Week One's task was to think about song starters, specifically: titles, themes, and opening lines. We had to come up with 3 for each category from existing songs that inspired us. Like many other participants, I had a hard time narrowing it down to only 3!

We then had to come up with 5 of our own for each category. This was a little more difficult, but it was a good exercise and forced me to be purposeful and focused (something I definitely need right now).


Here are the existing examples that inspire me:

Titles:

1. The Wind is Trying to Kill Me ~ Dale Murray

2. Hands On a Grain of Sand ~ Amelia Curran

3. A Certain Light  ~  Josh Ritter


Themes:

1. The struggle to maintain your integrity as an artist and make a living.  The Forgiven ~ David Ramirez

2. Regret/Loss. These Days ~ Jackson Browne

3. Humility/Loss of confidence. Not So Sure ~ Joe Pug

Opening Lines:

1. "There's gonna be days when you hate me" ~ David Ramirez, The Bad Days

2. "Snowbound siren in the winter dawn" ~ Paul Brady, Crazy Dreams

3. "Well the morning came like a freight train" ~ Amos Lee, A Chill in the Air


And here's what I came up with this week:

Titles:

1. The Unexpected
2. Night Whispers
3. Wish I'd Stayed To Hold Your Hand
4. The Hills' Eyes
5. Drops on the Glass

Themes (not connected to the above titles):

1. Secrets/Shame
2. Legacy
3. Disappointment
4. Touchstones/Change
5. New perspective

Opening Lines:

1. I plunged my hand into a sea of red
2. Sometimes things are exactly what they seem
3. There's nothing like coming home to make me feel so far away
4. My ears are playing tricks
5. Kick it under the rug, she said


I started several songs, but only one really took off and came together for me this week. Writing helps me to process emotion, and this is something I've needed to write about for a long time, yet couldn't seem to get started. This challenge was just what I needed to get it out.


Wish That I Had Stayed to Hold Your Hand
© Kelly McQuillan 2014

I lay my head upon my pillow
And watch the treetops as they sway
Darkness falls to cold regrets
Which seep into the dying day

The past hides in the shadows of the sun
Evades my conscience like the breeze
It waits for quiet times when I am all alone
Forced to face my memories

    Yes, I was scared
    But I was selfish, too
    I couldn't bear to witness
    The losing of you
    Now burdened with the wisdom that I didn't understand
    I wish that I had stayed to hold your hand

I saw your head upon your pillow
I saw the time traverse your face
You needed what I couldn't give
And all that I could think of was escape

    Yes, I was scared
    But I was selfish, too
    I couldn't bear to witness
    The losing of you
    Now burdened with the wisdom that I didn't understand
    I wish that I had stayed to hold your hand

So many things remind me of you
Sometimes I feel you in the things that I do
When I see something beautiful, touched with grace
It brings the comfort of your laugh and the ghost of your embrace

So lay your head upon your pillow
Close your eyes and drift away
May peace wash over your tired heart
God, how I wish that I had stayed


And here's a link to the 'finished' song. I'm no production wizard, that's for sure, but hopefully it gives a good idea ; )


   

I saw this challenge posted on the SAC site a few weeks ago and, before I could stop myself, I signed up. One song per week for six weeks. The prospect of this is both thrilling and terrifying. Thrilling because I know it will further my skills as a songwriter, and terrifying because it takes place during what will be one of the busiest times of my life (you know, when life and work events all stack up into one concentrated pile of craziness and you have no choice but to walk through it?) However, I think that once I make it through to the other side I'll be really happy I did it, and hopefully have a few good songs in my pocket and some new co-writing connections as well.

Part of the challenge is to blog about it, so that's what I'll be doing here. Follow along if you're up for a roller coaster ride!