Working on these new work tapes has brought me to some interesting new revelations! I just finished a new song called, “Said The Wrong Thing Again”, and writing it taught me some very interesting new things about myself.
Two weeks ago I had the chance to meet John and Jacob. They’re a couple new writers in Nashville, been here about two years. I actually remember when they signed to Major Bob Music – Mike Doyle is an old family friend and told me about these guys when he brought them on. They recently have had a major hit with The Band Perry.
When I met the boys, they were real sweet, and cool. Jacob and I briefly talked, while John and our mutual friend caught up. Jacob asked where I was from, I told him Nashville, but I spent a lot of time in LA. He asked what that was like. I said something along the lines of, “Oh you know, couches and floors, homeless musician and all, the usual musician thing,” jokingly. He looked at me like I was crazy. I realized the he probably had no idea what I was talking about because these guys have probably not had to suffer an ebb since their seemingly continuous flow of fortune.
I say the wrong things a lot. I had an experience with the great Maxwell in New York. A similar situation. I was coming off stage, met him, and he said I was awesome. I circled around later and gave him a cd, which he asked me to sign. I was like, “Hell no! What are you, crazy? You’re Maxwell, maybe you can sign it and give it back?!” Haha, something like that. I ate my words. He quickly had to go and I had no chance to come back from my poorly delivered humor.
Well, I wrote this song about it. Which puts it into the context of a relationship, and not knowing what to say sometimes when you’re attracted to someone. It’s an all too familiar awkwardness that I seem to have a subconscious affinity for.
That said, I think writing it all out, and getting the song finished has actually helped! Last night I met a handful of new contacts; producers, musicians, artists… All at a good friend’s birthday party. It was great, we all listened to each others’ music and traded info. And, lo and behold, I got everything right! I said all the right things, and made all the right connections… It was like my brain had purged the information, and finally let go of the subconscious need to have a foot-in-mouth!
I’m not sure if it’ll stick… I certainly hope so! In the meantime, I’ll have to keep this in mind when I’m searching for new topics to write about. Seems “journaling” my thoughts into song form might be helping me develop into a real person.