The Regular Friday Post
A Not-So-Rando Lyric: God Only Knows
Last week’s rando lyrics: The lyric, “I did decide that very day” is from the song "No Lonesome Tune”, written and performed by Townes Van Zandt. It is Track 1 on the album “The Late Great Townes Van Zandt”, released in September 1972 on the Poppy label. Produced by Jack Clement & Kevin Eggers..
Credit Wikipedia Link: The Late Great Townes Van Zandt
In Memoriam:
RIP Sly Stone (link)
RIP Brian Wilson (link)
Welcome to The Regular Friday post!
A sad week in the world of music, two icons: Sly Stone and Brian Wilson passed away. Our condolences to both their families and their many fans.
This week’s Rando Lyric selection is a song by one of our favorite singer/songwriters, a great but troubled musician, Mr. Townes Van Zandt. We’ve featured Mr. Van Zandt’s songs and the tragic story of his later life in previous posts. He’s one of those artists whose legend grew much larger after his death, especially after the cover of his famous song, Pancho and Lefty by Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson.
Today’s featured song is a lesser known tune from his sixth studio album, but is an example of the essential brilliance of his songwriting - simple, heartfelt lyrics, with an unassuming accompaniment that complements his lyrical storytelling.
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Some Stuff:
A Song To Play:
Key of DMajor, 4/4 common time, a pretty quick 143 BPM. It’s a simple song to play - 2 alternating chords, DMaj to AMaj and back - fingerpicked the whole way. I can’t tell for sure, but it looks like he has a thumbpick on and his index and middle fingers are forming “The Claw” with the thumb doing the work of alternating the bass notes on the G and A strings, while his ring and little fingers appear to be nailed tight just under and slightly behind the soundhole supporting his fingerpicking on the higher pitched strings. Great technique and I’m a bit partial because that’s the exact manner I fingerpick with, courtesy of my guitar instructor’s great tutelage (except I let my ring and little fingers “float”). This is a great song that you can play and at the same time…
…have fun!!
Chordify Link: No Lonesome Tune
Lyrics Genius Link: No Lonesome Tune
[Verse 1]
I ain't gonna sing no lonesome tune
Ah, babe, I'm a-coming soon
I cannot believe I stayed so long away
But a man must look around
And you're the sweetest thing I've found
Ah your lost high roller's rolling home today
[Verse 2]
Well, my Daddy said to me
"Son, it's hard, as you will see
To find someone upon whom to rely"
And in the kitchen, Mama sneezed
And he grinned big as you please
Said, "Bless you" and a tear come to his eye
[Verse 3]
I did decide that very day
That I would like to live that way
And now I know I just been wasting time
It's with you that I should be
And if you feel the same 'bout me
Well I'm headed home along the straightest line
[Verse 1]
Ain't gonna sing no lonesome tune
Ah, babe, I'm a-coming soon
I cannot believe I stayed so long away
But a man must look around
And you're the sweetest thing I've found
Ah your lost high roller's rolling home today
The “ME!” Section…..
What I’m Listening2: - “Play The Old Songs”- 25 songs, some more playable than others… (Note - you may have to go to Ultimate Guitar or Chordify - subscriptions required, but worth it - to find chord charts for them)!
Shameless Self Promotion Section:
My song is out! Link: “>Long Road Back<”click on this link for streaming options, then scroll down for links (or just click on these links) to Amazon, Apple, Pandora, iTunes and even Spotify
If you’re enjoying our content, please let your friends and musician acquaintances know about us!!! Thanks for supporting this free newsletter!
Disclaimer Section
This Substack is free, I receive no compensation of any kind from companies or products I mention (except when you click on one of the links above for my song - then I might make 0.003 cents - yes 3/1000ths of a cent… just sayin…). Some linked or quoted material may be copyrighted by others, and I credit them. I rely on the “Fair Use” doctrine for educational purposes (Link: Fair Use). *I do not use AI for any of the text that’s found here, things I embed or link to (such as some images) might…
-Michael Acoustic
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This Week’s Conversation With Mika, The Cat:
Me: “What are you doing?”
Mika: “I am loaf. Hear me roar….”
Cheers and keep playing!!
Michael Acoustic
“It’s never really final - you just run out of things you can bear to change…”