Sometimes something nice comes together out of nowhere.
Last Wednesday
My friend from all the way back Ned (who has lived in New Orleans for 25 years now):
Just throwing a song idea your way. I remember every other Mardi Gras thinking to myself: everywhere else in America it's just another Tuesday. Well, this year Mardi Gras in New Orleans is pretty much like everywhere else because Mardi Gras is for the most part canceled. I was wondering if you had any inspiration for a song exploring that feeling. I have yet to sit down and write anything but wanted to share the idea with you.
Me:
Hey Ned! That's a terrific idea. I will give it some thought. Great one.
Thursday
Ned:
Awesome. I'll see if I have some music. There's actually a song I've been working on that might work for this. I've got a rough version of the music on Dropbox. It may be too mellow, a Mardi Gras song maybe needs more hopeful pep in it.
Me:
Listening now. Great stuff, dude. Really nice listen. And frankly the loss of Mardi Gras seems to conjure a slow and sad song. This could work... Giving it a few listens and I'll try to come up with some words.
Saturday
Me:
Sending you my take on the lyrics. See what you think. Went back and forth on the chorus. Settled on an allusion to it not being Fat Tuesday.
Ned:
Damn, dude. The right mix of clever and heartstring pulling. Thinking of trying to get this done and released by Tuesday. And also make a video of the song. May be too ambitious.
Yesterday
Just Another Tuesday
(Ned Henry/Les Coole)
3 rocks there smack / in my Sazerac / is the only float today
4 beads of sweat / from the mignonette / are the only beads in play
Magazine is empty / And there ain’t a soul around
It’s just another Tuesday / And I’m uptown feelin’ down
CHORUS
Lord, it feels so thin
Please bring it back again
Fairly soon / this doubloon / will be back on the shelf
I’m the King / of not one thing / A krewe unto myself
I’m a one-man carnival / and it’s all neutral ground
It’s just another Tuesday / and I’m uptown feeling down
CHORUS
BRIDGE
Ain’t never seen this town this way / it feels so strange
What I took for granted / that’s all gonna change
No parades / no hand grenades / the Quarter’s one-eighth filled
The good times rolled / they’re all on hold / all broke up, my go cup spilled
The Ash comes in tomorrow / with the tolling of the bells
But today’s just another Tuesday / just like everywhere else
CHORUS
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5 comments:
Really well done. Impressive composition, Whit. Kinda sad, but so is the cancellation of Mardi Gras.
that's really cool stuff. it's a whole mood.
Well done lads! This webblog is really getting me in the NOLA feels this week.
Speaking of NOLA-inspired tunes, Dylan's Hey Mr. Tambourine Man came on the radio two days ago, when the whole fam was in the car. The kids were, well, less than enthusiastic.
Maybe they would've responded better to the Byrds' version. Probably not.
Was that after your dispensary sampler TR?
The Byrds’ version has one of the best rock harmony vocals ever. Took me years to realize it’s just Crosby, and there is no third voice.
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