"The Roar of the Passing Fords"

Ah, finally... one done.

This song is way out in left field for me, I hardly ever write or record songs like this. Light jazz... wha, have I gone mad? But it popped out, and that's what FAWM seems to be about for me...
:O)

Don't worry, I have a blistering rocker coming soon... I promise.


Chord progression so I remember it later...
Gmaj7-C-Csus4
Dmaj7-Ebmaj7
Eb-C
Umm... I think... I'm not good at naming these kinds of chords... those names might all be wrong, I'm such a music theory doofus.

Lyrics

Danny peels away the bandage from the wound upon his arm
And he presses on the burn mark with his palm
He winces but it passes as he gazes at the storm
Coming toward him like the serpent from the psalms

When he cries he makes no sound
What's been said is said
And done is done

He hears the roar of the passing Fords
And tastes the spray from the splashing rain
The glaring lights makes him squint his eyes
But he's leaving home all alone

Mary stares into the candle flame and prays that he'll return
But this time more than candle wax was burned
So she licks her thumb and finger and another page is turned
A page with words she wished she'd never heard

When she cries she makes no sound
What's been said is said
And done is done

He hears the roar of the passing Fords
And tastes the spray from the splashing rain
The glaring lights makes him squint his eyes
But he's leaving home all alone

A tattered hat from the city league
A canvas sack in the back
And that's all he needs


--
©2008, Charlie Cheney, BMI

28 Comments

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  1.  Ralston  | 13-Feb-08

    Bit of a Bossa Nova Beat ala Ipanema. Warms this winter weather from Wisconsin to Michigan. Vibe On!

  2.  Dan Vaillancourt | 10-Feb-08

    Love the guitar part Charlie.  I like those little licks in there.

  3.  Phil Norman  | 05-Feb-08

    This is stunning, Charlie.  I immediately perked up from the opening notes and golly your vocal delivery suits this style so well.  And then there's the lyric!  From the opening bandage image to the tactile chorus, this is dripping with goodness.  Well done, good sir.

  4.  Charlie Cheney | 05-Feb-08 EDIT

    Note to self:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Carlos_Jobim

  5.  Roger, Roll  | 05-Feb-08

    So, I was pretty much way off base giving you chord tips.  Apologies on that one.

    This progression is so Jobim.  It's awesome.  I always want to write down-tempo bossas, but always end up otherwise.  The only thing this thing is missing is you shredding a sweet, sweet solo.  I know you can do it.  You've got that beautiful intro on guitar.  Let's hear some of your licks.

  6.  debrandio | 04-Feb-08

    light jazz really works with your voice
    smooth, laid-back, very nice production

  7.  Tim Wille  | 04-Feb-08

    Charlie, a lot of people have mentioned the cinematic quality of the song, and I have to agree with them. I had hardly hard ten seconds of this before I was transported to a Quentin Tarantino movie, where a large pink Cadillac was driving along a dusty Mexican road, lined with peeling telephone poles.

    This is brilliant. It's going in my Mp3 player and I'm going out for a drive. Now.

    Maybe the best track I've heard from you, actually. It's just so effortless and smooth, and the lyrics give an edge that I wouldn't be without.

  8. Susan Howe  | 04-Feb-08

    Great, cinematic lyrics. I agree, the counterpoint between the story and the musical theme really works. As always I appreciate the fantastic diversity in your song writing and recording styles.

  9.  mike skliar | 03-Feb-08

    this is really special,, great job all around!!!

    some great jazz chords and great groove too, and very evocative lyrics- it all comes together nicely....

  10.  Elliot Patton | 03-Feb-08

    Thanks a lot, Charlie.  Now I want to do a bossa nova too.  Searching "free bossa nova drum loops"...

    I highly enjoyed this.

  11.  Hoopshank  | 03-Feb-08

    I love it when I write something I didn't expect to, and when I hear something unexpected from someone else. This is great work and very evocative. Listening to it is like watching a film. I just can't get over how much talent is concentrated here in FAWM.

  12.  Sophia  | 02-Feb-08

    This is fantastic. The background music makes me feel like dancing and I like the lyrics a lot. I hope one day to write a song this badass. (See, I'm hoping if I flatter you enough you can write songs for me that I can one day pass off as my own. Just kidding. I liked it.)

  13.  Burr Settles  | 02-Feb-08

    really nice start, charlie. it always feels good to pop out a tune that's different than you generally expect from yourself, huh?

  14.  JRamoneWI  | 02-Feb-08

    I admire anyone who can cross music genres so easily. Good job, man!

  15.  Elaine DiMasi  | 02-Feb-08

    It might be interesting to change the voicing for the lines which are on Mary instead of Danny.  I'm not saying the key should modulate or change from the progression.  But maybe that verse could be sung elsewhere in the scale to make it sound like something changed perspective.  Then, going back to Danny's chorus, it would go back.

  16. Becca  | 02-Feb-08

    Charlie, Charlie, Charlie....you constantly surprise and impress me. LOVE the lyrics, especially the verse about Mary. Dude, you've got it! The combo of music and lyric threw me and by the 2nd verse I was all in. Fun! Becca loves Charlie!!

  17.  isaac quatorze  | 02-Feb-08

    this is really slick!  i might have to start calling you slick charlie... but that sounds like the creepy guy who hangs around the playground after school........ ok, nevermind giving you any nicknames for today.

    awesome internal rhymes, slithery groove, it's got a lot going for it.  you have no reason to apologize for not rocking out if you're gonna put out stuff like this! 

  18. Jim | 02-Feb-08

    This sounds like a slow song similar to what "The Cat Emipre" an Aussie band might put out.  It's interesting.  To say the least.

  19. Jenna | 02-Feb-08

    Wonderful.  The background music reminds me of The Girl From Ipanema, in a good way.  I really enjoy it.  =)  Mmm the repetition of the chorus at the end is so....nice?  lol.

  20.  spinhead  | 02-Feb-08

    Hot diggity. Your voice surprises me every time I hear it (in a good way.) I hope this isn't the last folk jazz tune you give us.

    Love the guitar work, love the bossa nova. And not to quibble with anyone, but when you return to Danny at the end, I didn't find it confusing at all. And songs that mention hats are great.

  21.  Scott O. Clamp | 02-Feb-08

    I'll echo all of the comments, as well as to add that it's great to hear a guy with a deep vocal range working in his power zone. Sounds so good! Excellent start!

  22.  Morti | 02-Feb-08

    Folk jazz? Interesting... :P

    I love the guitar in this, it grabbed me instantly, great hook. Also I wish I could write lyrics like this. Marvellous first entry into this year. I can't think of anything I've heard that sounds quite like it.

  23.  Nancy Rost  | 02-Feb-08

    Echoing Pigfarmer a bit, I really like the vivid, indirect storytelling here.  I particularly like the Mary verse.  The bossa supports the mood of the story, as well as just being cool to listen to.

  24.  Victoria Vox  | 02-Feb-08

    good going Charlie!  i like the internal rhyming in your chorus ;) 

  25. Jonathan Spottiswoode  | 02-Feb-08

    Midwestern Bossa Nova! I love the juxtaposition of the imagery and the vibe of the music. Unexpected and very original. There is a whole genre here that you have created. I'd love to hear you try a few more songs like this.

  26.  Scott McBride | 02-Feb-08

    Soft rock audio.  This is Weather channel music.

    Just messin' with you.  I really dig this one.  I can totally see myself bobbing to it at a show as I'm bobbing along with it right now.

  27. Pigfarmer Jr | 02-Feb-08

    At first I thought the second set of "He hears the roar of the passing fords" should have been she to fit with the "when she cries" but I realize at the end He is leaving not her. While that isn't a fault, it did take me a second to figure it out. Not always a good thing to have to think about lyrics to "get them" but I find some of the best lyrics require some brain power to fully understand.

    I really enjoyed this song. I know we are suppose to analyze/critique the song and not the demo, but did you do all these parts yourself? And if so, what did you use? I really enjoyed the music. I also like the story that your scenes invoke. I say it that way because for me, these lyrics don't just come out and tell me what is going on. And I like that.

    I like this one. Good Job.

  28.  Erik Didriksen | 02-Feb-08

    Wow, Charlie.  This is one saucy song!  The lyrics are really well-written and the music is just brilliant.  Props, my good man!