Praying for Reason

So this was a cool experience today. I had been toying around with the chord progression for the verse for maybe a month. I finally found a melody to match it that I liked. I started writing the lyrics as I went to a staff meeting this afternoon. All through the staff meeting the words kept coming to me, but I didn't have a chorus yet.

All of a sudden - BOOM! There was the chorus. I could hardly sit in my meeting. I was so antsy to get back downstairs to my piano in my classroom and play the whole song! It was literally making me want to vomit because I had to go play it. Finally the meeting was over and I went down and played it. LOVED IT!

I thought I was done with it once I had the chorus, but as I was playing it through for the first time, the coda just came out of nowhere and added itself to the end of the song. It felt complete as I finished up the words. I wrote the last word on the page, set up my computer to record it, and recorded it in just one take, which is why my vocals are not the greatest on it.

I often say to my wife when I hear a fantastic song that I wish I had written it. This is my great song. It may not be a great song to anyone but me, but regardless, this is my great song that I want other musicians to hear and go "Wow. I wish I had written that song." Maybe someday.

The line in the chorus about "praying for reasons to bleed" is not about looking for reasons to make yourself bleed. It is about feeling the urge to be completely needed, such as my wife is needed right now by our newborn. We all feel that way sometimes. It's good to admit that every once in a while.

You fall to your knees burned to the core

You close your eyes searching for more

Though I may try I cannot heal

All that you need I cannot reveal

And you pray for the things that you need

And you’re praying for reasons to bleed

And you look to the heavens above

And you’re looking for anyone’s love

You cannot give up, you cannot give in

There’s more to this world then living in sin

Don’t look to find the easy way out

You’ve got to rid yourself of your doubt

And you pray for the things that you need

And you’re praying for reasons to bleed

And you look to the heavens above

And you’re looking for anyone’s love

It’s your last chance train

Wash away your pain

There’s a world out there

Where life might be fair

You don’t need the lies

Everybody cries

Give away your tears

Give away your fears

Praying for Reason.mp3