by Rick Jackson
I’ve been asked several times over the years how I create or come up with ideas for writing songs. I’m sure all “songwriters” do it a little differently.
For me, the lyrics come first about half of the time and the music pops into my head first the other half.
I usually write my music on the guitar although I have done a few initial melodies on a keyboard.
The more emotional songs typically start with the lyrics and the faster songs tend to be about objects or start with a concept first.
I have written songs about a variety of things and there doesn’t seem to be one set trigger.
The song “Blanket” from the Titus Oates “Jungle Lady” album was about a tapestry of “The Last Supper” that hung on the wall of a small art gallery in Ft Worth Texas. This gallery was next to a favorite family restaurant. When my brother and I would walk by the gallery, we’d peer into the room and you could see this “Blanket” on the wall. It was huge and very colorful. As the years went by, it became somewhat worn and I compared it in the song to our lives and how we wear down with age.
The song “Jungle Lady” was about how girls in the 70s would dress up and get decked out to go to the concerts. Some of them were way over the top and were interested mainly in some shock value for the way they dressed.
Writing was probably in my nature from my mom’s side of the family. She was a teacher and ran many journalism classes over the years. I remember seeing some of her early poetry and I’m pretty sure she had some poems published at one point.
The song “Man Is A Paradox” partially comes from some lyrics she wrote for me years ago. Be sure and check that song out when the new CD hits later this summer.
Regards,
Rick Jackson
Blanket
Blanket upon the wall
Covers in all
Patterns of people unwound
They’re torn through their threads
Silhouettes on a screen
They seem to mock me
Sayin’ you life isn’t found and
You’re almost dead
And I wonder if they’re right
And I wonder every night
Now that the pattern’s changed
It seems so strange
I never knew what took
Control of my soul
Inside a part of me
Cryin out harmony
The blanket upon the wall
Will fall
And I wonder if they’re right
And I wonder every night