Writing with SHAUN MURPHY
Had kind of a cool thing happen to me yesterday, might as well share it here. One of the fortunate thing about myself and my life here is being able to write with some heroes. Over the years one of my favorite bands is LITTLE FEAT. They were formed in the 70's with Lowell George in LA and became a pretty big cult band over the years. They have some medium level hits but have a very loyal following. I was even in a Little Feat tribute band called BIG SHOES for a time. After the leader of Feat, Lowell George died in 1979, the band reformed with existing and new members. One of those members was a blazing R&B and blues singer, Shaun Murphy. She was incredible and had great success with the Feat was on their records and live, as well as her own band and another singer, BOB SEEGER. She is on most of his records, and you have probably heard her vocals.
She lives in Nashville and I met her a few years ago and we have crossed paths from time to time. I had heard her but she just knew OF me. We had some mutual friends, and finally ran into each other at the MUSIC STARTS HERE event Tuesday. She called the next day and we got together yesterday.
The thing about writing with legend artists is that you have to prove yourself even more than usual. When they have been around the biggest writers and artists in the business, that is a pretty big pair of shoes to fill. (pun intended.)
But we were able to do it. I approach everything the same way. Get a conversation going, find a groove to start with, and start writing. I write from the first line down and she threw out a couple things that kicked it into gear. I usually don't say very much and write things down, not touching the guitar until I have a verse/chorus in my mind. I constantly look for subject matter that they have not done. I try to avoid male/female relationships for the most part because everyone has millions of those.
But we were able to do it. I approach everything the same way. Get a conversation going, find a groove to start with, and start writing. I write from the first line down and she threw out a couple things that kicked it into gear. I usually don't say very much and write things down, not touching the guitar until I have a verse/chorus in my mind. I constantly look for subject matter that they have not done. I try to avoid male/female relationships for the most part because everyone has millions of those.
The result, "Get out of my Own Way" is something we both go through and I think is prevalent with a lot of people. Sometimes we create our own roadblocks and need to get out of our own way to make them come together. The song really worked and hopefully Shaun might do it on her upcoming project. At any rate it gives me another side of a subject I deal with constantly. Thought I'd show you the lyrics.
OUT OF MY OWN WAY
MAB/SHAUN MURPHY
10-6-2016
These dreams don’t have a face
These plans don’t have a time
Long as I’m moving forward
Not looking back behind
Always a good day, rolling down this highway,
Long as I stay, out of my own way
I’ve been known to wallow,
I’ve been known to crawl
I’ve had pride to swallow
But survived it all
Learned the hard way, put it in my resume
And I’ll be okay, long as I stay out of my own way
Chorus/bridge
I’ve been beat up, I’ve been kicked down
But I don’t stay there for long
There’s not a problem, I can’t overcome
And come back twice as strong
Have a little faith
Take on the unknown
When it stares you in the face
You know where you belong
At the end of the day, come what may
Know your place and stay out of your own way
MAB/SHAUN MURPHY
10-6-2016
These dreams don’t have a face
These plans don’t have a time
Long as I’m moving forward
Not looking back behind
Always a good day, rolling down this highway,
Long as I stay, out of my own way
I’ve been known to wallow,
I’ve been known to crawl
I’ve had pride to swallow
But survived it all
Learned the hard way, put it in my resume
And I’ll be okay, long as I stay out of my own way
Chorus/bridge
I’ve been beat up, I’ve been kicked down
But I don’t stay there for long
There’s not a problem, I can’t overcome
And come back twice as strong
Have a little faith
Take on the unknown
When it stares you in the face
You know where you belong
At the end of the day, come what may
Know your place and stay out of your own way
So that was it. Was a lot of fun and got something we both can apply to our lives. Was a good experience. Thanks Shaun.
MAB
Like
1 liked
Larry Killam likes this.