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On this project I took full control of writing all the song lyrics, vocal arrangements, music arrangements, music production, video production, and executive producing of this eight song, two music video recording project. This is referred to as "The California Project" because the vocalist, musicians, and production team are all based out of Los Angles, CA.



I Keep Seeing Them In My Dreams

Another one learned how to fly today 

Took off and went on their own way 

I know time will keep moving on 

And they taught me how to be strong  

 

Chorus 

 

It’s so hard to understand 

Why they passed on before me 

They help make me who I am 

And I keep seeing them in my dreams 

 

Every time it rains my heart cries 

For what I feel deep down inside 

 It sheds tears for all my friends 

Who are no longer here 

 

We all come here for a reason 

Not knowing how many seasons 

We come to touch some souls 

And keep life moving along 

 

Repeat Chorus 

 

As long as I’m alive 

Their spirits will be my light 

They will be with me forever 

Showing me the stairway to heaven


© 201 Rodney L. Washington


Description: This songwriting lyric is dedicated to my family and friend who passed  or transition on before me, who I realized as I got older taught me life lessons. Yes, and from time to time, they do appear to me in my dreams unexpectedly. Sometimes just in passing and other times interactive conversations leaving those nuggets. They always appears as I remember them never having grown old.




Hand To Paper And Pen

Chorus 

 

At special times and places  

In the very stillness of silence 

Melodies flow through my head 

That’s when I take hand to paper and pen 

 

Where the stories begin and end 

Don’t ask me I have no idea 

Where the words come from I don’t know 

I’m just the one who writes them down 

 

Repeat Chorus 

 

When the lyric line flows into poems 

That’s when love knows they are one 

Married to music and wed into songs 

The kind of ones you want to sing along   

 

Repeat Chorus 

 

I don’t question what makes me do this 

It’s something beautiful I can’t resist 

It comes and goes like the wind 

Leaving me wondering if it will come again 

 

Then just to complete my thought 

If this is what we came to talk about 

It might sound strange to you 

I pray I never stop being used 

 

Repeat Chorus


© 2008 Rodney L. Washington


Description; This lyric songwriting story line is the personal process that I go through when writing song lyrics. I was in a tavern and the bartender ask me what was wrong because I wasn't being my usual self and I told her I had writers block. Her response was why didn't I write about writing song lyrics. So folks here we are "Hand To Paper And Pen.




Leaving Everything To Chance


Chorus 

 

He’s a legend in his own mind 

Lost in this space and time 

Lives his life like a nomad 

Leaving everything to chance 

 

In the dawn of a modern age 

He doesn’t know how to change 

So he holds on to his past 

Because that’s all he has 

 

His life is pretty care free 

Running from his responsibilities 

Getting by on all that wit 

Forsaking his God given gift 

 

Always out there on the road 

Singing those glory day songs 

Telling stories about good times gone by 

Chasing women, whiskey, oowe and wine 

 

Repeat Chorus 

 

There are some places that he’s been 

That he can’t go back to again 

And if you look deep into his eyes 

You can learn this about life 

 

In the dawn of a modern age 

He doesn’t know how to change 

So holds onto his past 

Because that’s all he has     

 

Repeat Chorus 

 

As time keeps moving on 

When all he has is gone 

He’ll keep holding on to God

Because he knows he is loved 

 

Repeat Chorus 


© 2009 Rodney L. Washington


Description: The lyric songwriting backstory to this song is about one of the most talented people and friends that I have known my entire life. How they squandered their creativity and talent but kept their faith and love for God because they knew that's all they truly had along with memories of the past.