Speaking of great authors and inspirational books (present company included Professor Saunders), "How To Write One Song" was so inspiring to me that I took some of your advice and wrote a song based on some of your ideas and direct language from the text. I realize this is probably not the forum for self-aggrandizement, but since the lyrical subject matter is related to the writing process, and as I'm not one to ignore serendipity, I thought I might get away with sharing it here and now. Cheers to the other writers who are trying to get out of their own way one story (or song lyric) at a time!
"Just A Song"
I could not see the puzzle for the pieces
As I tried to pair the rhythm with the rhyme
Though I may have had to borrow
From my books to ease the sorrow
And iron out the creases in the recess of my mind
Well the words got crossed and fell out in a tumble
In searching for the words I could divine
That its more like ‘Find the Hidden Picture”
Than it is transcribing Scripture
Try to seek another angle in the Jumble of the line
It’s just a song, it’s just a song
It’s not a miracle
It may be wrong, it may be right
And slightly lyrical, who knows
Might help you make it through the night
Chorus:
Cause it ain’t like, it’s a tattoo on your face
And it ain’t like, it’ll bring you total disgrace,
Cause it ain’t life, oh it ain’t life.
Well the window would not open so I gazed through
In the clear, dim light amazed at what I saw
Instead of cold rejection, I found my own reflection
And in the pane I did renew myself into the metaphor
So now escape is possible but temporary
I’m not looking for salvation in a song
The act of my creation
May not relieve my frustration
But it might be necessary just for me to get along
It’s just a song, it’s just a song,
Not metaphysical
I’m not worried that I’ll write the unforgivable, who knows
Depends what spirits you invite
Chorus:
Bridge:
I know I’m lost in a dream
Believing that I could be anyone
Just trying to have some fun
I’m walking and I’m driving and I’m thinking
Laying half asleep untangling my thoughts
In dreams I’m rearranging
The syllables, exchanging
My claims with silly games unlinking wrinkles from the knots
I’m working on believing that I’m making
Give myself every permission to be wrong
Try to follow where I’m going
Don’t have to be Dylan or Cohen
I’ll be faking or I’m taking what I need til I belong
It’s just a song, it’s just a song
Nothing mystical
It may be loose, it may be tight, perchance original, who knows
So crazy, I'm also reading "How to Write One Song." Great book. Thank you so much for writing. Writing a song that might actually be moving to me is one of my dreams!
We just wrapped up our family discussion—me, my wife, my adult son—of Gooseberries, using Swim as our guide and "professor." And we talked about how amazing it would be to be in your creative writing classes. This is as close as we'll get and for that I'm grateful and excited. Thanks, George!
I'm hoping to pop for the paid subscriber level in Jan. 2022, but loved A Swim in a Pond and have been recommending it to all my reader/writer friends. Thanks for rolling this out on Substack since I quit FB and Twitter years ago. Let's keep the snark back there in the social media bins. Best, Mike
I feel like I’m in a dream right now. Is this really happening?? George Saunders on Substack? You, us, people of a kinder short-story appreciating internet, prompts. I don’t have the words to express how happy this makes me but maybe somewhere along the way I’ll find them. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
This is a dream come true. Thank you George! OxO
Speaking of great authors and inspirational books (present company included Professor Saunders), "How To Write One Song" was so inspiring to me that I took some of your advice and wrote a song based on some of your ideas and direct language from the text. I realize this is probably not the forum for self-aggrandizement, but since the lyrical subject matter is related to the writing process, and as I'm not one to ignore serendipity, I thought I might get away with sharing it here and now. Cheers to the other writers who are trying to get out of their own way one story (or song lyric) at a time!
"Just A Song"
I could not see the puzzle for the pieces
As I tried to pair the rhythm with the rhyme
Though I may have had to borrow
From my books to ease the sorrow
And iron out the creases in the recess of my mind
Well the words got crossed and fell out in a tumble
In searching for the words I could divine
That its more like ‘Find the Hidden Picture”
Than it is transcribing Scripture
Try to seek another angle in the Jumble of the line
It’s just a song, it’s just a song
It’s not a miracle
It may be wrong, it may be right
And slightly lyrical, who knows
Might help you make it through the night
Chorus:
Cause it ain’t like, it’s a tattoo on your face
And it ain’t like, it’ll bring you total disgrace,
Cause it ain’t life, oh it ain’t life.
Well the window would not open so I gazed through
In the clear, dim light amazed at what I saw
Instead of cold rejection, I found my own reflection
And in the pane I did renew myself into the metaphor
So now escape is possible but temporary
I’m not looking for salvation in a song
The act of my creation
May not relieve my frustration
But it might be necessary just for me to get along
It’s just a song, it’s just a song,
Not metaphysical
I’m not worried that I’ll write the unforgivable, who knows
Depends what spirits you invite
Chorus:
Bridge:
I know I’m lost in a dream
Believing that I could be anyone
Just trying to have some fun
I’m walking and I’m driving and I’m thinking
Laying half asleep untangling my thoughts
In dreams I’m rearranging
The syllables, exchanging
My claims with silly games unlinking wrinkles from the knots
I’m working on believing that I’m making
Give myself every permission to be wrong
Try to follow where I’m going
Don’t have to be Dylan or Cohen
I’ll be faking or I’m taking what I need til I belong
It’s just a song, it’s just a song
Nothing mystical
It may be loose, it may be tight, perchance original, who knows
Just something that I can recite
Chorus:
I really liked your first songwriting book, Jeff.
So crazy, I'm also reading "How to Write One Song." Great book. Thank you so much for writing. Writing a song that might actually be moving to me is one of my dreams!
Wait, it’s YOUR birthday but we’re getting the gift?!? Thank you :)
No Stephanie. Bad Stephanie.
I LOVE THIS CLUB! Thank you sweet George!
I’m very excited about this. Welcome to Substack, George!
We just wrapped up our family discussion—me, my wife, my adult son—of Gooseberries, using Swim as our guide and "professor." And we talked about how amazing it would be to be in your creative writing classes. This is as close as we'll get and for that I'm grateful and excited. Thanks, George!
I second what Ed said. This is close as most of us will ever come!
I signed up and paid before I saw the free month(s). If it’s George, I’m there.
Same!
Same! Hi Alicia, I scrolled down looking for any of my Patmos friends :)
Kristine! Hi!!!
Same! 😀
The first rule of Story Club? Tell everyone about Story Club!! So happy.
"We’ll begin to think about sentences differently..." ok, let's go!
I'm so in I signed up twice.
Happy Birthday from Greece! What a lovely gift this is for all of us!
Hi Dan! Happy to see some familiar Patmos faces here in the chat :)
Glad you are here Kristine! yes, wonderful to have the Patmos tribe presente!
Here as well! Patmos pals
Hi Dan, indeed what a gift :)
Hi Natasha, hope you are well. What a wonderful new community here!
Hi Dan!
Andrea! So glad to see you here, a Patmos mini reunion!
Hi Andrea, sending good wishes from Patmos!
George, are you familiar at all with Nick Cave’s The Red Hand Files? This feels, in some manner, to have be offered in a similar kind of spirit.
I love The Red Hand Files. Truly unique, provocative and moving pieces of Nick Cave's mind and heart.
insta-insta-INSTASUB.
You’re a real force of kindness, George Saunders! So glad you’re in this beautiful world with us.
I'm hoping to pop for the paid subscriber level in Jan. 2022, but loved A Swim in a Pond and have been recommending it to all my reader/writer friends. Thanks for rolling this out on Substack since I quit FB and Twitter years ago. Let's keep the snark back there in the social media bins. Best, Mike
I feel like I’m in a dream right now. Is this really happening?? George Saunders on Substack? You, us, people of a kinder short-story appreciating internet, prompts. I don’t have the words to express how happy this makes me but maybe somewhere along the way I’ll find them. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Alicia, so happy to “see” you. This stirs up all the magic of a Greek Dream Story.
It really does, doesn't it?!?! So happy to see you here as well Andrea!
Finally, an excuse to learn how to read! Happy birthday, George <3