Writer's Block Forums - Happy Hour

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Writer's Block Forums › Songwriter/Musician's Forum › Songwriter's Ladder Project 2009 › Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009

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Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009
Jan 8^th, 2009, 6:26pm

they say "write what you know" and since I have spent about 1 evening a week during the last year, sitting quietly in a bar that can only be described as a "dive", watching or talking to the regulars, the random visitors and living train wrecks while taking notes, I will call the CD "Happy hour" (hows that for a run-on sentence).
Which is sort of a misnomer because I only found one or two "happy" people at happy hour. The seemingly happy folks are the ones who are still there at 2am. The truly happy people are the ones who never come in.

So the theme is to show the good and bad personal views of the patrons. Mainly because I find that the ability of people to endure and/or ignore the worst and/or best of circumstances to be fascinating.

I am cheating a bit because I already have a couple of the songs written and at least 1 recorded.
I added in some titles and ideas as titles - I will try to flesh them out - if they don't work I will change them to something else

So as of 4/13/09 I have

Title - "Happy Hour"

Songs:
1. Happy Hour - written, recorded, mixed - done
2. Bottle Rocket - written, recorded
3. Where There's a Well Drink - written, recorded
4. Not dead yet - written, recorded
5. Tequila in the jar - parody written, recorded
6. Joe's Bar & Grill - written
7. Try Again - written, recorded
8. Alcohol - written & recorded
9. Too much information - written, recorded
10. Don't know where its been - written
11. Walking distance - written, recorded
12. Two wheel cowboy - written, recorded

Cover - pictures taken and design complete.
All music & lyrics are done.
I just have to clean up a few of the recordings and adjust the run order a bit.

« Last Edit: Apr 13^th, 2009, 9:27pm by Doug Barnett »

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Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009
Reply #1 - Jan 12^th, 2009, 6:01pm

The opening song is one I wrote last month and described in the songwriters tipsheet post called "building on inspiration"

Its called "Happy Hour"

The lyrics:

“Happy Hour” © 2008 by Doug Barnett

Sparkling in evening shower
Join me here its happy hour
Leave the day in a whiskey sour
Come on down to happy hour

With all your friends
Some you don't know
Just for a while
In the sunsets glow

Run away from your lonely tower
Love expands at happy hour
Bitter drinks your soul empower
They are here at happy hour

I will be there
Waiting for you
Watching the door
You’ll be walking through

There'll be food we can devour
I'll look for you at happy hour
Save the day you have the power
Find me here at happy hour

With all our friends
Here we can stay
See you tomorrow
If not today

Time is short, a wilting flower
Now it’s over happy hour
But future moments will be ours
For there are many happy hours

and the recorded song:
http://barnett.artgirlstudios.com/music/happyhour.mp3

« Last Edit: Jan 29^th, 2009, 4:10pm by Delrick Gist »

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Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009
Reply #2 - Jan 12^th, 2009, 6:41pm

One of the advantages of having a pile of half finished songs is that you can finish them in half the time.
This is a song I started which was originally called "Gasoline". Its sort of a blues song. I had the chord progression, melody and one verse.
I changed the name to "Alcohol" and it will be the last song on the CD in order to show a contrast to the opening song. And the songs in between will show the transition between the two - hopefully. you never really know until its done what exactly its gonna be.

"Alcohol" © 2009 Doug Barnett

Alcohol in the air
Smells like perfume of despair
Can't think at all
Alcohol

Drinking whiskey on a dare
Bad decision I'm aware
I hear the call
Alcohol

An enticing love affair
I know I haven't got a prayer
I hit the wall
Alcohol

Morning light on the stair
Still I'm sitting in my chair
I can't recall
Alcohol

Damage done is so unfair
Friends and family gone somewhere
It makes you small
Alcohol

So much of life I can't repair
And I ask you to beware
Don't touch at all
Alcohol

The recording is here:

http://barnett.artgirlstudios.com/music/alcohol.mp3

2.4 meg in size

ignore the acoustic lead guitar - I am still working on an electric lead and just put in the acoustic to hold the place for now.

« Last Edit: Jan 29^th, 2009, 3:56pm by Delrick Gist »

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Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009
Reply #3 - Jan 23^rd, 2009, 12:11am

Another song I started long ago and just finished, that keeps to my theme is called 'Not dead yet'. its about a friend of mine who had a heart attack and only after it started having the fun he abstained from in his youth.

"Not dead yet" © 2009 Doug Barnett

Hook the paddles up and clear
Raise me from the dead
Kick the starter please my dear
And get me out of bed
Don't send me back to hell
And I'll be in your debt
There's still water in that well
I'm not dead yet

---I'm not dead yet
---At least I'm fairly sure
---That's not decay you smell
---Just my manure
---Gonna drink the night away
---And smoke that cigarette
---Party till my time is gone
---I'm not dead yet

Had some fear of growing old
Body breaking down
I may have a bit of mold
I'm not quite in the ground
I wont be going quietly
Listen to me shout
Kick and scream and raise the roof
As they drag me out

I'll admit its radical
Not to toe the line
There's time enough for that
Once I'm laid in pine
I'll pay the price one day
Of that you can be sure
Until then the rumors of
My death are premature

----------------------------------------

I'll work on the recording this weekend

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Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009
Reply #4 - Jan 23^rd, 2009, 12:38am

I forgot about this one. I wrote it a couple months ago and it fits my theme.
This is a song based on a Jeff Foxworthy joke from the Blue collar comedy tour movie. The joke was "women are like diesel engines. once you get em warmed up they can run a long long time. Men are more like bottle rockets. shhhhhPOP! ooooh aaaah"

I took that concept and paired it with my observations of certain people at a local bar called "Katie J's".

"Bottle Rocket" © 2008 Doug Barnett

Runnin out on friday night
Down to Katie J's
Looking for a basket catch
Sorta like Willie Mays
You stroll in all warm and smooth
And my eyes pop the socket
You're all the fire that I need
To light this bottle rocket

---I'm a bottle rocket in an old tin can
---I know I just can't lose
---Better watch your fingers girl
---When you try and light my fuse
---Runnin off in all directions
---Explosions in the dark
---Don't need much to get me movin
---It only takes a spark

Tell me what you want from me
I'll tell you what Ill do
Build a fire on common ground
I think you know its true
But keep those family pictures hidden
In that golden locket
All we need is you and me
To light this bottle rocket

Time is running out on us
Its almost the last call
I told you exactly how I feel
You didn't speak at all
The judge is in but the jury's out
And I'm standing in the docket
So honey bring your matches here
And we'll light this bottle rocket

----------------------------------------

I need to rerecord it - but I did make a video for a friend
which I placed here on you tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl8FgYKubWo

« Last Edit: Jan 29^th, 2009, 4:11pm by Delrick Gist »

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Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009
Reply #5 - Jan 23^rd, 2009, 1:06am

ok - once I get started things take on a life of their own.

I added this as a parody idea in the list of songs like 10 minutes ago while I was looking at the real lyrics.
This is a parody of an old Irish tune called "Whiskey in the jar"
I changed it round so that it can now be played for Cinco de Mayo as well as St. Patrick's day.

"Tequila in the jar" Trad.

As I was a going over the old Mohave desert,
Dressed in faded Levis and a Jimmy Buffett t-shirt
I drew out me pocket change and then drew out me wallet,
Saying dos cervesas senor or what ever it is ya call it

chorus:
--- Well shirigim duraham da
--- Wack fall the daddy oh, wack fall the daddy oh
--- Tequilas in the jar.

I counted out my pesos and then drank a margarita,
Stumbling home at dawn to my lovely senorita
She swore at me in Spanish and then called me gringo
I mumbled an apology and she ran off with ringo

I went into me casa with my brain all pickled rotten
To dream of real tequila with the worm that's at the bottom.
The woman took me charge cards and maxed em to the limit
Emptied out the bank account and all that was within it.

Next morning came too early headache spikes and valleys
There came a repossessor and likewise Federalles
I goes to draw me wallet and get ready for the slaughter
But we came to an agreement over Cuervo gold and water.

I only got a warning cause they thought that I was loco
Me brother picked me up so we could head for Acapulco
Together we'd go drinking out in Puerto Penasco
Sober up each morning drinking beer with some Tabasco.

There's some takes delight in the mountain dew and lightnin,
Some delight in smoothies which I find a little frightnin
But I takes delight in the juice of the agave,
Courting senoritas in the desert called Mohave

--------------------------------------------------

no recording yet - it should be done in either an Irish or Mexican accent.

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Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009
Reply #6 - Jan 29^th, 2009, 3:53pm

Several months ago, while I was waiting for the bartender to notice my glass was empty, I heard someone say "where there's a will there's a way" - but because of their accent, "will" sounded like "well" - so I wrote in m,y notebook "Where there's a well drink there's a way".

"Where There’s a Well Drink" © 2009 by Doug Barnett

We can discuss our problems honey
We can talk about your needs
And all the things I’ve never done
Or the way your heart bleeds
Locked in conversation here
Stranded in plain sight
All we need is a little help
To make these things alright

---Where there’s a well drink there’s a way
---I can listen to anything you have to say
---A little inspiration
---In a common man’s libation
---Where there’s a well drink there’s a way

I didn’t mean to start an argument
About left wing politics of reason
Should have just kept my mouth shut
Instead of accusing you of treason
But don’t you get up on your dander
I don’t think you’re such a nut
Sit back on that bar stool buddy
And let me tell you what

Six hundred billion dollars
Just to bail the buzzards out
Whether the vault doors would be open
Was never in much doubt
Five million here ten million there
What’s a working man to think?
I wish with all that damn money
They could spare a three-dollar drink

--------------------------------------------------

Music is written and I will once again attempt to do some recording this weekend.

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Justin Carter Junior Member Offline "dont just hear... listen" Posts: 53 Gender: Zodiac sign:	Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009 Reply #7 - Jan 29^th, 2009, 11:49pm hahah yes sir i do indeed enjoy your tequillia in the jar. great take on one of my favorite songs.
Back to top	"if your gonna write about life, youvegot to get down and roar! youve got to live to you either jus pass out or leave behind a real nice corpse; and a whole lot of really pretty songs" IP Logged

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Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009
Reply #8 - Feb 5^th, 2009, 6:39pm

Thanks Justin,

The next one I wrote the first line about 2 years ago and finished the rest today.

“Try Again” © 2009 by Doug Barnett

I spoke too soon, and the conversation ended
I’d said all that I could say
Funny thing, but it only took a minute
She just smiled and looked away

---But you know that’s how these things go
---Sometimes you lose sometimes you win
---Just a chance at a barroom dance
---Sometimes you take it on the chin
---But tomorrow night I’ll try again

I stayed too long and the evening was over
And there was nothing left to do
So I lied to her, and she lied back
She had fun and I did too

I took too long and she just disappeared
Back in the shadows by the door
I tried to speak but nothing happened
My time was over, nothing more

Doug (8^)3

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Delrick Gist WB Forum Administrator Offline Welcome the new year with open arms Posts: 6680 Gender: Zodiac sign:	Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009 Reply #9 - Feb 12^th, 2009, 12:11pm One to go?
Back to top	*All rights reserved* visit Delrick's Home Page Random Quote: If ignorance is bliss, you must be orgasmic. IP Logged

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Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009
Reply #10 - Feb 13^th, 2009, 2:56am

Delrick Gist wrote on Feb 12^th, 2009, 12:11pm:

One to go?

well... technically?
yes.

however, I think I want to rerecord some of my older songs that would fall into this theme and add them in.
once I have "Joe's bar & grill" finished I will look through the old stuff.

although the muse tends to be feast or famine, so it might take a while to finish "Joe's".

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Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009
Reply #11 - Mar 9^th, 2009, 10:36pm

ok, here are some of the recordings:

Tequila in the jar:

Not dead yet:

Try Again:

Where theres a well drink:

Bottle Rocket:

and a song that will be on the CD and I will add the lyrics here soon.
its called "too much information" and it's really an audience participation song, so put your hands over your ears and sing along - you'll know where.

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Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009
Reply #12 - Apr 13^th, 2009, 11:56pm

This is an idea I got when someone started talking about his ex girlfriends personal habits and everyone in the room covered their ears.

“Too Much Information” © 2009 by Doug Barnett

I’m not listening to a single word you say
La la la la la la la la la la la laaa
But you keep on talking to me anyway
La la la la la la la la la la la laaa

La la la la la la la la la la la laaa
I need to take a nap
La la la la la la la la la la la laaa
But you wont shut your trap

Too much information will just clutter up my brain
La la la la la la la la la la la laaa
If you don’t stop soon I’ll be going insane
La la la la la la la la la la la laaa

La la la la la la la la la la la laaa
This is not a thrill
La la la la la la la la la la la laaa
I think I have to kill

Silence is golden, I hope you understand
La la la la la la la la la la la laaa
I think this conversation will be shorter than you planned
La la la la la la la la la la la laaa

La la la la la la la la la la la laaa
I believe its time to quit
La la la la la la la la la la la laaa
Ah, ok… that’s it

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Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009
Reply #13 - Apr 14^th, 2009, 12:03am

This was written last Saturday evening.
I was playing a set at the local bar and someone made a joke. The owners wife said "hey you should make that a song" - I love a challenge, so 20 minutes later I played them the finished product.

"Don't Know where its been" © 2009 by Doug Barnett

You come home at 3am and say “give me a kiss”
It might be easier if you didn’t smell like piss
Had the argument before, we’ll have it once again
Stick that tongue back in your mouth
I don’t know where it’s been

Keep it to yourself tonight and we might be ok
Just brush your teeth and gargle twenty times today
I think perhaps that you’ve indulged in some carnal sin
So put that tongue back in your mouth
I don’t know where it’s been

The dog is looking nervous and the cat has run away
The neighbors won’t even talk to me today
I don’t want to hear or smell all your crap again
Stick that tongue back in your mouth
I don’t know where it’s been

I don’t know where it’s been and I don’t really care
You’ve been running round all night, I don’t think its fair
Go on and take offense, Ill say the words again
Put that tongue back in your mouth
I don’t know where it’s been

I'll record it this weekend along with the others that are missing

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timeless_words Global Moderator Musician Offline Persevere. Posts: 1813 Gender: Zodiac sign:	Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009 Reply #14 - Apr 20^th, 2009, 12:38pm You decidedly have some interesting stuff. I'm looking forward to getting to a compy that isn't in this school so I can listen to some of your songs. The lyrics are certainly entertaining though
Back to top	my doors are always open as are my arms and my heart Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. ~ William Ernest Henley (excerpt of poem Invictus) IP Logged

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Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009
Reply #15 - Nov 3^rd, 2009, 12:03am

Ok, after long last, this CD is finished. I should have it out at CDbaby this month sometime, finances willing.
A lot of changes. I ended up with 14 songs.
I will back fill this post with updated lyrics and mp3's soon, I hope.

For now, here is the song list and the cover art:

1. Happy Hour
2. Shayla
3. Bottle Rocket
4. Ugly Girl
5. Edge of Summer
6. Smoking Section
7. Tequila in the jar
8. T.M.I.
9. Try Again
10. Well Drink
11. Alcohol
12. Walking Distance
13. Winter
14. Walking Home

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Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009
Reply #16 - Nov 3^rd, 2009, 12:46am

The full title is "Shayla wont you bring me a beer ". This is about the bartender at my local drinking establishment. It's become a standard at the open mic I host. Plus, when I sing it - she brings me a beer.

"Shayla" © 2009 by Doug Barnett

Shayla, Shayla, Shayla wont you bring me a beer

Shayla wont you bring me a beer
Make sure its nice and cold and leave it here
I don't really need it what can I say
I just love to see you walk away

Shayla, Shayla, Shayla wont you bring me a beer

Shayla wont you bring me a beer
In that outfit silky and sheer
You know that smile knocks me dead
Tanned and slim with the pigtails red

Shayla, Shayla, Shayla wont you bring me a beer

Shayla wont you bring me a beer
Trust me girl you have nothing to fear
Cowgirl, bikini or referee
You don't know what you do to me

Shayla, Shayla, Shayla wont you BUY me a beer

Shayla wont you buy me a beer
I have some money, its just not here
I'll pay you back to morrow its ok
Just like yesterday

Shayla, Shayla, Shayla wont you bring me a beer

Shayla wont you bring me a beer
And a bacon cheese burger please my dear
I appreciate all that you do
And I love that corsage tattoo

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Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009
Reply #17 - Nov 3^rd, 2009, 12:59am

I think this one is self explanatory. Maybe.
It's a standard blues progression.

"Ugly Girl" © 2009 by Doug Barnett

Chorus:
She was an ugly girl
She was an ugly girl
She was an ugly girl but she's a beautiful woman now

Buck teeth and glasses
I don't mean to be cruel
Now she's the kind of woman that makes you drool

Face like a pizza
Hair looked like weeds
Now she's so hot it makes your eyes start to bleed

Pigeon toed and knock kneed
Smelled like underwear
Now she floats by you with roses in the air

Looked just like her father
Mustache and all
Now she looks like Venus and you just can't help but fall

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Re: Happy Hour - Doug Barnett 2009
Reply #18 - Nov 3^rd, 2009, 1:17am

I don't smoke, but several friends do. This is simply the observations of what they must endure to get that nicotine fix.

"Smoking Section" © 2009 by Doug Barnett

Outside in the smoking section under the yellow light
The crowd shares the atmosphere on this silent night
Look through the window at those inside
Perhaps a smoke can turn the tide

Outside in the smoking section the sun is bearing down
Bake the weak and addicted into the asphalt ground
Sunburned scalp and squinting eye
Won't take long for eggs to fry

Outside in the smoking section snow begins to fall
Three strangers huddle closer, to the wall
Just a moment if you please
Brain goes numb and fingers freeze

Outside in the smoking section rain in puddles grow
Will the water ever end, no one can really know
Rum and coke with weakened power
From all of this April shower

Outside in the smoking section it's beautiful today
The birds and the springtime breeze, please let it stay
Friendly faces, barbecue
It's not heaven but it will do

Doug (8^)3