What Makes A Great Blues Song?

[MusicallyMrM]

What makes a good blues song y'all? Bad life experiences? A feeling? A special formula? I'm trying to write my first blues lyric. I've read the stories. I've listened to everybody from Robert Johnson to Keb Mo'.

I've played lots of blues songs but I never have been able to write one that sounded legitimate to me. Something heart felt-from the gut yet just a twist of Irony and humour to keep the story fresh. I wrote this little song, "Damn Wrong !" Went the "roots" production route on this one. Used 4-track tape and analog processors (a Radio Shack Stereo Reverb, an old Pioneer Dynamic processor) SM-58 for a mic (no compression), and used a friends Bassman amp for the guitar. It's amazing what you can get out of old bits and pieces that you store in the attic. Take a listen. Comments are real welcome. This is my first attempt at this genre. Here's the link:

www.soundclick.com/bands/2/musicallymrmmusic.htm Click on the link to "Damned Wrong"

..........and here are the lyrics

Damned Wrong !
Words and Music by Archie S. McLeod III
Musically Mr M Music Ltd.

Verse 1

Don’t eva’ want to feel pain
Don’t want no heartaches
Ain’t givin’ up nothin’
But all I give, I’m sure you gonna’ take

Ain’t put in no work
Ain’t no love have you saved
You ain’t givin’ me nothin’
Everybody think you got it made

I know you thinkin’
The words that I’m singin’
Is just another sad song
Damned wrong; you’re so damned wrong.

Bridge 1

Taking advantage of love
Is a bad thing to do
‘Cuz Love don’t Love Nobody
And it’ll turn around and hurt you
Your drivin’ me mad, breakin’ my heart
Wreckin’ my life; Makin’ me, makin’ me
Cry all night long..............

Bridge 2

Drivin’ my Porsche
Got 5 rings on each hand
Burnin’ up all my minutes
On my Alltel Freedom plan
24 numbers
On the Caller ID
24 destinations
And not one brings your love to me.......
Verse 2

Come on in baby.
Take a load off your feet.
It’s been 7 days since you left me
Sit on down; Grab a bite to eat

See that’s all i have to give you
‘Cuz love don’t live here no more
And my “new babygirls” layin’ in your bed
She done rocked the hurt right out the door

Life is for livin’-You
I ain’t forgivin’
And this ain’t no Keb Mo’ song
You’re wrong. You’re So Damned Wrong

Vamp

Be Gone, Oooo be gone
Leave my heart alone
Oh Leave it alone
You’re So wrong
Ohhh, so so wrong
Damned Wrong

 

[Aaron Cheney]

Unlike jazz, the blues is a genre that does not rely on complex chord progressions to create interest. Unlike country music, the blues does not always work better if the lyrics are clever or funny. Unlike pop, it does not require high production value or beautiful artists. Unlike other guitar-centric styles of music, the blues does not necessarily seek out viruosity. It does not beg for innovation. The blues likes itself just the way it is.

The blues is about one thing, and one thing only: emotional content.

Yes, it's true: great blues artists may use complex chords and write clever lyrics. They may be beautiful or have well produced albums. The may be virtuosos. They may be innovators. Those things are not why they are great blues artists.

They are great blues artists becuase their playing and songs are full of emotional content.

Blues is strictly a performance art. There are thousands (trillions?) of blues songs out there, but to make one stand out you have to find some way to really convey its emotion in your voice or playing. Honestly, evaluating a blues song on paper is like judging a chocolate chip cookie bake-off by just looking at the recipes.

That's how I see it.

 

[Aaron Cheney]

Now...

Having listened to your tune (and had a chocolate chip cookie) here's my take:

Your voice is great, very emotive. I totally bought the voice. Very nice. Your guitar playing is good, but the voice is what sells the song.

I dig the cell phone verse. Very nice modern blues.

A

 

[mshilarious]

The blues isn't about feeling better, it's about making other people feel worse.

Also I don't think a blues song can mention a Porsche.

 

[Garry Sharp]

Sounds like damn good blues to me. I preferred the guitar to the voice, which just goes to show (Not that there's anything wrong with the singing.)

Also I think it's cool for Porsche drivers to get the blues.

We have a fun blues song in our set - it's called The Bottle Song on www.nowhereradio.com/vella/singles

 

[nickjc]

sweet

hey guys, haven't been round here for a wee while - I see things are still swimming along

nice tune man,

like Aaron says, the blues is all about feeling, and nothing will redeem a soulless rendition - precision guitar work, great production - nothing.

fortunately, you have got a very emotive voice, and style of guitar playing - reminiscent of BB King. What I like is that from your posts and song descriptions (and guitar playing ) its clear that you religiously studied/study the blues, but you still haven't lost the raw feeling behind it.

My only minor gripe is the end. It just kind of fades off really abruptly - where's the big blues finish? I would have liked a big descent on that last chord just to round out the feeling. but hey, that's just me

All in all, I was well impressed man

 

[nickjc]

damn!

just listened to a couple of your other tunes - Blow Fly (A Tribute to Eddie Hazel), Me- Epilogue and Soul Angel, and damn I wish I could play the guitar like you. My playing is kind of limited and I mainly use it to write songs. But your playing is impressive mate.

great vocals too, 'specially on Me- Epilogue

 

[MusicallyMrM]

hey guys, haven't been round here for a wee while - I see things are still swimming along

nice tune man,

like Aaron says, the blues is all about feeling, and nothing will redeem a soulless rendition - precision guitar work, great production - nothing.

fortunately, you have got a very emotive voice, and style of guitar playing - reminiscent of BB King. What I like is that from your posts and song descriptions (and guitar playing ) its clear that you religiously studied/study the blues, but you still haven't lost the raw feeling behind it.

My only minor gripe is the end. It just kind of fades off really abruptly - where's the big blues finish? I would have liked a big descent on that last chord just to round out the feeling. but hey, that's just me

All in all, I was well impressed man

Thanks everyone for the listen and the comments. hey nick, there "is" a big ending and I might post that version at a later date. When i was mixing this down, I kinda' liked the fade to capture a little bit of the lead stuff at the end.