a song a week

Week 8 – He Hides It Pretty Well

Posted on June 25, 2010 by marcelpereira

Okay, I can hear people saying: “He hides what?”

This week’s song is about a guy who on the outside has a really great life. On the inside however, he is an empty shell. He can’t find any joy in what he has. To everyone else, he seems like he has it all, but he’s really hiding his true feelings.

A commonly-held belief about men is that they find it difficult to express their innermost feelings, for fear of appearing weak and vulnerable. While I think this is a generalization, I’d like to add that this song isn’t based on any one person, but on a collection of people I know.

He Hides It Pretty Well
© Music and Lyrics by Marcel Lee Pereira, 24 June, 2010

He’s 28 though he feels a lot older
Blames it on too much beer and cigarettes
He started because everyone was doing it
And he’s forgotten why

He likes happy hour conversations
They drown out all his useless thoughts
He watches football to have something to talk about
He really doesn’t care

Chorus
To everyone else he is happy
Still he feels out of place
An imposter
Sticking out like a pimple on a teenager’s face
But he hides it pretty well
Said he hides it pretty well

Alcohol dulls his borderline depression
His job pays but doesn’t satisfy
He lives out his secret fantasies online
Disgusts himself each time

He has a girl he doesn’t care that much about
But he’s afraid of being alone
He isn’t sure where he wants to go with her
She doesn’t know

Chorus
To everyone else he is happy
Still he feels out of place
An imposter
Sticking out like a pimple on a teenager’s face
But he hides it pretty well
Said he hides it pretty well

Until he finds his calling
Until he finds his place
He’ll float like a dead log the rest of his life
A smiling wooden mask over his face
But he hides it pretty well
Said he hides it pretty well

Chorus
To everyone else he is happy
Still he feels out of place
An imposter
Sticking out like a pimple on a teenager’s face
But he hides it pretty well
Said he hides it pretty well

***

P.S. I’m feeling much, much better now. Thanks to all those who asked. I’m really looking forward to this weekend! Carol’s birthday is on Sunday and I’ve planned something special for her 🙂 That’s all I’m gonna say. Till next week!

Week 7 – We’ve Got All Day

Posted on June 20, 2010 by marcelpereira

I’m writing this post with a fever, sore throat, cough and running nose – so I’ll keep it short. Been sick since Friday… I think it must be all the late-night World Cup matches.

We’ve Got All Day is meant to be a feel-good song. You know the feeling of just wanting to get away from the routines of life? This song is about that.

When she heard it, Carol said to me: “This song is so unlike you. You’re always saying we DON’T have all day.” Point taken.

Lyrics below. Apologies if I sound congested. I am. But hey, week 7’s done!

We’ve Got All Day
© Music and Lyrics by Marcel Lee Pereira, 19 June, 2010

Let’s get lost in a sea of passion
Forget about our cares, just for a while
A rendezvous never goes out of style

Go wherever the train takes us
Lose the map, we don’t need to know
We’ll just go with the flow

Cos we’ve got all day
Cos we’ve got all day

We’ll have a picnic by the beach
Take a walk along the never-ending shore
Find new places to explore

We’ll have the best day ever
The seconds will crawl slowly by
We’re not complaining, you and I

Cos we’ve got all day
Cos we’ve got all day

A taste sweeter than Indian candy
Something I just can’t resist, when we kiss
So let’s get away, we won’t be missed

So let’s get away…

Cos we’ve got all day
Cos we’ve got all day…

Week 6 – This Unfinished Song

Posted on June 13, 2010 by marcelpereira

Thankfully, my swollen eye subsided a little today and I managed to record this week’s song this evening. Yup, Sunday night is the absolute latest to upload my song for the week, and I just made it. Phew!

It’s been a loooooong week. The 13:34 musical on Thursday night was a blast, but it was tiring no doubt with all the rehearsals. Plus my eye infection didn’t help much. On Saturday, we took our cat Kooshie to the vet to be sterilized, and the poor boy has been limp and feverish all weekend. It’s quite worrying, not to mention heartbreaking, to see him like this. He’s lying beside me right now with a plastic cone round his neck, looking very pathetic.

Anyway, with everything going on this week, it’s a miracle I managed to finish the song at all. I actually wrote it on Tuesday because I knew I’d be busy with rehearsals after that. I would’ve recorded the video on Friday, like I usually do, but I decided to give my eye a rest and do it tonight instead. Everything worked out fine, thank goodness.

This Unfinished Song is literally about songwriting. It’s tongue-in-cheek of course, but I think fellow songwriters might be able to identify with it. It is about the challenges I face as a songwriter in finding my “muse”, so to speak.

Sometimes, inspiration leaves you high and dry and I can sit all day with my guitar and come up with nothing. Then the next day, all of a sudden, something hits me and a new song is born in 20 minutes. The process of creation, the spark of inspiration when an idea pops up in your mind, exploring different melodies until something sounds right – that’s why I love songwriting.

Have a great week ahead everyone!

This Unfinished Song
© Music and Lyrics by Marcel Lee Pereira, 8 June, 2010

I sat down with pen and paper
To write a letter to my muse
For she seemed to have deserted me
And left me all confused

My guitar won’t give me a tune, I said
Stop running, I implored
But the notes kept playing hide and seek
They wouldn’t form a chord

Chorus
I thought maybe it’s not meant to be
Maybe I just don’t belong
I guess I’ll just move on
From this unfinished song

With a silence ringing in my head
And a hollow in my chest
I tried to be like Dylan
And find something to protest

But my angst has come and gone
And so have all my rhymes
Synonyms and conjugations
Have escaped my mind

Chorus
I thought maybe it’s not meant to be
Maybe I don’t belong
I guess I’ll just have move on
From this unfinished song

Where are you?
What am I supposed to do?

So I looked for inspiration
I tried to improvise
Movies, posters, advertisements
Were all a bunch of lies

I picked up the papers
They were full of hate
And I flipped through the Bible
But I couldn’t find the faith

Chorus
I thought maybe it’s not meant to be
Maybe I don’t belong
I guess I’ll just have to move on
From this unfinished song

Maybe it’s best to move on
From this unfinished song

***

P.S. I’d like to leave everyone with a quote from American author Jack London, which I find very meaningful in my songwriting journey: “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” How true.

Week 5 – Lullaby

Posted on June 4, 2010 by marcelpereira

Honestly, I’m quite relieved to be done with this week’s song.

It’s been a really, really hectic week for me and my band. Let’s see, there was a rehearsal on Tues, filming at Clarke Quay on Wed, and a gig on Thurs. So, I really only had today to work on the song, because most of the weekend will be taken up rehearsing for the 13:34 Musical, which takes place next Thurs!

I spent most of this morning and afternoon finishing up the song and working on the melody. I set aside the evening to record the video, with Carol helping me on the camera, as usual. I think I was feeling hard pressed for time, which is why I lost count of the number of takes I took to get the song right. It was frustrating, but after putting down the guitar and taking a short break (Carol made a snack, too), I finally got a pretty decent take.

The song “Lullaby” is indeed intended to be one. Carol has not been sleeping well for weeks. She keeps waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat (I blame it on the lousy air cooler we have in the room). There was one night when she startled me awake all of a sudden. In the dark, I heard her shout: “Look, red dots!”, and what freaked me out was that her eyes were wide open and she was pointing her hand at the ceiling. I looked up, half-expecting some monstrosity to be perched above me, but nothing was there. For a moment, I thought she had been possessed. I shook her awake to see if she was okay, and she groggily told me she dreamed she was walking past a row of cute canines and had actually yelled: “Look, many dogs!”. *Slaps forehead*

Anyway, in the hope of better sleep, this song is dedicated to her.

Lullaby
© Music and Lyrics by Marcel Lee Pereira, 4 June, 2010

Sleep easy my love
Close your eyes and
Drift into your space
Where I can’t find you

Rest easy my love
There are no monsters
Underneath the bed
I guarantee that

Dream easy my love
May you see wonders
Do amazing things
And not forget them

And when you wake up
You can take up
The story where you left off
Don’t worry, I will listen to you

Did you have a bad dream
Your sweat is cold
Put your hand in mine
Keep the light on

Did you dream that I
Was not beside you
Feel my caress
This is what’s real

High above the world
No one can find us
This room is our tree
This bed our nest

And when you wake up
You can take up
The story where you left off
Don’t worry, I will listen to you

Sleep easy my love
Close your eyes and
Drift into your space
Where I can’t find you

***

I’d just like to say thanks to everyone for all the positive comments about the UK Songwriting Contest. It’s encouraged me a huge bunch and I really do need everyone’s support as I embark on this new chapter in my life. Actually, I am slightly worried about next week, because it’s the week of the musical and we’ll be frantically preparing for the show over the next few days. But I’m sure, with God’s Grace, I’ll have another song to share with you then!

Week 4 – Why Wait For Life

Posted on May 28, 2010 by marcelpereira

I found this week’s song especially challenging.

My good friend Jeremy, who’s the keyboardist of my band, and the founder of the Songcraft Songwriting Circle, organised the inaugural “Songwriting Idol” contest yesterday. He asked me to sign up, and of course I did.

What made this contest interesting was that we had to write a song to fit the theme “Inspirational”. This was the brief given to us two weeks before the contest: “You are to write a song that has inspirational meaning. It could be a song that encourages people, to enthuse them towards a good cause, to promote peace, unity and harmony, or to promote change in the world.”

I feel it is so hard to write “inspirational” lyrics that don’t come across as clichéd and cheesy. I tried, I really did. I spent two afternoons with my guitar trying to write, but nothing came.

Then, on the day before the event, inspiration finally struck. I thought about all the people I knew who wanted to make a change in their lives, but were always waiting for the right time to do it. They were always resigned to their situation; they never believed they could be any different. And I thought of my own obstacles, doubts and challenges I battle every day in doing what I’m doing now. Then I realised that if I had waited for the stars to align, I might always be doing just that – waiting.

So if you want to write that book, pick up a new hobby, get that degree, visit the places you’ve never seen, or do something new, now is as good a time as any.

This song is for you. I hope it will inspire you to start living.

Why Wait For Life
© Music and Lyrics by Marcel Lee Pereira, 26 May, 2010

Can you laugh
Like a child
Can you run like the wind
Is in your stride
And dance, with your eyes closed
And not feel shy

Won’t you cry
If you feel like crying
Go where the wind of change
Is blowing
And if it feels right, then take flight
Why wait for life

Chorus
Why wait for life to begin
When it’s right outside your door
Why wait for life to begin
Time wears thin, then it’s no more

So sing
While your music’s still inside
Don’t let your dreams
And fear collide
The sun doesn’t need
Your permission to rise
You don’t need mine

Chorus
Why wait for life to begin
When it’s right outside your door
Why wait for life to begin
Time wears thin, then it’s no more

And if it feels right, then take flight
Why wait for life

Chorus
Why wait for life to begin
When it’s right outside your door
Why wait for life to begin
Time wears thin, then it’s no more
Time wears thin, then it’s no more

***

P.S. If anyone out there’s interested in attending or taking part in the “Songwriting Idol” series, I believe it’s going to be held at the Library@Esplanade once every two months. The next one should be in July. Stay tuned!

Week 3 – Coffee Love

Posted on May 21, 2010 by marcelpereira

I seem to be writing happy songs these few weeks 🙂 Maybe it’s because I’m finally doing what I love?

Anyway, this week’s song is another laid back track. It is an ode to coffee – dedicated to all coffee lovers out there. I had fun with the lyrics this time.

Coffee Love
© Music and Lyrics by Marcel Lee Pereira, 20 May, 2010

Go easy on the whipped cream honey I’ve got too much in my veins
The doctor said my pressure’s hit the roof, and I’m to blame
Toffee nut latte that’s my favourite but I can’t have any now
I’ve sought my 25th opinion and I say how now brown cow

But I love, love, love how good your lips taste after a lemon zest
And I could eat a tub of honey dripping down your
Oh, and the smell of your fresh cookies makes my tongue do a jig
They tell me stop before its too late, but I can’t help taking a swig

My coffee love, you’re my coffee love
Coffee, toffee, coffee love
My turtledove

You warm my cup, Heat me up
Frothy love

Storm my senses with your hot and spicy
You’ve got me nicely lost in paradise

Go easy on the whipped cream honey, I’ve got too much in my head
The shrink said I’ve got nothing to do but jump into bed
Oh but the sheets are cold and empty and I’m feeling a little sick
I need a little stimulation cos that’s what makes me tick

***

On a separate note, I’ll be performing a couple of songs at the “Originals Only Open Mike (OOOM)” tonight at the Singapore Art Museum in Bras Basah. It starts at 7pm.

As it’s a first-come-first-served event, I’m not exactly sure what time I’ll be playing, but if you’re in town do come and check it out! You’ll get to see a whole bunch of talented singer-songwriters take the stage.

Week 2 – Our Own Beach

Posted on May 14, 2010 by marcelpereira

Where would you go to relax, get away from it all, or just be happy?

Well, we all have our happy places, and mine is by the sea, on the beach. I’m not talking about the tiny sandboxes we call beaches here, but long, gleaming stretches of sand that seem to go on forever; where the water is shimmering blue, and so is the sky.

This song is inspired by our Bali honeymoon, which took place just a few months ago (you can read more about it on our blog). They say Bali is touched by the gods, and indeed it is. Its beaches make you want to pause, take a deep breath, and give thanks for being alive.

We had a private beach at our hotel reserved only for guests, and we felt so privileged to have a little piece of heaven to call our own. When our two-week vacation was up, you bet we didn’t want to leave. “Our Own Beach” aims to capture that idyllic, daydream-like mood we had in Bali. It is hopefully a song that you can just close your eyes and listen to by the sea.

When I was planning this week’s video, I thought to myself: Why not have some fun with it? And what better place to record a song about the beach? So on Thursday afternoon, Carol and myself headed to the Pasir Ris Park, which is literally at our doorstep. Not only were we there to record a video, we also decided to have a barbecue lunch to top it off! It was a simple affair: chicken marinated with a special Thai dressing, some red peppers, and a disposable grill from the supermarket. Yes, the weather was muggy, but we made camp under a hut and had a blast.

Special credit goes to my lovely camerawoman, Carol, and of course the resident beach cat who made a cameo appearance.

As always, comments are welcome!

We have our own beach
Our very own beach
It’s a little out of reach
From the rest of the world

It’s just the two of us
No one but the two of us
No more city fuss
Watching our shadows move

Wiggle our toes, and sing
La, la, la…

There’s a kitty cat
A black and white kitty cat
He’s flat on his back
He’s not going anywhere

Look, there are tiny crabs
Translucent sandy crabs
They run and play and jab
When the sun goes down

Wiggle our toes, and sing
La, la, la…

We have our own beach
Our very own beach
A plate of iced peaches
Sipping beer from a straw

I rub oil on your skin
Nothing else but bare skin
Wipe the sand off your chin
As we sing this song

Wiggle our toes, and sing
La, la, la…

Week 1 – Rain In December

Posted on May 7, 2010 by marcelpereira

This is a song about a girl. You know her. She’s the girl who’s really a child inside. Her face is an open book, true to her every emotion. You know what she’s feeling – or maybe you don’t. Her laugh fills the room with the sweetest music. Her tears, well, they are cold drops of December rain. They make you want to hold her close to you, to make her sadness go away.

I wrote the lyrics to this song a while ago, but never got down to writing the melody until this week. It is inspired by December, a time when the rain never seems to stop. The phrase “tears fall like rain in December” was stuck in my head for some time, before I had the inspiration to write the lyrics below. I tried to make the melody “floaty”, with a simple chord progression and a 3/4 beat.

How does this song make you feel? Let me know.

Week 1 done! Phew!

She dreams of nice weather
Like Goldilocks
Not too cold, not too hot

Wind turns branches into feathers
They scare her
All the lights are on

When she’s happy
It’s cloudless sky meets calm inertia
And when the light fades
When everything’s gloomy and grey

Her tears fall like rain in December
Her tears fall like rain in December
Her tears fall like rain in December
like rain in December they fall

Sometimes you can tell
You’re ready
But most times you’re not

Nothing’s quite as familiar
As a cup of tea
Be careful, it’s a little hot

When she’s happy
The moment, it’s everything
When circumstance, offers no chance
When it’s hard to find romance

Her tears fall like rain in December
Her tears fall like rain in December
Her tears fall like rain in December
like rain in December they fall

Rain on the window
Makes oily swirls of colour
Emotions intensified
But they only last a while
Before the light

When she’s happy
It’s cloudless sky meets calm inertia
And when the light fades
When everything’s gloomy and grey

Her tears fall like rain in December
Her tears fall like rain in December
Her tears fall like rain in December
like rain in December they fall

Updates

Posted on May 5, 2010 by marcelpereira

Just got back from musical rehearsal. I think we’re finally getting the hang of the dance and rap routine, and for the first time we had a chance to run it with Fr Mike, the priest who is performing with us. (Yes, he will be rapping!). He’s really sporting and I’m sure it’ll be one of the highlights of the show 😉

After that, I had an interesting conversation with our vocal trainer, Jane. I noticed she had been warming us up with scales my own coach used for me, so I asked her if she was SLS-trained. Speech Level Singing (or SLS) is a technique I have been training with for some time now, and I was under the impression that there were only two certified teachers in S’pore. (Read more about SLS here). Jane told me however, that there were now about 5-6 SLS-trained teachers here, some of them pretty new ones. Well, it’s great that there are more choices now, especially in terms of price.

I’m just about done with the first song of my “song a week” challenge. Firmed up the melody and played it to Carol earlier today – she really liked it 🙂 Will try recording it tomorrow, if my voice holds up. Both Carol and myself are having bad throats, thanks to the Botak Jones’ spicy fries we had the night before. Had no idea it would affect us that badly! Won’t be having that in a while, I tell you.

But anyway, I was really encouraged to see the comments on my earlier blog post, and on Facebook. Thanks everyone for the kind words. This is going to be exciting!

Posted on May 3, 2010 by marcelpereira

I’ve been thinking about what to do with this blog, and I’ve finally come up with an idea that really excites me.

You know, songwriting is my main passion in life. I feel I have so much inside me that I want to share with everyone, and there’s nothing I love more than sitting down with my guitar and crafting music and words into a song. The satisfaction than I get from performing my own songs to a live audience is beyond words. Sometimes, however, it gets hard to find the time to write… and songwriting I feel is a stream of creation that flows faster and stronger the more you give. My work so far has been a mere trickle.

It’s time to change that.

For one year, starting today, I will post one new original song on this blog every week. That means by the end of the week, you can expect to see either a video or mp3 uploaded here, with lyrics of course. I already have several videos on my YouTube channel, but these don’t count. Each song will be a completely new creation.

This is my challenge to myself… not easy I know, but it’s going to be fun!

What will I write about? The sky’s the limit. I’m open to suggestions, too 😉

Wish me luck!