Sarsaparilla

This is just me enjoying myself with three chords--"And I only know three chords!"

The lyric hook came to me last spring while I was working in the raspberry patch. I put it in my song ideas notebook and fleshed it out recently during this holiday break. I haven't had any time to be clever or melodically inventive---only a bit of time to have some fun.

For those of you outside the states who might not get my salt blast reference: In gun lore, supposedly if you fill your shotgun shells with rock salt, you create a non-lethal blast that stings like hell from the salt piercing the flesh. Please don't try this at home.

The Read Band:
RT651 Guitar, Electric, Rhythm TexasBoogie
RT654 Guitar, Electric, Rhythm TexasBoogieShuffle
RT1591 Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm TexasBluesRockShuffle
RT1586 Guitar, Electric, Soloist TexasBluesRockShuffleBrent
RT1583 Bass, Electric, TexasBluesRockShuffle
RealDrums-TexasRnBShuffle

Lyrics:

I first saw her working at the dollar store
I was down to my last dime
What I wouldn't give for 90 pennies more
And 24 hours of her time.

Headed on over to the bottled-up spices rack
Took ten jars to her checkout aisle
You know I had to put all that cinnamon back
But I took home a mindshot of her smile

I’d like to be her fella
There are so many things I’ve got to tell her
I’m a 200 hundred pound bean vanilla
She’s one part ginger
And two parts sarsaparilla

My cross-burning mama saw me walking her home
Ma laid on the brimstone and fire
She said it’s time for me to move out on my own
So I called up my little brown-eyed desire

I’d like to be her fella
There are so many things I’ve got to tell her
I’m a 200 hundred pound bean vanilla
She’s one part ginger
And two parts sarsaparilla

Her shotgun daddy works at the cider mill
He sure don’t like my kind
When she told me I could what I will
I was running from a salt blast to my behind

I want to be her fella
There are so many things I’ve got to tell her
I’m a 200 hundred pound bean vanilla
She’s one part ginger
And two parts sarsaparilla

She said I could be her fella...

OK. That's a "REALLY INTERESTING" Lyric

Enjoyed. Also just know that if 3 CHORDS get across the message and energy of the song that's good enough. It's not the number of chords that make the song. It's the song in it's entirety. Sounds like you had fun making this one and great energy !! Henry

Good song with fun, clever lyrics. Enjoyed it. The prosody seemed a bit askew in a couple places, not a real big deal. Still a good one!

A nice rocking boogie, particularly liked the 3 chords you chose!

Nice arrangement and an interesting lyric.

Peter

Hi Scott,

generally spoken, there are not many styles of music than can compete with some rocking Texas Blues shuffle - that would already do for me to like a song. But this one is so funny and so full of strange turns of the lyrics... marvellous, just my kind of stuff... !

I just had a look at RhymingZobe, because I was curious, if they deliver 'Sarsaparilla' as a rhyme with vanilla - yes, they do. And if you ever consider to make that song longer (which I would enjoy!) they deliver material for at least 20 more chorusses (even if you skip mamilla).

My modest suggestion:
'I'm the only guy they know in Mania
who can live on jelly beans and cascarilla.'

That was a most enjoyable listen, Scott !!!

All the best,

Stefan

Great groove, and good lyrics.

"She’s one part ginger
And two parts sarsaparilla"

Nice!

Good choice of chords too BTW!

Hi, Scott ? or Ezekiel !


Have to say this is one of the
most funny rockers I´ve ever heard
and you do it so well !
Loved everything about it 1

Stay safe - Take Care !

Cheers
Dani

3 chords is a good start, then ultimately the goal. Great band choice, Ezekiel, and you vocal is best. Man, if I could sing like that, I wouldn't need such a long FX chain. Ghosts That Never Lived is still a favorite, so thanks for adding to that list.

Really nice work on this! The kind of song I'd imagine sounds unreal live. Your vocals do serious justice to this as well. It flows effortlessly and the groove is awesome too. Thanks for sharing!

Hey Scott , this is such a great listen. Fun lyrics perfectly delivered and well produced. I enjoyed it a lot,Tom

"a mindshot of her smile"
Some good lyrics there for sure!

Three chords say it all.

Well done.

Three chords and a good dose of fun - perfect ingredients.

Fun song. Good BAND. Well sung and well mixed.

Enjoyed.

fj

I never thought it was possible to make a song out of a food recipe.
You did that in an amusing way.
Just one thing bugs me, there seemed to be a note missing at the end of the lead guitar introduction.
Am I right?

Vic

Thanks, Henry. I had a jar full of fun.



Thanks, Tunemonger. I was being footloose and fancy free with the lyrics.


Peter, thanks for the listen!




Stefan, if I make an extended version, I will consider your suggestion and give you part of the writing credit. We are kindred spirits in humor, my friend!

Hi Scott
Someone once said the necessary ingredients for country and western music are three chords and the truth. Three chords and a little imagination also works a treat. Fun lyrics and your usual excellent vocal.
Regards,
Leon

Really cute song!! The arrangement and vocal give it just the right playful attitude! Everything is done right!! Take care. Greg

Scott,
The fun you had putting the spice into this boogie really comes through in your vocal- sounds great.
A good arrangement too...and thanks for the gun lore explanation!

Robert

Thanks, Dave. I appreciate the comments.

Dani, Thank you kindly, sir!

Marty,

Ghosts That Never Lived...that's an oldie of mine. I'm glad you like them both.

Thanks for the listen, Vic. No, all the notes are there.

It certainly is a jaunty tune.
Good vocal too.

one dime + 90 pennies = a dollar store How cool is that? VERY.

That line and the blues shuffle locked us in from the first bar.

A shuffle is always right in our wheelhouse and the addition of
the creative and fun write and your vocal nailed it for us.

As Janice said, "the vocal is fun with a tongue in the cheek attitude!"

This is a fine and enjoyable production!

J&B

Hi Ezekiel very engaging 3 chords and the blues perfect energy love the lyrics and vocal was spot on thanks for sharing Eric

Hey Ezekiel's Storm,

I love a good shuffle! Good job on the vocal, backing tracks & mix. I also thought the lyrics were excellent!

Very nice,

Greg

HI Ez ...

Three chords are more than enough if they're the right chords and used to their best advantage. All that checks out with this song.

This is a little different from most of your songs - and it's a great listen! Country shuffle is a great genre and you gave it a good dose of excitement and a bit of humor. Great lyric and a tight band. Yep, I liked it a lot!

Best to you ...

Alan

E.Storm,
Magical 3 chords. Super fun and easy listening tune. A+ lyrics & vocals! Well balanced mix.
"200 pound bean vanilla" LOL! Liked it. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

P.S. Now I gotta find my three chords, the right ones never fail

Jolly good! Thanks, Ray!

Thanks, Janice and Bud. You are always kind to me in your assessments!

Alan,

It's good to hear from you! I try to occasionally venture into different now and then.

Three chords is all that is needed sometimes for a super song Scott! Great song and production! Your vocals are always very good! Your lyrics are always so creative and enjoyable (and often funny)! Thanks, T

Very cool groove in this song. A real toe tapper. Super vocal and lyric. Well done

Thanks so much, Torrey. I appreciate your comment on the lyrics because that is what I work on the most.