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.