Day 18: Hit and Run (Song-a-day January)

 

Day 18: Hit and Run
By David Coile

Part of my daily songwriting project for January 2025

Lyrics:

You know that every lecture
Should have a Q&A
And every accusation
Should have a scheduled court date

If you want to solve a problem
You ought to show your work
We can find a resolution
It don't need to be perfect

It's so hard living under the gun
When you hit and run, hit and run
Hit and run
You just run away

When you say that I hurt you
And then you disappear
How can I learn my lesson
When there's no more teacher here

I just want communication
I just want a guiding hand
And I don't need forgiveness
But I need to understand

It's so hard living under the gun
When you hit and run, hit and run
Hit and run
You just run away

***

Details:

The great filmmaker David Lynch passed away this week, and his films would be an interesting inspiration for a song. But in this case, I've been seeing Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long" being listed as one of David Lynch's favorite songs. As it turns out, I'm also a HUGE fan of Otis Redding, including that song, so I decided to write something inspired by Redding and 60s southern soul.

If you listen to that Otis Redding song (or some songs by Sam Cooke), the phrasing of the opening line should be familiar. However, the rest of the song follows more of an Irish-folk chord progression, even though I mix it with superficially soulful structure and singing.

The topic is just about having an argument with someone who wants to take their shots, but isn't much willing to get a response or have a real discussion. That can be especially tough when it's somebody you're close to.

As I was recording this, all sorts of alternate chords were popping out at me, and I imagine that the progression will be revised to make it a little less folky. Also, the whistle solo needs to be replaced by some other instrument; preferably horns, but horn players aren't easy to come by.