I dug up some free writing from my journal from a couple years ago, created some potential lines, and liked “she was looking for the man in the movies”. Initially I came up with a simple melody with some rock and roll music, nothing very original. A few weeks later, I was noodling around in the DADGAD tuning and thought of these lyrics, and decided this slower, more melancholy music was better. So I started writing lines and the melody and tweaking the music. I’ll put a rough recording on my demo site later today, myspace.com/robroperdemos.
The Man in the Movies
by Rob Roper 3rd draft December 16, 2008
She had no time for sadness
Didn’t believe in second chances
She was looking for the man in the movies
She wanted flowers without the rain
Guess I scared her a little
when I let her see my cry
She was looking for the man in the movies
and no clouds to block the sun
I guess I’ve changed
’cause I no longer play the game
She’s still looking for the man in the movies
I take the flowers with the rain
I’ve been working on this off and on. Here’s the latest draft. You can hear the music at myspace.com/robroperdemos.
The Man in the Movies
by Rob Roper 4th draft January 8, 2009
She had no time for sadness
Didn’t believe in second chances
She was looking for the man in the movies
She wanted flowers without the rain
I played the part for awhile
wearing a crooked smile
I was the man in the movies
but the clouds were moving in
Guess I scared her a little
when I let her see my cry
I’m not the man in the movies
But I’ll take the flowers with the rain
You’ve got all my suggestions from email – I just want you to do more with the “man in the movies” metaphor – I like flowers without rain, but it doesn’t seem a perfect fit (what does it have to do with movies, kinda).
I suggest “cinema smile”
A little brainstorming, and I bet you findlots of “visual/movie” ideas – matinee, lights, makeup, screen, theater, sit in the dark?