PG Music Home Forums General Discussion User Showcase Whiskey Trails and Cowboy Tales

Hi peeps,

I wanted to try writing an 'Old Fashioned' Cowboy song, and this is the result, its not particularly deep but I enjoyed the process and I hope you enjoy the end result!

Pete



LYRICS

In the dusty old saloon, where the memories are strewn,
Sits a weathered cowboy with a heartache he can't tame.
His eyes tell a story, of a life filled with glory,
But the regrets of his past keep haunting him all the same.

Oh, the whiskey trails and cowboy tales,
They're all that's left for this lonely soul to hold.
Through the desert sunsets, he can't forget,
The love he lost and the dreams that turned to gold.
Oh, the whiskey trails and cowboy tales,
They're all that's left for this lonely soul to hold.

He once rode the ranges, with his heart full of changes,
But the wild horses couldn't tame his restless soul.
Now he's wandering and wondering, about the love he's squandered,
In the lonely nights, where the wind whispers secrets untold.

Oh, the whiskey trails and cowboy tales,
They're all that's left for this lonely soul to hold.
Through the desert sunsets, he can't forget,
The love he lost and the dreams that turned to gold.
Oh, the whiskey trails and cowboy tales,
They're all that's left for this lonely soul to hold.

In the (moonlight's) glow, he's a (shadow) on the go,
Chasing (ghosts) of the past, that he can't outrun.
With each (sunset) fading, his (heart) keeps on breaking,
For the (love) he let go, and the (damage) he has done.

Chorus:
Oh, the (whiskey trails) and (cowboy tales),
They're all that's left for this (lonely) soul to hold.
Through the (desert) sunsets, he can't forget,
The (love) he lost and the (dreams) that turned to gold.

Outro:
As the (night) grows colder, he's a (wandering) soldier,
In the (wild) West, where his (heart) still yearns to be.
But the (regrets) keep on calling, and the (teardrops) keep falling,
For the (cowboy) who'll never find his (peace) or be free.

BIAB Info:-

Title: Whiskey Trails and Cowboy Tales V2
File:Whiskey Trails and Cowboy Tales V3.01.SGU
Key=E , Tempo 82, Length (m:s)=3:27
8 bar intro, 59 bar chorus, from bar 9 to bar 67. Repeat x1 chorus
No Melody
Soloist track has 69 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0)
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Song is saved with bar changes for Volume Changes,
Style is _BYNIGHT.STY (By Night Dreamy Country Ballad)

RealTracks in style: ~2482:Bass, Acoustic, Bowed Held Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~2503:Piano, Acoustic, HeldChords 085
RealTracks in song: ~365:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 2667:Pedal Steel, Background DreamySingleNote Ev 075
RealTracks in song: 3198:Guitar, Acoustic, Soloist PopBalladBrent Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 3198:Guitar, Acoustic, Soloist PopBalladBrent Ev 065
RealDrums in style:NashvilleEven8^1-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

You're right, Pete. The reward is in the process, and your listeners are rewarded by your creative efforts. Man, I am really enjoying my reward with this one. Excellent lyrics and a great delivery. This song is perfect for the end of the credits to a best-selling cowboy movie, the crowd walking out carrying the magic of the old west with them and some are staying, not to see who played what in the film, but to hear the rest of the song. I sit with them.

Marty, I'm sat here kinda lost for words ( ironic really!!) thank you doesn't seem to cover it imo, but I hope you'll accept it non the less brother.

As over the top as this will sound, your critique gave me a very warm glow!

You hit the nail on the head, as it was after watching an old cowboy movie that the idea came to me lol. I really wanted to have like an orchestral mix but as I'm useless with midi and BIAB is a little short on orchestral styles I decided to go with this.

Bless you and take care

Pete

I really think this song has a great potential if performed by a live band. The BiaB arrangement is nice and simple and it doesn't need more than that, but I see a potential in it if it was professionally produce and a little longer.

Pete, super job on your cowboy tune! Very strong vocals, and the BiaB backing delivers the goods with just enough variation to keep it interesting. Some added harmonies and/or BGVs would really make the song take off. Just sounds like that kind of song. Do the lyrics in () signify anything for the listener? Tried to interpret them a couple of different ways but couldn't crack the code.

As they said in the Old West, or at least movies about the Old West, "Giddyup!".

Thanks mate, really appreciate your comments. I'd genuinely love to hear it with a live band, I think the dynamics would certainly be enhanced. I'm glad you like the simple arrangement that was my intention at the start of this project. I was thinking of adding a simple guitar break and extending the changes by a bar in places as they seem to run from the verse to the chorus rather quickly. I was just wary of losing the flow, however the more I listen the more I feel there is perhaps room to play with if you get my drift.

Once again, thank you for your comment👍

Thanks Ron, I agree it needs harmonies but they are most Def NOT my strong point vocally!!!

Now as to the lyrics in () ....... I'm so sorry you've been racking your brains as to what the possible meaning is to the listener....... They are just visual notes to myself where I've rewritten certain words, no code to crack my friend!!!!

Pete👍

Really nice work, so relaxed and enjoyable. I esp liked how you simplified the mix on the last chorus, letting the vocal and lyric stand out.

My only suggestion..the line that starts “But the REgrets keep on calling” puts the emphasis in an awkward place. I’d replace it with “But regrets, they keep on calling”…that would sound smoother and more natural.

Thanks for sharing your high quality work with us!!

Pete, WOW what a fantastic song
Outstanding vocal and lyrics
Fantastic chord progression
Great arrangement
Perfect backing band
IMHO this is your best to date

Thank you for your comment, you are indeed correct about that particular line... It does sound awkward and I shall drop 'The' from it and run with your suggestion👍

Mario, you are much too kind sir! Thank you bro 👍