"Follow Your Lead"

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 7:45 am

Hey All,

This one was written last night, just before I started checking posts out here. It's called, "Follow Your Lead", and it's a song advising people not to do what I did. I used to live around what others thought. I was afraid of what they thought about me, and afraid to have my own opinions. I remember people who I was close to would be talking to me, and they'd say something about something, and I'd re-form my opinion around what they thought about whatever it was. For instance, if they started talking about a band, and I liked the band a little, and they completely hated them, if they said that, I'd agree right then. Anyway, here it is:

"Follow Your Lead"

Live for you.
Ignore what they think would make you better.
What you do
is your choice...
Once you choose
to take instructions from them, that's when they're
in control,
and owning you...

So, live for you.

(Chorus):
If not for you,
then, why for them?
What makes them so much damn wiser
than you?
Don't even answer.
If you believe that you need it,
that's a shame,
and it means that you've conceded.

They'll hold you
down if you bow to them. Don't you ever
throw away your
inner voice...
You will lose
"you" if you alter for them. They'll never
hear your words
again, if you don't...,

just live for you.

(Chorus)

(Short Interlude)

Don't mold your opinions
around their spoken views,
unless you'd like your mind
to turn to jello.

Don't be a follower!
Lead.
Leading is much more rewarding...!

So ponder this, as you live.....

(Chorus)

Why would you give up control, to them?
Live, for you...,

and only for you.

EnD

I hope you all enjoyed this one. I like singing it more than a lot of my songs, and I've only done so 2 or 3 times. I'll be back sometime late tonight.

Cheers and a smile, All!

RiCterMan

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 7:13 pm

Hi RiCterMan!!!!

I had to go deep to find this one! The lyrics threads have been getting much activity lately!! Sorry I haven't had as much time to comment lately, I've been working on several new features for the site and they've devoured my free time!!! Hopefully i can come up for air soon!!!

Now to your lyrics.....

I really like these on multiple levels. First I can certainly identify, because i've been that person too, looking for acceptance in others and forming my opinions around them. Somewhere in my twenties it just kind of disappeared as my friends ideas and opinions just started getting further and further from something that resmebled normalcy! You've done a good job of writing a positive experience out of that type of mentality.

I must add, that in terms of verse and flow, I'm not sure how these would work within a song. As I read them I have a tough time imagineing how you fit them to a melody. They are really almost 'spoken word' type lyrics, that carry the weight in their content, and not their flow...

Really enjoyed the read! Keep up the good work and thanks for all the posts around here!!!

Ron

ubw rookie Joined: Jun 28, 2005 Posts: 133

these are good, not your best but good. it definatly is relatable too.

"They'll hold you down
if you bow to them."

love that line, very very good

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:23 pm

Hey. Thank you both! I'm very glad you enjoyed reading this.

(The following is only, cause' I like to explain my works. No offense taken. Very Happy

):
To Ron, I'll say this: My lyrics can be hard to comprehend, in relation to how they would sound in a legitimate vocal tune, but they do work this way, because I write somewhat slower tunes, where there are spaces/brief vocal lapses in between some lines, parts, etc. For instance, in the Chorus, the lines that read, "than you" and "that's a shame", are outside of the general pattern of how the Chorus sounds. Still, there's enough "room" in between the surrounding lines, that they do fit very nicely. There are other parts that are like that, but not too many.

The way I see it, is if it sounds good enough to where it won't throw that general tune completely off, and I know I can remember it, adding stuff isn't a bad thing. Many artists I listen to seem to do this too, though when I do it, I never intend to "follow" their lyrical format. I just write it in a way that sounds good to me, while also trying to keep it as organized as possible.

I see these same "pattern add-ins" in Brandon Boyd's writing, though he does it much better, and in a much more complex way (obviously). If you've read and heard the lyrics to, "Pardon Me", by Incubus (his lil' group), that is a great example. If anyone reading is unfamiliar with that song, I'll quickly type out the first verse. After that, I'll be done here, but as you look at this, if you haven't heard it, somehow (many have), try to imagine the tune. Then, if you care to, find the actual song and listen to it. Many years ago, I had a lot of trouble singing this. Anyway, I shall say bye, and leave you the verse. Later!

1st verse to "Pardon Me"

A decade ago,
I never thought I would be
at twenty three, on the verge, of spontaneous combustion, woe is me.
But I guess that it comes,
with the territory- an ominous, landscape, of, never-ending calamity.
I need you to hear...,
and I need you to see, that I have had, all I can take, and explosion seems like a definite,
possibility,
To me(!)...

-End of first verse-

I might have to sing that tonight. I love the energy within it. Mr. Green

Bye.

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 4:59 am

Understood RiCterMan!!!

Great explanation!

ubw rookie Joined: Nov 01, 2005 Posts: 67

That's totally right. Being a tool blows, but everyone you used to follow was a tool as well.

Wouldn't you have become more apathetic than so cheerful after you stopped caring about what others thought?

I know i have just a little bit.

It's so awesome that you seem so happy. X) lmao! I'm sorry, that makes me laugh. You're weird, but that's cool.

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:00 pm

No...

Don't be sorry. I love being weird. Look at all the artists, past and present... Many of them were considered strange. That's not the actual reason I enjoy it, though. I dunno'... I guess I just like to raise eyebrows, and make people laugh, 'cause it makes me feel a little different. I mean, what's the use in bein' the same? Later.

"Follow Your Lead"

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