I think we are the only two songwriters in history to write a song called “Snowblind” that ISN’T about cocaine. Nicely done, and thank you for your comments on “Separation Anxiety”

• janeg – 2014-03-01 @ 03:12am
  

  Good topic choice for this winter! I like that you specified Georgian Bay – I prefer details to just generic. Well handled.

---

12. All Kinds of Energy

2014-02-21 @ 08:56pm
tags: folk childrens acoustic-one-take writing-with-children

In my 1st grade science classes I am teaching a unit on Energy in Our Lives. Yesterday one of the students “dared” me to write a song about energy, like they dared me to write a valentine’s song last week. Instead I challenged them to co-write a song with me. Here it is.

Lyrics

All Kinds of Energy
By Mr. McG and Mrs L’s and Mrs. H’s Grade 1 and 2 classes
February 20,21 2014 FAWM 12
Key of G.
Chorus
There are different kinds of energy that we use every day
Mom uses it to cook our meals, we use it to play
Flowers and Trees get their energy, right from the sun
And the sun gives off all kinds of energy for everyone

V1
In the morning we have cereal, There’s energy in food we eat,
Our muscles use that energy as we run down the street.
The bus needs gasoline for its fuel to bring us to school
And computers use electricity, to show us something cool

Chorus

V2
The arena uses electricity so ice is freezing cold.
Our muscles move us around the rink when we try to make a goal.
We get more energy at dinner time after we play,
Everybody uses all kinds of energy every single day.

Chorus

Comments

• Mannyc53 – 2014-02-21 @ 09:01pm
  

  Cute kids song!

• tsunamidaily – 2014-02-23 @ 08:37pm
  

  great little ditty to teach by! simple music with a memorable melody. starting with the chorus is a good move as well.

• Nancy Rost – 2014-02-27 @ 09:06pm
  

  I admit I came here for the title, which made me think of very energetic kids. The educational approach was also entertaining to listen to. Nice way to communicate it simply and effectively.

---

13. Unintended Consequence

2014-02-25 @ 01:51am
tags: doo-wop biab experiment

So much to say here. We have been doing a weekly FAWMwriting session at the Midland Cultural Centre on Saturday mornings and choosing a few challenges to last the week. I combined a chord structure challenge FDmBbCAmEb and the title Unintended Consequences. I have been dabbling with a Band in a Box type android app called ireal pro. I inputted the chords into it, played with genre presets until I got a neat doowop vibe happening then wrote the lyrics. It is waay beyond my normal 3 chords and the truth style of writing with a guitar.

Lyrics

Unintended Consequence
FAWM 13
Sean McGaughey

It all began when me’n the boys
went to the high school dance
I was hanging out with the guys
Wasn’t thinking ’bout romance.

Chorus
It started out an ordinary day
I never thought that it would turn out this way

Then I saw you
clear across the room,
Maybe it was the shirt you wore,
or a hint of your perfume.

For a while I clung to the wall
Feeling way to shy
but I couldn’t bear the thought of you
dancing with another guy

Chorus
It started out an ordinary day
I never thought that it would turn out this way

Half way across the floor
I almost turned around
I thought that when I asked to dance
You’d laugh and turn me down

You said I love to dance
as we moved onto the floor
I don’t think that I felt as free
with anyone before

Chorus
It started out an ordinary day
I never thought that it would turn out this way

Between the moon and the dance floor
We took our first chance
Till then I didn’t think
much of romance
I know there’s no such thing
as love at first sight
But maybe our love
got started that night

Chorus
It started out an ordinary day
I never thought that it would turn out this way
End Tag…
.. It was an unintended consequence.

Comments

• ZeCoop – 2014-02-26 @ 01:19am
  

  I love doo-wop and this is so much fun. Not your ordinary doo-wop, though! It has some chord progression twists and turns. It’s all fun though. Very nice – you captured the feeling completely! I’ve always wondered about the BIAB type of things. I’ve had zero luck with anything MIDI, so my expectations for myself would be very low. This sounds good though! Well done… 🙂

• Mannyc53 – 2014-02-27 @ 01:54pm
  

  Back to the 50’s, Very Cool!

---

14. Don’t Call Anymore

2014-02-28 @ 02:02am
tags: folk guitar acoustic-one-take

We have a very dedicated a persistent phone scammer (or group of scammers) All of them call on a very bad VOIP line and ask for someone who hasn’t lived at this address for a decade. Then they claim “You have won a prize” or “You have a package” We can recognize them by voice by now and they don’t seem deterred by being called out as frauds. If you get a phone number from them, they are all from area code 876 (Jamaica) In the last two days one persistent guy called over 20 times ending at 10pm and starting again just after 6 am. This is how I channelled my rage.

Lyrics

Don’t Call Anymore
Sean McGaughey (c) Feb 26, 27
FAWM 2014 #14

V1
B F# E F#
Hello is this Brenda
Says a voice on the line
Same damn wrong number
for the thousandth time

He says you’ve won millions
but it’s just a trick
And his phone number’s
area eight seven six

Chorus
BB F#F# G#mG#m E EM
Don’t call anymore
Telling me lies
There’s no mercedes
or some other prize

Don’t call anymore
Changing your name
It’s time to stop.
We’re on to your game.

V1
Today he’s Mr Washington
From the lottery game.
Tomorrow it’s a package
and he has a new name

Just a man from Jamaica
Whose job is to try
defraud you of money
by telling you lies.

E F#M B A E F#
Some days I cringe
when I pick up the phone
And they ask for a person
Who’s not in this home

B F# E F#
They say it’s a contest
But it’s all a trick
If he calls from Jamaica
he’s probably a cheat.

Comments

• Odilon Green – 2014-02-28 @ 05:19pm
  

  I know exactly what you mean about the scam. Not that one in particular, but I get those too. You’ve channelled your rage most effectively; I can hear the desperation in your voice to STOP DAMN CALLING! And the lo-fi, one-take recording and “man with a guitar” instrumentation help set the atmosphere: this is a sincere plea from the heart, an aggravation that caused you to just pick up your guitar and hit ‘record.’ You should just put a tape recorder next to your phone, and next time you get a call, hold it up to the mouthpiece and press ‘play.’ 😉

• kimbeggs – 2014-03-01 @ 05:32am
  

  This is precious. Thanks so much. ONe thing I might suggest is using a capo. It will simplify the chords dramatically, which will help you to focus on the lyrics, and singing the melody. Although if nailing the chords might part of your goal as well, then pay no attention to what I just said. I like your passion here.

---

Soundboard Messages

• devin – 2014-01-20 @ 11:24am
  

  Happy FAWMing to you sir, a true Northern Light! 🙂

• Eric Distad – 2014-01-20 @ 04:57pm
  

  Welcome back Sean!

• johnstaples – 2014-01-20 @ 07:15pm
  

  hiya ductapeguy! Happy FAWM!!!!

• arthurrossi – 2014-01-20 @ 10:12pm
  

  Hey Sean! Great to see you here! I am looking forward to hearing your new songs! Have an awesome Fawm! 🙂

• erinkelsey3 – 2014-01-21 @ 01:19am
  

  Hey there!!

• natrin – 2014-01-21 @ 02:41am
  

  Hello!! ^_^

• Wolf Kier – 2014-01-21 @ 12:37pm
  

  thanks for dropping by! good luck with your 2014 song hunting season. They got plenty 14 pointers over there in Canada for sure! Happy FAWMing! Wolf.

• devin – 2014-01-21 @ 12:45pm
  

  I modified my blanket permission statement to be more concise and less dorky 🙂 And I’m not the ring master of Canadian FAWMers… but I do accept responsibility for much of the evil underbelly that lurks inside the covers of a good portion of the songbooks around 😀

• Martin Quibell – 2014-01-21 @ 02:22pm
  

  Great times ahead Sean 🙂

• Eric – 2014-01-21 @ 06:13pm
  

  Hi Sean! Good to see you back!

• Aaron Nathans – 2014-01-21 @ 09:12pm
  

  Hi Sean!

• Errol – 2014-01-22 @ 03:07pm
  

  ALLLLLLOOOOO SEAN! ^_^ And the trees are calling…

• kristian – 2014-01-22 @ 10:25pm
  

  Nice to see you and meet you and your lovely family and listen to you and talk to you and… And…. FAWM baby!

• Nancy Rost – 2014-01-26 @ 06:47am
  

  Hi, Sean! I think of you every time I use duct tape. 🙂

• Bitshred – 2014-02-01 @ 05:11am
  

  Nice to see you back. 🙂

• johnstaples – 2014-02-01 @ 12:46pm
  

  Thanks for listening to Never Coming Home and for your kind words!!

• alyssa2 – 2014-02-02 @ 05:40am
  

  Thank you for your kind words! 🙂

• hamiltonpoolhall – 2014-02-04 @ 10:55pm
  

  Ha! I forgot about that Steve Earle song (how convenient!) I’ll have to go give it a re-listen. As soon as I give *your* songs here a listen, of course 🙂

• imustbenuts – 2014-02-05 @ 12:11am
  

  Thanks for the feedback on “Not My First Pony Show”

• Tiira – 2014-02-05 @ 04:47am
  

  Thanks for the feedback on “My Digital”. That kind of synth sound was just what I was looking for, so I’m happy I succeeded in painting the right mental image of an 8-bit world.

• PSEUDONYM – 2014-02-05 @ 07:23pm
  

  Thanks for the feedback on my tune. The first comment on the first song is the most important. It can keep you going!

• k anderson – 2014-02-05 @ 08:24pm
  

  Hope? Hope is for schmucks! Let’s wallow in self-pity instead!

• Melissa Schiller – 2014-02-06 @ 08:47am
  

  thanks so much for listening to and commenting on my second song 🙂

• imustbenuts – 2014-02-06 @ 03:55pm
  

  Thanks for comment on “Are You A Robot?!”

• arthurrossi – 2014-02-06 @ 10:15pm
  

  Hey Sean! Thank you very much for the beautiful comment!

• Miltz – 2014-02-07 @ 12:32am
  

  Thank you for the comment on Petting Zoo.

• imustbenuts – 2014-02-07 @ 10:08am
  

  Thanks for feedback on “Blood Soaked Nails”!

• dee – 2014-02-07 @ 11:16am
  

  Thanks for your comments and suggestions on Transparent Heart. I’ll have a think about the changes and let you know. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

• Martin Quibell – 2014-02-08 @ 03:44am
  

  Thank you for your kind words about Superpowered. 🙂

• jamkar – 2014-02-09 @ 10:00pm
  

  Thank for your kind comments on my collab with Eric!

• Jaegerin – 2014-02-10 @ 01:14pm
  

  Thank you for your nice comment on “I’d Like to be a Lighthouse” 🙂

• E Agner – 2014-02-17 @ 01:42pm
  

  Thanks for your kind words on “Diamonds”, that was a lucky impulse that turned into a weird little song. I see you and I were both inspired by the story about drones delivering beer, funny.

• benjo – 2014-02-17 @ 08:56pm
  

  hi sean, can’t thank you enough for your offer but NEIL CMMPBELL has already said he is working on it, I don’t know what the rules are on two people doing the same lyric but I wonder if you like the look of OLD BLACK MAN I’m so sorry about that sean but I don’t want to upset anyone but I would love you to do one of my lyrics let me know sean and it’s yours my friend THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR OFFER tony…

• benjo – 2014-02-17 @ 10:27pm
  

  hi sean just posted a lyric called OLD FREIGHT TRAIN I wonder if you like the look of that one as a blues maybe take a look my friend hope you like it thanks sean tony…

• benjo – 2014-02-18 @ 04:20pm
  

  hi sean sorry late reply just got in yeah I just finished that lyric last night and thanks for taking a go at it can’t wait enjoy and good luck speak soon sean tony…

• flutterby42 – 2014-02-19 @ 12:06am
  

  I came here because of a comment you left on someone else’s song and I’m glad you did. When I get a bit more time, I look forward to listening to some more of your songs. I like your sense of humour!

• benjo – 2014-02-19 @ 07:13pm
  

  HOLY SHIT MAN WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW I can’t believe what you have done on the OLD FREIGHT TRAIN that is exactly how it should be done, YOU SMASHED IT oh I love that man that’s how it played in my head as I wrote it YOU GOT THAT TALENT TAKE A BOW it really took me to that place beautiful job man BLEW ME AWAY WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW TONY…

• benjo – 2014-02-19 @ 08:25pm
  

  oh man I love it so authentic I put it up on my soundcloud now I’m going to try and put it up on the site looking forward to comments on this YOU REALLY GOT IT MAN THANK YOU SO MUCH / GREAT COLLAB WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW ps check out my soundcloud to make sure your happy with your name https://soundcloud.com/tony-mcglinchey/old-freight-train tony…

• benjo – 2014-02-19 @ 08:59pm
  

  hi sean I posted the song but I can’t work out how to put the collab names up together so if you know please put it right I will keep trying hope its ok for you bud tony…

• alboe – 2014-02-22 @ 07:22am
  

  Hi, thank you for your kind words on “Is there a Doctor in the building”. Glad you liked it, and I guess singing along is never a bad thing :).

• timwint – 2014-02-25 @ 06:41pm
  

  Sean, thanks a bunch for taking a listen to After the Circus Leaves Town. I took a look at some of your work and I think we are thinking alike. Appreciate your input.

• ZeCoop – 2014-02-26 @ 01:20am
  

  Thanks a lot for checking out my little uke tune… I appreciated your comment(s). 😉 Hopefully it will get some lyrics, but it’s pretty laid back and can function that way – if I can re-teach myself how to play it, lol. I seriously don’t remember, as I recorded the uke part about a week ago. 🙁

• ZeCoop – 2014-02-26 @ 01:40am
  

  Things stay zongs a lot longer here at the end of February… everybody is pulling their hair out trying to finish their songs. Once Saturday comes around – it’s a non-stop listening/commenting party. 🙂 Well done though. Glad I could bust it!!!

• yarimurray – 2014-02-26 @ 07:17am
  

  Thanks for listening and commenting on It’s All I Can Do. I’m enjoying listening to your stuff and will do more once Saturday rolls around.

• benjo – 2014-02-27 @ 05:40pm
  

  hi sean just to say a big thank you for the collab before FAWM ends take care tony

• Monty – 2014-02-28 @ 04:27am
  

  Thanks for the nice feedback on Where Ditgo. Hopefully I’ll find a way of finishing it properly.

• Jaegerin – 2014-02-28 @ 12:18pm
  

  Thanks for your nice comments on “Run with the Doctor” ! Very chuffed to know that your daughter wants to learn it 🙂

• Jaegerin – 2014-03-01 @ 04:43am
  

  Oh wow… you and Sarah just totally made my week! Have sent her an e-mail. Thank you so much! (no-one else ever has ever sung one of my songs before…)

  Sean McGaughey / FAWM 2014 Archive

  1. It’s a Skirmish!

  2014-02-01 @ 12:24pm
  tags: acoustic-one-take folk silly songskirmish fawm

  I awoke on Feb 1 around 6am EST, an hour before the FAWM site opened for posting so I posted a quick challenge on the FAWM forums to write a song in 45 min to be ready to post when the site opened on the topic of skirmishes or FAWM.

  My apologies about the recording levels. I was either moving away from the mic or was having some computer weirdness.

  Lyrics

  It’s a Skirmish
  Sean McGaughey February 1, 2014 6:16-7am
  FAWM 2014 #1
  G-C-D-C over and over again

  I awoke on Feb 1 around 6am EST, an hour before the FAWM site opened for posting so I posted a quick challenge on the FAWM forums to write a song in 45 min to be ready to post when the site opened on the topic of skirmishes or FAWM

  VI
  First somebody posts on the forums
  A time we’ll all gather to write,
  Depending where you live in the world,
  They can be morning day or night

  At the posted hour, the host posts a title
  And people start to write along
  Don’t panic about the short deadline,
  There’s enough time to write a song.

  It’s a skirmish, a skirmish
  Let’s all do a song skirmish
  It only takes an hour of FAWM
  Then you’ve got yourself a song.

  Then it’s time to record and post your ditties,
  To be listened by fawmers in other cities
  And comment on someone else’s ZONGs
  Three cheers for the brand new songs.

  Comments

  • Kevin Emmrich – 2014-02-01 @ 12:34pm
    

    sounds like it could be a pirate, drinking sing-a-long tune — the word scurvy would work well in there (ha, ha). This is what a skirmish is all bout.

  • Tim Fatchen – 2014-02-01 @ 12:40pm
    

    Reminds me of Tom Sawyer singing Arkansas on Big River! (That’s a compliment BTW!) And this is going to be a recursive FAWM, clearly. Now I’m wondering whether to leap into the halfway through skirmish with a song about skirmishers writing songs about a skirmish… query in production, were you shifting position to/from mic? not that it matters here, but my own mics are appallingly sensitive to proximity.

  • kathy moran – 2014-02-01 @ 12:48pm
    

    Ohhhhhhhhhhh, nooooooooooooooooooooo!!! This is going to be going to be going through my head all day now – the fawm skirmish theme song! I’m sure that anyone who hears this and does skirmishes will hear this song going through their heads over and over again. 🙂

  • johnstaples – 2014-02-01 @ 12:48pm
    

    Yay! A cool song about a FAWM skirmish!! I keep wanting you to say scurvy dog or something piratey!! Very nice way to start FAWM!

  • Vom Vorton – 2014-02-01 @ 12:57pm
    

    this is devilishly catchy! I can imagine the entire massed voices of FAWM joining in for the last chorus…

  • writeandwrong – 2014-02-01 @ 03:14pm
    

    OooOOOOOO! This is the perfect skirmish song! Very catchy, clever, and fun!

  • kimberlyinnc – 2014-02-01 @ 03:48pm
    

    good one… I woke up at 5 am…started on one..hehe….hoping to get some out this month..good luck!!

  • Wobbie Wobbit – 2014-02-01 @ 06:27pm
    

    yes very catchy.. considering the topic i think its quite apt that the recording is a bit wonky, suits it – very skirmishy 🙂 and i didn’t know after all this time that FAWM could rhyme so well with song, who’d a thought it? (i don’t think it does in my accent)

  • Steven Wilson/Plasticsoul – 2014-02-01 @ 07:24pm
    

    I feel like all of us should be singing and clapping along to this around a campfire. 🙂

  • arthurrossi – 2014-02-02 @ 01:57am
    

    This song has an awesome folk feel to it with a high sing-along-factor! Very memorable melody and you beautifully dealt with the topic… it could become the official skirmish-theme-song, indeed…

  • sexybass – 2014-02-02 @ 03:51am
    

    Well done Sean! Love the lyrics and nice bouncy tune! I will be putting my first one up called “Counting Stars” tomorrow. My FAWM name is sexybass by the way!

  • Schnowd (Pronounced Sch-noy-d) – 2014-02-05 @ 04:19am
    

    Agree with @arthurrossi Official Skirmish FAWM song. Nicely done!

  • PSEUDONYM – 2014-02-05 @ 07:31pm
    

    Thanks for the reminder on how a skirmish works. You sold me. Three cheers for this brand new song.

  • krivmaster – 2014-02-05 @ 10:21pm
    

    I can’t get this out of my head

  • joefahey – 2014-02-05 @ 10:47pm
    

    Fun, nice title, it’s both catchy and informational. Good way to kick off FAWM!

  • imustbenuts – 2014-02-06 @ 03:58pm
    

    Have not done skirmish, but sounds fun, great song and performance. thanks for sharing!

  • Benjamins Son – 2014-02-07 @ 11:22pm
    

    LOL! You got it right! I locked myself up in the cabin last wednesday and wrote six masterpieces 😉 full of inspiration, I’ll post them all soon!

  ---

  2. Fly Away

  2014-02-02 @ 12:24am
  tags: acoustic-one-take folk yearofsongs january podcast

  So this one satisfies both @antlion ‘s year of songs challenge and my local songwriter’s group’s challenge of “silent scream’.

  Lyrics

  Fly Away
  Sean McGaughey (c) February 1, 2014
  FAWM #2

  D A G A
  When the snowbanks are over your shoulder
  D G A A
  And the highs are thirty below
  D A G A
  When the days are short and nights endless
  G A D D7
  Show me anywhere warm and I’ll go.

  CHORUS
  G D A D
  I want to fly away with the snowbirds
  G D Bm A
  Lie on the Florida Sands
  G A D Bm
  Throw off my touque and my woolies
  G A D D
  Get me a winter tan.

  D A G A
  No more shovels and parkas
  D G A A
  Leave my sweaters all here.
  D A G A
  If I could reach Cocoa Beach
  G A D D7
  My blues would all disappear

  CHORUS

  BRIDGE
  Em Em F#m F#m
  When escape from January is only a dream
  G G A A
  When the cold is relentless you silently scream
  G A D Bm
  When you can’t take one more flake of snow
  G D Bm A
  You have to stay but wish you could go.

  CHORUS X2

  Comments

  • johnny – 2014-02-02 @ 12:44am
    

    i feel yer pain, my friend ev’ry lovely line of it tired of snow and rain you made the sun shine a bit

  • johnny – 2014-02-02 @ 12:44am
    

    i feel yer pain, my friend ev’ry lovely line of it tired of snow and rain you made the sun shine a bit

  • johnny – 2014-02-02 @ 12:45am
    

    Oppps consider it a favor! 😉

  • Phil Mills – 2014-02-02 @ 01:45am
    

    Nice melody and I can identify with the subject matter. (Though, for me, perhaps not the flying into the U.S. part. 🙂 )

  • andygetch – 2014-02-02 @ 03:34am
    

    nice imagery kind of a list song. Nice challenge combination too. It is not far removed from the summer’s day/winter’s day skirmish prompt from earlier today.

  • Billy Sea – 2014-02-02 @ 06:20am
    

    Hi Sean. Perfect folk song. Found myself humming along with you. Love it.

  • Tom Slatter – 2014-02-02 @ 07:48am
    

    What Billy said – great song and it had my foot a-tapping. Great choice of chords, and I like the contrast of the bridge. I have no idea what a toque is.

  • Chip Withrow – 2014-02-02 @ 01:04pm
    

    Fun! We had a relatively dreary week of rain in Florida. Sun came back yesterday. I love the concrete details of the lyrics, and the easy campfire feel of your musical take. Your voice has a nice, comfortable, conversational feel.

  • andymae – 2014-02-02 @ 05:11pm
    

    a song to warm the cockles of one’ heart… If spoke Brit, you would take that as a compliment

  • John Crossman – 2014-02-02 @ 05:19pm
    

    Hey Sean! Ha, this one hits home and we want to join you on the chorus, which is a good thing. I particularly like the first verse that sucks us in and then the line about one more flake of snow is another favorite. Very relatable, good stuff, man!

  • Ant Lion – 2014-02-03 @ 07:42am
    

    nice song! I like how you took the month theme and kind of subverted it. very tappable along to.

  • Juha Keranen – 2014-02-03 @ 04:39pm
    

    Hehe, kinda reminds me of a similar themed song I did during the summer heat in 50/90. 😉 Really fun acoustic guitar playing! So light-hearted and bouncy. Exceptionally well written piece. And I mean it! This song really caught my attention and kept it til the end. It’s something one would like to sing along with. 🙂 Bravo!

  • imustbenuts – 2014-02-04 @ 11:27pm
    

    Very well written and performed thanks for sharing!

  • k anderson – 2014-02-05 @ 08:28pm
    

    I’m too pale to tan, but I can totally understand the sentiment of this song! How bloody long is winter?

  • joefahey – 2014-02-05 @ 10:56pm
    

    I like this song a lot Sean, there are some great lyrics and it has a nice overall feel to it you sound good on it. Plus, I can relate, it’s been a rough winter and I’m south of you down in Minnesota.

  • theresaj – 2014-02-06 @ 01:08am
    

    This is fun and I like the way it’s so straight forward. I can so relate!!

  • bethdesombre – 2014-02-07 @ 02:27pm
    

    Love the line “and the highs are 30 below.” (It’s a bit too familiar, right now.)

  • benjo – 2014-02-07 @ 05:15pm
    

    so many great lines in this lyric and so much truth WOW lie on the florida sands / get me a winter tan loved it way to go, i’ll be back for more of your work

  • Dan Boyle – 2014-02-08 @ 01:29pm
    

    A subject I can totally get behind! I have to stop myself writing every song about hating winter! Nice sing man

  • Dan Boyle – 2014-02-08 @ 01:30pm
    

    Song even… Damn these fat fingers! 😉

  • Jaegerin – 2014-02-10 @ 01:18pm
    

    I like this! A good sing-along song. We haven’t had much of a winter here in Germany (see my “Will There be Snow?” !) but I can relate in general.

  • motorcitymusicman – 2014-02-11 @ 03:21am
    

    Sitting in the middle of a Michigan winter, I was singing along with this by the end. Currently pricing flights to Cocoa Beach. Well done.

  • The Jelly Factory! – 2014-02-17 @ 04:40pm
    

    Agreed – all this winter has definitely made me want to scream, although not necessarily in silence 🙂 . This is definitely toe-tapping, hand-clapping fun. Here’s hopin’ you do get that tan! That’s a take. 😉

  • Corinne Curcio – 2014-02-19 @ 02:07am
    

    We all want to fly south with the snowbirds! 🙂 And I frequently scream on my balcony at the snow! 😀

  ---

  3. Last Time

  2014-02-02 @ 09:12pm
  tags: country skirmish7 songskirmish songskirmish7 heartache acoustic-one-take podcast

  The title suggested an old country heartbreaker to me. This one was a little too close.

  Lyrics

  The Last Time
  February 2, 2014 Sunday Skirmish
  FAWM # 3 (c) Sean McGaughey
  I played it in C.

  Last time, I swore and made her feel little
  Last time, she promised then did it the same
  Last night we rehearsed the old familiar complaints
  Last time brought heartache, sorrow and shame

  Last time I swore I’d tell her she’s lovely
  Last time, she promised to always be true
  Last time we could gaze into the stars forever
  Last night we thought we’d never be blue.

  But hard times only seem like the last time.
  Our old hearts are strong enough to carry through
  When the midnight feels like it lasts for the longest time.
  There will always come a dawn to spend with you.

  Last time, I knew that I could do better
  Last time, she promised she changed
  Last night we danced to the same old songs
  Just like last time, we still remain.

  Comments

  • Isaac Lister – 2014-02-02 @ 09:17pm
    

    I love how this was recorded in a lo-fi way, I know that’s more circumstantial than anything but it adds a lovely warmth and feel to what is a simple but heartfelt ‘classic’ country number. Lovely stuff

  • kahlo2013 – 2014-02-02 @ 09:18pm
    

    Love the bittersweet honest feeling lyrics that captures relationship ups and downs so well. The bluesy country music and vocal sound sets a perfect stage for this song! Wonderful!

  • musicsongwriter – 2014-02-02 @ 09:20pm
    

    I love the vibes in your song. Read your lyric first and instantly liked it and I like it even more after listening to your singing and playing. Very clever song, it makes listeners think. It’s about love and about things which can go wrong but love brings the two people together, I love the sentiment here. Beautiful song and delivery. Love your vocals and playing. Sounds so effortless 🙂

  • Corinne Curcio – 2014-02-02 @ 09:24pm
    

    You have lots of great lines and ideas here.You’ve expressed relationship ups and downs well. You did a wonderful job in a short time.

  • Shady Wilbury – 2014-02-02 @ 09:36pm
    

    Reminds me of a Townes Van Zandt demo….could easily be such. 🙂 Great work for an hour. Love the bridge.

  • tamsnumber4 – 2014-02-02 @ 09:40pm
    

    Wow, great lyric for a skirmish, very impressed!

  • Will – 2014-02-02 @ 09:49pm
    

    Very nice. Needs some pedal steel, but aside from that… very nice!

  • samsorrow – 2014-02-02 @ 10:26pm
    

    an old time country song. feels like a found recording. really nice

  • Sonic Death Eagle – 2014-02-02 @ 10:35pm
    

    I was thinking along these lines, too! But mine came out more rockabilly..I really like your old -timey country vibe. This could have been written 60 years ago!

  • snoozin – 2014-02-02 @ 11:20pm
    

    A good old country song…and nicely done I might add. Really feels like a trip into the past. You did well with this challenge in the hour. Bravo!

  • Rahkoi – 2014-02-03 @ 03:58am
    

    Very pleasant bobbing country feel to this. The lyrics seem very well-crafted for a skirmish. Kudos.

  • Roberta – 2014-02-03 @ 08:43am
    

    I like the old-timey vibe of this. The lyrics work really well with the slow, melodic tune. Nice one!

  • Nick – 2014-02-03 @ 02:42pm
    

    Oh man! This is some excellent country music. So simple, yet your lyrics are super convincing and well crafted. This would sound so wonderful with a cryin’ steel guitar in the mix!

  • kimberlyinnc – 2014-02-03 @ 09:47pm
    

    This reminds me of the old classics of country…very nice!!!!

  • PSEUDONYM – 2014-02-05 @ 07:37pm
    

    You did this in an hour? Impressive. This is a heartbreaker. I can relate to it quite a bit right now. “When the midnight feels like it lasts for the longest time/There will always come a dawn to spend with you” is great. Agree with other people who said it sounds timeless.

  • folkguy – 2014-02-06 @ 09:21pm
    

    Great song, sounds therapeutic? Or that might be me inserting myself into the song . But I guess that’s what makes a good song. Glad I reread the post, auto correct wanted therapeutic to be putrid.

  • Miltz – 2014-02-07 @ 12:41am
    

    Well done. The kind of country music I like.

  • Kathryn Hoss – 2014-02-07 @ 01:47am
    

    I was hoping someone would do a folksy ballad like this with that title. 🙂 Pretty song.

  • imustbenuts – 2014-02-07 @ 10:10am
    

    Very well written and performed thanks for sharing!

  • arthurrossi – 2014-02-23 @ 11:10am
    

    A wonderful, tender country song, just the way I love it… Made me think of the classic movie “River of no return”… So gorgeous lyrics, the repetition of “last time” works fine and never feels overdone, but just right… Great guitar and I enjoyed your singing so much… I am very happy I dropped by to hear this lovely song…

  ---

  4. Tony Tow Truck

  2014-02-04 @ 02:51am
  tags: children folk guitar acoustic-one-take

  I started writing this in January for a little boy who is crazy about trains and tow trucks, but the verses I wrote for the chorus did not suit a children’s song. So I scrapped all but the chorus and wrote new verses. Then I tried several different chord structures and melodies before I settled on this one, so I think it can qualify as being a new song for FAWM.
  Initial demo: ductapeguy.net/FAWM2014/SeanMcGaughey-FAWM4-TonyTowtruck-B.mp3

  Update: Feb 24: This weekend I went into a friend’s studio and recorded a slightly more polished performance.

  Lyrics

  Tony Towtruck
  (c) S. McGaughey February 3, 2014
  FAWM #4

  Melody 1
  Tony Towtruck
  (c) S. McGaughey February 3, 2014
  FAWM #4

  V1
  C Am
  All the cars in Toytown,
  F G7
  always play it safe

  C Am
  They keep the rules of the road
  F G
  and never, ever race.

  (C Am F G)
  But when accidents happen
  That you never could expect
  F C
  They call on Tony Tow Truck,
  G C
  To help to move the wrecks.

  CHORUS
  C
  Tow me Tony Tow Truck
  G7
  Tony Tow Truck tow me
  G7 C
  I can’t leave the ditch on my own
  C
  Tow me Tony Tow Truck
  G7
  Tony Tow Truck tow me
  G7 C
  Put me on the road that leads to home.

  V2
  (C C Am F G7)
  (C Am F G7) x2
  One January morning,
  as the snow was falling down,
  Cars and trucks were sliding
  as they headed through the town.

  (C Am F G7)
  A shiny red car drove by
  a little bit to quickly
  (FCGC)
  and slid right off the road
  Because the snow had made it slippery.

  BRIDGE
  Am Em
  The driver made sure everyone was alright
  Am Em
  The red car tried to get out the ditch with all her might
  (C Am F G7)
  But they could’ not get out
  They knew that they were stuck.
  (FCGC)
  The driver picked up the phone
  and called for Tony Tow Truck

  CHORUS

  V3
  (CAmFG7)
  After only 20 minutes, Tony came about
  Hook his chain up to the car and quickly pulled them out
  (FCGC)
  Before the people went inside from the 20 below zero
  Everyone gave three cheers for Tony the Hero.

  Comments

  • sexybass – 2014-02-04 @ 05:53am
    

    Good one Sean! Great lyrics and very infectious tune! Hope I don’t have to meet Tony 🙂

  • Billy Sea – 2014-02-04 @ 06:51pm
    

    I was singing along on the chorus. Great song Sean. Really enjoyed it 🙂

  • Stephen Wordsmith – 2014-02-04 @ 08:20pm
    

    Love love love the assonance in the chorus. Appropriately bouncy and child-friendly. And although it’s for kids, there’s a real warmth to the line ‘Put me on the road that leads to home’ which would feel right at the lyrical hook to something by Glen Campbell or John Denver.

  • Tiira – 2014-02-05 @ 04:55am
    

    What fun! Replace the lyric “January morning” with “February morning” and it’s even more of a FAWM-y song. Just kidding, the track doesn’t need that to improve. This really gives me a solid image of a children’s show with Tony Tow Truck helping out his vehicle friends. The chorus is very catchy and it got me singing along. Thanks for sharing,this was a sweet start to my morning!

  • Roberta – 2014-02-05 @ 09:30am
    

    What a chorus 😀 Love the catchy melody and the whole song is just adorable. I want to live in Toytown now.

  • Marije – 2014-02-05 @ 10:30am
    

    Gahh the chorus! Congratulations on pronouncing that without any trouble! 😀 Like @roberta said, this is such a lovely song! 🙂

  • PSEUDONYM – 2014-02-05 @ 07:29pm
    

    Love this! What a unique song. I don’t usually listen to children’s songs, but I think this would be pretty successful. I can see kids trying to sing along with that fun chorus, which is a bit of a tongue twister. I like that it switches from storytelling to a more active voice in the chorus of people calling on Tony’s services. Memorable too. It’s going to be stuck in my head for a while.

  • Eric – 2014-02-05 @ 08:21pm
    

    What a great sing-a-long song, especially the chorus! 😀 Kids love a song with a good tongue twister.

  • folkguy – 2014-02-06 @ 09:13pm
    

    Great chorus, love to tongue twisterish feel, I can see it being really fun for kids to sing

  • Rob from Amersfoort – 2014-02-08 @ 12:06am
    

    I just crashed my car but still I can appreciate this, especially the Tow Me Tony Tow Truck Tony Tow Truck Tow Me parts :-). You should sell this to a children program on TV.

  • Martin Quibell – 2014-02-08 @ 02:46am
    

    What a lovely song Sean 🙂 I love the story, the chord structure, the feel, and everything. The word play of “Tony, tow me…” etc is a fantastic piece of work. Wonderful!

  • imustbenuts – 2014-02-09 @ 03:55am
    

    This would be an excellent song for a Pixar film. Great work thanks for sharing!

  • yam655 – 2014-02-18 @ 07:40pm
    

    My daughter and I really liked this. I think my son (2.5) would also like this, as he’s a big fan of most things with wheels. 🙂

  • yarimurray – 2014-02-26 @ 07:16am
    

    What a great and catchy tune! I also love the Tow me Tony Tow Truck Tony Tow Truck tow me line and the tongue-twisty nature of this one. Looking forward to hearing more.

  ---

  5. Beer Drone

  2014-02-08 @ 03:34am
  tags: folk guitar acoustic-one-take currentevent

  I was inspired by the news story of LakeMaid Brewing Company delivering 12 packs to ice fishermen on the lake using a remote control hexacopter. http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/craft-brewer-lakemaid-beer-s-drone-delivery-hopes-put-on-ice-1.2520252

  Lyrics

  Beer Drone
  (c)Sean McGaughey February 7, 2014
  FAWM #5

  Intro
  F-F-G-Am
  Am G
  In Northern Minnesota when the cold winds blow
  Am G
  We drag our shed onto the lake across the drifting snow
  Am G
  Every fisherman has a place they come to every year
  F G Am
  To drop a line and share good times with good friends and good beer.

  There is nothing as fine as dropping a line into a frozen bay
  It’s a winter fishing village, you could stay here for days
  With a nice warm hut and fish to eat and neighbours in good cheer
  We won’t leave the lake until we’re all out of beer.

  G Am
  Look up in the sky, high above the frozen lake
  G F G
  Could it be fish and game, spying on our take?
  G Am
  Was that a bird or a plane above us that has flown?
  G
  I can hear it’s high pitched buzzing
  G Am
  It must be a drone.

  Jack Supple is a genius. He owns LakeMaid Beer.
  He hatched a plan to send his product out to here.
  Tell your gps position to him on phone,
  He’ll pick up a 12 pack and strap it to the beer drone.

  Look up in the sky, high above the frozen lake?
  Could it be the fish and game, spying on our take
  Was that a bird or a plane that above us has flown?
  I can hear it’s high pitched buzzing
  Here comes the Beer Drone.

  Am
  C X4 Am x4
  Beer Drone, Beer Drone
  G Am
  Flying Beer across the lake for you and me
  C X4 Am x4
  Beer Drone, Beer Drone
  G Am
  It’s the best damn use I know for a UAV.

  It was a fisherman’s best dream, but we knew it couldn’t last
  In came the FAA to shut it all down real fast.
  It’s illegal in the land of the brave and the free
  To deliver beer for sale from a flying UAV.

  Look up in the sky, high above the frozen lake
  Could it be the fish and game, spying on our take
  Was that a bird or a plane that above us has flown?
  I can hear it’s high pitched buzzing
  Here comes the Beer Drone.

  Beer Drone, Beer Drone
  Flying Beer across the lake for you and me
  Beer Drone, Beer Drone
  It’s the best damn use I know for a UAV.

  Comments

  • Bill Martin – 2014-02-08 @ 03:44am
    

    Beer Drone! haha. I like the parts that I guess I would call the pre-chorus a lot. Good melody. Beeer Drooooone! 🙂

  • Nancy Rost – 2014-02-08 @ 04:04am
    

    This is the epic ballad of the beer drone! Such an inspiring story.

  • Bitshred – 2014-02-08 @ 04:53am
    

    Great story song, and exceptional performance. Enjoyed very much Sean.

  • Phil Mills – 2014-02-08 @ 11:29pm
    

    Nice choice of story for a fun song. Even as someone who doesn’t drink, I have to agree with “the best damn use I know for a UAV.” 🙂

  • Kathryn Hoss – 2014-02-10 @ 02:04am
    

    Okay, now I definitely need beer drones to be a thing that exist.

  • Eric Distad – 2014-02-10 @ 06:17am
    

    This is a fun song! Great storytelling… especially considering the subject. (I don’t know that I would have thought this for a song!) The Beer Drone lines make me want to sing harmony. Great work!

  • joefahey – 2014-02-17 @ 07:24am
    

    Nice fun tune here Sean. Funny story, I hadn’t heard of it so it had some local interest. I’d heard of the Amazon plan to deliver by drone. These lyrics are fantastic, so many greta lines, I love it … Could it be fish and game, spying on our take? … This whole section is written perfectly … It was a fisherman’s best dream, but we knew it couldn’t last In came the FAA to shut it all down real fast. It’s illegal in the land of the brave and the free To deliver beer for sale from a flying UAV. This already sounds like a classic !!!

  • E Agner – 2014-02-17 @ 01:41pm
    

    Funny song — I saw that story too, and wrote my first FAWM song this year about it.

  ---

  6. This Ain’t My Hat

  2014-02-09 @ 01:53am
  tags: folk bluesy children

  My friend is a fabulous songwriter who works part-time at the local library. For the past few years, he has been writing songs based on the nominated books for the Ontario Library Association’s Forest of Reading Awards, then performing them at local schools. My co-librarian reminded me that I am also a songwriting librarian, and I should do the same.

  This song was inspired by/ adapted from the picture book This is Not My Hat by John Klassen, a 2014 Blue Spruce Picture Book Nominee.

  Lyrics

  This Ain’t My Hat
  (c) S. McGaughey February 8, 2014
  Inspired by/ adapted from the picture book This is Not My Hat by John Klassen
  Blue Spruce Nominee 2014

  Basic Travis picking

  Intro G- G7 C- C7

  Basic chord structure G–C-G-D with some sevenths and rude notes thrown in

  This Aint My Hat. I just swiped it
  From big Al who didn’t notice cause he was sleeping
  I don’t think he will wake up for hours
  Even then he won’t notice that it’s gone

  If he misses it, he won’t know who took it
  If he thinks it was me he won’t know where I’ve gone
  Nobody ever saw the spot where I hide
  Except for Edgar… but he swore he’d never tell,

  C G
  I know it’s wrong to steal but this hat fits me just right
  C D
  Al has to squish it over his ears, on him it’s just too tight

  Meanwhile, over at Al’s place.

  Hey where’s my Hat. my mama gave me
  I left it on the post then went to bed,
  I think it was Henry. He always liked it,
  If I catch him with my hat he’ll be very, very, very sorry.

  Where would he hide? Which to go?
  I think that I’ll make Edgar tell me what he knows,
  He’s an honest guy, who never lies,
  And when he tells me I’ll find Henry and Henry is gonna
  … give me my hat.

  Comments

  • samsorrow – 2014-02-09 @ 02:21am
    

    is there anything a song writing librarian can’t do? this is a great story song. this is fun.

  • Phil Mills – 2014-02-09 @ 02:44pm
    

    Good stuff. A children’s song with a touch of backwoods, murder-ballad sound is a great mix.

  • Eric – 2014-02-09 @ 03:00pm
    

    I love songs with 7ths and “rude” notes 😀 I like the way the song is split into 2 different perspectives.

  • wyatt – 2014-02-09 @ 10:27pm
    

    Aw, I like that Real good job Great kids story song I like the transition over to Al’s place and the ending lines. We need some more kids songs on FAWM this year. I haven’t seen many. They’re a great change of pace

  • darcistrutt – 2014-02-09 @ 11:00pm
    

    Like the extra notes in those chords – it does make it nice and bluesy. Love the “very, very sorry” and “give me my hat” instead of the obvious un-kid-friendly terms. Fun song!

  • Taylor – 2014-02-10 @ 07:26am
    

    This makes me want to read the book – this is actually a really interesting idea for a songwriting challenge. I’ve done a song based on the first chapter of a novel, but a song and a picture book are matching sizes! I quite like the “hat fits me just right / just too tight” rhyme. And clever work hiding the “dead” bits – that’s a trick I’ve heard in kid’s TV shows before and you’ve made effective use of it.

  • sexybass – 2014-02-10 @ 11:14pm
    

    I take off my hat to you! (Wait, where did it go?) love this song and my favourite so far! Funny lyrics and love the country blues feel! Well dne my friend.

  • Brad Brubaker + The Crowd Goes Wild – 2014-02-12 @ 06:49pm
    

    You have reminded me how liberating it can be to abandon rhyming. All of the words fall in place of their own accord. It makes the few rhyming moments light up all the brighter, while still leaning in closely on the non-rhyming lyrics.

  ---

  7. Half a Heart

  2014-02-11 @ 03:14am
  tags: folk acoustic-one-take guitar chord generator

  I’ve been playing with a band in a box type app and random chord generators. This came from a chord structure I got from https://autochords.com/. The chords suggested an old style folk song to me.

  There is room in the middle for fiddle or penny whistle solo if anyone wishes to oblige. 😉

  Lyrics

  Half a Heart
  (C) Sean McGaughey Feb 10, 2014

  Basic Structure 3/4 in F

  A sections
  F / C / Dm / Am / Bb / F / G / C
  F / C / Dm / Am / Bb / F / C / F

  B sections
  (Dm / Dm / Am / Am / Gm / Gm / C / C7) x 2

  Intro Bb F C F

  1 A
  F / C / Dm / Am /
  Each evening she walks the cliffs by the shore
  Bb / F / G / C7
  Dreaming of when they were young and naive
  F / C / Dm / Am /
  She holds a worn locket, leading her her way
  Bb / F / C / F
  A gift from her true love to help her believe.

  2 B
  Dm / Dm / Am / Am /
  As the months and years fall like leaves in October
  Gm / Gm / C / C7
  Hope tends to crumble, shrivel and burn
  Dm / Dm / Am / Am /
  But still she holds on to the locket he gave her
  Gm / Gm / C / C7
  Half a heart to be matched on the day he returned.

  3 Instrumental (Penny whistle or fiddle) Pattern A
  F / C / Dm / Am / Bb / F / G / C
  F / C / Dm / Am / Bb / F / C / F

  4 B
  Dm / Dm / Am / Am /
  One night she climbed up the path for the last time.
  Gm / Gm / C / C7
  Gazing out over the black, empty sea
  Dm / Dm / Am / Am /
  Then she took off the locket an cast it below
  Gm / Gm / C / C7
  Abandoning hope, she hoped to be free.

  5 Instrumental (Penny whistle or fiddle) Pattern A

  F / C / Dm / Am / Bb / F / C / F (fade out)

  Comments

  • amandajane – 2014-02-11 @ 03:42am
    

    I can hear a quite traditional folk song here 🙂 Almost bits of a trad Irish ballad in places… it is really lovely and sweet 🙂

  • emkeev – 2014-02-11 @ 03:49am
    

    Nice waltz tune! a bit of a sad story which I like. I also really like your choice of key and chords, and the variance in the song structure. My favorite’s the melody at the start of the B section, which is very plaintive and communicates the mood very well. Great job!

  • joefahey – 2014-02-11 @ 05:21am
    

    Beautiful tune here, very gentle and it has a nice timeless feel. Your voice sounds very nice on this especially when you sing the instrumental. I’ll have to check out the Autochords site, I didn’t know there was such a thing, that could come in pretty handy right about now.

  • wyatt – 2014-02-11 @ 01:32pm
    

    Good hook and story. I expected her to jump off the cliff 🙂 I’m with @joefahey on the tune–Love it

  • Donna – 2014-02-13 @ 10:06am
    

    I love a good folk tale. 🙂 The title/hook drew me in. You’ve given the song pretty melody and compelling music. Nice details in the lyric as well. Nice work. 🙂

  • PSEUDONYM – 2014-02-13 @ 09:42pm
    

    Sad story, but very easy to relate to. Well written too. I think these lyrics work well with the melancholy feel of the chords. I agree with previous comments that it does have a timeless feel to it. Reminds me of Nico’s solo work for some reason. I think it’s a certain somberness in the voice.

  • benjo – 2014-02-17 @ 05:34pm
    

    hey what a great story and so well told lovely melody

  ---

  8. Valentine’s Day

  2014-02-14 @ 06:32pm
  tags: folk acoustic children

  On February 13, my first graders dared me to write a song about Valentine’s Day in one day. Not much of a challenge for a FAWMER but I didn’t tell them that.

  Lyrics

  Valentine’s Day

  ©Sean McGaughey February 14, 2014 FAWM #8

  Sprightly in C. Verses C-Em-F-G , Choruses F-F- C-Em, G-G-FG-C

  All of the children are dressed in pink and white

  They carry bags of envelopes, each one sealed tight

  With cards that say ‘I heart you’, or ‘Will you be mine?’

  My heart is sure to smile when I read my valentines.

  Chorus:

  There is chocolate and candy, and games to play

  Everybody loves Valentine’s Day.

  I got a picture of a globe that says, ‘You mean the world to me’

  You’re the apple of my eye, written on an apple tree

  You’re sew very special says a needle to some thread,

  If I read more cards like that, I’ll get a swelled head.

  Two socks with mouths and eyes say, ‘We make a perfect pair’

  ‘I mustache you a question’, on a card with real hair.

  ‘We’ll always stick together’ says a jar of glue

  And a monkey with some almonds says ‘I’m nuts about you’.

  A bright orange goldfish says, “You are a catch”

  A cartoon stick on fire squeals, “I finally found my match”

  There’s a card with a measuring stick that says, “You rule”.

  I always like the cards I get for Valentines at school.

  Comments

  • zarmo – 2014-02-14 @ 07:45pm
    

    That’s nice and funny in good way. Simply and sympathetic!

  • arthurrossi – 2014-02-14 @ 10:40pm
    

    What an impressive and lovely collection of Valentines-sentences! Very nice idea, and the pair rhyme work very fine here… I also like where you have musically taken this, a beautiful, serene song, very nicely done!

  • Phil Mills – 2014-02-15 @ 07:37pm
    

    Very pleasant song for the kids! I like the rhythmic style you’ve brought into it.

  • expendablefriend – 2014-02-16 @ 08:45am
    

    Cute! I’m guessing you’re a teacher? In which case I hope being able to write songs like this on demand has now made you the coolest teacher in the school (if you weren’t already before)!

  • yam655 – 2014-02-17 @ 10:01pm
    

    My daughter (5) wanted to say how much we liked your song.

  • Eric Distad – 2014-02-18 @ 02:35am
    

    I love how you included all the the card lines and made them all work together. So many bad puns… how could they have not been made into a song before. 🙂 This has a great bounce to it – I love the fast chord transition under the somewhat more static melody line in the verse. Fun song!

  • Chip Withrow – 2014-02-18 @ 12:44pm
    

    What fun! Hope you played this for your kids. Those lines about the cards and gifts are excellent! I like the humor in your voice – I can tell what a good time you had with this one.

  • Chip Withrow – 2014-02-18 @ 12:45pm
    

    What fun! Hope you played this for your kids. Those lines about the cards and gifts are excellent! I like the humor in your voice – I can tell what a good time you had with this one. (Sorry for the double post – but I did like it enough for two!)

  • flutterby42 – 2014-02-19 @ 12:05am
    

    What a sweet little ditty! But what I want to know is did you get the lines from the cards or did you make them up yourself? I agree with the poster below; I hope you played this for your first graders, as I’m sure they would have loved it!

  ---

  9. Through our Window

  2014-02-16 @ 09:17pm
  tags: skirmish sundayskirmish acoustic-one-take fragment

  During the hour of the skirmish, I only got 1/2 a song done but posted what I had so far, then I came back later to finish it.

  Update:
  I have all the pieces in place to do simple multitrack recordings, REAPER, Zoom H4, can fake it at multiple instruments etc… but I always chicken out. Today I decided to try. This is one of the first recordings I have tried to build track by track. first guitar, then bass, egg shaker for percussion, then vocals. I monkeyed around with amp FX on the bass and guitar, and even did a couple overdubs on the vocals. I just mixed to my ears in the headphones.
  It’s kind of empowering to be the whole band.

  PS: Here is the initial rough acoustic sketch. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/43600061/SeanMcGaughey-FAWM9-ThroughMyWindow-first-acousticmix.mp3

  Lyrics

  Through Our Window
  FAWM 9 Sunday Skirmish
  (C) Sean McGaughey February 16

  A Section G- B- C- G- G- D- G
  B Section C- D- G -Em- C- D- G

  A
  Sunday afternoon, there is nothing as fine
  as waking from a nap to see the sunshine
  Streaming through our window.

  A
  We’ve got bills to pay and chores to do
  but I want to stay in bed with you
  Watching the world pass by our window.

  B
  The midwinter sun promises spring
  As we lay here cuddling
  Speaking volumes with hardly a word.

  B
  Dreaming of castles and getaways.
  Calling “Time Out” for just one day.
  As frosty diamonds sparkle through our window

  A
  Sunday afternoon, there is nothing as fine
  as waking from a nap to see the sunshine
  Streaming through our window.

  Comments

  • snoozin – 2014-02-16 @ 09:29pm
    

    I love the upbeat tempo and feeling you have going here…great start! Please let me know when you add to it and I’ll come by and have another listen!

  • darcistrutt – 2014-02-16 @ 09:29pm
    

    This made me smile! My hubby happens to be napping this afternoon. Nice peppy tune and strumming.

  • Sonic Death Eagle – 2014-02-16 @ 09:51pm
    

    I love napping on a sunny Sunday afternoon! This is a nice happy tune!

  • Corinne Curcio – 2014-02-16 @ 09:53pm
    

    Nice 1/2 song 🙂 Lovely sentiment

  • Kevin Emmrich – 2014-02-16 @ 09:58pm
    

    I only got one verse and chorus done, so I can relate. I do think while a full song is always the goal, a 1/2 a song is a great accomplishment for a skirmish (at least that is what I told myself today — ha, ha).. Nice rhythm and melody, I think this will be a good one when you come back and finish it up. In any case, chalk another song up in the count total!

  • arthurrossi – 2014-02-16 @ 09:58pm
    

    Lovely happy tune and awesome half-lyrics with a lovely flow to them… I like the line “And watch the world pass by our window”…

  • samsorrow – 2014-02-16 @ 10:05pm
    

    this is a brilliant half song. I like the sentiment of trying to capture that fleeting moment. this has a nice upbeat rocking feel, that will develop nicely if you chose to expand upon it. nice work.

  • tamsnumber4 – 2014-02-16 @ 10:56pm
    

    I would LOVE to have a nap, you sold me. Like your upbeat melody and idea, nice vocal, enjoyed your skirmish song!

  • John Crossman – 2014-02-16 @ 11:08pm
    

    A half song is a good half-skirmish. The chord progression and melody with the word “widnow” stretched out a bit is sounding really nice so far. Good start, Sean!

  • Kevin Emmrich – 2014-02-17 @ 03:40am
    

    Congrats on the mulit-tracking thing — it opens up another whole world of fun. I had to crank the output volume, but when I did that the mix seemed pretty decent. Good performance and nice that you came back and finished it up!

  • Eric – 2014-02-17 @ 02:37pm
    

    This song makes me feel wistful about last Thursday, when my wife and I were snowed in and all I wanted to do was just hang out with her, but I had to jump on the computer and work from home instead. *Sigh* I have had some really great “time out” days in the past though and they were exactly like this song.

  • sexybass – 2014-02-17 @ 07:32pm
    

    Love the lyrics and the music really works well on this one. I also like the multi- tracking job you did. Good one Sean!

  • Martin Quibell – 2014-02-18 @ 10:17pm
    

    From the notebook; Lovely changes between sections. Wonderful music. Love the words, and the performance is brilliant! Great song Sean 🙂

  ---

  10. Old Freight Train

  2014-02-19 @ 07:56pm
  tags: blues slide acoustic-one-take train

  @benjo wrote this the other day and asked me to try a blues treatment on it. I dug out a slide I’ve had for years but never figured out how to use and tuned my guitar to open g– too high, tuned to open D and it came together.

  Lyrics

  OLD FREIGHT TRAIN
  Lyrics Benjo aka Tony McGlinchey Music and vocals Sean McGaughey
  (c) Feb 19, 2014 FAWM #10
  12 bar blues in open D

  I

  old freight train
  keep on rolling
  get that cargo
  up the hill

  blow your steam
  burst through bridges
  past silver streams
  and smoky mills

  old iron wheels
  sweet rhythm soothes
  echoes from mountains
  freight train blues

  II
  old freight train
  you’re in my heart
  you’ll take my soul
  the day we part

  old freight train
  one more load
  one more run
  pulling the coal

  rain or shine
  sleet or snow
  over foaming rivers
  with heavy loads

  III
  old freight train
  at the station
  our last run
  before we part

  after thirty years
  riding the rails
  you’ll be forever
  in this old heart

  old freight train
  your in my heart
  you’ll take my soul
  the day we part

  IV
  old freight train
  one more load
  one more run
  pulling the coal

  old freight train
  this is goodbye
  I’ll remember you
  until the day I die

  © copyright house all rights reserved

  Comments

  • Mary Choate – 2014-02-19 @ 08:10pm
    

    Sounds great! You nailed it! Would also work as a bluegrass tune.

  • Phil Norman – 2014-02-19 @ 08:11pm
    

    Great collaboration, y’all. It’s important for everyone to have a song about a train.

  • sexybass – 2014-02-20 @ 04:30am
    

    Nice collab! Good lyrics and the tune suits it well. I can hear harmonica on this one!

  ---

  11. Snowblind

  2014-02-21 @ 12:35am
  tags: folk dadgad acoustic-one-take winter canadiana

  Last month, I wrote a set of verses and chorus that simply did not go together. This month I unbolted them. The chorus became the seed of TONY Tow Truck, and the first two verses here sparked off this bit of Canadiana. Besides– it’s February. Has anyone else ever written a winter song for FAWM?

  Lyrics

  Snowblind
  (c) Sean McGaughey February 20, 2014 FAWM #11
  Key of D in DADGAD

  Driving Home one evening on Highway 69
  The moon peeked above the clouds and stars began to shine
  Out of the blue, snow began to fall
  I had driven smack into a Georgian Bay Squall

  I was Snowblind, Stuck tight in the snow,
  Can’t go forth or back, got no way to go.
  All you can do is dig yourself back out again.
  I guess it’s all a part of being Canadian.

  The road ahead had turned into a solid wall of white
  Blackness behind me, not a single car in sight
  I hit a patch of ice and felt the backend twitch
  Before I knew what happened, I had plowed into the ditch

  I was Snowblind, Stuck tight in the snow,
  Can’t go forth or back, got no way to go.
  All you can do is dig yourself back out again.
  I guess it’s all a part of being Canadian.

  When troubles swirl and drift around and you can’t see the road ahead
  When promises are left unkept, and kind words unsaid
  When you find yourself snowed under in the soul’s dark winter night,
  After winter comes the spring, and with spring comes the light.

  Comments

  • wyatt – 2014-02-21 @ 12:56am
    

    Yeah, you’ve got that working Love the melody Real good vocal A story often told that far north I’d think. All our snow (about 10 inches” disappeared thos week what with it hitting 70 here today in MidMO I wouldn’t care if we didn’t get anymore till NEXT winter 🙂 Write on

  • timwint – 2014-02-25 @ 06:40pm
    

    Great story with excellent application. Looks like we are both at 13 now. Good luck this week.

  • Chris “Chickenwing” Quigley – 2014-02-27 @ 08:04pm
    

    I think we are the only two songwriters in history to write a song called “Snowblind” that ISN’T about cocaine. Nicely done, and thank you for your comments on “Separation Anxiety”

  • janeg – 2014-03-01 @ 03:12am
    

    Good topic choice for this winter! I like that you specified Georgian Bay – I prefer details to just generic. Well handled.

  ---

  12. All Kinds of Energy

  2014-02-21 @ 08:56pm
  tags: folk childrens acoustic-one-take writing-with-children

  In my 1st grade science classes I am teaching a unit on Energy in Our Lives. Yesterday one of the students “dared” me to write a song about energy, like they dared me to write a valentine’s song last week. Instead I challenged them to co-write a song with me. Here it is.

  Lyrics

  All Kinds of Energy

  By Mr. McG and Mrs L’s and Mrs. H’s Grade 1 and 2 classes
  February 20,21 2014 FAWM 12
  Key of G.
  There are different kinds of energy that we use every day
  Mom uses it to cook our meals, we use it to play
  Flowers and Trees get their energy, right from the sun
  And the sun gives off all kinds of energy for everyone

   

  In the morning we have cereal, There’s energy in food we eat,
  Our muscles use that energy as we run down the street.
  The bus needs gasoline for its fuel to bring us to school
  And computers use electricity, to show us something cool
  The arena uses electricity so ice is freezing cold.
  Our muscles move us around the rink when we try to make a goal.
  We get more energy at dinner time after we play,
  Everybody uses all kinds of energy every single day.

  Comments

  • Mannyc53 – 2014-02-21 @ 09:01pm
    

    Cute kids song!

  • tsunamidaily – 2014-02-23 @ 08:37pm
    

    great little ditty to teach by! simple music with a memorable melody. starting with the chorus is a good move as well.

  • Nancy Rost – 2014-02-27 @ 09:06pm
    

    I admit I came here for the title, which made me think of very energetic kids. The educational approach was also entertaining to listen to. Nice way to communicate it simply and effectively.

  ---

  13. Unintended Consequence

  2014-02-25 @ 01:51am
  tags: doo-wop biab experiment

  So much to say here. We have been doing a weekly FAWMwriting session at the Midland Cultural Centre on Saturday mornings and choosing a few challenges to last the week. I combined a chord structure challenge FDmBbCAmEb and the title Unintended Consequences. I have been dabbling with a Band in a Box type android app called ireal pro. I inputted the chords into it, played with genre presets until I got a neat doowop vibe happening then wrote the lyrics. It is waay beyond my normal 3 chords and the truth style of writing with a guitar.

  Lyrics

  Unintended Consequence
  FAWM 13
  Sean McGaughey

  It all began when me’n the boys
  went to the high school dance
  I was hanging out with the guys
  Wasn’t thinking ’bout romance.

  Chorus
  It started out an ordinary day
  I never thought that it would turn out this way

  Then I saw you
  clear across the room,
  Maybe it was the shirt you wore,
  or a hint of your perfume.

  For a while I clung to the wall
  Feeling way to shy
  but I couldn’t bear the thought of you
  dancing with another guy

  Chorus
  It started out an ordinary day
  I never thought that it would turn out this way

  Half way across the floor
  I almost turned around
  I thought that when I asked to dance
  You’d laugh and turn me down

  You said I love to dance
  as we moved onto the floor
  I don’t think that I felt as free
  with anyone before

  Chorus
  It started out an ordinary day
  I never thought that it would turn out this way

  Between the moon and the dance floor
  We took our first chance
  Till then I didn’t think
  much of romance
  I know there’s no such thing
  as love at first sight
  But maybe our love
  got started that night

  Chorus
  It started out an ordinary day
  I never thought that it would turn out this way
  End Tag…
  .. It was an unintended consequence.

  Comments

  • ZeCoop – 2014-02-26 @ 01:19am
    

    I love doo-wop and this is so much fun. Not your ordinary doo-wop, though! It has some chord progression twists and turns. It’s all fun though. Very nice – you captured the feeling completely! I’ve always wondered about the BIAB type of things. I’ve had zero luck with anything MIDI, so my expectations for myself would be very low. This sounds good though! Well done… 🙂

  • Mannyc53 – 2014-02-27 @ 01:54pm
    

    Back to the 50’s, Very Cool!

  ---

  14. Don’t Call Anymore

  2014-02-28 @ 02:02am
  tags: folk guitar acoustic-one-take

  We have a very dedicated a persistent phone scammer (or group of scammers) All of them call on a very bad VOIP line and ask for someone who hasn’t lived at this address for a decade. Then they claim “You have won a prize” or “You have a package” We can recognize them by voice by now and they don’t seem deterred by being called out as frauds. If you get a phone number from them, they are all from area code 876 (Jamaica) In the last two days one persistent guy called over 20 times ending at 10pm and starting again just after 6 am. This is how I channelled my rage.

  Lyrics

  Don’t Call Anymore
  Sean McGaughey (c) Feb 26, 27
  FAWM 2014 #14

  V1
  B F# E F#
  Hello is this Brenda
  Says a voice on the line
  Same damn wrong number
  for the thousandth time

  He says you’ve won millions
  but it’s just a trick
  And his phone number’s
  area eight seven six

  Chorus
  BB F#F# G#mG#m E EM
  Don’t call anymore
  Telling me lies
  There’s no mercedes
  or some other prize

  Don’t call anymore
  Changing your name
  It’s time to stop.
  We’re on to your game.

  V1
  Today he’s Mr Washington
  From the lottery game.
  Tomorrow it’s a package
  and he has a new name

  Just a man from Jamaica
  Whose job is to try
  defraud you of money
  by telling you lies.

  E F#M B A E F#
  Some days I cringe
  when I pick up the phone
  And they ask for a person
  Who’s not in this home

  B F# E F#
  They say it’s a contest
  But it’s all a trick
  If he calls from Jamaica
  he’s probably a cheat.

  Comments

  • Odilon Green – 2014-02-28 @ 05:19pm
    

    I know exactly what you mean about the scam. Not that one in particular, but I get those too. You’ve channelled your rage most effectively; I can hear the desperation in your voice to STOP DAMN CALLING! And the lo-fi, one-take recording and “man with a guitar” instrumentation help set the atmosphere: this is a sincere plea from the heart, an aggravation that caused you to just pick up your guitar and hit ‘record.’ You should just put a tape recorder next to your phone, and next time you get a call, hold it up to the mouthpiece and press ‘play.’ 😉

  • kimbeggs – 2014-03-01 @ 05:32am
    

    This is precious. Thanks so much. ONe thing I might suggest is using a capo. It will simplify the chords dramatically, which will help you to focus on the lyrics, and singing the melody. Although if nailing the chords might part of your goal as well, then pay no attention to what I just said. I like your passion here.

  ---

  Soundboard Messages

  • devin – 2014-01-20 @ 11:24am
    

    Happy FAWMing to you sir, a true Northern Light! 🙂

  • Eric Distad – 2014-01-20 @ 04:57pm
    

    Welcome back Sean!

  • johnstaples – 2014-01-20 @ 07:15pm
    

    hiya ductapeguy! Happy FAWM!!!!

  • arthurrossi – 2014-01-20 @ 10:12pm
    

    Hey Sean! Great to see you here! I am looking forward to hearing your new songs! Have an awesome Fawm! 🙂

  • erinkelsey3 – 2014-01-21 @ 01:19am
    

    Hey there!!

  • natrin – 2014-01-21 @ 02:41am
    

    Hello!! ^_^

  • Wolf Kier – 2014-01-21 @ 12:37pm
    

    thanks for dropping by! good luck with your 2014 song hunting season. They got plenty 14 pointers over there in Canada for sure! Happy FAWMing! Wolf.

  • devin – 2014-01-21 @ 12:45pm
    

    I modified my blanket permission statement to be more concise and less dorky 🙂 And I’m not the ring master of Canadian FAWMers… but I do accept responsibility for much of the evil underbelly that lurks inside the covers of a good portion of the songbooks around 😀

  • Martin Quibell – 2014-01-21 @ 02:22pm
    

    Great times ahead Sean 🙂

  • Eric – 2014-01-21 @ 06:13pm
    

    Hi Sean! Good to see you back!

  • Aaron Nathans – 2014-01-21 @ 09:12pm
    

    Hi Sean!

  • Errol – 2014-01-22 @ 03:07pm
    

    ALLLLLLOOOOO SEAN! ^_^ And the trees are calling…

  • kristian – 2014-01-22 @ 10:25pm
    

    Nice to see you and meet you and your lovely family and listen to you and talk to you and… And…. FAWM baby!

  • Nancy Rost – 2014-01-26 @ 06:47am
    

    Hi, Sean! I think of you every time I use duct tape. 🙂

  • Bitshred – 2014-02-01 @ 05:11am
    

    Nice to see you back. 🙂

  • johnstaples – 2014-02-01 @ 12:46pm
    

    Thanks for listening to Never Coming Home and for your kind words!!

  • alyssa2 – 2014-02-02 @ 05:40am
    

    Thank you for your kind words! 🙂

  • hamiltonpoolhall – 2014-02-04 @ 10:55pm
    

    Ha! I forgot about that Steve Earle song (how convenient!) I’ll have to go give it a re-listen. As soon as I give *your* songs here a listen, of course 🙂

  • imustbenuts – 2014-02-05 @ 12:11am
    

    Thanks for the feedback on “Not My First Pony Show”

  • Tiira – 2014-02-05 @ 04:47am
    

    Thanks for the feedback on “My Digital”. That kind of synth sound was just what I was looking for, so I’m happy I succeeded in painting the right mental image of an 8-bit world.

  • PSEUDONYM – 2014-02-05 @ 07:23pm
    

    Thanks for the feedback on my tune. The first comment on the first song is the most important. It can keep you going!

  • k anderson – 2014-02-05 @ 08:24pm
    

    Hope? Hope is for schmucks! Let’s wallow in self-pity instead!

  • Melissa Schiller – 2014-02-06 @ 08:47am
    

    thanks so much for listening to and commenting on my second song 🙂

  • imustbenuts – 2014-02-06 @ 03:55pm
    

    Thanks for comment on “Are You A Robot?!”

  • arthurrossi – 2014-02-06 @ 10:15pm
    

    Hey Sean! Thank you very much for the beautiful comment!

  • Miltz – 2014-02-07 @ 12:32am
    

    Thank you for the comment on Petting Zoo.

  • imustbenuts – 2014-02-07 @ 10:08am
    

    Thanks for feedback on “Blood Soaked Nails”!

  • dee – 2014-02-07 @ 11:16am
    

    Thanks for your comments and suggestions on Transparent Heart. I’ll have a think about the changes and let you know. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

  • Martin Quibell – 2014-02-08 @ 03:44am
    

    Thank you for your kind words about Superpowered. 🙂

  • jamkar – 2014-02-09 @ 10:00pm
    

    Thank for your kind comments on my collab with Eric!

  • Jaegerin – 2014-02-10 @ 01:14pm
    

    Thank you for your nice comment on “I’d Like to be a Lighthouse” 🙂

  • E Agner – 2014-02-17 @ 01:42pm
    

    Thanks for your kind words on “Diamonds”, that was a lucky impulse that turned into a weird little song. I see you and I were both inspired by the story about drones delivering beer, funny.

  • benjo – 2014-02-17 @ 08:56pm
    

    hi sean, can’t thank you enough for your offer but NEIL CMMPBELL has already said he is working on it, I don’t know what the rules are on two people doing the same lyric but I wonder if you like the look of OLD BLACK MAN I’m so sorry about that sean but I don’t want to upset anyone but I would love you to do one of my lyrics let me know sean and it’s yours my friend THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR OFFER tony…

  • benjo – 2014-02-17 @ 10:27pm
    

    hi sean just posted a lyric called OLD FREIGHT TRAIN I wonder if you like the look of that one as a blues maybe take a look my friend hope you like it thanks sean tony…

  • benjo – 2014-02-18 @ 04:20pm
    

    hi sean sorry late reply just got in yeah I just finished that lyric last night and thanks for taking a go at it can’t wait enjoy and good luck speak soon sean tony…

  • flutterby42 – 2014-02-19 @ 12:06am
    

    I came here because of a comment you left on someone else’s song and I’m glad you did. When I get a bit more time, I look forward to listening to some more of your songs. I like your sense of humour!

  • benjo – 2014-02-19 @ 07:13pm
    

    HOLY SHIT MAN WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW I can’t believe what you have done on the OLD FREIGHT TRAIN that is exactly how it should be done, YOU SMASHED IT oh I love that man that’s how it played in my head as I wrote it YOU GOT THAT TALENT TAKE A BOW it really took me to that place beautiful job man BLEW ME AWAY WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW TONY…

  • benjo – 2014-02-19 @ 08:25pm
    

    oh man I love it so authentic I put it up on my soundcloud now I’m going to try and put it up on the site looking forward to comments on this YOU REALLY GOT IT MAN THANK YOU SO MUCH / GREAT COLLAB WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW ps check out my soundcloud to make sure your happy with your name https://soundcloud.com/tony-mcglinchey/old-freight-train tony…

  • benjo – 2014-02-19 @ 08:59pm
    

    hi sean I posted the song but I can’t work out how to put the collab names up together so if you know please put it right I will keep trying hope its ok for you bud tony…

  • alboe – 2014-02-22 @ 07:22am
    

    Hi, thank you for your kind words on “Is there a Doctor in the building”. Glad you liked it, and I guess singing along is never a bad thing :).

  • timwint – 2014-02-25 @ 06:41pm
    

    Sean, thanks a bunch for taking a listen to After the Circus Leaves Town. I took a look at some of your work and I think we are thinking alike. Appreciate your input.

  • ZeCoop – 2014-02-26 @ 01:20am
    

    Thanks a lot for checking out my little uke tune… I appreciated your comment(s). 😉 Hopefully it will get some lyrics, but it’s pretty laid back and can function that way – if I can re-teach myself how to play it, lol. I seriously don’t remember, as I recorded the uke part about a week ago. 🙁

  • ZeCoop – 2014-02-26 @ 01:40am
    

    Things stay zongs a lot longer here at the end of February… everybody is pulling their hair out trying to finish their songs. Once Saturday comes around – it’s a non-stop listening/commenting party. 🙂 Well done though. Glad I could bust it!!!

  • yarimurray – 2014-02-26 @ 07:17am
    

    Thanks for listening and commenting on It’s All I Can Do. I’m enjoying listening to your stuff and will do more once Saturday rolls around.

  • benjo – 2014-02-27 @ 05:40pm
    

    hi sean just to say a big thank you for the collab before FAWM ends take care tony

  • Monty – 2014-02-28 @ 04:27am
    

    Thanks for the nice feedback on Where Ditgo. Hopefully I’ll find a way of finishing it properly.

  • Jaegerin – 2014-02-28 @ 12:18pm
    

    Thanks for your nice comments on “Run with the Doctor” ! Very chuffed to know that your daughter wants to learn it 🙂

  (Here is how my daughter learned the words to Jaegerin’s “Run With the Doctor”)

  

  • Jaegerin – 2014-03-01 @ 04:43am
    

    Oh wow… you and Sarah just totally made my week! Have sent her an e-mail. Thank you so much! (no-one else ever has ever sung one of my songs before…)