photo courtesy of the city of Pittsburgh,
the sun and my daughters - 2007
This one started to form on October 14th. A couple verses, which did not make the cut, came out very quickly. The chorus idea came shortly after... It's the Rest of Your Life. There have been a lot of things happening in and around my life of late that probably helped bring this song out. I've tried to keep it as "open" as possible. Hoping that many people can relate to the simple idea of "beginning anew". The music is deliberately simple in this one. I struggle a bit with lyric writing and melody (not a good thing for a songwriter), so I decided to use only two chords and try to vary the melodies and focus intensely on the lyrics. I can't remember ever putting more work into lyrics than I have these. Hopefully it'll pay off.
This recording was done after making numerous work tapes as the song progressed. Just felt like this one needed a little better treatment than just a work tape. And, yes, that's my cell phone going off silently at the end. *doh*
Thanks for listening,
John
10/23/07
UPDATE 10/26/07 - Had the chance to rehearse this one with a couple of my ex-band-mates from Seven Bridges the other night. Not often these days that I get to play music with other folks. Dave did a great job of lending some "bottom" to this one with his bass. Lisa added some nice dynamics with backing vocals as well. Even in places where I had not originally heard them. Looks like the three of us will be debuting this one on November 10th at the Baseline Folk Society open mic. I can't wait.
John
It's the Rest of Your Life.mp3
It's the Rest of Your Life
words and music by John Natiw
Well it's time to go
I see it in your eyes
It's a winding road
It's a big surprise
It's the rest of your life
It's the rest of your life
And it starts now
You're born again
No goin' back
To where you've been
Maybe find some hope
Or even something more
It's the time to dream
It's an open door
It's the rest of your life
It's the rest of your life
Maybe see the world
Through different eyes
It's the chance to change
It's a new sunrise
It's the rest of your life
It's the rest of your life
It's the rest of your life
It's the rest of your life
Oooh, yeah
Oooh, yeah
Well it's time to go
I see it in your eyes
It's a winding road
It's a big surprise
3 comments:
Wow, John. That's a great song.
I love the chorus and I like how it ends on repeating the first verse.
I really dig the harmonies too!! Cool stuff.
It's funny, I usually double my vocals, but I didn't this time, and you did. :)
I like the simplicity and meaning of the lyrics.
Some months I wonder if I'll be able to do a song...but it usually comes.
Let's keep rollin'.
Hey, where's Gene?
Thanks bro. Means a lot. This one strikes close to home, ya know? I made sure I didn't hastily post this (even though I'm posting it nine days after start of writing). I worked really hard on crafting this one. It's not outside the realm of possibility that I may continue to work hard on this. I have really high hopes for this song. Gonna keep banging away at the lyrics, harmonies and start thinking about arrangement.
Thanks again myman,
J
p.s. I think Gene is probably busy recording six or seven songs which he has recently written! ;o)
And where's Liza and Eric???
Nice picture! You're upping the level here. Original songs AND photographs.
:)
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