The lyric project - Love Comes Down

Now, onto the lyrics for "Marley's Chain". The songs on this release were a little odd in their birth. First off, I went into the studio to record these with basically just a guitar riff for each one. I had sort of a melody in mind, and like a lot of songwriters, I put nonsense words to it that included a lot muttering and such. When it was time to cut the vocals, I figured out what I wanted to say.

This is a song that is really more of a personal narrative. I guess how I saw myself when I was writing it. Even though it's addressed to a "girl", sometimes you're just talking to yourself, hoping maybe someone is listening besides you.

Love Comes Down

I need love to ease the pain
of a life going nowhere
A world spinning so fast
It's my life
I can do what I want
If my luck don't run dry
If I don't lose my funk

But with this board pulled from my eye
I can see right through the world
Only love can free you, girl

And when love comes down
It's going to to turn your head around
You'll go silent with the sound
When love comes down

I need faith to see me through
I need to trust in what I'll never understand
Miracles surround
I can see it in the garden
We're here for just a breath
We're just a sentence in the story of the world

And when I hold your hand in mine
I've not a care in the world

Only love can free you, girl

And when love comes down
It's going to to turn your head around
You'll go silent with the sound
When love comes down

All songs Copyright Jerry Hammack, used by permission, published by Really Real Music, BMI

The lyric project - For The Few

"For The Few" was the title of the 1992 EP right from the moment the song was written. Every now and then I get a smattering of social conscious that runs through my lyrical veins and this song was the result. America in the early 90's was increasingly the home of the haves and have-nots. I was a "have", but I always knew I was a step away from the other side of the economic coin. A few years later, I'd get the opportunity to join that club. But this song was written from the point of view of a global observer - a role I've enjoyed no matter my personal economic condition.

For The Few

Right now, far away
Another day comes into view
Lives go on like yesterday
Lived happy by a chosen few

The day picks you up
And you're swept in the tide
Of a thousand generations
Of a million muffled cries
There's no easy outs
And no one's to blame
You can die for being born with a bad name

Right now, far away
Left to right as time goes by
Fortune's pendulum does sway
And they say you can catch it if you try

If it picks you up
And you're lost in the tide
Of a thousand destinations
And no knowing why
Just try to keep cool
Try to pretend
That you know what's coming up just around the bend

And right now, somewhere, far away
Things are getting better

For the few who have love
For the few who have faith
For the few who have hope
For the others only pain

That's the way it is, baby

For the few who have choice
For the few who have pay
For the few who have rights
For the others only pain

That's the way it is, baby

It's a hard, fucking world

All songs Copyright Jerry Hammack, used by permission, published by Really Real Music, BMI

The lyric project - Getaway

I thought maybe this project would mean more if the stories behind the songs were also told, so I'll try that starting with today's song, "Getaway". I have always felt I wrote it about TBMC guitar player, Stephen Dorocke. I see it like he's talking to you. Stephen, to me, seemed a man always on the run - always looking for the next cool thing to apply his vast talent to. Is that accurate? I don't know.

Getaway

Stepping out in the middle of the night
My best shirt on
My hair just right and
I swim to the bottom of the sea
I swim to the bottom of the sea
Yeah, just like the night before
I'm making my way through the green door

And though I said I'd stay for a couple of days
Now I'm wondering when I'm gonna getaway

Neon bright lights my way
Coast to coast beat
I prey
Across the water
My wake in the pond
Pointing the way to the great beyond
Somewhere down near the middle of town
You will find me there
You will find me there

Somewhere out grooving on the floor
With a blank stare
You will find me there

Everybody wants to steal the party
Everyone wants to have the good time
Sad, when I'm having fun
I can't see no one
No one but you
Wade through the morning
Through the nine-to-five time
And love so frightening
From that soul suck sense surround
I've stumbled to this light I've found
Into the life I've found

Waking up in the middle of the night
Everything's going to be alright I've found

All alone in the middle of the night
The TV's on
The snow is bright
I play till morning
Till the break of dawn
Hear the call from the town beyond
My blood starts to pound
Need to find the sound

You can find me there
You can find me there

Cos' though I said I'd stay for a couple of days
Now I'm wondering when I'm gonna getaway

All songs Copyright Jerry Hammack, used by permission, published by Really Real Music, BMI

The lyric project - Need It Bad

Need It Bad

If you're not teasin'
Give me a sign
Just one more drink
Before you change your mind
Do I have to get begging
Down on my knees and pray?
All this hot/cold/yes/no
Is getting on me
Pick me up
Take me home
Right here down on my knees
I pray

I want your love
I need it bad
I want your love
I don't care how I get it

Give me a hand now
Something to hold
Something soft I can pet
Late at night when I'm cold and alone
And I think of you
Do I have to get begging
Down on my knees and pray?
All this hot/cold/yes/no
Is getting on me
Pick me up
Take me home
Right here down on my knees
I pray

I want your love
I need it bad
I want your love
I don't care how I get it

When I'm down on my knees

Begging pretty, pretty, pretty please

Right there where you squeeze

I go

There are plenty of girls

Who would gladly pass the time

Nasty young things 

I wouldn't have to wine or dine

Do I have to get begging
Down on my knees and pray?
All this hot/cold/yes/no
Is getting on me
Pick me up
Take me home
Right here down on my knees
I pray

I want your love
I need it bad
I want your love
I don't care how I get it

All songs Copyright Jerry Hammack, used by permission, published by Really Real Music, BMI

Reactivate! The lyric project

The blog has been dead for quite awhile now out of neglect, life getting in the way, etc. But I thought I would revive it by giving digital life to some lyrics to the songs Throttle Body m/c has published over the years. Let's start with the tunes from "For The Few" and "Marley's Chain"; the first of which is,

If It's Love

If it's love
I need to know
If it's love
A little hint
Something more
Let me see
Let's explore

When I want your love
Words are not enough
    and I'm needing proof, so
Give me something to chew

If it's love
Please explain
If it's love
Hurry up
Pull the chord
Tie me down
Something more

When I want your love
Words are not enough
    and I'm needing proof, so
Give me something to chew on
I know just where to roam
That soft spot is my home
In your river I want to drown

If it's love

All songs Copyright Jerry Hammack, used by permission, published by Really Real Music, BMI