"Groceries and Rent"

Saw my friend Ralston Bowles perform solo last night (Sat Feb 2) and he (metaphorically) stuck his finger in an open wound of mine... reminded me what live singer/songwriter music is for in a way. Felt I should try writing a song I could perform solo.

Chord progression so I remember it later...
Intro: C-G-Em-C-G-D
Verse: Em-C-Em-C-G-D
Pre-chorus: F-C-D
Chorus: C-G-C-G-C-G-D
Post chorus: Em-Am-Em-Am-E

Lyrics

Clay birds on a string
Steel chimes on a ring
For the wind, the wind

Pale patio light
Chairs left overnight
In the rain, in the rain

And he's scared of what's in store
Cuz they keep having less and needing more

Cooking and laundry
Groceries and rent
Driving the kids to school
Staring in silence
Everything's spent
And all of his loans are due

He sees the strain
In her eyes again
In the moon

Stale breath on his tongue
Tightness in his lungs
In the van, in the van

He's scared of what's in store
Cuz they keep having less and needing more

Cooking and laundry
Groceries and rent
Driving the van to school
Staring in silence
Everything's spent
And all of his loans are due

And he sees the strain
In her eyes again
In the moon


--
©2008, Charlie Cheney, BMI

18 Comments

  1.  spinhead  | 11-Mar-08

    I'll say it here again, too. This song stuns me. I actually have to be careful when I listen to it, 'cause it's hard to focus for a while afterwards. Incredibly authentic emotional feel to the lyric and the vocal delivery.

  2. Dominic Johnson | 01-Mar-08

    Nice song.Great lyrics,fantastic lyrics,amazing guitar,stellar melody,Good feel.

  3.  lara | 17-Feb-08

    oh- you hit a raw nerve there. I'm not supposed to cry for this song, am I?
    very well done. that first "in the moon" sent shivers.

  4.  Emily Shore  | 08-Feb-08

    "Cuz they keep having less and needing more"

    I love that line!!

  5.  Ralston  | 07-Feb-08

    The lyrics are cool.
    Looking forward to hearing it.
    I don't know why I can't on this player, maybe need a new codec or something. 
    And are you somehow saying I gave you the finger? Hey now!
    Looks like the Post A Comment offers the same inspiration,
    "Try to focus on qualities of the song, not the demo."

    Write On!


  6.  Sean Michael Dargan  | 06-Feb-08

    This is a fantastic song, Charlie.  The tension of the verse harmony, the evolution of the chorus melody; the images are so friggin' clear, and yet so sweetly dark.  One of your best, for sure.  Dude, let's make another record!

  7.  Sophia  | 05-Feb-08

    Man, Charlie, you have fantastic range! Both stylistically and vocally. (I love the vocals on this one, by the way.) I heard this song and I was like "Is this really the same person who did Leaving Home?!" And I love this. The lyrics, melody, etc, the guitar works too. Nice one. :)

  8. Thank God for the Atom Bomb | 05-Feb-08

    This has a very lou barlow feel to me. and I love lou barlow...so by transitive property I love you.

  9.  Phil Norman  | 05-Feb-08

    Hurry!  Someone check Charlie for performance enhancing drugs because he's blowing me away!  This is gold-plated goodness, nothing I'd change.

  10.  Hoopshank  | 04-Feb-08

    Cooking and Laundry? What you need are Fridges and Washing Machines!

    Very nice, poignant song - there seem to be a few songs floating about detailing the troubles we can all face on a day-to-day basis. Love the chord change on 'moon'.

  11.  spinhead  | 04-Feb-08

    "they keep having less and needing more"

    Funny how a simple phrase can be so compelling in the right hands. or voice.

    Best Beloved and I are just coming out of nearly a year of the worst financial times I've ever seen. Things are getting better, but this song still feels like an ice pick in my heart. Captured some pretty real feelings there, my friend. Thank you.

  12.  Josh Belville | 04-Feb-08

    this is really beautiful.  your guitar control makes me a little envious.  your voice is perfect for the haunting melody.

  13.  isaac quatorze  | 04-Feb-08

    very pretty and sad, charlie.  i love that you were able to make me laugh so hard yesterday and move me deeply today.  you're a man of many talents, and this song is a real success.  hits close to home for me too.  great job :)

  14.  kermy | 04-Feb-08

    you sound so different...there is indeed an honesty in this one. very real. k

  15.  Nancy Rost  | 04-Feb-08

    Really haunting melody and words.

  16.  Burr Settles  | 04-Feb-08

    Wow. I really like the timber of your voice in this song, it's one of my favorites of yours i've heard. You might want to see if you can work in an instrumental bit before the repeat chorus at the end, or a bridge... something to let it catch it's breath a little bit. It's a very honest and engaging song, and a little break like that might keep it from being too heavy, y'know? great job.

  17. Jenna | 04-Feb-08

    I can but stare in awe.  This is amazing.  Absolutely amazing.  You hit a nerve or something, in a very good way.

  18. Susan Howe  | 04-Feb-08

    Beautiful.

    Another cinema song.
    You nailed it with your melody.
    Such honest poetic lyrics.
    Beautiful.