title sequence
I’ve been taking a break from all the forms of writing that usually preoccupy me. It’s been a superb holiday so far. But I’ve been writing songs instead, and I haven’t done that in years. This all started because I’ve been playing guitar obsessively with one of my friends over the past few months, and then he and I did a show. I wrote two songs for the show, and the calluses on the fingertips of my left hand are intense, like I’m growing human bark (ew). I’m just having a moment, okay?
I was looking over some songs today (and listening to some recordings), and I realized that I would really rather just make up song titles—like, all day. Anyway, for no reason whatsoever, here are the titles of the songs I have written over the past couple months:
Where Are the Police?
Work Song
Come On, Buttons
Trespassing Merit Badge
Kennedy Creek
Western Missile Testing
The Story of Owen and Jean
Retribution Hairdo
Not that a title sequence means anything without getting to the substance, but that’s not happening right now. The problem I’m having is that I want to write straight-up country songs, but as much as I bear down on myself I can’t grasp something that feels appropriately ramshackle. I think I have a handle on the guitar (walking bass lines, etc.), and you best believe I love me some 3/4 time signatures. I can even summon up liquor-branded feelings when it comes to women folk and lonely outposts, population of one. I could probably even sing about a car or a bear. If this sounds like a threat then take it like one.
I want to call my country song “I Used to Be Human, But Now I’m a Man.”
