DescriptionI am a part time lyricist who occasionally comes up with a workable tune but who mostly struggles to find a good melody for my ideas. In my 70s I'm not really in touch with the current musical styles and sort of clumsy with some of the technology. But outside of them I do write in a variety of song styles. I have one that sounds like it came out of a 60s western movie, some southern rock, a good amount of country, folk (Is that what they call Indie these days?), contemporary Christian, and bluegrass. My lyrics tend to run long. Funny thing about us lyricists, we mostly think our contribution to a song is the most important like that. I have to discipline myself to keep them short. Sometimes I write a bit on the controversial side, politically incorrect. I used to go to NSAI meetings in Cincinnati and occasionally left some of the younger members a little uncomfortable I think. I have written some humorous songs, some sad, one or two push up against fantasy... I have a lot of old songs that might benefit from having new melodies. I am a conservative Christian but don't always write like one. Inspiration can come in many forms. Many of my best songs started out as either a title or a line. Some were an idea or a message I wanted to convey. And some came out of who knows where. My best song was inspired by a visual image that came to me. I am not prolific and I cannot simply churn out a song on demand though I wish I had that talent. I write when I have an idea and I'd like to see some of them coupled with the right music.

Dreams & AmbitionsI had a rather revolutionary idea about songwriting that I was trying to get to a certain country music star. Had it been accepted it would have resulted in a popular song. I still think it might get done, but in a different manner than I had originally envisioned. It would be a group write of a kind that is bigger than anything I have ever heard of. Other than that I would just be thrilled to have a song played in public by people I don't know to people I don't know. Getting paid is a nice idea, but I guess at this stage I am just looking for that tiny bit of success. I don't have aspirations of doing this for a living. Someday I would like to have enough money to get all of them professionally recorded just for my own enjoyment and to give away to people.

EquipmentI used to play guitar, but my hands hurt too much to play and I gradually set it aside.

Use of AIA couple of years ago I used SUNO for three months to put some of my lyrics to music. I have not used it since then, but I don't object to it. I would prefer to use organic intelligence as my cowriter.

Lyrics

Midnight at the Well of Souls
Jim Chalker 2016
All rights reserved


You turn away look out the window 
Gazing down into the street below 
Your hair moves faintly as a gentle wind blows 
I’m left wondering what did you know 

Moonlight shines on the holy city
It’s midnight at the Well of Souls 
Pilgrims have drifted off, such a pity
And it’s stone cold 

I thought I knew the things that moved me 
Thought I’d never seek another’s touch 
He meant nothing to me truly 
And I regret it all so very much 

Moonlight shines on the holy city
It’s midnight at the Well of Souls 
Pilgrims have drifted off, such a pity
And it’s stone cold 

The road divides beyond the open gate 
Life is tugging us in different ways 
Do we go on as one, is it too late 
I’m left wondering what will you say 

Moonlight shines on the holy city
It’s midnight at the Well of Souls 
Pilgrims have given up, what a pity
And I’m so cold