I wish I'd written that (songs)

Subject: I wish I'd written that.
From:
Date: 05 Jan 99 - 03:36 PM

I was just visiting at The thread for Peggy Seeger's DA DEE DA DA and thought "What a great song, I wish I'd written that"


Bert.

[Many song titles in this thread have been converted to links by a Mudelf.]

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: BBJ
Date: 05 Jan 99 - 03:49 PM

THE CIRCLE GAME. Don't know who did write it, Tom Rush recorded it, the title song to his Circle Game album. That one and many, many more I wish I had written, a new one comes to mind almost every minute.

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: dwditty
Date: 05 Jan 99 - 04:22 PM

I agree with BBJ that there are many, but if I had to pick just one song it would be Billie Holiday's "GOD BLESS THE CHILD" period.

Great idea for a thread.

DW

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Jan 99 - 04:43 PM

Hmmm. I can see that BBJ did not have a proper rock 'n roll upbringing. "Circle Game" is by Joni Mitchell, one of the few songs Joni wrote that other people can actually sing.
I kinda wish it were me instead of Lorenz Hart who wrote "WHERE OR WHEN" with Richard Rodgers. Once upon a time, I had a chance to sing with a certain woman who has the richest, most beautiful voice I've ever heard. I'd love to sing that song with her....
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Jan 99 - 06:42 PM

well, the first thing that comes to mind is "THE FLOWERS OF THE FOREST,".....but then a rush of a dozen more..."THE ROSE OF ALLENDALE".."NOTTAMUN TOWN"...several of Bruce Phillips..(especially "ENOLA GAY")..several of Craig Johnson's..(especially "THE KEWEENAW LIGHT")..."LASSIE WI THE YELLOW COATIE".....and, strange to say, "THE EBENEEZER"...a silly pumping chanty..it's in the DT, but in a most awkward and shortened form...I guess I'll have to add the rest of it..

and 3,219 more......

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From:
Date: 05 Jan 99 - 06:58 PM

"DARK EYED MOLLY", by Archie Fisher.
"LIES", and "THE HOUSE OF ORANGE", by Stan Rogers.
"CAPE BRETON LULLABY", by Kenneth Leslie.
"A SCARBOROUGH SETTLER'S LAMENT", by Sandy Glendinning.
"Wo Sind Die Elefanten?', by Leon Rosselson.
"THE COVENTRY CAROL", " "THE HOLLY AND THE IVY", and "GABRIEL'S MESSAGE", by that prolific author, Trad Anonymous.

Any number of songs by the Beatles.

That song about Vincent Van Gogh by Don McLean. ["VINCENT (STARRY STARRY NIGHT)"]

Yes, CIRCLE GAME, by Joni Mitchell, as well as that one about going down to the Mermaid Tavern and buying a bottle of wine [CAREY]. Not a stellar song perhaps, but one I like.

I'm sure I could think of dozens more if I sat here long enough.

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Peter T.
Date: 05 Jan 99 - 07:02 PM

There is an important, if slightly ridiculous, distinction to be drawn here between songs that you like that you could have written (probably in your dreams, but still), and songs that you like that you could never have written in a million years.

For instance, there are any number of great 50s songs that follow a single chordal pattern, and anyone who was around then, and had the wit or thought rock and roll was important could have written another one. For example, UNDER THE BOARDWALK and UP ON THE ROOF and Back Row of the Balcony and so on. It is a bit like physicists who happened to be around the week after the atom was smashed -- Nobel Prizes were there for the taking! But where did James Taylor's "FIRE AND RAIN" come from? Or the Beatles "A DAY IN THE LIFE"? I don't think I would have liked to have written either, but I would have liked to be under the same tree when the lightning struck.

Yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From:
Date: 05 Jan 99 - 07:21 PM

I guess the name of the drinking establishment in the song was actually the Mermaid Cafe. I must have been thinking of the Mermaid Tavern in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which I used to frequent many years ago.

Yes, Fire and Rain by James Taylor is also one I wish I had written.

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 05 Jan 99 - 08:11 PM

I wish the inspiration that wrote Ashokan Farewell or Sheebeg and Sheemore would hit me. And AMAZING GRACE, although I wouldn't want to have lived that life to come to that point.

I like the idea that the best songs are yet to be written.

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: McMusic
Date: 05 Jan 99 - 09:23 PM

"BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER" and "THE BOXER"; "MR BOJANGLES"; "LOVE IS A ROSE"; "WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE?"; "PASTURES OF PLENTY". I really could go on and on. So many great songs, so little time.

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Big Mick
Date: 05 Jan 99 - 10:10 PM

The list is endless, but if you make me pick one, it would be "WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN?".

All the best,

Big Mick Lane

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Jan 99 - 10:30 PM

yes, Mick..that one too....

*re-post from a thread last June, about the death of Helen Carter...I needed to add this..*

" ....in 1978, when Mother Maybelle died, I was at an open stage in Bethesda, MD, the night the news came out, and a fellow from Baltimore, Ron Penix, came over and got onstage and played "Will the Circle Be Unbroken"....on one of Maybelle's autoharps which he had acquired from her a few years previously!! There was not a dry eye in the place...I have an old autoharp of that style, and I shall be tuning it up and playing the song later today...perhaps others will join me in their own way"

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Don Meixner
Date: 05 Jan 99 - 11:24 PM

I too will find this an endless list. But I'll be brief.

I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER WHERE I'M BOUND, by Tom Paxton
WHEN I'M GONE, by Phil Ochs
ROCK SALT AND NAILS, Bruce Phillips (Utah to many of you)
It's Not Time Now, By John Sebastian
THE LAG'S SONG, and many others, by Ewan MacColl,
TURNAROUND, By Stan Rogers
TURN AROUND (Where Are You Going), by Malvina Reynolds
I'LL BE SEEING YOU, by ??
Begin The Beguine, By??

And too many more.

Don

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Will
Date: 05 Jan 99 - 11:52 PM

Yes, so many.
NORTHWEST PASSAGE, Stan Rogers (among other of Stan's songs)
BLUE, Joni Mitchell
WALKING ON A WIRE, Richard Thompson (and more other songs than I can count by Richard Thompson)
I'M A DREAMER, Sandy Denny (and I wish I could sing it with the same impact as Linda Thompson)
HEART LIKE A WHEEL, Anna McGarrigle
BORN IN CHICAGO, Paul Butterfield (I think, though it may have been a cover)
ONE LIFE TO LIVE, John Mayall
HEROIN, Lou Reed (though I'm glad I couldn't have)
DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT, Dylan Thomas (John Cale has a version, on "Fragments of a Rainy Season", that sparkles)

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: McMusic
Date: 06 Jan 99 - 04:18 AM

I forgot one of my favorites: "ACROSS THE UNIVERSE".

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Gearoid
Date: 06 Jan 99 - 07:20 AM

(Dublin in) THE RARE OULD TIMES

(Pete St. John I envy you.)

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Ritchie
Date: 06 Jan 99 - 07:54 AM

ONE COOL REMOVE - can't remember who wrote it [Greg Brown] but Joni Mitchell sang it.
PRECIOUS THING (TILL THE NEXT SOMEWHERE) - again don't know who wrote it but heard it sung by Dee Dee Bridgewater & Ray Charles.
I HUNG MY HEAD - Sting
FEELS LIKE RAIN - John Hiatt
YA YA - Lee Dorsey
FUN LOVIN' CRIMINAL - Fun Lovin' Criminals
YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT - Jagger & Richard.
JACK THE LAD - John Martyn
SOMEWHERE DOWN THE CRAZY RIVER - Robbie Robertson
PHILADELPHIA - Neil Young
Dion, Van Morrison, Al Green, Sam Cooke, Jimmy Reed, Muddy Waters, Willie Nelson, Oh Gosh I'm going to have to go and lie down.....

Love & happiness

Ritchie

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: The Shambles
Date: 06 Jan 99 - 12:13 PM

IMAGINE by John Lennon.

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Dr John
Date: 06 Jan 99 - 01:09 PM

One verse:-

As through this world I travel I see lots of funny men
Some will rob you with a six-gun and some with a fountain pen.

Woody Guthrie from PRETTY BOY FLOYD

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 06 Jan 99 - 02:06 PM

"FOR REAL" and "THANKSGIVING EVE," both by Bob Franke.

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From:
Date: 06 Jan 99 - 06:48 PM

(LOOKING FOR) THE HEART OF SATURDAY NIGHT, by Tom Waits. Also SHIVER ME TIMBERS and I HOPE THAT I DON'T FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU, by the same.

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Ralph Butts
Date: 06 Jan 99 - 10:34 PM

Any one of these, but there's more. These are some that move me the most when I sing them, and for a songwriter to be able to do that with words alone is remarkable.

IMHO.....Tiger

ANNIE'S GOING TO SING HER SONG - Tom Paxton
THE BAND PLAYED WALTZING MATILDA - Eric Bogle
CORNFLOWER BLUE - Kate Wolf
DAVID AND ME - Jerry Jeff Walker
DEPORTEE (PLANE WRECK AT LOS GATOS) - Woody Guthrie
FOR THE SAKE OF THE SONG - Townes Van Zandt
GENTLE ANNIE - Stephen Foster
INCHES AND MILES - David Mallett
JUST A COUNTRY DREAM - Eric Andersen
LONG, LONG TIME - Gary White
ME AND BOBBY MCGEE - Kris Kristofferson
THE ROSE - Amanda McBroom
SONG FOR THE MIRA - Allister MacGillivray
STREETS OF LONDON - Ralph McTell
TURNING TOWARD THE MORNING - Gordon Bok
URGE FOR GOING - Joni Mitchell
VINCENT - Don McLean
WHERE THE RIVER SHANNON FLOWS - James I. Russell
YOUR LONG JOURNEY - Doc Watson

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Don Meixner
Date: 06 Jan 99 - 11:07 PM

Ralph,

"What's your hurry? Just watch this.
Here is one you mustn't Miss,
Annie's going to sing her song,
Called take me back again."

Thanks a lot, I'd forgotten about that song entirely. I also no suddenly recall. "WHEN PRINCES MEET", "NOW THAT I'VE TAKEN MY LIFE", "OUTWARD BOUND",

What a songwriter!

Don

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Barry Finn
Date: 06 Jan 99 - 11:56 PM

Anything that other singers had thought was traditional Barry.

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Dan Keding
Date: 07 Jan 99 - 12:26 AM

Most traditional ballads especially THE HOUSE CARPENTER, JESSE JAMES and SIR PATRICK SPENS. Also SPANISH IS THE LOVING TONGUE - killer song. Among contemporaries YELLOW COAT and THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS by Steve Goodman, STREETS OF LONDON by Ralph McTell, DARCY FARROW by Steve Gillette and THE JANUARY MAN by Dave Goulder. There are so many. Dan

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: BSeed
Date: 07 Jan 99 - 03:11 AM

"ABILENE," of course, and "SAN FRANCISCO BAY BLUES." And I wish I had just written "ME AND BOBBY MCGEE" and that no one had ever heard it. Oh, and "DON'T THINK TWICE, IT'S ALL RIGHT" and "JUST LIKE A WOMAN." And "ILLEGAL SMILE" and "I FEEL LIKE I'M FIXIN' TO DIE RAG" and "DRAFT DODGER RAG." There's also "MY BABY JUST CARES FOR ME" and "YESTERDAY" and "AMERICAN PIE " and "OVERFLOWING CAT BOX BLUES." And "GREENSLEEVES" and... --seed

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Bert
Date: 07 Jan 99 - 08:37 AM

"The Overflowing Catbox Blues."
I don't think I've heard that one Seed. Do you have the words?

Bert.

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: AndyG
Date: 07 Jan 99 - 10:33 AM

THE SONG OF THE INDIAN LASS - Jez Lowe
THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN - Leon Rosselson
A LENGTH OF YARN - John Kirkpatrick
1952 VINCENT BLACK LIGHTNING - Richard Thompson

AndyG

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Frank Howe
Date: 07 Jan 99 - 01:06 PM

AMHRAN NA BHFIANN

CARRICKFERGUS

DANNY BOY

KILKELLY

PARCEL OF ROGUES

THE PARTING GLASS

RED IS THE ROSE

ROCKY ROAD TO DUBLIN

STICK TO THE CRAYTHUR [= PADDY'S PANACEA or HUMOURS OF WHISKEY]

WHISKEY IN THE JAR

WILL YE GO, LASSIE?

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 07 Jan 99 - 06:41 PM

It has got to be the ultimate love song:

KATHY'S SONG by Paul Simon, who has got to be one of the greatest poets/songwriters of the 20th century. Simple in its melody, eloquent in its lyrics.. it is just the one. Anyone who knows my love of Irish and English folk might wonder why I picked this.. all I can say is take a listen and you'll know

Great thread by the way

Cheers

Mick

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Jan 99 - 08:38 PM

I used to think the same about Kathy's Song, Mick -
until Kathy divorced me...
-Joe Offer-

Hey Bert, your Catbox is here.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Songbob
Date: 07 Jan 99 - 11:27 PM

"Silent Night"

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Reta
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 01:36 AM

Great thread!

AMERICAN PIE,
DANNY BOY,
DICEY REILLY,
DIRTY OLD TOWN,
DON'T CROSS THE RIVER,
EARLY ONE MORNING,
EVERYTIME,
FAREWELL ANGELINA,
HOME FROM THE FOREST,
HORSE WITH NO NAME,
KING OF MORNING, QUEEN OF DAY,
LOVE MINUS ZERO (NO LIMIT),
ONE O'CLOCK JUMP,
PEGGY GORDON,
SIDEWAYS TO THE SUN,
SLANEY VALLEY,
THE SPINNING WHEEL,
STRANGER ON THE SHORE,
STREETS OF LONDON,
THAT'S ALL I WANT FROM YOU,
THERE WERE ROSES,
VINCENT,

-------------this could go on forever. I have to give up and I'm just starting.
Ahhhh, the best are always last. Any GREGORIAN CHANTS.

Blessings, Reta

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: hank
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 08:50 AM

A couple months ago a beautiful song came to me. It was set on the upper Mississippi, where I normally duck hunt. All the fall colors in the middle of nowhere, wide river. (the only artistic liberty I took was no wind, normally when I'm up there the wind makes it harder to get downstream them up)

Saddly it came to me in the middle of the night and I didn't get up and write it down. I'm still kicking myself, cause I can't remember a thing.

I hope when I get to heaven I find out it was a horrid song not worth remembering.

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Bert
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 12:59 PM

Thanks Joe. That's a good one, I'll have to learn it.

Bert.

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 02:57 PM

THE RED-HEADED STRANGER, DENVER, Willie Nelson. Anything that Dylan wrote especially from "Blood on the Tracks" as well as A HARD RAIN'S A-GONNA FALL, I SHALL BE FREE and TALKIN' WORLD WAR III BLUES (we tend to forget the genius of Bob's satirical wit). ALICE'S RESTAURANT, Arlo Guthrie. YOU NEVER EVEN CALLED ME BY MY NAME, Steve Goodman and David Alan Coe. (I've always had a soft spot for humour.) Anything by Robert Johnson, especially if I could have lived long enough to collect the royalties.

Earlier in this thread, a few people mentioned the Joni Mitchell song that mentions the Mermaid Cafe [CAREY]. I have been trying to find the CD that has this, is the song called Kerry? and what album is it from?

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Peter T.
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 04:54 PM

The Album is called "Blue", it is coloured "Blue", it makes you "Blue". Stop reading this, turn off your computer, get into your favourite form of transportation, or stroll at a fast anticipatory pace to your favourite store, and BUY THIS RECORD!! You will be pleased you did.

Yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 10 Jan 99 - 04:06 AM

Larry Kaplan: OLD ZEB; SONG FOR GALE; THE WRECK OF THE BAY RUPERT; SONG FOR THE BOWDOIN, and others.

Bob Coltman: LONESOME ROBIN; DEVIL IN THE GARDEN (and other "Son of Child" ballads); WEAVER'S REVERIE; Christmas on the Range, and others.

Craig Johnson: GOODBYE TO THE LOWLANDS; ROLL, BIG SANDY, ROLL; DAMNED OLD PINEY MOUNTAINS; WAY DOWN THE ROAD, and almost any other song he ever wrote!

Gordon Bok: TURNING TOWARD THE MORNING; MRS. MACDONALD'S LAMENT; BAY OF FUNDY; HILLS OF ISLE AU HAUT, and more.

Jerry Rasmussen: LIVING ON THE RIVER; OLD BLUE SUIT; COUNTY FAIR; HANDFUL OF SONGS, and many more.

Plus all the great ones by Ewan MacColl, Utah Phillips, Si Kahn, etc., etc. These writers all served their apprenticeships in traditional songs, and write accordingly. Bless 'em!

Sandy

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 10 Jan 99 - 11:01 AM

Joe O.,

Was it just a mistake that I clicked on your link for Kathy's Song and ended up with the Vulture's Song? So bitter. For those who want to know Kathy's Song is available on the International Lyrics Server.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Peter T.
Date: 11 Jan 99 - 11:02 AM

Sandy, if you are still monitoring this thread, what or who is a "Bowdoin"? And what is the song? I know that there is a famous college in Maine, but never knew what a Bowdoin was. Also how do you pronounce it? Is it like Bow down, or rhymes with coin, or what?

Yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: BillyJ
Date: 11 Jan 99 - 01:28 PM

pete st john wrote some excellent songs like THE FIELDS OF ATHENRY and THE FERRYMAN. anybody got email site for him?

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 12 Jan 99 - 11:19 PM

For Peter T.:

Check out the Bowdoin thread that's now up and running. All you need to know, and maybe more! Lordy, these Mudcat experts will even tell you the thickness of her hull! They continually astound me.

Sandy

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that (and The Ebeneezer)
From: GUEST,"Altair Jones"
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 01:53 PM

Harking back to a Bill D post:

"THE EBENEZER"...a silly pumping chanty..it's in the DT, but in a most awkward and shortened form...I guess I'll have to add the rest of it..

Did you ever do it? I can't get the link at all anymore, and wonder if this is the "Here I Hang My Ebenezer" that my friend is familiar with - we are trying to refresh our memories on the words...

As with all songs of this nature, every person who remembers it can remember some of the lyrics ... but no single person can remember it (authoritatively) all...

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 02:02 PM

The Ebeneezer

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: GUEST,harlowpoet
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 03:20 PM

THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE. Words Ewan MacColl, and sung by Roberta Flack.

Only three verses and not a single word wasted. Simple, timeless and brilliant. The best thing he ever did.

In my humble opinion

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Amos
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 03:28 PM

The Bowdoin Thread, an excellent sample of fine Mudcattery.

A

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 04:13 PM

"WHITE SQUALL" by Stan Rogers. This, to me, is an epic. In a few verses, Stan captures so much, Marvellous stuff!

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 04:22 PM

One nobody has probably heard... COME ON, JOE by Tony Romeo, recorded by Jo-El Sonnier

"It's so muggy in the shack and the backwoods are black
Cause the clouds hid the moon away
The light from my cigarette flickers in the dark
The only way she knows I'm here
And suddenly the sound of the fiddles and accordions
sweetly begin to play
And I can almost hear her sweet voice say
Come On, Joe, count to ten
Pull yourself together again"

I can see that song, smell the woods, see the cigarette flickering in the dark and hear the fiddles and accordions. And feel a six-pack high as the singer says.

A song that touches all six senses and the soul.

Jerry

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: GUEST,Lindswidder
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 04:44 PM

Two songs I wish I had written:

Eric Bogle's "NO MAN'S LAND" (motorcycling in France in 1976 I came across a tiny roadside cemetery containing about two dozen graves, the average age of those that lie there was about 19 years - and I have just discovered the grave of my great uncle in Laventie, who was killed in 1915, aged 17)

"HE WAS BEAUTIFUL" as sung by Cleo Laine accompanied by John Williams to the tune "Cavatina" (I first heard this song two days after the death of my fiance in a motorcycle accident in 1978)

Subject: RE: I wish I'd written that.
From: Big Mick
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 04:52 PM

"We Danced" by Bill Gallaher. An absolutely phenomenal song about older love.

"The Ballad of Martin and Gibson" by Torontonian Rick Speyer. A song that every guitar player, or player of vintage instruments will love.

Any one of a number of historical ballads by Canadian singer songwriters. These wonderful artists seem infused with a sense of place that boggles my mind. I love performing songs which tell a story well, or express an emotion in a way that makes you feel it, and when I listen to many of these songs by Bill Gallaher, Rick Speyer, or David Stone, to mention a few, it just grabs me.

Mick