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https://soundcloud.com/wabash-cannibal/robert-george-i-paint-the-town-demo




I Paint the Town ©2012 Cameron Earnshaw SESAC/Robert George BMI

I set up my easel on the streets of New Orleans
And a finished canvas is the captain of my dreams
Sometimes I arrange a tiny painter’s gallery
And I sell my art, in a local park beside a shady tree
Well, it started as a hobby
And it helped me give up booze
Once I’d paint the town with whiskey
Now I paint with vibrant hues

And I capture this great city
With my colors and my brush
And I hope to find a spirit
That my work will touch
Lover’s dancing on the sidewalk
Street musicians, mimes and clowns
Poor and wealthy, young and old, I can feel this city’s soul
When I paint the town

Lotsa people look politely…mostly smile and then move on
But it almost seemed as if she stayed all morning long
Starin’ at a painting that I’d tried to sell for years
Just a slice of life, soldier and his wife were kissing on a pier
Said she had no money with her
Fortune hadn’t gone her way
Would I save the painting for her
Till she came back that day

O I capture this great city
With my colors and my brush
And I hope to find a spirit
That my work will touch
Lover’s waltzing on the sidewalk
Street magicians, mimes and clowns
Weak and healthy, strong and bold, I can sense this city’s soul
When I paint the town

Night was movin’ in, and a river wind
Cut through that old park
Barely fifty dollars richer, I was puttin’ all my pictures
In my wooden cart

Then I saw her walkin’ toward me in the fading light
And she wore a tattered brown coat that was buttoned tight
Then her sad eyes told her husband’s tale to me
And I told her she could take that painting home for free

She said she still hears his footsteps
Up n down her lonely hall
Now she’ll hang their final mem’ry
By the flag that’s on the wall

O I capture this great city
With my colors and my brush
And I pray to find a spirit
That my work will touch…

Beautiful song and vocals, really draws you into the story and tugs at the heart strings. You could sing the phone book and make it sound top 40. Excellent song , should be on all the radio stations. Congrats love it.
Kevin

Hi Robert,

You know I love your lyrics, and Cameron brought this one to life.This music and vocals fit it very well. This song does what I hope some of my best ones do. It touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Thank you both!

Hi Robert and Cameron:

I really enjoyed my listen. The label "DEMO" implies that the singer is not Cameron... but the vocal was about as good as it gets... and the words are meaningful and touching. Thanks for sharing and best of luck with it.

----Dave

A good example of how you really need to listen to a song. Seeing the words on the page or screen don't really let you know whether it's a good song. This kind of sledgehammer sentimentality is not something I usually enjoy. Most songs are emotionally manipulative, but when I feel it happening I kind of tune out. But this works. Music and lyric really seem to fit and even an old cynic like me can go along for the ride and enjoy it. Definitely one of your better ones in my opinion.

Well written and well done.

As I hear it the structure is :AABAABCAA

Could make a good video.

_ _ _
Have fun!

Good story, very sad, told very well. Expert music and vocals.

Very nicely done, this tells a story well. Solid production and great vocals. Enjoyed it, thanks Kevin

Thanks, folks. This has always been a favorite of mine. I believe the singer is Mike Willis, a pro Nashville demo singer. The first thing of ours that I remember him singing was Rose of Sunrise. He was amazing on that.

Well Robert.
Makes a person know he’s got a long way to go with songwriting when I see your work. So well written, sung and produced. I will listen to this one often. Thanks

Thanks, CT.

Beautiful song, excellent Bridge climax which was the icing on the cake for an already great song in all respects.

steady-eddie

Thanks, Eddie.

For Veteran's Day...

Stunning Couch. Thanks for bringing this back. Great meld of story and music.

Has a Kenny Loggins feel...

Thanks again, John.