February Album Writing Month - FAWM.ORG

Just a Couple of Kids

Joel D Canfield

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Tagged As:

alt-country folk alt-folk wilco

Liner Notes:

In the middle of 1st grade, when they realised I was working at 6th grade level, they put me ahead to the middle of 2nd grade.

Good for schoolwork. Bad for social life.

Fast forward to middle school. I was both the smartest and littlest kid in school.

It was not a pleasant time in my life.

(I took advantage of the pouring rain outside to record the vocal on the back porch and skip right over melancholy to maudlin.)

Lyrics:

you were a little bit older and a whole lot bigger than me
a little more fun more popular than I'll ever be
only thing you cared about was a football score
before the bell stopped ringing you were out the door
to rehearsal or practice whatever you call it
that Friday I was walking home from school
you and your buddies thought that it would be cool
to knock me down and make off with my wallet
made fun of my girlfriend threw her picture away
chased me all the way home and buddy right to this day
there's a scar inside of me I've always kept carefully hid
when you knocked me down it didn't leave a mark
but right to this day there's a pain in my heart
to think anybody would treat me the way that you did
I try to tell myself you grew up all right
but once in a while I lay awake at night
and try to tell myself we were just a couple of kids
you were a little bit older and a whole lot bigger than me

Feedback:

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John Crossman 2 weeks ago

Wow, uh, this is going to sound made up, particularly after the coincidences of last night's Blue Tick Hound song, but I made the same move in the middle of 1st grade. No kidding. I usually don't mention it and it only seemed to matter at certain times, but this would have been one of them. Anyway, I certainly sympathize with the sentiment, and there are some good Wilco-like phrases in here, musically and lyrically. Well done.
sunnyrose 1 month ago

Isn't great to be able to take advantage of a natural sound and not have to make that rain sound up out of the blue? Very nice.
Billy Sea 1 month ago

Nice rain effects. Very pretty song and enjoy the country sounds.....not too much of that around here these days but there are a few.....and then there is me, but I'm normally taking it sideways more than I should, lol
I'm glad I decided to take a few minutes away and come listen to my old music friend
Frances 1 month ago

Oh, nice use of the rain! I love writing sad songs about things that happened to me in my childhood. It's a great way to exorcise those demons!
friendof 1 month ago

Great sad, reminiscent song.
Old Lost John 1 month ago

I like sad songs full of pain, in particular when filled with vivid recollections like this. Well done, Joel!
Lara 1 month ago

I think the rain is a perfect accompaniement- I like it, tho that seems weird to say given the subject matter so I'll say well done instead.
Greg Lines 1 month ago

Nicely done Joel. The guitar makes me think of "Passenger Side" which is no bad thing. The rain adds a great atmosphere.