Thursday, January 11, 2018

Day 10: Old Man Joe



I haven't written enough songs in a minor key, so here's a murder ballad for your listening pleasure! This took about 4 hours to write and 1 hour to learn how to play. Comments and constructive criticism is encouraged.
Boring Details: This is the second song I wasn't able to post by midnight the day of; however, I at least finished writing it by 11:30. I got a late start because of bills, laundry and and a little bit of slacking.
I came up with the guitar part first, knowing that I wanted to write something in a minor key. I've been wanting to try my hand at a murder ballad for a while, ever since seeing The Cannondolls back in December. Their songs are actually upbeat and fun (check them out: http://www.cannondolls.com/ ), but there are plenty of dour murder ballads, so I don't feel too out of style.
Anyway, I wasn't sure how to go with the lyrics. Originally it was going to be about a missing woman and the clues that the police find in her house, in her abandoned car, etc. But I was having trouble coming up with an intricate mystery, so I veered into serial killer territory and started detailing various disappearances. Then the Old Man Joe thing came up because it rhymed with Wendigo. Honestly, I didn't know who Old Man Joe was until I was writing the last refrain. I'm not completely sold on the ending-- I just went with it because it was getting late-- so let me know if it works.

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