Writing to Learn

One of the best reasons to create is to learn about ourselves and our process

Have you ever written a song, and what did you learn?

One of the reasons I love songwriting is that I learn so much about myself and of course, the music too!

Here's the first video in a series documenting my songwriting journey.

I think of this as a little video experiment of me sharing my songwriting process.

What do you think about it? Is it helpful or inspiring?

Lessons learned while writing Over the Line

• Sometimes, your first idea is just a first scratch idea that you might let go of.

• When I am stuck on where to go next, it’s helpful to just jam on the chords of the song or idea and try it a lot of different ways. For example new tempos, try a new chord somewhere

• Don’t get too bogged down in music theory. This song somehow changes keys from C major to F major. Yet, I’m not exactly sure how I did that but it sounds good to me.

• Sometimes drum machine loops work just fine and I don’t need to replace with real drums

• It’s OK to write a song that people think sounds like “Country”

• It’s a great effect to have a lyric suspend my ear and leave some suspense before the next line; e.g. Are we rolling tonight, or looking for a…. (pause) tumbling weed that’s tired of being tossed

BTW, I’m posting more and more videos on my Youtube channel.

Please subscribe for more videos like this one: https://www.youtube.com/@davehilljr.coaching?sub_confirmation=1

Here's the full lyrics to the song.

Here’s a lyric video if you prefer to hear the whole song in its final form.

Over the Line

by Dave Hill Jr.

I’m a middle-aged cowboy, feeling uptight

Show me the light, will you show me the light?

Will you show me the light, will you show me

How to roll through this town like a dry tumbleweed

Will I take heed, as I’m picking up speed?

I’m an upside-down gambler

way past my prime

They sold out my mind, for a lonely thin dime

Over the line, over the line

How did I get back when I'm over the line

I’m a wandering Gringo, looking for a strike

are we rolling tonight or looking for a fight?

Are we rolling tonight, or looking for a

…. tumbling weed that’s tired of being tossed

a rough wind is chasing me,

and I’m waking up lost

I don’t know the cost

For a beaten down, loafer

who’s way past his prime

They sold out my soul for another man’s good time

Over the line

How do I get back when I’m over the line?

I don’t how to say sorry

cause I’m sorry all the time

I only know when I’m sliding

heels dragging over the line

Over the line, Over the line

Over the line, one MORE time

One MORE time Over the line, One More time…

Over the line, One LAST time

Over the line