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Vase seems to have run its course. And there don't seem to be as many songs being posted as in the past. So, I thought I'd throw up another. I've been co-writing with a fellow named Bill Osofsky lately. Actually, mostly what I'm doing is music for Bill's lyrics - which is a new thing for me. I've done many, many co-writes. But have never simply been handed completed lyrics with no melody whatsoever. On some I do a tweak here and there or replace a line or two, but on others, I leave them as they are. Done a dozen in the last 4 weeks. (Thinking of maybe doing a CD of all of them and calling it "Overdue Bill"). Most of them are aimed at "commercial Country" (Nashville). But one hit me as a Prine type lyric. I grew up as a fanatical John Prine fan. His 1st album was my songwriting bible. When I decided to concentrate on "writing commercial" I had to stop listening to Prine - or I would end up "writing Prine". So I was tickled when this one popped up. Surprisingly Bill had never listened to any Prine. I did some tweaking to make it even more Prine-like and then did the best I could to emulate the sound from his first album in the production of this. I hope you enjoy it. As always, comments encouraged. FIVE GALLON HEAD the cops came one night and they spoke to his mom how could a bartender let daddy drive they buried his old man on the very same day as that innocent family of five all his dad left was a mem'ry of yelling and watching mom hold ice to her lip some bottles of gin, so mom's drinkin' again and a black stetson hat, too big to fit. (chorus) and he felt so alone he had no one at all he wished he could just disappear in the wall shattered and shaken and this close to breakin' ya can't feel no smaller than that like a five gallon head in a ten gallon hat Many years later he sat at a bar sunday night, by himself, drinkin' shooters a little too drunk, a little too loud talkin' 'bout the waitress' hooters she stopped dead in her tracks, put down her tray you could've heard a jaw drop in that place she stared, she glared, her nostrils flared she threw a pitcher of beer in his face (repeat chorus) (bridge) took a good look at himself that night the whole town was talkin', he knew they were right now he's ten years sober, a good woman to love raisin' two boys and thanking the good lord above (chorus 2) that he's not all alone he's standin' up tall before you can walk you gotta learn how to crawl he's given up hateful for growin' and grateful he's no longer where he was at a five gallon head in a ten gallon hat Here are the RealTracks: RealTracks in style: ~1123:Bass, Acoustic, CountryWaltz Sw 140 RealTracks in song: ~823:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Country Waltz Sw 140 RealTracks in style: ~825:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Country Waltz Sw 140 RealTracks in song: 1298:Pedal Steel, Rhythm CountryWaltz Sw 140 RealDrums in style: NashClassicWaltzSw^1-a:SideStick, HiHat , b:Snare, HiHat Have fun. floyd
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Hi Floyd, It's lots of applause from me!  Love the lines "Five gallon head in a ten gallon hat". The way you decelerated "Five gallon head" to make it standout as the title is something I'll be taking on board. I'm pretty sure that that technique will pop up in one of my songs sooner or later. The lyrics, the music, the mix, the performance all fit together incredibly well. As I'm sitting here typing, and re-listening, I cannot imagine how the song could be made any better. It's got "Professional" stamped on it in big and bold letters. Every time I listen to one of your creations, I come away thinking about what you have done and how you have done it. Without fail, you always manage to teach me a few things and inspire me a great deal. All the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Floyd, Good job on the cowrite. The melody is right for the lyrics. Good mix. I hear a lot of Prine in this. In the early 70's, guess I' m dating myself, but way back then a friend named Tom Taylor and I played the matinee at the Earl of Old Town in Chicago and Prine and Steve Goodman played the evening show. Both great guys. Not that I was in their league whatsoever, but a good memory. Thanks for posting. I am a big fan of yours. Tom
Last edited by tommyad; 09/21/13 02:46 PM.
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Floyd,
Sounds like you and Bill are enjoying working together. IMO, he's one of the best lyric writers over at JPF. Good story song.
Your songs are mixed well. A nice choice of tracks and I always enjoy hearing you sing.
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vocally and lyrically such a John Prine vibe, that is a great compliment from me
(oops, and I didn't read tommy's response first)
Last edited by gruverider; 09/21/13 11:10 PM.
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Floyd,
you have the Midas magic... every song you touch turns golden!
I really like the catch-phrase "5 gallon head in a 10 gallon hat", and the music you wrote works perfectly with it
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Hi Floyd,
the lyrics could be yours. No wonder you like co-writing with Bill, you are soulmates.
Vocals great as always and a professional mix.
Guenter
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Floyd, Good job on the cowrite. The melody is right for the lyrics. Good mix. I hear a lot of Prine in this. Tom
I have to echo Tommy as I could not say it any better. Later,
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Really excellent - captures the Prine feel perfectly. Loved it,
Bob
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Really excellent - captures the Prine feel perfectly. Loved it,
Bob +1 A commercial artist friend once told me that the secret of art (and I'll include songwriting) is to omit some of the detail to pique the viewer's/listener's curiosity. Floyd, you do that perfectly. I had to listen several times and I enjoyed every line. Thank you.
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Hi, Floyd !
How about +3 to what everyone else
has said about this song and your performance ?
Cheers
Dani
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Fantastic job, Floyd. Very moving lyrics and a great production as always
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I love a good story song and this is one of them.
Nice job on the co-write.
Good imagery.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Noel - thanks. That "deceleration" was something that Prine did on several different songs...
Tom - THAT is a cool story! I was a big Goodman fan, too. Saw him play once at a coffee house in Montreal (1974). After the show a handful of people hung around and he got his guitar back out and played (off stage) for another half hour. A couple of us sang harmonies with him. Quite a thrill for the kid I was at the time...
Josie - thanks. Bill is a good lyricist, so it's been fun finding music for his stuff...
Lawrence - thanks. I was trying to make it as Prine-like as possible... it was a lot of fun doing that...
Pat - thanks for that.
Guenter - thanks - makes sense since "that's where I came from" - don't see those type lyrics very often...
Danny - thanks for the listen and the nice comments..
Bob - really appreciate that!
Don - always good to see you dropping by!
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dani - thanks - always appreciate a +3!
Joanne - thanks for the listen!
Herb - appreciate it...
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Could imagine Waylon doing this one. Classic lyrics. Stared, glared, nostrils flared - oh yeah. Great treatment. Smooth vocal. Another one that could play on my radio anytime.
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Count me in on the JP feel. I've listened to him since his first album and he can often rip the paint right off of your heart. To be handed lyrics, create a melody and create an entire production around it, and a fine one at that, is impressive. To do it repeatedly is simply amazing. Your creative barrel has no bottom or even a few dregs 
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
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