7 members (couchgrouch, rpirone, Guy E. Trepanier, Gavin Sinclair, bennash, David Gill, 1 invisible),
847
guests, and
245
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Welcome to the Just Plain Folks forums! You are currently viewing our forums as a Guest which gives you limited access to most of our discussions and to other features.
By joining our free community you will have access to post and respond to topics, communicate privately with our users (PM), respond to polls, upload content, and access many other features. Registration is fast, simple, and absolutely free; so please join our community today!
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,160 Likes: 5
Top 25 Poster
|
OP
Top 25 Poster
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,160 Likes: 5 |
https://soundcloud.com/wabash-cannibal/life-is-a-rodeoLife is a Rodeo ©2004 Tapani Rauha/Robert GeorgeThat steer’s-a-snortin’ fire It’s-a-buckin’ at the gate Ev’ry second’s a battle But you’re gonna take it eight Sometimes it seems this wild world Has got it in for man You gotta fight it all the way It’ll throw you if it can Life is a rodeo It’s a hellavuh ride You either win or bite the dust And swallow your pride Life is a rodeo With one hand in the air You’re reachin’ for your moment And prayin’ that it’s there
Life is a rodeo…This life is simple and hard One more town…one more bronc Then it’s ice on your ribs And rounds at the honky-tonk Ev’ry new day Is like a wild one to bust You break ‘em one by one Till one leaves you in the dust Life is a rodeo It’s a hellavuh ride You either win or bite the dust And swallow your pride Life is a rodeo With one hand in the air You’re reachin’ for your moment And prayin’ that it’s there
Life is a rodeo…Shine up your buckle And boots for the show Hang on and away we go Don’t you know… Life is a rodeo It’s a hellavuh ride You either win or bite the dust And swallow your pride Life is a rodeo With one hand in the air You’re reachin’ for your moment And prayin’ that it’s there
Life is a rodeo…
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
Serious Contributor
|
Serious Contributor
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123 |
Terrific. Well, I would like any song that has a banjo. But it really is good, lots of energy and good lyrics and message.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,831
Top 30 Poster
|
Top 30 Poster
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,831 |
Sure sounds "authentic" to me, "Couch."
Enjoyed my listen.
----Dave
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,160 Likes: 5
Top 25 Poster
|
OP
Top 25 Poster
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,160 Likes: 5 |
Thanks folks.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 844 Likes: 1
Top 500 Poster
|
Top 500 Poster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 844 Likes: 1 |
Hey Robert,
Not crazy about this style of song probably because I wouldn't be able to sing one & make it believable. Gotta have a deeper voice for it to sound authentic. To sing & then sing/talk in a song is an art form I just ain't got, & melodically the singer performs the song in a way I would never be able to pull off. So when I hear songs like this, it just isn't my cup of Chamomile tea. Plus, I don't write em, so I won't naturally gravitate toward songs like this.
Personal musical preference aside, the amazing thing on this one is how you have an effective long intro. Because of the singers engagement in the intro, it works really, really well. This is not a run of the mill intro. This intro has a purpose
The tune comes in at under 3 minutes, & still has all those licks & fills, & the above mentioned intro. Under 3 minutes, by design...
What is best about the song is the marriage of the image of the rodeo life & "life". While the TITLE tells you "Life is a Rodeo" the lyric supports that HOOK. References to the rodeo & life are intermingled in such a way, that there is no conflict in the lyric. I understand the purpose of the song, even though you may or may not be THAT RIDER on the Bronc, life is a rodeo...So the metaphors work great...When the lyric goes to shine your buckle & boots, I get it...I'm not a rodeo rider, but I can relate to shining up my buckle & boots for the show (Rodeo of life)
It is a seamless transition...
But the crowning moment on this tune is the HOOK...Not melodically, but lyrically in lines 6 & 8 in the Chorus. Those 2 lines though separated, are interconnected. It just jumped off the page to me. This is how I interpret the HOOK
Life is a rodeo With one hand in the air You’re reachin’ for your moment And prayin’ that it’s there
Life is a rodeo is the HOOK but it's the supporting lines that prompt the visual. The use of one hand in the air, is a great second line...The image of 1 hand in the air, AND one hand on the saddle horn trying to desperately maintain balance is clear, yet NEVER spoken...It is implied. You can picture 1 hand in the air flailing around, AND 1 hand holding on for dear life...There is an image of "holding on for dear life" yet it is never said in the LYRIC...ON TOP OF THAT, he's prayin' it's there, his moment....What is the universal sign for prayer? Most people would answer, you pray with 2 hands folded together, even kneeling on the floor, safely on a firm foundation. In the rodeo of life, we are in reality praying with one hand on the saddle horn holding on for dear life, & one hand flailing in the air...That is life...Also in life it seems like more praying is done when things are moving beneath us & shaking us to our very core...You can see the image of the Wild Bucking Bronco, trying to break you, & dump you to the ground, while you flail away, pray, & hold on for dear life...By the way the LYRIC never says one hand is "flailing" in the air, but once again, is implied...
I can relate to praying with one hand flailing in the air, & one hand holding on for dear life underneath a Bucking Bronco...Because Life is a Rodeo..
This song has a well thought out visual LYRIC that takes you on a journey where your mind is open to the different paths the LYRIC can take you. There is a huge difference between leaving a line "open to interpretation" & a line prompting inner thought from the listener. The LYRIC allowed my mind to roam, & interpret, but also led & KEPT me on a path. While the song isn't about prayer at all, because of the LYRIC, I was free to go there & "interpret" it that way. And the Writer, (The Grouch on the Couch), may or may not have had that in mind as this was penned...
No matter...The point is, by showing & not telling, & using vivid visuals, I was free to see...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,160 Likes: 5
Top 25 Poster
|
OP
Top 25 Poster
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,160 Likes: 5 |
Thanks for that in-depth review, Steve. It's been over fifteen years since I wrote this but I remember my co-writer asking me for something short, simple and punchy. I didn't really like the song back then. I thought my lyric was too simple. I recently played it for the first time in over ten years and man, it's catchy. He did a great job on the music and demo. You have to write to the hook and do it coherently. I don't know that much about rodeo life which helped me to not overwrite it. I'm glad you liked it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,143 Likes: 26
Top 200 Poster
|
Top 200 Poster
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,143 Likes: 26 |
This is not my kind of a song lyrically or musically, but I actually like the simplicity of the lyric in comparison to some of your other songs that the listener has to hack through with a machete. He can stroll through this one, or ride a bull through it.
I like the banjo and the overall production. Not so keen on that insistent guitar in my right ear or the repetitious chorus.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,160 Likes: 5
Top 25 Poster
|
OP
Top 25 Poster
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,160 Likes: 5 |
Gavin, thanks, I think, although I get the impression you commented just so you can insult me. Fine. But if you think my lyrics have to be hacked through, what's your view of that dreadful "To Tina" song? and that's just one of yours, the most recent. Mine are structured and metered with good prosody, resulting in strong melodies.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,143 Likes: 26
Top 200 Poster
|
Top 200 Poster
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,143 Likes: 26 |
I don't really have a view of that dreadful Tina song. I just did it for a laugh. Heck, it's not even really a song. This is your thread, not mine, so I'll say no more about that.
I just meant that some of your lyrics are very dense and hard work. This one is not and better for it. Just my opinion, which I maybe expressed more strongly than I needed to because I know you appreciate directness. If I hurt your feelings, I apologize.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,989 Likes: 15
Top 50 Poster
|
Top 50 Poster
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,989 Likes: 15 |
Lol.... "And man it's catchy" he says
It's not just density, it's trying to dictate where the melody goes. That hurts the melody especially if you don't have a good sense of melody.
Only one way you can write when doing lyrics first, you seem to have mastered that. But there's a reason why most of your collabs are basically spoken word.
But man, is that catchy....lollllllllllll
Last edited by Fdemetrio; 06/20/20 08:03 PM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,160 Likes: 5
Top 25 Poster
|
OP
Top 25 Poster
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,160 Likes: 5 |
And FD shows up within minutes, like gas after a Taco truck chimi. Nice to know your obsession with me remains strong.
Dude, on one of my trips to Nashville, we were pointed out as an example of a lyricist and melody writer on the strength of songs like Rose of Sunrise, And I Thought of You, Heavy Cross to Bear, Touch and many, many others.
You and your "songs" are a joke. A really bad one.
And this song is catchy. But not because of anything I did. Or very little other than structure, meter and prosody.
You've been on these sites, hiding under the rock.of anonymity, for what...twenty years?
Post one good song. Just...one.
Gavin, I like being direct, but after posting Ferry Cross the Jordan, Touch, Heavy Cross to Bear and this, it seemed odd you'd say what you did.
Here's one thing I regret about this song...I shouldn't have used "dust" in both the chorus and vs.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,989 Likes: 15
Top 50 Poster
|
Top 50 Poster
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,989 Likes: 15 |
It's not catchy...whether you had anything to do with it or not. It's NOT catchy. You heard? NOT
It's a cult!
But sure I'll bump up ONE good tune for ya. It's good when I say it is, not you.
Last edited by Fdemetrio; 06/20/20 09:47 PM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,160 Likes: 5
Top 25 Poster
|
OP
Top 25 Poster
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,160 Likes: 5 |
Those are awful. Human Spark is unlistenable after twenty seconds. Musical ability doth not dwell in thy breast.
Twenty years of blarney and stalking and that's what you've got?
I didn't pay for that demo. But demos aren't the issue. You write BAD songs. Your grating voice and cheap equipment just accentuate the negative.
Sad that.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,989 Likes: 15
Top 50 Poster
|
Top 50 Poster
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,989 Likes: 15 |
No, my dad can beat up your dad...
No you're ugly!
Last edited by Fdemetrio; 06/21/20 01:37 AM.
|
|
|
We would like to keep the membership in Just Plain Folks FREE! Your donation helps support the many programs we offer including Road Trips and the Music Awards.
|
|
Forums117
Topics125,714
Posts1,160,942
Members21,470
|
Most Online37,523 Jan 25th, 2020
|
|
"If one man can do it, any man can do it. It is true. But the real question is, if one man did it, are you willing to do what it takes to do it as well?" –Brian Austin Whitney
|
|
There are no members with birthdays on this day. |
|
|
|