FAWM: "THIS TIME IT HURT A LOT"

THIS TIME IT HURT A LOT

Liner Notes

You want some Liner Notes? Okay--'cuz there's some new folks stopping by to comment and I do appreciate thatn and good luck to all of you...

My methodology is all pretty random to help with the old "creative block" thing. I keep a spread sheet of potential titles I've accumulated over the years. I pick one randomly. "Alexa, give me a random number between 1 and 1,379..." Then I pick a random "chord progression" based on a random song to copy. Then I put the song together in Band In A Box (which I have been using enthusiastically since 1992), and finalize in Cakewalk (one of the original DAWs--Digital Audio Workstation--that is still around and I've been using since...1992). Lay down some vocals--this time misreading "scars" for "stars" in this song, which might actually make more sense--mix and master in Cakewalk, export to MP3 and voila! A song.

And I hope you enjoy this country tune...

Lyrics

THIS TIME IT HURT A LOT

Words & Music By Jerry Pettit Facebook.com/JerryPettitMusic

I've been the fool before, darling Played the tragic clown in red Watched love burn and turn to ashes Never shed a tear, just went to bed

I was chrome and steel and armor I was ice beneath the skin Said I'd never let another Find the cracks and crawl back in

But you— You were different

CHORUS: THIS TIME IT HURT A LOT More than all the times before THIS TIME IT HURT A LOT Like a knife beneath the floor I thought I knew the script by heart I thought I'd memorized the part THIS TIME IT HURT A LOT This time it hurt

I collected broken moments Like a gallery of scars Wore them like designer tragedy While I strove to learn guitar.

You saw through my performance Pulled the curtain, killed the lights Found the frightened boy behind the makeup Held him through the endless nights

And now— Now you're gone

So I'm standing in my bedroom With your ghost and all my lies All the armor cracked and scattered All my alibis have died

I was wrong about invincible I was wrong about immune Turns out when you really love someone They can destroy you too

And you did— Oh, you did

Comments

@chill4matt 1d

Enjoyed the lyrics... the chorus especially: "I thought I knew the script by heart. I thought I'd memorized the part." You have a way with words, and your vocals are great!

@musicsongwriter 2d

So powerfully beautiful. So sincerely, expressively written, sang and played. The power of emotions! I really don't know which part is my favourite. It is absolutely gorgeous! Love it.

@williamjames 6d

This time it hurt a lot is a great tag. The chorus works well. That last verse is really powerful. Strong sense of resignation here.

@acousticmaddie 1w

I also try to pick randomly altough if I get a loveydovey line I always trend to make it dark 😂 this one made me smile. And the line "I collected broken moments Like a gallery of scars" is very powerful. The instrumentation fits the quirky lyrics

@guatecoop 1w

You know, I always have wondered your process! Fascinating how we get to the place of writing songs in such different ways. This one has so many great details and qualities. The parts just flow so smoothly in and out of each other. Fantastic!

@gwynjones 1w

Another killer chorus there, Jerry and your lyrics are always top notch!

@aneil 1w

This was my favorite bit lyrically:

I was wrong about invincible I was wrong about immune Turns out when you really love someone They can destroy you too

Great song and enjoyed reading your linear notes too

@deandra 1w

What a great story told in song! Great work!

@sheslin 1w

The pre chorus really hits each time with the change of pace and the beautiful longer held notes. I like the changing words each time also. Such beautifully written lyrics and wonderful story telling. Nice use of repetition also. I agree with everyone about the 3rd verse - wow!

@sbs 1w

Yeah, I like the scars bit. Nice chord progression and I'm always amazed by your lyrics.

@florian 1w

Yes! That verse is killer!! ⬇️

@billwhite51 1w

I collected broken moments Like a gallery of scars Wore them like designer tragedy While I strove to learn guitar.

i love that verse..and it is interesting how you shift into a higher, tenser vocal sphere for the chorus. this gives a prolonged sense of inner pain that is somwhat resolved when you ease back into the verse.