For Ms. Terra And Dennis - Average Joe Lyrics- How An Average Joe Got Published
Mind you that when these lyrics were written I was not a trained songwriter, so my later stuff is alot better. This was the song that landed my pub deal... They trained me for a few years after that.
Again, will upload some music soon.
Oh Yeah, BTW, yeah its personal. Back then I didnt know how to write except from personal experience. Now I can do it at will using strategies and techniques..."The Craft".
If you guys like it thats cool, but no need to make a big deal. I have enough haters already. I love you guys though, and it makes me happy that you would want me to share it. Thanks for the interest.
For anyone who wants to know what a song lyric looks like that can get somebody published...I guess this is one, because it was the one for me. Not my best, but I guess it was just good enough for the right listener at the right time. (That has alot to do with it).
I was actually playing in a band for an artist... That artist took me to his publishers one day and had me play him another song that the artist really liked...and the publisher wasnt very moved... but he asked me to play a couple more, and this one made him a stop and call his assistant and say "sign him". Who knows why, it just touched him. You cant take these things personal because the place where the publisher is at in his life has alot to do with how a song touches him/her...it doesnt necessarily mean its better than any other song.
Also, the place where an ARTIST is at personally is what makes them want to cut you or not...
Let me add a few notes, because I want this to help someone, while Im at it:
Melody.
When you go to write a song and you want to pitch it to an artist, think of the kinds of things that artist likes to do with their voice, because they like stuff that showcases their vocal talent...so you have to know what their vocals do best, and what it seems like they like singing...
To the Artists themselves, message and lyrics are important...but what matters most is how it feels to sing and how it showcases their voice. They have to sing it hundreds of times.
For instance, a bunch of bunched up consonants does not feel good to sing...its cumbersome, unless you are going for a punchy type alliteration and thats the clincher on that song...which, for instance; rappers do alot.
"Vocalists" like lots of long vowel sounds... especially for ballads, they showcase the singers vibrato...
I never did get a big major cut, but I did get to write for almost 7 years on a nice salary and got to meet alot of cool artists and producers in the pitching process, also got to do alot of demos with top studio musicians like 'The players" who you can look up on youtube... Also co wrote with a few really great ones like Charlie Craig, Brent Rowan, and a couple of the guys from "Bad Company".
My songwriting career ended mostly (partially), believe it or not, because I was on a partying binge with "Bad Company" (The Band), and got caught Red handed partying with the wrong kind of party favors.... I was young...stupid, trying to be cool, and on a path to destruction... This was almost seven years into my career.
Just want to get that out before anyone else does.
By the way, this is interesting... Right around the time I wrote this, I was watching CMT music awards, and I saw Brent Rowan Onstage, guitarist /producer of the stars...with the "Players".
My wife at the time, was watching with me, and we were not talking for some reason, and I was depressed with my life watching it... and I said "Someday Im going to play with those guys".
She said back to me "You are living in a pipe dream, those guys are so far away from Clarksville Arkansas. Yeah right. You need to face up to reality John, thats never going to happen".
You will see in coming months, that a few years later I ended up recording in the studio with them numerous times. Miracles CAN happen!
When you hear my recordings, and listen to the players you will KNOW its them... It's pretty high quality stuff, and they sound like...well...the players...
The reason I got to record with them is because Brent Rowan, who you can google, took interest in pitching my songs, or at least wanted publishing to a few of them on Rowest Records... So he picked through a stack of 70 my tunes and decided he would record me if I would let him add a line to a couple of them and share co-writers royalties.
We continued this relationship for a couple of years... Ultimately he had a few artists he was serious about cutting the songs with, but wanted more of a percentage than my publisher wanted to give him, so I guess he got offended with that... and took me to the side and said "I will work with you if you ever dump this publisher".
Later on he transformed into a major producer by discovering "Joe Nichols". Which is what he wanted to do with me, but he wanted not only writers royalties but also 100% publishing, and my publisher wouldnt give him 100%... He ended up publishing a couple of songs anyway, but never got them cut. Most publishers have thousands of songs in their report which they own for safe keeping but may never get cut.
Guys I know some think Im a braggert...dont mean to come off that way. But I cant let anyone stop me from being me, and sharing the way I share, who knows who this info might inspire.
If nothing else its interesting for some Im sure. For others its hate fodder. I cant give my focus to them though. I love my OT friends, and I will share myself in a genuine way. Sorry...
Anyway, here are the song lyrics that got me my deal Dennis and Terra. Will put up recording when I can.
Again, this is "pre-training" writing.
Workin in the lumber isnt much of a life
But he dont complain cuz its all he understands
He wouldnt trade the whole world for his daughter and his wife
But there's a dream that never died from way back when
He looks around at what he's made
And all those dreams of yesterday
And the only thing he really knows is
He's so tired of keeping up with the Joneses
(Chorus
You've got that
Two car garage and a family
A fulltime job at the factory
and you spend your nights just watchin TV at home
In the corner there's an old guitar
Oh, you used to dream about being a star
You should have known you'd never get that far
Average Joe
V11:
She never did see Joe as No ordinary guy
She would have been so proud just to wear his high school ring
He always dreamed he'd give her all of the finer things in life
but she didnt care if Joe ever had a thing.
She looks around at what they've made
The memories she'd never trade
And says Darlin "Everythings comin up roses
I think we're finally catchin up with the Joneses...."
(Bridge)
Average Joe , you know,
She's looking from, another side of life.
If you only knew all the things you truly own.
Oh the grass would look much greener
if you could see it through her eyes
She sees a deeper love, a gentle touch, and a man with a heart of gold.
(Back to Chorus)
You've got that
Two car garage and a family
a fulltime job at the factory
and you spend your nights just watchin TV at home
In the corner there's an old guitar
Oh , who really cares about bein a star
You should've known you'd never get that far
Average Joe
(Ending Tag)
Oh you're gonna hold your love tight
when you lay down tonight
so I guess its alright
Just bein an average Joe
End.
So thats what an average Joe getting published looks like.
Hope you guys dug this Saturday morning post. Sure was a nice trip down memory lane for me.
For those who thought it was arrogant or bragging...sorry. Im just sharing myself with my friends. Dont read it and mind your own business.
As for "proof": My friends dont need it...and if you do, you probably aint one, so I could care less.
-John
Ps. A couple of years ago, right before Charlie Craig died, he called me up twice and I missed his call (I was well into being an offline marketer by this time- it was ten years after we wrote them... I had totally forgotten about the dream- wel "almost")... He had a major artist that wanted to record my songs...days later he was in the hospital by the time I reached him...and months later he passed away.
Im thinkin though that the songs we co wrote could be worth something. he was a songwriting legend.
Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.
Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.
Cheap websites for small businesses: Affordable mobile websites
Get a free autoresponder here: Money Making Opportunities
Cheap websites for small businesses: Affordable mobile websites
Get a free autoresponder here: Money Making Opportunities
Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.
Sal
When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
Beyond the Path
Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.
Sal
When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
Beyond the Path
Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.
Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.
Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.
Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.
Cheap websites for small businesses: Affordable mobile websites
Get a free autoresponder here: Money Making Opportunities
Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.
Cheap websites for small businesses: Affordable mobile websites
Get a free autoresponder here: Money Making Opportunities
Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.
Cheap websites for small businesses: Affordable mobile websites
Get a free autoresponder here: Money Making Opportunities