Songwriting Challenge: Song telling the story of a movie or

Here is a songwriting challenge:

Write a lyric about a story in a movie or book. This can be a fiction or nonfiction story. You can summarize the entire plot or focus on a subplot or even just one scene. You can use the full character names or place names, or you can use just first names, or be totally vague and refer only to pronouns. In fact, as a bonus challenge, if you don't make it completely obvious, you should not tell us what the movie is and let us guess.

I know there are some folks lurking out there waiting for the flames to die down to participate-- take this chance to join the board again and bring the focus back to songs.

joe w larson http://www.soundclick.com/joewlarson

Here is mine. I have a hook melody in mind for the chorus, otherwise no musical ideas yet. And this is a absolute first draft, I haven't even taken one rewrite pass. It shouldn't be hard to guess what movie it is:

This is actually a really good idea. Last year around this time, another group member and I did a challenge on another creative medium. It was to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days (during the month of November). Both of us completed the task in the limited time, but mine was 56,000+ words long, but only about 2/3rds finished. But I digress.

My story contains a character that tends to piss off her parents when asked to do piano recitals. She to digresses from a classical or other standard, into a free form adlib. Although she hides her meaning, anyone that pays attention can guess what's she's talking about. This is her way of expressing her anger. She really can't control it. Can anyone guess who the character is based on?

Anyway, I need to write the lyrics to fit the situations. I will take the challenge and create both lyrics and music, like I was scoring the screen play.

I am not familiar with that movie... should I rent it? Anyway, the story from the song is interesting although not entirely easy to follow, I am not sure exactly whats going on, but can follow a general story. I really liked the section "Things have gone fast/since you came along/with your high class finesse/Singin' that song". I think song and along may classify as a cliche rhyme but it works great here and the less common word "finesse" really grabs attention. I like the idea of looking at yourself through your lover's eyes.

nice work. now i have to get to my own answer to my own challenge

joe w larson http://www.soundclick.com/joewlarson

Did you just put this together since I posted the challenge? If so, holy shit! That was fast work! If not, its a very good song anyway. Something about it reminds me of Psychedelic Furs, but more modern. I must not be familiar with the movie or book its about...

But anyway, nice song,

joe w larson http://www.soundclick.com/joewlarson

Ok, first time I've paticipated in a challenge. Here is mine. It's pretty unlikely you'll get the film from these words. So I'll tell you it's a scene/feeling from my favourite movie, "To Sir With Love" from 1966. If anyone remembers the movie you can have a go at guessing which character is going through this pain.

BTW I really enjoyed this. Great challenge Joe.

In my mind of spikes
I walk alone

I'm shielded from you bare feet, rarely true

Things have gone fast since you came along with your high class finesse
Singin' that song

(chorus)
In the end all that's mattered is me
In the end I'm chained and not free

Will we come to the end too soon
Will we reach up there and touch the moon
Will my personal picture of me
Stop you from releasing me
Will we come to the end to soon
You and me

I'm gonna give it a try
I'm gonna take a chance
And reach up high
I'll see my personal picture of me
Through your eye

In the end all that's mattered is me
In the end I'm chained and not free

Will we come to the end too soon
Will we reach up there and touch the moon
Will my personal picture of me
Stop you from releasing me
Will we come to the end to soon
You and me

That's a GREAT idea Joe...

I will work on this tonight

It's a great movie. Sidney Poitier plays a reluctant teacher who eventually loves the job. The film spawned a hit from Lulu by the same name.

Anyway one of the toughest kids with the most to hide from eventually comes round. Usual sort of bad kid turns good thing but really well done.

These words came to mind immediately I read the challenge.

I'm saying that he eventually sees himself through the eyes of his teacher, who had given him chances and encouragement. So it wasn't about a lover, but his teacher. The line would work both ways though.

That was great. Thanks for the comment Joe.

Check out Mae Pyle at
http://www.soundclick.com/valdavis

thanks

Ok I preface this with the following:

I wrote this in a short amount of time...but it's one of my favorite movies.
Can you guess which one? (I'm sure you can )

Sheli...

His Girl

He wasn't what you'd call ordinary
In fact he was quite unique
As a boy he was unsteady
With a build that was rather meak

He loved this girl ever so
For she saw what was on the inside
With her he never had to pretend
And never had to hide

They are older now
They drifted apart
They live in separate worlds
Someday they shall meet again
She'll always be his girl

She sings to him in his mind
Although years have passed
Who would have thought with all the time
The friendship they had would last

Through many heartaches and wrong decisions
She wound up almost falling apart
Who would have thought this far down the line
She'd still be in his heart

They are older now
They drifted apart
They live in separate worlds
Someday they shall meet again
She'll always be his girl