A new song - writing with a 40-year songwriting professional

[SongwriterFan]

I had the privilege of writing with Bernie Nelson, somebody who's written in Nashville for 40 years. Part of his "Weekend at Bernie's" songwriting sessions (he's still doing these through June or July).

I liked this song so much that I'm making it the title track to my third CD (coming out later this year). This is just my work tape of the song.



"Wanderlust" (Bernie Nelson / David Pennybaker - 3/1/2004)

Billboard signs and old white lines / Fillin’ up her rearview mirror
She woke up this mornin’ / Said it's time to get outta here
Left her mom a note, said I love you so / But it’s time to spread my wings
She put Nashville in her GPS / Said we'll see what tomorrow brings

And where she'll end up / Only heaven knows
Just an old flat top and a suitcase / Goin’ down that gypsy road
Twenty-two years’ worth of dreams / Piled into that Chevy truck
Kickin’ up highway dust / And wanderlust

Well, he climbed that corporate ladder / ‘Til he fin’ly reached the top
His dreams of sails and anchors / Had all but been forgot
Threw his briefcase out the window / Of that Mercedes-Benz
If he didn't follow his heart / The chance would never come again

And where he'll end up / Only heaven knows
Won't need that pinstripe suit / Goin’ down that gypsy road
Swapped his pension for a sailboat / And dreams that had all but turned to rust
Chasin’ highway dust / And wanderlust

There are those I guess / Who will never comprehend
What would make someone long to be / In a place they've never been

So, where I'll end up / Only heaven knows
Just like them I'm runnin’ down / This ol’ gypsy road
I'll trust in the good Lord / Cross my fingers just for luck
Chasin’ highway dust / Chasin’ highway dust / And wanderlust

[ejko]

I’ve commented on your lyrics before, but I am so impressed with some of the lines you come up with. “Billboard signs and old white lines, fillin’ up her rear view mirror”. This line puts me right in the car sitting next to her! Can’t get better than that.

[SongwriterFan]

Originally Posted by ejko

I’ve commented on your lyrics before, but I am so impressed with some of the lines you come up with. “Billboard signs and old white lines, fillin’ up her rear view mirror”. This line puts me right in the car sitting next to her! Can’t get better than that.

Thanks . . . wish I could take credit for that line.

Fun fact: I don't think Bernie and I had talked much at all (if any) about my possible upcoming retirement when we wrote that song (it was the first idea I gave him that he liked).

And yet here I am today (fully retired), and this song resonates a LOT with me. A friend of mine sent me a great song idea on my last day at work, and I'm busy working on it.

[Marshall]

It works well. But I caution about writing with those Nashville guys. All the songs come out the same lyrically. The opening lines:

Billboard signs and old white lines / Fillin’ up her rearview mirror

To me that telegraphs exactly where this song is going. No sense of development. No sense of discovery. Too formulaic for my tastes.

But these kind of songs sell a lot, so what do I know.

[SongwriterFan]

Originally Posted by Marshall

But these kind of songs sell a lot, so what do I know.

I could use a song or two that actually makes me money.

You might like this song by Jason Eady . . . I don't think you'll be able to predict where it's going. I asked him where he got the idea . . . he said he woke up with the opening line "I saw Jesus in the corner, He was talking to my friend", and had no idea where it was going to go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_OPjuUi1Ec

[Marshall]

The link doesn't work.

[SongwriterFan]

Originally Posted by Marshall

The link doesn't work.

Sorry, fixed the direct YouTube link.

Here's one I wrote (from a female point of view, thus the female demo vocalist). Nobody (so far) has figured out where it's going until the last line of the chorus. And yet several Nashville publishers seem to like it.

[Marshall]

Originally Posted by SongwriterFan

There you go! Now that's a song.

[SongwriterFan]

Originally Posted by Marshall

There you go! Now that's a song.

He's one heck of a songwriter. That's probably my favorite of his.

[Marshall]

Originally Posted by SongwriterFan

Here's one I wrote (from a female point of view, thus the female demo vocalist). Nobody (so far) has figured out where it's going until the last line of the chorus. And yet several Nashville publishers seem to like it.

Well that's quite a great production. She's a great voice. I'm not a country guy but that is quite good for what it is. I didn't see where it was going either until the last line of the chorus. Very clever. It works.

[SongwriterFan]

Originally Posted by Marshall

Well that's quite a great production.

Thanks. Here's a couple more you'll probably like. Both written by my friend Zane Williams, performed by his new band, The Wilder Blue (who are about to blow up . . . opening for Luke Combs at stadiums a dozen times this year).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbGiIYEEO_U


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCFGirtyk7s


And one by my friend Georgia Middleman:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikoWDG8QMEk